He’s baaack
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7:56 am, June 21st, 2021 - 30 comments
Categories: climate change, Culture wars, global warming, Judith Collins, Maori Issues, national, nz first, winston peters -
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For the first time since the election Winston Peters has reemerged, making an appearance at New Zealand First’s annual general meeting where he gave the keynote speech.
He had the opportunity to talk about the country and its problems and could have focussed in pressing issues such as climate change, child poverty and recovering from the global pandemic.
But instead he chose to talk about what clearly seem to him to be the most pressing issues, the “over” use of Te Reo, cycleways and gangs.
Someone should tell Judith Collins that Winston has stolen all of her party’s attack lines used during the past six months.
He made particular mention of the He Puapua report and at the same time managed to attack cancel culture and wokism, which was no easy feat. He said this:
And in 2019 a report called ‘He Puapua’ came to government but was never shown to one NZ First Cabinet Minister.
This report was deliberately suppressed.
In short, this report is a recipe for Maori separatism, they knew it and that’s why they suppressed it till after the election in the full knowledge that NZ First is for one flag, one country, one law.
It was a gesture of ingratitude and bad faith.
Growing in our country is a ‘cancel Culture’ where anyone who asks legitimate questions is belittled as a colonialist, a racist, a bigot, a chauvinist, or worse still, not new’ wokeage’.
He managed to show a complete misunderstanding of Auckland’s light rail that made Paul Goldsmith look like he knew what he was talking about. Winston said this:
You’ve heard of light rail announced to cost $1.7 billion with a tender process, that since the election the Auditor General said was illegal, and where the costs, as we said, have blown out towards $15 billion.
There was never an announcement of cost. There was a figure of $1.8 billion in the Auckland Transport Alignment Project “that will be used to leverage funding and financing and progress the city-airport and northwest corridors over the next decade.” This clearly was not the cost of the project.
Winston also had a chance to rail against the EV subsidy scheme, the scheme which his party managed to frustrate when they were in Government.
In typical Winston style after the meeting he refused to talk to reporters despite having previously indicated he would do so.
This was a typical Winston performance.
The tactic is interesting, Labour supporters would resile from what he was saying but National supporters would wholeheartedly agree. I suspect a few current National supporters will be reviewing their beliefs and see if a Septuagenarian railing against respect for Te Ao Maori, multiculturalism and addressing climate change may be the sort of leader they want ruling the country.
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- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Child Protection Investigation Unit established
A new Child Protection Investigation Unit is being established to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in care, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “The report released by the Royal Commission into abuse in state care shows us all the risk of not acting immediately when there are serious ...2 days ago - Speech at United States Business Summit 2024
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Ka mihi ki te mana whenua ko Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Kia ora and good morning everyone. Thank you Fran and Simon for inviting me here today, and importantly your leadership of this forum over several years now. I want to acknowledge David Gehrenbeck, Deputy ...2 days ago
- Record number of submissions received on granny flat proposal
Nearly 2,000 submissions have been received on the Government’s proposals aimed at making it easier to build a granny flat of up to 60 square metres without a resource or building consent, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. “This is the highest number ...2 days ago
- District Court Judge appointed
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- Appointments strengthen Predator Free 2050
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- New facility in Christchurch will improve the lives of young New Zealanders
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today opened Kahurangi, an innovative and much-needed facility for Canterbury’s Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Services. “The new state of the art outpatient facility opened today will be a gamechanger for the way mental health is delivered for young people in Canterbury,” says Mr ...3 days ago
- Driver safety screens to be installed on Auckland buses
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) that bus driver protection screens will be installed across Auckland’s bus fleet by 2026.“The Government is committed to improving the safety of working environments for bus drivers, and Budget 2024 allocated $15 million of Crown funding over ...3 days ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...3 days ago
- Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...3 days ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...3 days ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...3 days ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...3 days ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...3 days ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...3 days ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...3 days ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...3 days ago
- Fighting for Kiwis in Trade
Delivered at Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School Good morning and thank you Deputy Vice Chancellor Lithander for your warm welcome and for inviting me to open Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School today. A Special thanks to the University of Auckland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ...4 days ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...4 days ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...4 days ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...4 days ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...4 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...5 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
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- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
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- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...5 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...5 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...5 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...5 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...5 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...5 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...5 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...5 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...6 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...6 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...6 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
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- Police stats show promising change
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- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...6 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...7 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
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- View from The Hill: Albanese government crumples on misinformation bill and gambling advertising
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- COP 29: Carbon credit trading scheme critisised as ‘get out of jail free card’
The deal reached in the final hours of COP29 has been criticised as a free pass for countries to slack off on efforts to reduce emissions at home. ...3 hours ago
- COP 29: Carbon credit trading scheme criticised as ‘get out of jail free card’
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- Protest photographer John Miller records Hīkoi mō te Tiriti with his historic lens
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Peel, Director, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne The petroleum-laden dust has settled on this year’s United Nations climate summit, COP29, held over the past fortnight in Baku, Azerbaijan. Climate scientists, leaders, lobbyists and delegates are heading for home. ...5 hours ago
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The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.
We're still building multiple PG projects around NZ.
No sign of light rail, and my bet is if that cycleway doesn't start this term it will go the same way.
NZF are right there.
And if Labour can't wrangle a decently structured constitutional debate re Maori, they deserve the hit.
So they are also right there.
We need him.
It'll be a very brief comeback if this is the standard of politicking….
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018800604/shane-jones-vows-nz-first-will-return
A totally odious man.
Someone forgot to hammer the stake in.
It's not all bad. We get to watch their respective dog and pony shows which our MSM will dish up as 'balance' as they fight over that voting demographic.
Jude should be hearing the sound of inevitability as the master blaster returns to the table with that dish he's got leftovers from carving up in 2017.
It’s even colder now.
+1 TC
🙂
Same old. Same. Old.
‘
The albatross with a 'handbrack' around its neck
Still waiting for that 'something positive to offer'.
The court case against the NZ First Foundation:
The Opportunist's opportunity has gone, good riddance to the former Muldoon protégé
IMO National has created the opportunity by sticking with DP v2.0 represented by the unelectable leader who knows where the skeletons are buried.
How did he find time away from his courtroom battles (which he invariably loses) to address the NZ First conference?
I wish him all the best parliament is boring without him. We would probably be in a fifth term of a national government had he not gone with labour, incumbents benefit from a crisis after all and wed potentially have a nat/act govt. "Shudders*
Nzf is Keynesian and centerist I'd prefer them over nats and act any day of the week.
Since the left is allowing the right to get the entire free speech vote (which is stupid, surely top could reinvent itself as a somewhat libertarian left leaning party ) I wish Winston all the best in sucking up the pro free speech left and centerist vote and splitting up the social conservative vote.
Nz f has worked very well with lab govts and has been betrayed constantly by national , nzf is an esrtwhile friend that could provide labour a third or fourth term by splitting the right vote or by going into coalition with us
Either way for a person who brought this govt to power and when he talks about countries nz should emulate (he always says Scandinavia should be who emulate) Winston gets far too bad a wrap from the nz left he's not a ukip or a Farage who are radical neoliberals he's … He's weird …. And has more in common with the left than the right … He deserves more respect than he gets …
Won't vote for him but I miss Winston.
Oh God, he has risen yet again! The spectre of Winston Peters attempting to become relevant, is beginning to smell somewhat overblown now, once more engaging his already converted followers, telling them what they want to hear. It's like a time warp into the past all over again!
Where are NZF's policies to take NZ towards the future? IMO new policy has always been low on the ground as far as NZF is concerned.
Until WP steps down from the leadership and hands the role over to someone fresh, keen, having the drive to deliver strong progressive policy, NZF will remain out of Parliament. And by fresh, I don't mean … give me strength … Shane Jones!
There was something on the grapevine a while back (may have been one of Chris Trotter's pieces) that Winston was really just a false-flag lightning rod for all those old-fashioned sentiments, forever attracting (thus splitting) that vote, but never really enacting any of it.
Kind of the Professor Snape of NZ politics.
Now that he's upset both major parties, who will want to work with him?
Who will want to vote for him?
What is wrong about voting for septuagenerians? Are you an ageist? Time you grew up.
Was that directed at me?
Where did I mention age?
That was a great example of projection by peter s. (see projection – psychology)
No, I don’t believe that it was directed at you. Peter’s comment was a standalone one (AKA a new thread @ 12) and not a reply to yours – it would have been a nested comment with nested comment number, e.g., @ 11.1 – and appears to be referring to the last sentence of the OP.
Chill
He did seem to be asking someone a couple of questions and then telling them off.
I'm not losing any sleep over it.
Yes he is back.
But remember, he only has to appeal to the 10% of the electorate that is likely to vote for him. Thus he will offend the Greens, leftist Labour and even Act voters, because at the end of the day – these people are not going to vote for him.
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Winston is "The come back king". He always spots likely weaknesses, so considering how to counter his arguments might be wise.
He has no time for the current National Party, is old school and yet supported Jacinda Ardern.
An enigma is Winston, except he really does see "New Zealand" as an important entity. Why he is so threatened by Maori renaissance is difficult to fathom, and his 'two laws" stance only partially explains it. Perhaps someone with more inside knowledge may explain or clarify this more.
He is a force, so the implications need to be considered, as the disaffected may look to him at the next election.
I don't think Winston is threatened by Maori renaissance at all. He sees an opportunity to gain votes and seizes it. I'm not even sure if he is actually racist against Asians. It is all niche marketing. As Rod Donald said, a snake oil merchant.
Winston made his name in my old home town – Tauranga. Pandering to old white people which he knew very well were highly racist, back then. He hasn't changed and can't be trusted, unless you want to keep non whites at the bottom of the heap.
I see solkta has beaten me to it. He isn't threatened. Just an attempt to get the red-neck vote back – Waitakere man and woman.
So divide and rule? I remember "Bob the Builder" who beat Winston in Tauranga, rather poor candidate imo.
perhaps one the the strangest political quotes of recent times coming from Winnie, why he didn't go with the "sex maniac party". Looking forward to using that line on my local Sex Mani…….um, National Party MP.