How not to win votes and influence people

Written By: - Date published: 8:45 am, June 13th, 2023 - 172 comments
Categories: brand key, Christopher Luxon, climate change, john key, national, same old national, science - Tags:

When Don Brash strode the country seeking to be its next Prime Minister he divided, abused minority groups, got caught trying to hop into

When John Key strode the country seeking to be its next Prime Minister he did the opposite, he brokered a deal to get the anti smacking legislation through, he took Aroha Hudson to Waitangi and he talked about dealing with the causes of poverty.  He was surprisingly for National a positive future looking leader, at least that is the impression that he created.

It is interesting to see who Chris Luxon models himself on.  And it is clearly Brash.

Yesterday’s incident where he was filmed describing New Zealand as a negative, wet, whiny, inward looking country that’s lost the plot displays a level of negativity about the country and its people that will present a real problem.

And he should be thinking about the attitude shown by his own MPs.

After all complaining bitterly about road signs in Te Reo suggests a fixation with stoking culture wars at a time when climate change should be dominating political discourse.

Not only are they negative, whiny and inward looking but they have recently displayed a remarkable ability for magical thinking.

In the midst of a global crisis they have decided to appease the farming lobby by delaying agriculture’s entry into the Emissions Trading Scheme.

And Luxon has accused the Government of blowing up the He Waka Eke Noa arrangement.  Think of Luxon saying that in a whiny voice for full effect.

Luxon’s statement is actually quite accurate.  As long as you replace “New Zealand” with “National”.

 

 

172 comments on “How not to win votes and influence people ”

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  1. roy cartland 1
    13 June 2023 at 8:53 am

    Is there an edit needed in that first sentence?

    [Oops now corrected – MS]

    • Tiger Mountain 1.1
      13 June 2023 at 9:40 am

      Might refer to Brash’s awkward attempt to step into a speedway car which was shown on media channels at the time.

      • georgecom 1.1.1
        13 June 2023 at 6:28 pm

        or when he tried to walk the plank to a boat. What he did hop into was a secret deal with the Exclusive Brethren to massively try and avoid election advertising rules and then hopped into a huge controversy as he tried to cover it up.

  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    13 June 2023 at 8:57 am

    If Luxon's latest blurt doesnt gain any %, will Willis again jump in to say it was just jokes?

    He is desperate…(well thats a given), to claw back from Act. Desperation leads to error. He aint clever…or quick thinking. He will be tripped up by pressure from Green and Labour : )

  3. observer 3
    13 June 2023 at 8:59 am

    It's not even a slip of the tongue. Anybody can do the old "foot in mouth" gaffe and apologise afterwards but this is a deliberate, scripted line.

    We know this because he's said the very same words before. It is – without question – what he believes, and wants to say, about the people, to the people.

    https://twitter.com/StrayDogNZ/status/1668161896175009793

  4. tsmithfield 4
    13 June 2023 at 9:16 am

    If this statement is going to be commented on, it should be stated in its context. I suspect I would be banned if I used a quote that way.

    Here is the statement in its context.:

    "We have become a very negative, wet, whiney, inward-looking country and we have lost the plot and we have got to get our mojo back," Luxon said to one farmer.

    Notice, for a start, he used the inclusive word "We" meaning he was including himself in that description.

    And, I agree with him. The likes of Sir Ed would probably be ashamed of the way our society has become. We have become so needy, and so dependent on others to do things for us, and then complain if they don't.

    We need to regain some of that "can do" attitude that kiwis used to pride themselves on.

    • weka 4.1
      13 June 2023 at 9:27 am

      was he talking about farmers?

    • observer 4.2
      13 June 2023 at 9:30 am

      he used the inclusive word "We" meaning he was including himself in that description.

      Nice try, but clearly contradicted by Luxon's own words, quoted in my comment above yours.

      Was Luxon born 6 years ago?

    • Jack 4.3
      13 June 2023 at 9:33 am

      I suspect Luxon is quietly very pleased the left are getting themselves so off on this statement. It speaks directly to the divisive society created under Aderns leadership and ably carried on by Hipkins. Bit it also talks to the ability to bring back the kiwi can do on October 14.

      • tsmithfield 4.3.1
        13 June 2023 at 9:47 am

        I am thinking this also. I think there may be a plan to allow the media etc to froth at the mouth at these sort of statements, and show themselves as totally unhinged.

        Then, Willis steps in and counter-attacks like she did the other day.

        • Incognito 4.3.1.1
          13 June 2023 at 10:09 am

          So, let me get this straight.

          National’s ‘plan’ – strategy is too big a word here – is for Luxon to make a fool of himself at every opportunity and look like a detached idiot and then for Willis to take over and lead the party to a glorious victory on 14 October?

          Is Jack Tame in on it, because he played along with ‘the plan’ very effectively? Not that Luxon needs any help – he’s a natural natural, that even AI cannot improve.

          I think this is truly a Master Plan and a genuine stroke of genius and a sure-fire way of winning the election!

          • tsmithfield 4.3.1.1.1
            13 June 2023 at 10:32 am

            I am not sure if it is making a fool of himself.

            The sort of comments he has made have been blown way out of proportion and distorted by the media. Look at the headlines for this. They all place it way out of context, and try to display it as something shocking and terrible, likely to grab headlines.

            But the comments themselves have been throw-away comments of the type that most of us probably make every day in one way or another. And, I think the average person realises this.

            If the media are going to behave in this way, and examine the minutiae of everything said in order to manufacture scandals, then, it is probably good to have a strategy to counter it.

            Rather than snivel and apologise at every turn, it is probably better to fight back and point out how stupid and precious the media is being over this sort of stuff.

            Note, that trust in the media is continuing to decline. So, pointing this sort of stuff out probably has a lot of people nodding in agreement.

            https://www.aut.ac.nz/news/stories/trust-in-the-news-slips-further

            • Incognito 4.3.1.1.1.1
              13 June 2023 at 3:26 pm

              The sort of comments he has made have been blown way out of proportion and distorted by the media.

              Well, you argued this was all part of ‘the plan’, remember?

              I think there may be a plan to allow the media etc to froth at the mouth at these sort of statements, and show themselves as totally unhinged.

              I sense your desperation as Luxon apologist.

              But the comments themselves have been throw-away comments of the type that most of us probably make every day in one way or another.

              Have you watched Luxon’s interview with Jack Tame in full? Luxon doesn’t make ‘throw-away comments’ like most of us – he’s probably been instructed by his minders not to. His language is guarded, robotic, and he's nauseatingly repeating the same talking points, just like a chatbot.

              If the media are going to behave in this way, and examine the minutiae of everything said in order to manufacture scandals, then, it is probably good to have a strategy to counter it.

              Luxon has 16 million strategies that all failed [him]. It’s not the media’s doing; people find out for and by themselves on Social Media and can put 2 & 2 together. What’s the ‘strategy’ to counter it? The Willis excuse: ‘he didn’t mean it’, ‘he was joking’, ‘he wasn’t there but in Te Puke’, et cetera?

              Rather than snivel and apologise at every turn, it is probably better to fight back and point out how stupid and precious the media is being over this sort of stuff.

              Fight back against your own ‘plan’!? Only a diehard Nat would buy this kind of gaslighting and sing its praises online.

              Note, that trust in the media is continuing to decline. So, pointing this sort of stuff out probably has a lot of people nodding in agreement.

              Who on Earth would want trust in media to decline? Only truly Trumpian minds would applaud such a thing. People are nodding because they’re falling asleep reading your simplistic & contradictory comments here.

              • tsmithfield …
                13 June 2023 at 4:42 pm

                I heard HDPA saying virtually the same as me on the way home tonight, because, it appears that Luxon had doubled-down on his comments rather than walking away from them, and used it as an opportunity to launch an attack on Labour.

                "I'm calling the Labour Government wet and whiny," Luxon replied. "There's nothing wrong with New Zealand or New Zealanders. It's the best country on planet Earth and we have endless potential."

                The National leader said New Zealand had gone backwards under the current Government and it would be "positive" under an "ambitious" National Government.

                Contrast that with the snivelling apologising that was going on last year.

                • Incognito …
                  13 June 2023 at 5:11 pm

                  Phew! So, according to Luxon there are only 27 wet & whiny Kiwis in NZ? And the people who vote for Labour? Are they not a tiny bit wet & whiny too?

                  But hang on! Hasn’t Luxon gone off-plan – after all, he did run an airline? Wasn’t Willis meant to do the counter-attack?

                  With HDPA you’re in good company – lots of nodding there.

                  FYI, snivelling is common in winter.

                  Luxon’s ‘attack’ resembles that of Monty Python’s Black Knight with this plot twist: the knight chopped off his own limbs and then stabbed himself in the back with his own sword (quite a feat).

                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmInkxbvlCs

                • Louis …
                  13 June 2023 at 6:11 pm

                  Luxon has not doubled down, he is desperately trying to walk back from "We have become a very negative, wet, whiny, inward-looking "country" Clearly he wasn't referring to Labour at the time, unless he sees Labour and the country as one, and the same.

              • Louis …
                13 June 2023 at 6:13 pm

                yes Incognito.

        • Louis 4.3.1.2
          13 June 2023 at 11:24 am

          IMO you and Jack are in denial, others are not to blame for Luxon's constant foot-in-mouth syndrome. How long before this gaffe is 'clarified' and walked back?

          The media defended another Luxon gaffe just recently.

          "Jack Tame: Luxon wasn't seriously urging us to have babies"

          https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/06/09/jack-tame-luxon-wasnt-seriously-urging-us-to-have-babies/

          • tsmithfield 4.3.1.2.1
            13 June 2023 at 11:43 am

            "Jack Tame: Luxon wasn't seriously urging us to have babies"

            That is true. And Jack Tame is one of the more sane ones. But, Cushla Norman equating Luxon's views with Nazi experiments?

            This is the sort of unhinged, frothing at the mouth sort of stuff I am referring to. I don't think anyone should complain about ratonal media investigation. But, beat-ups like the one mentioned above, shouldn't be tolerated, and should be pushed back on as hard as possible. And the people asking such stupid questions need to be publicly shamed.

            • joe90 4.3.1.2.1.1
              13 June 2023 at 12:16 pm

              Let's do ehrenarier and unnütze esser. They fit.

              /

              • tsmithfield …
                13 June 2023 at 1:05 pm

                Again, comments that are blown out of proportion by the media in the context they were given. But from early last year.

                It looks like Luxon had a different strategy back then, focusing on explaining or justifying, which just made him look weak.

                It looks to me that the strategy has changed. Had that same line of questioning been given today, I expect the response would be more along the lines of:

                "Stop deliberately blowing things out of proportion to make an issue out of a non-issue. Most kiwis would understand exactly what I meant. If you can't, then I really can't help you."

                • Louis …
                  13 June 2023 at 1:19 pm

                  Luxon has not said that though and his strategy hasn't changed, he keeps putting both feet firmly in his mouth.

                  • tsmithfield …
                    13 June 2023 at 1:31 pm

                    I think his inexperience as a politician is showing through a bit. But, also, I think the media is continually shreiking about various inconsequential statements and trying to paint some sort of picture they want to represent, rather than reporting reality.

                    Ask Chat GPT why the trust in media is declining. One of the reasons given is:

                    Sensationalism and clickbait: Some media outlets prioritize sensational stories and headlines to attract attention and increase viewership or readership. This emphasis on generating attention-grabbing content can create a perception that media organizations prioritize entertainment value over accuracy and in-depth reporting, which can erode trust.

                • joe90 …
                  13 June 2023 at 1:43 pm

                  in the context they were given.

                  The nature of the audiences he was addressing made it pretty damn clear what the context was; to the party faithful high calibre Māori were deserving folk like you and I and to McIvor's rabid listeners bottom feeders were undeserving folk not like and you and I.

                  • In Vino …
                    13 June 2023 at 8:30 pm

                    My tuppence: correct English is "like you and me."

                    "Like you and I" is utterly wrong when 'like' is a preposition.

                    Looks like he needs to spend some of his huge election funds on some grammar consultants. (In that sentence, "like" is a conjunction, not a preposition.)

                    Just saying.

            • Louis 4.3.1.2.1.2
              13 June 2023 at 12:32 pm

              The media often ask dumb, inflammatory questions over something that has been said or done. If memory serves, Cushla Norman, like several reporters, is highly critical of the Labour govt.

              Luxon, who makes way too many gaffes and flip-flops, should consider thinking first before opening his mouth.

              • Tony Veitch …
                13 June 2023 at 3:04 pm

                As someone said, there needs to be a couple of speed bumps between his brain and his mouth!

        • PsyclingLeft.Always 4.3.1.3
          13 June 2023 at 12:36 pm

          tsmithfield # 4.3.1

          ” think there may be a plan”

          Lol….you are taking the piss?. Except… its a plan…so cunning

          "I have a cunning plan"

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldrick#Character

          Just lmao : )

          • tsmithfield 4.3.1.3.1
            13 June 2023 at 12:58 pm

            I think there is a plan to deal with media misrepresentation. That is by pushing back strongly against that nonsense rather than wimpering and apologising.

            Not a plan around deliberately making gaffs or any such thing.

            • Louis 4.3.1.3.1.1
              13 June 2023 at 1:27 pm

              If there is a plan, the National Party doesn't appear to be following it. Do you feel the same when the media misrepresents govt or any other party that is not National?

              • tsmithfield …
                13 June 2023 at 1:43 pm

                Yeah, I do, actually. It all gets a bit tiresome, and it is never clear if it is just a media beat-up or not.

                Oh for the days of true investigative and balanced reporting.

                • Louis …
                  13 June 2023 at 2:05 pm

                  I haven't seen any comment from you in defence of Labour and the Greens.

                  • In Vino …
                    13 June 2023 at 8:38 pm

                    And please, tsmithfield, the word is 'gaffe', not gaff, which is a nautical term basically for a pole with a hook on the end.

                    Mind you, you could have been deliberately making a gaffe, couldn't you?

              • Mark Craig …
                17 June 2023 at 1:12 pm

                This plan trope is getting tired.It is a Crosby Textor, very old card trick.Sheesh I cannot believe right wing numbskulls are still paying for this low rent electioneering.It first blew up on Campbell Newman here in Queensland years ago,he lost the premiership in a landslide after just one term.The Tories tried it,look at the local body elections there.Keep asking for details,you will flummox him.

        • bwaghorn 4.3.1.4
          13 June 2023 at 1:34 pm

          Couner attacks!!!???

          Is that what they call clean up in aisle 7 these days.

          How long since your say willis standing next to luxon?

          They ain't no team

      • Louis 4.3.2
        13 June 2023 at 11:29 am

        Disagree with you, Jack. NZ was divided long before the global pandemic.

    • joe90 4.4
      13 June 2023 at 9:55 am

      We need to regain some of that "can do" attitude that kiwis used to pride themselves on.

      Number 8 wire and that "can do" attitude meant settling for on the cheap fixes, short-termism, shitty, poorly designed houses fit for neither purpose nor climate, shoddy, over priced consumer goods, Thames-assembled motorcars, and the Trekka.

      Because that was all there was.

      • mike 4.4.1
        13 June 2023 at 11:03 am

        'We need to regain some of that "can do" attitude that kiwis used to pride themselves on.'

        You mean like 'Make NZ Great Again' ?

      • Stuart Munro 4.4.2
        13 June 2023 at 7:55 pm

        I have a bit of time for number 8 wire.

        Back in the day. I had a Cockies' Roller – a Triumph 2.5 – lovely ride. But low-slung. Nearly every time I did a dirt road the muffler would cop it – $50 – $100 for a new shitmetal bracket. One day, a mate & I (a Coaster) drove up to Lake Onslow, where the ridged road did the usual. Dave was off out the door and back from a strainer post with a bit of spare wire in minutes. He did a Spanish Windlass around the muffler with it, and not only were we good to go, but I never had to buy another shitmetal bracket.

        We caught a few fish too – 'twas a bloody good outing, right down to the cold roast ducks I'd brought along for lunch. If you're ever at Onslow, and the wind is annoying – try the Teviot River – used to be a lot of hungry browns in it.

        • joe90 4.4.2.1
          13 June 2023 at 9:00 pm

          During development of the central north island's SWER system #8 wire was routinely used as an overhead high/low voltage conductor. And often as not it was carried on railway track poles. Encountering either was the stuff of nightmares for a distribution liney. Bouncy, brittle, and terrifying.

          So no, I don't share your fondness for #8 wire and the "can do" attitudes that once prevailed.

    • AB 4.5
      13 June 2023 at 11:15 am

      We have become so needy, and so dependent on others to do things for us, and then complain if they don't.

      I see it more this way – some of us have become so corrupted by an ideology that insists we are not all mutually dependent, that they scream and fight like rats in a hole whenever they are reminded of the fact.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 4.6
      13 June 2023 at 2:02 pm

      Notice, for a start, he used the inclusive word "We" meaning he was including himself in that description.

      You could be right – maybe would-be PM Luxon feels that he himself has "become a very negative, wet, whiney, inward-looking" person who has "lost the plot", and that he needs to get his "mojo back."

      This would make sense, given he isn't a particularly positive political figure – but Luxon/Luxoff will no doubt clarify his comments in due course.

      Luxon's polls 'abysmal' but National leadership change unlikely
      [21 May 2023]

      Kiwis unsure on Luxon five months out from NZ election – poll
      [15 May 2023]
      Newshub also polled on whether the leaders were seen as "in touch or out of touch with the issues facing New Zealanders today".
      …
      Despite his protestations, Luxon was 9.8% in the negative, with 37.2% in touch and 47% out of touch.

  5. Dennis Frank 5
    13 June 2023 at 9:21 am

    I've lived in alternative Aotearoa since I first became averse to the neocolonial ambience of the 1950s as a child. Everyone assumed being part of the empire was normal. They got a scared look in their eyes when I talked to them, so I realised I wasn't normal.

    Our electorate contains a tertiary independent component: folks who transcend the ancient binary. While left-wingers & right-wingers remain attached to NZ, the positive alternative to that antiquated pile of shit grows steadily stronger by including all those who are neither left nor right in their political stance.

    Luxon's reluctance to acknowledge National's role in perpetuating historical crap probably just indicates his lack of interest in learning from history. Nonetheless, trashing one's home country is a political tactic unlikely to impress other neanderthals. Also, crucial swing-voters will likely see his display as a pathetic attempt to blame the people for how they feel about things currently. Blaming humans for human nature seems irrational.

    I saw a gallup poll recently which measured the US electorate as 40% independent, with 30% each self-identifying as either left or right. The disaffected are trending towards a majority. The traditional political terrain has been morphed by neoliberalism, producing a challenging context for political operatives; how to market to this emerging group? Brand psychology suggests that a nifty label usually works. Watch this space!

  6. Incognito 6
    13 June 2023 at 9:28 am

    Does it rain a lot in Te Puke?

  7. Mac1 7
    13 June 2023 at 9:47 am

    https://teara.govt.nz/en/political-values/print

    Googling views on New Zealanders by politicians I found the above article by Stephen Levine. It looks at how we Kiwis see ourselves from colonial times onwards uptil 2012 when the article was written.

    Luxon's 'losing the plot' remarks are not in line with Levine's historical findings which were positive about our values of being 'good neighbours', equality and inclusiveness.

    Have we changed and is Luxon tapping into some well of despair, or is this more like his version of MAGA Trump wanting to make NZ great again?

    First describe our society as destroyed and then propound yourself as the one who wants to rebuild. Is this Luxon the redeeming prophet, the one to lead us from the wilderness, who will part the waters and lead us to better pastures?

    I believe that there is a fundamentalist side to Luxon and that his way of searching for enough votes to take power will part the social waters and leave them divided.

  8. Peter 8
    13 June 2023 at 10:30 am

    A mass are whiny. About anything, everything. If there was nothing to whine about they’d whine about that.

    All Luxon has to do is harness that to the serious Act mob and he’s PM. Actual polls which have him not riding high are how important? I’m sure many will overlook Doofus in the rapture of their whinefests.

  9. psych nurse 9
    13 June 2023 at 10:32 am

    I think he's still preoccupied with making babies and has been misquoted, he actually said " wet and winey" not giving a thought to foetal alcohol syndrome in the coming generation.

  10. Shanreagh 10
    13 June 2023 at 10:35 am

    "We have become a very negative, wet, whiney, inward-looking country and we have lost the plot and we have got to get our mojo back," Luxon said to one farmer.

    Well before we throw everything out because it is said by someone from the right ie kneejerk then let's look.

    I, for one, have long said that NZ as a nation seems to have turned into a nation of whiners. Though I have called them 'Moaning Minnies' and have long pondered (tongue in cheek) if this trait came in with Covid and it was a little known component called the 'Moaning Minnie virus'.

    Now of course we are fiercely trying to backtrack on the Covid measures that were taken too much, too soon, not enough, took away rights, etc etc. We lived for a time when there was no vaccine. So we moaned all the way through about measures to save lives. We moan about Maori issues, we moan about water issues.

    Inward looking goes part & parcel with moaning.

    'Wet' is the piece I think he has got wrong. Having worked through the late 1980s 1990s neo lib restructuring, in comparison with Drys of that era such as David Caygill, Richard Prebble and Ruth Richardson we are 'wettish'. We had a phrase 'she is so dry she is almost combustible'. I don't think we have anyone on the left that is the opposite of that.

    I think the Nats/Labour are clustered around the middle in the 'Damps' category. Act is probably the 'cold damps' (the type of washing you need to bring inside and warm them up before you can work out if it is dry or damp'

    We have been drawn into dark places by issues that were imported and not pressing ie the self ID, no debate. Some of the rhetoric around Covid falls into this category.

    Our politicans seem dour even Hipkins has passed his powerful 'man of the people' sausage roll lover/spreading your legs twinkle' peak and has become an anonymous man in a suit. He has entered the dreaded charisma-free zone.

    Our lack of mojo is apparent with Labour seemingly timidly squandering a large majority and goodwill by tinkering. How are we to make NZ a better place if we don't spend some 'capital' to do it? Our capital is for the people stuff.

    Relative to the world we are a poor country $$$$$. Our citizens are poorly paid and some of organs of state don't work well for us eg tax rates. We have built up wide disparities of income/wealth.

    We are rich in landscape, fresh air & water but we cannot live on them. In fact we have let some of our citizens squander even those benefits to enrich themselves eg industrial dairying on sensitive soils, leaching nitrates into aquifers etc.

    So let us have a look at what Luxon has said. We surely have more integrity and self knowledge not to rail at someone who may be telling the truth as he seees it and whose words/thoughts may actually be correct or partly correct.

    Surely we are not so tribal?

    • observer 10.1
      13 June 2023 at 10:56 am

      But Luxon's claim is …

      It's only happened in the last six years.

      And the issues you mention ("wide disparities of income/wealth", "rich in landscape, fresh air & water but we cannot live on them", etc) are the very opposite of what Luxon cares about, or wants to do something about.

      • Shanreagh 10.1.1
        13 June 2023 at 11:21 am

        Well the Moaning Minnie stuff definitely started for me in the last 6 years. Now in our backtracking we are in full moan about the measures that were taken to keep us from dying prior to the vaccine being widely available. PM Ardern is still a handy moan/whine starter if we run out of something current.

        Some of the policies that have been shelved are because as part of an election build-up people would be moaning/whining about them and we might lose the election.

        Let us see if we can glean something that we can use, out of this perhaps off the cuff, porhaps not, comment by Luxon.

        • Patricia Bremner 10.1.1.1
          13 June 2023 at 1:09 pm

          Luxon is tapping into the latent frustration of worldwide after effects of covid for his personal and political gain… nothing else.

          He is shark like, wanting to hunt bargains in the fire economy. He belongs to the same evangelical marketing school as Morrison.imo

    • Patricia Bremner 10.2
      13 June 2023 at 1:14 pm

      Perhaps Hipkins more serious side is a result of knowing how NZ will be buffeted by International events, where Luxon seems to blame us, without any warmth or assurance about our future. Have you not noticed that lack?

    • Incognito 10.3
      13 June 2023 at 2:57 pm

      So let us have a look at what Luxon has said.

      […]

      Surely we are not so tribal?

      Sure, here’s my short non-tribal take on what Luxon said & meant:

      You suck, vote National

      • Shanreagh 10.3.1
        13 June 2023 at 6:27 pm

        Goodness me election snarling has come early to a blog near me.

        He said it to a farmer and the Nats are traditionally the farmers' friend. Anyway no matter who he said it too, whether he meant the poor farmer he was talking to or NZ as a place, surely we could look at it and learn from it if need be. So you like your medicine from Nanny state's left teaspoon, others might be willing to take a look at the teaspoon in Nanny's right hand.

        If the Nats are going to run a campaign on sunshine and sprinkles my pick, on the amount of fed-upness and grumpiness about at the mo', is that could be a sure fire winner. So he may be giving us a head's up on a part of their campaign to set out how down we are so Sprinkles Nats can bring our smiles & $$$$ back. At least I hope the people running the campaign for Labour are looking at this possibly inadvertent look into a campaign strategy.

        In one of those tiresome Stuff polls I saw earlier today (but now cannot find) sadabout 62% felt he had got the mood of the country about right.
        Anne also linked to it
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300903899/yeah-nah-is-nz-a-negative-wet-whiny-inwardlooking-country

        I do not resile from using the word tribal. When you follow the leader through thick and thin through good and bad places without thinking, without being able to see that someone else might have a point then we have become a very sorry place to be. We were so tied up in the Moaning Minnie virus that came in, in my view with Covid, that some moaned at restrictions designed to save our lives……

        Real whiny +++++++ and squared.

        'Jees Wayne' as they say.

        • Incognito 10.3.1.1
          13 June 2023 at 7:50 pm

          Your thin skin is showing again.

          Your word salad is a bit of a mess.

          How do you know the farmer was poor?

          Hardly anything that comes out of the National talking points factory is worth taking seriously. The real brain activity is coming from ACT and Luxn knows it judging by his stress responses.

          Appearing on Newshub Nation’s political panel, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson said he believes the reason National isn’t polling higher is due to its fellow right-bloc party ACT, warning it could steal the party’s right-wing voters.

          https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/06/election-2023-act-stealing-right-wing-voters-poses-risk-to-national-senior-journalist.html

          • Shanreagh 10.3.1.1.1
            14 June 2023 at 11:25 am

            How do you know the farmer was poor?

            Solely on the basis that a earbashing from Luxon would put you on the back foot. Also not all farmers are lining up to vote National……

            I like to see for myself and make my mind up about uttterances, hence the reference to 'tribal', earlier on. I don't have the mind that says something from a right wingers BAD, anything from a left winger GOOD. Both are able to supply a good thought just as they boith are able to supply a nutty thought.

            And the fact that I have a view that whining is fast becoming or has become, a noticeable trait goes back to the very start of the Covid response.

            Nice deflection though about ACT. Not my point at all.

            My point was that perhaps the idea of naming the problem – whining and moaning – and then making sure that subsequent utterances are about solutions that would put a smile on the dial could be worth looking at.

            As I said the Stuff silly poll does seem to indicate that he has struck some sort of recognition.

            Then we have Luke Malpass in Stuff today

            https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/132308266/why-christopher-luxon-may-ride-the-whinging-wave-all-the-way-to-the-beehive

            The gloom and pessimism is something Labour needs to counter. Altough you may not believe this needs to happen, I am sure/hopeful that those working on the campaign from the Labout side will be following this.

            Finally can you actually respond to what I am saying rather than barely hidden ad homs and criticism of a writing style. Thanks.

    • ianmac 10.4
      13 June 2023 at 3:31 pm

      A good question on Morning Report a day or so ago. "Who are the very negative, wet, whiney, inward-looking people?" (Apart from Luxon and team of course.)

  11. Sanctuary 11
    13 June 2023 at 11:26 am

    Luxon represents a significant strand of Pakeha settler thinking that really hasn't moved on from the days of the 19th century pastoralists, kauri harvesters and gold miners. Go to the far flung colony, extract as much wealth as you can, and then retire to a more bucolic and civilised corner of the world.

    These are the people who don't like Maori language, who think NZ was "prison" during the covid lockdowns and long to live in a village in Provence.

    In any event – this comment fails the most important test of anyone who aspires to lead us. Like Caesars wife, the PMs loyalty must be above question. As it stands you suspect that if Russia ever invaded NZ, Luxon and his mates would be the ones Googling flights out of here, not how to make Molotov cocktails.

  12. Anne 12
    13 June 2023 at 11:26 am

    Well, the red-necked retired boomers are getting on to Luxon's nonsensical bandwagon boots' n all:

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300903899/yeah-nah-is-nz-a-negative-wet-whiny-inwardlooking-country

    Currently 60% for Luxon, 40% against.

    • Jack 12.1
      13 June 2023 at 12:28 pm

      Good numbers. He only needs to resonate with 51% of the country. To resonate with 60% is great. Rather that than having to be a PM explaining why gangs in rural towns can dictate when kids can go to school or why 10000 complaints about antisocial behaviour in state houses results in only 3 evictions.

      • Louis 12.1.1
        13 June 2023 at 1:07 pm

        What about the anti-social behaviour of tenants in private rentals? Why are state housing tenants singled out when the majority are not a problem?

        "gangs in rural towns can dictate when kids can go to school" Do you have a link please?

        Those polls on Stuff and Newshub are easily rigged. People can vote as many times as they like by deleting their browsing history after each vote.

        • Belladonna 12.1.1.1
          13 June 2023 at 3:05 pm

          I think you can pretty much guarantee that anti-social behaviour of tenants in private rentals will result in swift eviction.
          That kind of behaviour is likely to result in damage to the house (about which the landlord cares a great deal) and/or a high administrative burden for the letting agent in dealing with complaints (about which the agency cares a great deal).

          While a great number of state housing tenants are great tenants – the minority who are not, are not being effectively dealt with by HNZ/KO.

            • Belladonna 12.1.1.1.1.1
              13 June 2023 at 4:05 pm

              I'm unable to read your link – since it requires a subscription.
              Although, if the landlord is putting the property on the Air BnB market – they’ve clearly already got rid of the problem tenants.

              Problem tenants, will never get another open-market tenancy ever.

              If you're not aware that there is a massive shortage of rental property, and that tenants are bending over backwards to be seen as good tenants to retain the tenancy or get a new one – then you've clearly not been living in NZ for the last 5 years.

              • Louis …
                13 June 2023 at 6:35 pm

                Only some are choosing to put their rentals on the holiday rental market. For many years landlords have often complained about how difficult it can be to get rid of problematic tenants. National broke NZ's housing market and left a housing crisis, so of course I am well aware of the consequences of that, but badly behaving tenants, which includes the private rental market is not new and certainly predates this govt. It's as though you weren't living in NZ prior to the 2017 election.

                • Belladonna …
                  13 June 2023 at 7:31 pm

                  Yes, of course there are badly behaved tenants in both private and state rentals. The difference is that the private landlords take action to remove the tenants, the state…. not so much…..

                  We have had story after story in the media of appalling behaviour, intimidation, threats, and making life unendurable for neighbours of problem KO tenants.

                  We've even had IRL examples provided on TS.

                  Yes, of course, it's only the worst examples that make the news. But it's also the worst examples which should spur KO into effective action.

                  Don't hold your breath.

                  After thousands of documented complaints (and we also have evidence that 'documentation' requires some considerable effort from the complainant) – a grand total of 3 have been removed from the KO tenancy (and no doubt, relocated to make someone else's life a misery).

                  • Louis …
                    13 June 2023 at 9:29 pm

                    Media single out Kāinga Ora, it makes good clickbait, much like benebashing, when the same kind of instances that you have described occur in the private rental sector as well. Media do not report on the complaints private landlords and property managers receive. This is not a new issue that has suddenly occurred in the last 5 and half years like you seem to think.

                    “One of the provisions in particular will enable Kāinga Ora to implement a warnings process, allowing us to apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to end a tenancy should there be three separate, and evidenced, incidents of a serious nature within a 90 day period.

                    “Of course, it is important to note that this course of action will only be used for the very small number of cases where severe and persistent disruptive behaviour is apparent.

                    “We also do not want to make a customer homeless; we will move them to another Kāinga Ora home and continue to provide them with the intensive support they need to address the causes behind their behaviour. Making people and whānau homeless creates a revolving door for housing which only sees problems compound and perpetuate.”

                    https://kaingaora.govt.nz/news/kainga-ora-implements-new-tools-to-manage-disruptive-behaviour/

                    • Belladonna …
                      13 June 2023 at 9:51 pm

                      Nope. I think that any private landlord who persistently ignored "severe and persistent disruptive behaviour" would also be 'featured' in the media.

                      Can you give a single example of this happening? I sincerely doubt it, since private landlords have an incentive to only retain 'good' tenants; and private tenants have an incentive not to be seen as troublemaking – as pointed out above.

                      There are literally dozens of KO ones in the last year. Like this one.

                      90 callouts by police over the last 5 years.

                      And, to actually get the police to turn up – you're talking a serious incident – they're not going to to show up because you're squabbling over the back fence.

                      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/hamilton-mums-battle-with-kainga-ora-over-neighbours-from-hell/VPZMZV6EWRCVDE6O5PPSVHQ5EU/

                      It makes you wonder just what the criteria for "severe and disruptive behaviour" is for KO. What does it take? A murder?

                      It's noteworthy that the number of reported issues (which the rest of the community would regard as 'serious') – for KO haven't diminished significantly in the last year – which indicates that their vaunted tools for managing disruptive behaviour just aren't working.

                    • Louis …
                      13 June 2023 at 10:27 pm

                      That is your opinion. Already gave you a link where private landlords have struggled to have tenants removed. It can be a complicated process. Landlords can and do remove 'good' tenants' if it means they could charge a higher rent to someone else.

                      Do you think troublesome tenancies never occurred before the Labour govt? Do you also think there has never been a police call out to a private rental? If so, that's pretty deluded.

                      How many complaints turn out to be a case of nimbyism? Kainga Ora has a better grasp on what's going on than you do.

        • observer 12.1.1.2
          13 June 2023 at 3:47 pm

          Jack seriously believes that the local election turnout was 71%! Must be true, because an online Stuff thingy said so.

          https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/300702148/yeah-nah-will-you-vote-in-this-years-local-body-elections

          The actual turnout was 36%.

          There's a good reason why there are constant complaints against these "polls" to the Media Council. They are not polls, they are bot-fests. You can literally watch them being rigged in real time.

          But you don't have to believe me, just ask woke leftie David Farrar, who complained to Stuff about these polls that poor old Jack is fool enough to believe.

          Mr Farrar says the statement that only one vote per computer was allowed is factually wrong and that it is “trivial” for internet users to get past restrictions.

          https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/rulings/david-farrar-against-the-dominion-post/

          • Incognito 12.1.1.2.1
            13 June 2023 at 3:57 pm

            Trolls cling to BS like shit sticks to a blanket. It fits the narrative.

          • Jack 12.1.1.2.2
            13 June 2023 at 5:51 pm

            Yesterday I asked if you where thick when you completely misquoted my post.

            Today I ask the same question again, given your understanding of statistics seems equally astray. Turnout relates to a population, a poll to a sample. Ask 100 people in my local area if they like pizza and 70% say yes. It doesn’t mean the local pizza shop is going to sell 0.7 times the population in pizzas tonight!

            • observer 12.1.1.2.2.1
              13 June 2023 at 6:16 pm

              I'll back a professional pollster's understanding of psephology stats over your deliberate misunderstanding.

              Troll less, read more. I already provided the links for you.

              • Jack …
                13 June 2023 at 6:39 pm

                You provided a link to a complaint that was declined. Bit like your mis-quote yesterday. Keep up the good work. You add great comedic value to this site. You’re one of my favourites.

                • observer …
                  13 June 2023 at 6:50 pm

                  Are you Christopher Luxon? Same MO … every time you get caught out you resort to bluster.

                  Let's try once more. Yesterday you said (incorrectly) that National had announced its tax policy for the election.

                  I asked you to link to it. You didn't (because there has been no such announcement).

                  Can you link to it now?

                  (or just say "I got it wrong", a much better answer than Luxony bluster, but that's up to you).

                  • newsense …
                    13 June 2023 at 9:53 pm

                    Now, now observer- you are beginning to take up sword to dispatch small fry. Not very quaker of you!

                • Incognito …
                  13 June 2023 at 7:27 pm

                  Why was the complaint declined, Jack, and on what grounds? Was there no substance at all to the complaint or was there a little more to it?

            • Incognito 12.1.1.2.2.2
              13 June 2023 at 6:20 pm

              Jack, do you know the difference between a random sample and a self-selecting sample?

              Do you understand that, for example, polling 1,000 random people in main street of Ōtara is not representative of the whole NZ population?

              Do you understand that polling people who are visiting a website and who can be bothered to take part in a self-selecting poll is not representative of the whole NZ population?

              Do you understand that if people and bots can vote multiple times in a self-selecting online poll therefore the result is essentially meaningless?

              Are you thick, Jack, or a troll?

    • Patricia Bremner 12.2
      13 June 2023 at 12:56 pm

      Yes Anne, sad isn't it. Again people want to align themselves with the "Top Table" not realising they will get only the trickle down crumbs.

      To have lived long enough to see the pattern repeated three times in 82 years.

    • Kat 12.3
      13 June 2023 at 2:01 pm

      Not necessarily boomers, rednecks or not…..could be a new "Answer Bot" in action generating numerous ISP IPA's.

      Luxon and Willis are fond of AI remember……

    • That_guy 12.4
      13 June 2023 at 2:26 pm

      Yeah, that's your opinion on what that survey means, and it's a stretch to come to the conclusion you've come to, for two reasons.

      1) It's a totally unrepresentative stuff survey and

      2) You have no idea how many people are saying that NZ is "negative, wet, whiny, etc" because they think the Nats and CL are "negative, wet, whiny, etc"

  13. Hunter Thompson II 13
    13 June 2023 at 11:49 am

    Labour ministers seem to be doing a great job of not winning votes: Stuart Nash, Jan Tinetti, Michael Wood …

    Chris Hipkins must be fearful that more bumblers will emerge pre-election.

  14. Reality 14
    13 June 2023 at 12:15 pm

    Hunter, you may need a wee reminder of National's recent history with their some of their dubious MPs, candidates and a person called Michelle Boag, and their fake talk back callers. People in glasshouses…. Humans are not perfect, even in National's ranks.

  15. Stuart Munro 15
    13 June 2023 at 12:34 pm

    I'm sure the sentiments went down well with the crowd he addressed them to – the privileged minority that imagine the Key years were something other than an epic clusterfuck mislabeling property inflation as growth while overall wealth and productivity declined.

  16. Patricia Bremner 16
    13 June 2023 at 12:37 pm

    I think Chris Luxon lacks emotional and social intelligence.

    He does not keep agreements where they impinge on his interests regardless of impacts.

    He has no time for people's fears or anxieties, and all of his suggestions would trample others rights and stand to enrich him and his supporters.

    He has regularly dismissed his teams short comings while pouncing on left slips.

    NZ has been hit by extreme weather recognised as part of climate change effects. His answer, to call us "wet moaners". Wow!! Unfeeling clod.

    Further, does he have a plan to meet climate change? No no!! Let's kick that can down the road for another 5 years.

    As the right ever have, investing in short term return, rather than develop resilience, then blame the very people who live with the resulting fallout. "The wet moaners", while the "Dry right are insulated by their wealth and choices.

    Chris Hipkins fired back, "Well he badmouthed us overseas, now he is now doing it at home.'

    It is worse than that. He has promised to walk back all things bought in by the Labour and Greens, supported by Act to do that.

    What does that mean? No wage rises apart from an occasional 50cents an hour. Charges instituted under the old user pays (or goes without). The $5 on prescriptions just the beginning.

    The Policies produced appear rather ad hoc and no explanation of costs. That might be to avoid budget booboos which affected their past efforts. But believe money is their centre, not us.

    While our PM and the Trade delegation are “Hustling” in China he is moaning to farmers we are doing nothing.

    He is so like Trump Johnson and Morrison in his "I have the answers to making Kiwi can do come back" it really worked for them didn't it?
    Simple solutions for complex problems offered by buffoons.sad

  17. Ad 17
    13 June 2023 at 1:20 pm

    Sounds a chunk more real than Chippie's perpetual hedging and shuffling.

    • adam 17.1
      13 June 2023 at 1:33 pm

      Does feel like it is on a loop

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io4fxdBEApc

    • James Simpson 17.2
      13 June 2023 at 3:14 pm

      I don't think this is the gotcha that MS thinks it is.

      There are many disgruntled kiwis out there frustrated with the lack of progress under this government. The lofty ambitions of 2017 have never come close to being realised.

      Luxo is tapping into that sentiment.

      His prescription is not the answer, but I completely understand where he is coming from.

      The Green Party has the best policies to move this country ahead.

    • Patricia Bremner 17.3
      13 June 2023 at 4:44 pm

      Donate Ad, so we can publish what we are doing. I noticed back page treatment for your mate Robertson when he and Shaw had a meeting in Australia with their counter parts. More "clicks" in Luxon bad mouthing. Working Government is ho-hum to our media, so donate so we can show our "hustle".

  18. observer 18
    13 June 2023 at 3:22 pm

    As predicted (because Luxon is very predictable), today he has "clarified" his comments and pretends that he didn't say what he said.

    So, we're actually a great country, but wet and whiny, thanks for clearing that up Chris.

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/06/13/i-am-a-big-patriotic-kiwi-luxon-clarifies-whiny-comments/

  19. Louis 19
    13 June 2023 at 3:33 pm

    That was quick. Luxon has 'clarified' and walked back on his negative comment. He now claims he was referring to Labour, despite initially saying "very negative, wet, whiny, inward looking "country"

    https://twitter.com/rugbyintel/status/1668440018556420097

    • Anne 19.1
      13 June 2023 at 5:23 pm

      So, he's either "clarifying" what he meant or he's claiming "I was only joking". How are we supposed to know which is which?

    • tsmithfield 19.2
      13 June 2023 at 8:50 pm

      It was walking back by attacking. Much more effective than whimpering apologies over minor transgressions.

      • Incognito 19.2.1
        13 June 2023 at 9:10 pm

        Most people flap their arms & legs and open their mouth making a loud noise when falling backwards. It only shows that Luxon is human.

      • Louis 19.2.2
        13 June 2023 at 9:44 pm

        That lie is cold comfort to you, tsmithfield.

      • newsense 19.2.3
        13 June 2023 at 9:59 pm

        People don’t like him because he’s a BS artist who has made it very difficult to know what he’s genuinely about.

        Religion isn’t normally the sort of thing people can dispense with in NZ for the convenience of a political campaign. Bill was a sincere Catholic who didn’t want to talk about it and the others said they didn’t believe in a God and no one really was that fussed.

        But someone who can’t be understood at any time because he’s all over the map, well who the bloody hell is he?

  20. observer 20
    13 June 2023 at 4:37 pm

    But wait, there's more … Luxon walk-back story number 479:

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/tesla-recoil-christopher-luxon-ordered-then-cancelled-taxpayer-funded-tesla-while-criticising-tesla-subsidies/D6BMKILVY5DTNBYS6E7YHISKR4/

    Quote:

    “The episode has led to some raised eyebrows in the National Party at Luxon’s inability to see an obvious political risk.”

    When will Nicola insert the knife?

  21. Charlotte Rust 21
    13 June 2023 at 4:45 pm

    Let’s face it, the guy is a fucking idiot and too rich to care.

  22. tsmithfield 22
    13 June 2023 at 5:15 pm

    According to a Stuff poll 62% of respondents actually agree with Luxon on the Wet, Whiny comment.

    • Anne 22.1
      13 June 2023 at 5:21 pm

      We've already talked about that nonsensical unscientific so-called polling where bots and browsers can distort the outcomes.

      • tsmithfield 22.1.1
        13 June 2023 at 5:25 pm

        It is what it is, I guess. But 28000 responses according to the poll.

        • observer 22.1.1.1
          13 June 2023 at 5:33 pm

          Or you could read the comment at 12.1.1.2.

          Farrar is a professional pollster. He knows bot BS, you should learn about it too.

      • Muttonbird 22.1.2
        13 June 2023 at 6:10 pm

        It doesn’t even need to be bots. Just 100s of white boomer nut jobs with nothing better to do than, like Luxon, complain about the country.

    • Incognito 22.2
      13 June 2023 at 5:28 pm

      Pop the champagne! We have already won the Election!

      I can already feel the warm glow of positivity and hear the drum of positive vibes. In fact, I’ve turned down my heater because of too much hot air and positivity that’s causing static electricity that makes my skin go itchy and my hairs stand up not to mention those painful sparks when I touch things – the cat is not amused.

      One question for you: how many times did you vote?

  23. Mike the Lefty 23
    13 June 2023 at 6:14 pm

    If anyone has lost the plot it is National.

    They are so busy sucking up to the rich old pricks and the farming lobby that they have ignored their other potential supporters – rich yuppies – who now go to someone that acknowledges their imagined suffering.

    David Seymour.

    • Belladonna 23.1
      13 June 2023 at 7:39 pm

      Possibly yes. However, that is not necessarily good news for people who would like a left wing coalition government.
      ACT with a greater degree of the vote share, taken from National, is only beneficial if National are not also poaching a chunk of central voters from Labour.

      If the centre-right has the numbers – ACT with a stronger position is seriously bad news for centre-left voters. The greater your vote share, in the government, the greater your bargaining power.

      • Mike the Lefty 23.1.1
        14 June 2023 at 8:13 am

        That's what frightens me.

        If the NACT coalition wins this year, and to be frank I think they will, it will be ACT in charge. Luxon (or his successor if he panics and bails out shortly) will nominally be PM but Seymour will be the real PM. The new government's policies will largely be driven by ACT's war on the poor and disadvantaged.

        Inflation at 15%, home mortgage rates at 16% – this is what we had when the founders of what would become the ACT Party were last in government.

        New Zealanders need to be made aware of this, but Labour won't mention it because it makes them look stupid because it happened when THEY were in government but allowed the free market wankers to take control.

        • Shanreagh 23.1.1.1
          14 June 2023 at 11:41 am

          These are thoughtful and realistic responses from Belladonna and Mike the Lefty. For all the failings of the Stuff poll it does seem that the concern about the fragile and grumpy NZ psyche made, possibly inadvertently, by the Bumbler in Chief Luxon, may have struck a chord.

          We on the left have to hope that the chord does not morph into an orchestra of negativity. We also have to hope that we don't fall intot the trap as Labour has done before of ascribing more discernment and knowledge to the electorate than it actually has. We saw this happen, in my view, in the Three Waters debacle. We left the electorate behind and that left a gap in which others made mischief.

  24. Muttonbird 24
    13 June 2023 at 6:28 pm

    Pretty sure the repeated ‘inward-looking’ comment from Luxon references the embracing of Te Ao Māori. It’s all navel gazing mumbo-jumbo to them who would rather an identityless homogenised society indistiguishable from any other society (see the racist David Seymour’s crusade to abolish cultural acknowledgement and support).

    it’s the road signs and Wanaka Kotahi and all that inward looking useless stuff. Be more like America!

  25. tsmithfield 25
    13 June 2023 at 10:06 pm

    It is almost comical that the media chooses to put a microscope on every throw-away comment Luxon makes, misrepresent the statement, and then shriek in faux outrage at the implication they choose to put on it. All this, when there is so much meatier stuff they could be focussing on such as inflation, cost of living, crime etc.

    So, good on Luxon if he starts to counter-attack rather than whimper and apologise for offences that were never intended in the first place. A lot of voters like to see a bit of mongrel in politicians.

    I predict his popularity will have a boost after all this has washed through.

    • Incognito 25.1
      13 June 2023 at 10:08 pm

      Yawnzzzz …

    • observer 25.2
      13 June 2023 at 10:30 pm

      Even if that is the right tactic, the problem is … he's still Luxon.

      A “mongrel” Luxon "counter attack" would be him no longer saying "look, what I"m saying to you, let me be clear, [and same old empty waffle …].

      It would be him saying "screw all this hiding, screw my advisers telling me to say nothing and follow the small target strategy, I'm done with that … so listen, this is what I really believe."

      And if he does that, he's toast.

      Labour and the Greens would be thrilled if he finally took off the mask. It's slipped occasionally, but sure, let him rip it off completely. Game over.

    • Charlotte Rust 25.3
      14 June 2023 at 3:16 pm

      Luxon is the biggest whiniest bitch of them all, must be drawing energy from whom he is surrounded by, like attracts like as they say. I can’t think of another politician that has publicly spouted so much negative drivel about his fellow country/people, apart from his fellow journeyman in the wet and of the whiny, Chris Bishop.

  26. Corey 26
    13 June 2023 at 11:05 pm

    He's not wrong though. NZ is a negative place. Though none of his policies will make us less negative.

    We chased out one of the most optimistic positive leaders we've ever had because we're so negative.

    Us kiwis love nothing more to bitch and moan and whinge and cut people down to size.

    This is a great country, it's people from the biggest cities to the smallest towns throughout the north and south, are all some of the most kindest, tolerant, innovative, down to earth people on the planet, but boy can we act like a negative backwater sometimes.

    And we love nothing more than to run down people who try to do something, be they artists, athletes, scientists or even leaders (of all political persuasions) anyone who tries to do something, is in for a world of negativity.

    I'm guilty of it. We all are

    NZ can be unbearably negative sometimes.

    Luxons not going to change any of that

    • Patricia Bremner 26.1
      14 June 2023 at 2:29 am

      I think Givealittle shows us. Generous caring and pretty good folk. (Always exceptions)

      People like Luxon should not moan, after all he is secure whether he wins or not. He won't lose his home car or furniture.

      People who label others want them to be belittled.

      When Luxon said "We don't want bottom feeders" I thought "Which group are they in his mind".?

      Now he is Labelling again…in quite general terms, then back tracking on the unfortunate bits.

      If he is ever Leader, imagine him back tracking on something he blurted overseas!

      He is not suitable.

      • Mike the Lefty 26.1.1
        14 June 2023 at 8:20 am

        Luxon doesn't appear to mind top feeders though.

        Like Steven Joyce, pocketing upwards of $600,000 for doing "various roles" for Massey University.

        Another way of saying "consultant"'

        Something National rail against except when it is one of their old cronies.

      • Shanreagh 26.1.2
        14 June 2023 at 11:54 am

        Of course he is not suitable. We know this. We don't want the Nats etc to ride in on something that the electorate may identify with.

        FWIW I thought the PM was weak in his response, bad mouthing us/unpatriotic…..played into yet another NZ trait of sticking up for the person who has been misstated. I am sure the 62% who felt that there was a kernel of truth in what Luxon said are not going to be convinced that Luxon was bad mouthing.

        Surely the PM is not going to say anyone who is actually concerned with the negativity is bad mouthing or unpatriotic. Some of us are concerned that it might lead to a ride to govern by the Nats.

    • Charlotte Rust 26.2
      14 June 2023 at 8:19 am

      Agree and it appears to me the rw are among the guiltiest of this. The news is full of the opposition whining, negative business leaders, farmers, teachers, nurses, you name it. National have actively pursued this route during and after covid and I became increasingly depressed about what I was hearing. NZers are increasingly what Luxon has described because as a party they have encouraged it, pushing their rhetoric during some of our hardest years whilst the Labour Party tried their hardest to support us and be positive. Jacinda barely said a negative word except for her accurate comment about David Seymour. Luxon may have been somewhat accurate but as a politician aspiring to lead the country he should have the intelligence and decorum not to have said it, but he has neither. Also incredibly on the nose to say wet as many are suffering the fallout and trauma of recent weather events. On the subject of inward looking, why not? We live here, why shouldn’t we focus on our immediate environs and situation. He is wrong anyway, much of our trade is very outward looking and global – to our detriment in many cases. Many of us travel and live overseas at some point, rely on importing/exporting for an income. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, he is an idiot and just a figurehead, he’s in it for his ego full stop. No desire for an egalitarian society or better environment. We won’t need to be like Australia but we could be more akin to the Scandinavian countries. Unfortunately many here think like him and cannot rise above their own interests.

      On another note this Bill Bailey skit is pretty accurate when applied to NZ:

      https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/bill-bailey-limboland/videos/22110/in-britain-we-process-happiness-differently/

    • Shanreagh 26.3
      14 June 2023 at 11:44 am

      Good points Corey.

      By stating it Luxon is not necessarily going to do anything about it. But I think Labour tacticians ignore this thought/idea, now brought to light, at their peril.

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  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
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    2 hours ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
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    24 hours ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
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    1 day ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
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    1 day ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
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    2 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
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    3 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
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    3 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
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    4 days ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
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    4 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
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    5 days ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
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    5 days ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
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    5 days ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
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    5 days ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
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    6 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
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    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
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    6 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
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    6 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
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    6 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
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    6 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
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    7 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
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    1 week ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
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    1 week ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
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    1 week ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
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    1 week ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
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    1 week ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
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    1 week ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
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    1 week ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
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    1 week ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
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    1 week ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
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    1 week ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
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    1 week ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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    1 week ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
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    1 week ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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    1 week ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
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    1 week ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
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    2 weeks ago

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