Is National’s Luxon among the quick or the dead?
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7:15 am, December 8th, 2021 - 136 comments
Categories: brand key, Christopher Luxon, john key, Media, politicans, Politics -
Tags: cult, jack tame
My observation, as a former journalist, is that one of the most important traits for a successful political leader career is quick-wittedness.
It can’t be taught or learned – you either have it, or you don’t as David Lange or John Key had. It’s the ability, when thrown a left-field question, or a crisis blows up, to know instinctively, without hesitation, the correct response. It was best illustrated by Jacinda Ardern at the onset of the Christchurch massacre.
In his first week in the role, new National Party leader Christopher Luxon displayed quick feet that Will Jordan would be proud of. There’s been the odd slip – at the presser on day one he was well off target with figures on the living wage and the unemployment rate, while later in a tv interview he complained about extra costs for employers imposed by the new “mataangi” (sic) holiday. Though not a lay-down misère, the former Air NZ Boss piloted the turbulence of the curliest media questions in a way that suggests he could be in that select group of fast thinkers.
He cleverly front-footed a big defensive hole – his commitment to an evangelical church that is so far from centre that it could be labelled a cult. Luxon kept re-iterating the messaging of last year’s maiden speech to parliament that his faith “is personal to me” and not in itself a political agenda.
Despite this supposed separation of faith and politics, Luxon’s politics are conservative on moral questions like abortion, euthanasia or the death penalty.
His views on matters such as abortion are troubling to many of us, but even more troubling is his lack of judgement in supporting a “church” such as Auckland’s Upper Room. That church’s pastor, Craig Heilmann, has expressed extremist, far-right views on “globalists’” (code for Jews), George Soros’ apparently coaching of Greta Thunberg, Trump’s electoral loss being a conspiracy by “the administrative state” and that climate change isn’t real.
Obviously, Luxon doesn’t necessarily agree with all that claptrap from the Upper Room pastor but plenty of people legitimately ask why the content of Pastor Heilmann’s ravings on twitter and the related Upper Room website content were permanently removed on the day Luxon’s candidacy for safe seat of Botany was announced.
When Luxon was asked by Q&A’s Jack Tame on Sunday why he had stopped going to church, the former AirNZ boss gave the strange reply that it was because he kept getting hit-on for free flights to the UK, adding that his “faith is really personal to me and I don’t need to go to church to work my faith.”
Tame delved into Luxon’s other big weakness – his wealth. The Dominon Post splashed a spread about Luxon’s $21 million investment in properties – a family home in Remuera, a Waiheke Island bach, an apartment in Wellington, his electoral office and three investment properties – that has delivered him $90,000 a week in the last year in capital gains alone.
Asked why, if improving Aotearoa’s productivity was so important, did he put so much into a speculative, unproductive investment, the 51-year-old, whose annual remuneration was over $4 million at Air NZ, hinted property may only be a small part of his portfolio. “My investment goes across a series of asset classes and some of that’s in property.”
He refused to say how many homes were too many, adding it was not immoral to own multiple houses. “You are going to need people who actually have unique, great landlords. There is (sic) always going to be people who are always renting houses. We are going to need people to invest in housing.”
When asked to comment on former Prime Minister Jim Bolger comments that it was time to reconsider capitalism, Luxon said that while “some compassion in capitalism, is very, very important”, it was preferable to socialism.
“I think the bottom line is that capitalism has been a very good model for the world. It’s lifted several billion people, 2 billion people, I’d say, out of poverty in the last 20 or 30 years.”
Tame failed to note that communist China, using some capitalist methods, has lifted far more out of poverty or that Luxon’s former company, Air NZ would unlikely have survived the turmoil of the current pandemic without state support.
Luxon said he is a disciple of Bill English’s social intervention theory whereby people with “very complex, challenged and messy lives” are identified and supported. It was preferable to spend the money up front on social services and education to help them “participate”.
His views on the government’s fiscal position were in line with right wing convention. Taxes, debt and spending are all too high and he would like to cut each, but not yet.
“At this point we are not increasing taxes but I also couldn’t come to you and say we are going to lower taxes either. We would love to do that but the question is, at the moment, we need to get spending under control.”
Luxon’s solution is to invest in infrastructure to improve productivity. That will produce higher incomes and allow people choice.
He agreed with Ardern’s assertion that climate change is “our generation’s nuclear-free moment”, but criticised her government for not following up the declaration. When asked whether he agreed the Climate Commission that Aotearoa had to reduce its dairy herd, Luxon said that would open the way for dirtier dairy farmers overseas.
“What we do know there is no obvious pathway or technology today to get to the outcome we all want to get to in terms of reducing the emissions but we are the best [dairy farmers] and we should actually lead that development.”
Luxon passed Tame’s test on the articles of Ti Tiriti, saying he is open-minded on Maori solutions for Maori but then went down the rabbit hole of separatism.
“What we have been talking about and, I think in recent times, has been the notion that co-governance means 50:50 – you know separatism.” He said the proposed Maori Health Authority is a “separatist” concept.
“To me, I want to see us working as one country, equal, but actually to be able to deal with a lot of Maori inequities.”
Luxon admitted to Tame that he speaks to former prime minister John Key “several times” a week. Though at pains to tell media he is no John Key 2.0, that degree of contact suggests Key is pulling some, if not many, strings.
I have little doubt Luxon, backed up by his politically-savvy deputy, Nicola Willis, will be a far more formidable challenge for Ardern than Judith Collins was. It will be interesting, however, to see whether the electorate will again suppress its egalitarian instincts and vote for a smooth-talking rich man.
(Simon Louisson reported for The Wall Street Journal, AP Dow Jones Newswires, New Zealand Press Association and Reuters and briefly was a political and media adviser to the Green Party.)
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New Zealand First Policy Announcement: Law and Order New Zealand First believes that keeping society safe should be the priority of law-and-order policies. Every New Zealander deserves to feel safe, secure, and have their person and property respected. That is why New Zealand First continues to fix the flaws in ...3 days ago - Labour's Dirt Campaign Exposed With Media HelpIn last night’s leaders debate Labour Leader Chris Hipkins referred to a quote without giving any explanation of its content, which was about the ‘disease of co-governance’ that is perpetuated by the Māori elite, and he said it was racist. Then, without even examining the content, National leader Christopher Luxon agreed with ...3 days ago
- Labour's Dirt Campaign Exposed With Media HelpIn last night’s leaders debate Labour Leader Chris Hipkins referred to a quote without giving any explanation of its content, which was about the ‘disease of co-governance’ that is perpetuated by the Māori elite, and he said it was racist. Then, without even examining the content, National leader Christopher Luxon agreed with ...3 days ago
- Chris Hipkins: Speech Progressing TogetherToday, Chris Hipkins delivered a speech about Labour’s relationship with and ongoing commitment to Māori. ...3 days ago
- Release: National out of ideas on law and order, copies Labour’s policies and costingsAfter years of criticising the Government on law and order, National have embarrassed themselves by conceding they have no new ideas and instead copied Labour’s Police policy announced three weeks ago, Labour Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen says. ...4 days ago
- Release: Labour releases balanced, costed and credible fiscal planLabour’s fiscal plan will continue its focus on carefully managing the books while protecting critical public services like health and education and investing to deliver high wage jobs and a low carbon economy. ...4 days ago
- Policy Announcement: Capped Time-Period For Job Seeker BeneficiariesNew Zealand First today is announcing a policy on adjusting the rules and restrictions around access to the Job Seeker Benefit. New Zealand First’s policy is to introduce a capped time-period for any person to access the Job Seeker Benefit during their lifetime. Any individual will have the ability to access the Job Seeker ...5 days ago
- Policy Announcement: Capped Time-Period For Job Seeker BeneficiariesNew Zealand First today is announcing a policy on adjusting the rules and restrictions around access to the Job Seeker Benefit. New Zealand First’s policy is to introduce a capped time-period for any person to access the Job Seeker Benefit during their lifetime. Any individual will have the ability to access the Job Seeker ...5 days ago
- Release: National’s traffic light system has child poverty reduction stallingNational’s cuts to funding for beneficiaries will once again leave children and their parents with less, Spokesperson for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni said. ...5 days ago
- Green Party will end child poverty
The Green Party will double the Best Start payment and make it available for every child under three years of age - and it will be paid for with a fair tax system. ...5 days ago - Release: Labour pledges billion-dollar medicines boostLabour will fund more medicines for more New Zealanders by investing over $1 billion of new funding into Pharmac if re-elected, Chris Hipkins announced today. ...5 days ago
- National's welfare policy is cruelThe National Party’s job seeker policy announced today is heartless. ...5 days ago
- Labour's PHARMAC Policy A PlaceboLabour has just announced a policy to increase Pharmac funding by $1billion over four years to fund additional medicines. With the current Pharmac budget of $1.2billion per year and needing a further $213million, by Minister Verrall’s own admission, just to keep up with current costs - then this is nothing ...5 days ago
- Labour's PHARMAC Policy A PlaceboLabour has just announced a policy to increase Pharmac funding by $1billion over four years to fund additional medicines. With the current Pharmac budget of $1.2billion per year and needing a further $213million, by Minister Verrall’s own admission, just to keep up with current costs - then this is nothing ...5 days ago
- Re: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter LegislationThis matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is a crime scene, and that a proper investigation would have come to that conclusion. Blue ...6 days ago
- Re: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter LegislationThis matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is a crime scene, and that a proper investigation would have come to that conclusion. Blue ...6 days ago
- Release: Labour releases New Zealand’s first climate manifestoNew Zealand faces a stark choice this election – vote for Labour to continue to confront the climate emergency with eyes wide open or bury your head in the sand alongside Christopher Luxon. ...6 days ago
- Green voice crucial for climate actionThe Green Party is today welcoming Labour’s climate manifesto, but is clear that much more will need to be done to tackle the climate crisis. ...6 days ago
- Speech: Chris Hipkins – Wellington Rally, 24 September...7 days ago
- People need a government that will build many more homesLabour’s plan to build more homes is a welcome step forward, but it lacks ambition. ...7 days ago
- Release: Supercharging public housingLabour is supercharging its plan to solve the public housing shortfall created by National, promising another 6,000 homes on top of what has already been committed says Labour Housing spokesperson Dr Megan Woods. ...1 week ago
- Release: New Super Visa for migrants’ parents and rights for Dawn Raid victimsLabour will back migrant working families by introducing a 10-year multiple-entry parents’ and grandparents’ Super Visa, and make good on the Dawn Raids apology by providing a one-off visa for overstayers who have been in the country ten years or more, Labour’s Immigration Spokesperson Andrew Little says. ...1 week ago
- Only the Greens will deliver a fair amnesty for overstayersThe Green Party is today welcoming Labour coming to the table to ensure an amnesty for overstayers, but only the Greens will ensure immigration settings actually reflect the reality of people who have been failed by our immigration system. ...1 week ago
- Climate future of communities on the line this electionGreen Party co leader James Shaw attended a South Dunedin Future street meeting today to discuss local responses to climate change. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for stronger action by Auckland Council to protect urban trees and native forestThe Green Party is calling on Auckland Council to do more to protect urban trees and housing developer Aedifice Property Group to restore and replant the native forest it cleared, and protect all the remaining trees on Ngahere Road in Pukekohe after a significant number of native trees were cut ...1 week ago
- Release: Ram Raids drop to two-year lowLatest Police data shows monthly ram raids have hit a two-year low, laying waste to Christopher Luxon’s false claim that there are two ram raids a day says Labour’s Police Spokesperson Ginny Andersen. ...1 week ago
- Every party needs to step up on school lunchesLabour has finally said it would continue free school lunches - and the Green Party is calling on every party to step up. ...1 week ago
- Release: School lunches on the line this electionFree and healthy school lunches will be here to stay if Labour is re-elected, guaranteeing food for our kids who need it most and significant cost saving for parents. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour commits to a new hospital for the people of Hawke’s BayThe next Labour Government will build a new hospital in Hawke’s Bay, Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall announced. ...1 week ago
- Govt changes fall short of what’s needed for migrant protectionThe Green Party will keep up the fight to support exploited migrant workers, including pushing to end single employer visas, after the government picked up Green recommendations to improve immigration settings. ...2 weeks ago
- Clean Power Payment the smartest way forward to reduce emissions and billsGreen Party co leader James Shaw visited a home in Auckland today that has been upgraded with a wide range of energy improvements, similar to those that would be supported through the Green Party’s Clean Power Payment. ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister's Action – A Contempt For “Caretaker Government” ConventionThe Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s presence in New York today at the United Nations General Assembly is a contempt of New Zealand’s “caretaker government” convention. Despite the long-standing caretaker convention, Minister Mahuta is today at the UN to sign a highly contentious “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement”, delivering a ...2 weeks ago
- Back To Black ResponsiblyThe Pre-Election Fiscal Update Changes Everything Within an hour of this speech there is going to be a debate between the political parties that the media, under MMP, still think are the only parties that matter in this campaign. Both of those parties are riddled with inexperience, as evidenced by ...2 weeks ago
- Stop the cuts before they start – Labour launches new TV adNational and ACT's tax plans don't add up, and that means deep cuts to the public services New Zealanders rely on, says Labour Campaign Chair Megan Woods. ...2 weeks ago
- Free school lunches paid for with a wealth taxThe Green Party will expand free school lunches and pay for it with a fair tax system. ...2 weeks ago
- The Pacific Reset & the Blue ContinentThank you for your invitation to speak with you this afternoon about New Zealand Foreign Policy. After offering one or two general thoughts about the nature of foreign policy, the focus today will be the Pacific Reset and why its goals remain even more important today as when they were ...2 weeks ago
- Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...5 hours ago - New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori householdsSeven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...3 days ago
- Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilienceThe Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...3 days ago
- Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solarThe largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...4 days ago
- Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...5 days ago
- Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefitRegions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...1 week ago
- Immigration settings updatesJudicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...1 week ago
- Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga HohepaTangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...1 week ago
- Renewable energy fund to support community resilience40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...1 week ago
- COVID-19 funding returned to GovernmentThe lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...1 week ago
- Appointment of District Court JudgeSusie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today. Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...1 week ago
- Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilienceThe Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...1 week ago
- Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-upAnother $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...1 week ago
- Taupō Supercars revs up with Government supportThe future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...1 week ago
- There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarterThe economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...1 week ago
- Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springsThe Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...1 week ago
- More support for victims of migrant exploitationTemporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...2 weeks ago
- Strong export boost as NZ economy turns cornerAn export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...2 weeks ago
- Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te KarakaThe Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...2 weeks ago
- Further business support for cyclone-affected regionsThe Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...2 weeks ago
- New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underwayDefence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General AssemblyForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...2 weeks ago
- Midwives’ pay equity offer reachedAround 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand provides support to MoroccoAotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilienceThe Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today. A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests in Greymouth’s futureThe Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...3 weeks ago
- Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ MeetingForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...3 weeks ago
- PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflationEconomy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...3 weeks ago
- New cancer centre opens in ChristchurchPrime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...3 weeks ago
- Election 2023: Labour reveals full policy plan
Labour has released its full policy plan this afternoon, with a focus on improving education for children and funding for training and work for youth. ...2 hours ago - Chris Hipkins isolating with Covid-19
The Prime Minister and Labour leader has tested positive for Covid-19 and is isolating for five days or until he returns a negative test After feeling unwell on Sunday morning and cancelling his attendance at a Samoan church service in Auckland, Chris Hipkins has now tested positive for Covid-19. He ...2 hours ago - 'Bugger' – Labour leader Chris Hipkins tests positive for Covid-19 at crucial point ...Labour leader Chris Hipkins has revealed that he has tested positive for Covid-19, just as the party prepares to release its manifesto today. ...2 hours ago
- Prime minister tests positive for Covid-19
Prime minister Chris Hipkins has tested positive for Covid-19, and will be isolating for five days or until he returns a negative test. A spokesperson confirmed he has cold and flu symptoms that began yesterday and will continue with engagements he can undertake via Zoom. Hipkins missed an event on ...2 hours ago - Mediawatch: Giving young people an election voiceThe TVNZ Young Voters' debate run by Re:News was a rowdy interjection into a relatively subdued election campaign, and its moderator has some ideas on how media organisations can better cater to young people. ...3 hours ago
- ‘I’ve got news for you and your masters’: Winston Peters takes aim at ‘corrupt’ TVNZIn a bizarre interview with TVNZ’s Q&A programme this morning, NZ First leader Winston Peters said he would “make sure” he secured the broadcasting portfolio should his party make it into government. “We’ll start with TVNZ after the campaign,” he told journalist Jack Tame in an interview that made yesterday’s ...4 hours ago
- Election 2023: National Party releases 100-day action plan if electedThe National Party has released its plan of what it would do in its first 100 days in government, if elected. ...4 hours ago
- Hipkins missing morning campaign event but will launch Labour manifestoLabour’s manifesto launch will go ahead this afternoon, despite leader Chris Hipkins missing an event on the campaign trail this morning due to being unwell. Deputy prime minister Carmel Sepuloni is speaking at a Sāmoan church service in Auckland this morning in Hipkins’ place, but according to a Labour spokesperson, ...4 hours ago
- National sets out priorities in ‘100-day action plan’National has pledged to remove the Auckland fuel tax, repeal water reform and resource management legislation, ban gang patches and remove funding for cultural reports used in sentencing in its first 100 days in office. The party has set out a range of priorities for its first 100 days in ...5 hours ago
- Chris Hipkins unwell, to miss morning campaign eventThe prime minister is missing an event on the campaign trail this morning because he’s unwell. Chris Hipkins was due to speak at a Sāmoan church service in Auckland, but deputy prime minister Carmel Sepuloni is stepping in to take his place. Hipkins is scheduled to launch Labour’s manifesto at ...5 hours ago
- Make it strange: an interview with Bill NelsonLawrence Patchett talks to Bill Nelson about Root, Leaf, Flower, Fruit, a verse novel that Nelson has just released with Te Herenga Waka University Press. Bill Nelson demonstrated his versatility with his first book, Memorandum of Understanding. A book of surprising range and humour, it included a love poem styled ...6 hours ago
- The French vanilla fraudNone of New Zealand’s commercial French vanilla ice creams contain the crucial ingredient. Dylan Jones busts the case wide open. Like any good investigation, this one started as an innocuous Thursday night question among flatmates: what is French vanilla ice cream, and how is it different to regular vanilla? A ...7 hours ago
- An Ode for .. the Kingmaker
Bard Billot on Lord Winston The Duke of Hazard Lord Winston, the Duke of Hazard, Rose late and yawned. The Palace was loud with the hubbub Of busy courtiers preparing to flee the city. Outside the gates, the followers of Baron Luxon Prepared for their assault upon the ...7 hours ago - Election 2023: All the latest developments on 1 OctoberNational leader Christopher Luxon says he wouldn't do a deal with The Opportunities Party leader Raf Manji, even if it could help avoid a potential coalition with New Zealand First. ...8 hours ago
- All Black legend’s Mitey legacy
School-aged children in the south are increasing their emotional literacy and talking about the tough stuff thanks to a rugby star’s commitment and a Southland teacher’s persistence Belinda Brown was a teacher with two decades of classroom experience when she heard Sir John Kirwan talk at a Winton pub about his ...9 hours ago - The time is ripe to turn wine waste into gold
The promise of science to add commercial value to the waste of the New Zealand wine industry while limiting how much of it is sent to landfill Opinion: The New Zealand wine industry has been a great success story, creating world-renowned wines with continued export demand, but it’s an industry ...9 hours ago - The Sunday Essay: The joy of paper diariesMy appointment diary will never be replaced by apps and platforms. It is the only true record of the minutiae of my life. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Images by Tina Tiller. I bumped into an old friend and former colleague ...10 hours ago
- The truth behind the ‘audacious’ return of the Pop-up GlobeThe Pop-up Globe might be returning to the stage, but not everybody’s happy about it. Sam Brooks talks to some creditors – left in the dark after the company’s liquidation – about its shock 2023 return. On September 15, the Pop-up Globe announced it would be making an “audacious” return ...10 hours ago
- NZ elections 2023: Green Party, Te Pāti Māori call out ‘harmful emboldening of extremism’
RNZ News Green Party co-leader James Shaw has compared the language of New Zealand First leader Winston Peters to former US president Donald Trump, saying it may be emboldening violence against candidates in Aotearoa NZ’s election campaign. It comes after several candidates from different parties have spoken out about being ...16 hours ago - Hipkins claims the 'm' word
Chris Hipkins endured four seasons in one hour at an outdoor festival in an Auckland park – and claims to be sensing a rapid change in mood in the electorate as well, a fortnight from the election The Labour leader has gone there. He's publicly claiming his party has picked up 'momentum' in this ...21 hours ago - Labour releases Rainbow Manifesto, promising reformed surrogacy laws and LGBTQ+ refugee quotaThe party also wants to look at possibly removing the stand-down period for blood donation men who have sex with men currently face. ...22 hours ago
- Green Party and Te Pāti Māori call out 'harmful emboldening of extremism' after incident...Green Party co-leader James Shaw has compared the language of New Zealand First leader Winston Peters to Donald Trump, saying it may be emboldening violence against candidates. ...23 hours ago
- 1 in 50 Fijian children may have rheumatic heart disease, says health chiefBy Pauliasi Mateboto in Suva One in 50 Fijian children could have rheumatic heart disease and children between the ages of five to 15 years are the most at risk of rheumatic fever. While revealing these alarming statistics, Health Secretary Dr James Fong revealed the high figures indicated the high ...23 hours ago
- NZ election 2023: Police investigate after invasion of Te Pāti Māori candidate’s homeRNZ News New Zealand police are investigating after the home of Te Pāti Māori election candidate Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke was invaded, vandalised, and a threatening letter left behind. They said the burglary of a Huntly home was reported to police on Monday. On Friday, Te Pāti Māori issued a statement saying ...1 day ago
- Anti-co-governance march to parliament overshadowed by counterprotestA protest against co-governance led by Julian Batchelor, a prominent figure in the movement, has ended, with police saying there were no issues. About 300 people marched from Civic Square to parliament in Wellington today, according to a police press release, and they have now departed parliament grounds. About 45 ...1 day ago
- ACT's business plan: Removing January holiday, putting minimum wage on holdThe ACT Party says it would abolish Fair Pay Agreements, put a hold on minimum wage increases for three years, and remove the 2 January public holiday. ...1 day ago
- Police investigate after invasion of Te Pāti Māori candidate's homePolice are investigating after the home of Te Pāti Māori candidate Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke was invaded, vandalised, and a threatening letter left behind. ...1 day ago
- Election 2023: All the latest developments on 30 SeptemberThere's no break in sight for the political party leaders as they continue to campaign in communities on Saturday. Follow RNZ's live blog for more. ...1 day ago
- Andy Foster plots his glorious returnFormer Wellington mayor Andy Foster is attempting a political comeback as a candidate for NZ First. He talks to Joel MacManus. Fear not, Wellingtonians, your leader has returned from exile: Andy Foster is back. After nine terms on council and one term as mayor, Foster lost his re-election bid to ...1 day ago
- Andy Foster plots his glorious returnFormer Wellington mayor Andy Foster is attempting a political comeback as a candidate for NZ First. He talks to Joel MacManus. Fear not, Wellingtonians, your leader has returned from exile: Andy Foster is back. After nine terms on council and one term as mayor, Foster lost his re-election bid to ...1 day ago
- ‘Who’s that?’ says Peters of Luxon in at times jovial, at times furious interviewIn an interview that swung from jovial to furious and back again, Winston Peters joked about National leader Christopher Luxon’s claim not to know him, and denied his party was responsible for race-baiting that’s led to an escalation in vitriol towards Māori. In an interview on Newshub Nation this morning, ...1 day ago
- ‘Who’s that?’ says Peters of Luxon in at times jovial, at times furious interviewIn an interview that swung from jovial to furious and back again, Winston Peters joked about National leader Christopher Luxon’s claim not to know him, and denied his party was responsible for race-baiting that’s led to an escalation in vitriol towards Māori. In an interview on Newshub Nation this morning, ...1 day ago
- ‘I had to drive into a wheelbarrow’: Miriama Smith on the TV ad that haunts herThe star of Shortland Street, The Gone and now Celebrity Treasure Island shares some of her favourite TV moments. Name a New Zealand television show, and Miriama Smith has probably been in it. For the past 30 years, the actor and presenter has been a welcome fixture on our TV ...1 day ago
- The Week in Detail: Tiny homes, mental health awareness, and Afghan refugees
Every weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories. This week, the big problems with tiny homes, how we can do our bit to mitigate climate change (besides recycling), why it's so difficult to keep our drinking water safe, the limits of mental health 'awareness', and the case of an ...1 day ago - VOTE2023: Q&A with James Shaw
In this week's episode of VOTE2023, we talk to Green Party co-leader and Climate Change Minister James Shaw about student-focused policies, electric vehicles, the Emissions Trading Scheme, and whether the Green Party would form a coalition government with National This series is made by politics students and aims to entertain ...1 day ago - Their house, my garden: Growing things in potsSee ya later, ground. This week on Their house, my garden, it’s all pots, balconies, window ledges and the kitchen bench. Sometimes you move into a tiny CBD apartment to live out your urbanite dreams. You put on your sparkly eyeshadow and smile till 3am behind the bar of a ...1 day ago
- Getting the brain back on track: Is there new hope for sufferers of chronic illness?After a mild traumatic brain injury turned her life into a ‘game of snakes and ladders with no ladders’, Ursula Cochran discovered a powerful tool she could use to start getting better – her own brain. Here, she explores the potential of mind-body training for sufferers of other chronic illnesses, ...1 day ago
- Long Read: The food lobby in Aotearoa
This is The Detail's Long Read – one in-depth story read by us every weekend This week, it's a story from RNZ's In Depth team: 'Fully embedded': The food lobby in Aotearoa. Investigative reporter Guyon Espiner has come out with a new series, Off the Shelf, looking at the quiet struggle to stop New Zealanders eating ...1 day ago - Media targeting public for a war with China, warns Declassified AustraliaPacific Media Watch Barely a day passes without a story in the British or Australian media that ramps up fear about the rulers in Beijing, reports the investigative website Declassified Australia. According to an analysis by co-editors Antony Loewenstein and Peter Cronau, the Australian and British media are ramping up ...2 days ago
- Indonesian police raid church office, home in Nduga – arrest six, torture 12Asia Pacific Report Members of Indonesia’s Nduga District Police and the Damai Cartenz Police Task Force have raided a residential house and the local head office of the Papuan Tabernacle Church (Kingmi Papua) in the town of Kenyam, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, reports Human Rights Monitor. Before raiding the ...2 days ago
- Candidate's home broken into, vandalised, threat left behindThe home of Te Pāti Māori candidate Hana Maipi-Clarke was broken into, vandalised, and a threatening letter left behind this week. ...2 days ago
- ‘Politically motivated attack’: Te Pāti Māori candidate’s home vandalised, ‘threatening le...Te Pāti Māori’s candidate for Hauraki-Waikato says her home was “invaded, vandalised, and left with a threatening letter” in what the party is calling a “politically motivated attack”. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clark said the “premeditated and targeted attack” was the latest of three incidents to take place at her home just ...2 days ago
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Luxon didn't display 'quick-footedness' at Question Time yesterday. He asked about the number of ICU beds. Jacinda cut the ground from under him by replying the government had worked hard to ensure the ICU beds were not needed.
So he asked about the number of ICU beds again.
After an interruption by Seymour and a question of the traffic light system . . . he asked about the number of ICU beds again!
SSDD
He’s not the great white hope so many on the right think he is!
Luxon asked stupid questions which gave Ardern the floor to show how on top of the detail she was.
Yes, agreed. The Government Ministers never even raised a sweat. The Opposition had nothing that couldn’t be easily batted to the boundary.
Good,fair analysis on Luxon so far.
He will need to lift his game though.
Does he have that x factor/charisma?-if he does ,he's doing a wonderful job of…concealing..it.
I think he’s been advised to try several personas & the back room analysts will see which ones seem to resonate with voters polled and/or focus groups.
They’ll be looking for opportunities to show:
etc.
Personally I think Sir John is behind most of what Luxon is doing.
That many personas should be a sure fire recipe for….failure.
Key cultivated 'smile and wave'…all that is required…no substance,perception trumps..reality.
No, Key displayed several personas.
Tuff guy “Get some guts”, ordinary bloke who eats hot dogs, smooth charmer of female journos (Tracy Watkins even took her glasses off & batted her eyelids at him in a coffee café interview once), wit, the diplomat, disciplinarian (with Collins, & Paula Bennet, for example) etc
Think about it. These all worked for him for “9 looong years”. 😉
He left when he wanted to go – & before the Nats began to crumple in on themselves because, once Winston Peters won the election for Labour, HE was apparently all National really had.
'get some guts'=tough guy image!
'nearly choked on his hotdog'
Tracey Watkins is his ..age.
lasted 8 years before his 'tank was empty'.
once you can fake sincerity, everything is easy.
U R so (right), sorry, I meant correct.
Ex Wall street traders are not admirable.
He needs to show off his BBQ talents, if any, to the punters.
This is what's missing. Oh, and play down his wealth.
If you've seen the frontman for Hellers Sausages,Leigh Hart…you will realise his doppelganger is Christopher7.
Blazer lol so BBQs are out then?
They will need to find another method of saying who is in and who is out.
Keeping it under his … hat.
He's been struggling in media interviews this morning. Confused about red/orange in Auckland (TV1 Breakfast), waffling on the Reserve Bank (Morning Report).
That doesn't matter much right now, he'll get the poll boost anyway for being new, and politics will be soon on holiday for a few weeks.
The serious long-term issue is "what does this looseness signify?". He seems to think that bluster is a substitute for doing the homework. In reality: he's a beginner, Jacinda's an old pro. If he (privately) understands that, then he can learn over time. But it feels like he already thinks he's "got this".
I wonder who is in his inner circle. Leaders really need advisers who can tell them what they don't want to hear. Not courtiers. (Anyone who told him he was great in Parliament yesterday should be sacked).
It will be “interesting” will it Mr Louisson?, more likely disastrous if there were ever to be a Govt. led by Baldrick, his phone pal, and the parasite class of elite capitalists and finance capital whom they represent.
The bottom 50% of NZers have just 1.7% of the total wealth. We have a nearly 40 year neo liberal state administered by this majority Labour Govt. that has undoubtedly made many decent reforms–while presiding over unacceptable poverty and homelessness and renter exploitation.
So an NZ National Govt. is only going to make things worse for the working class–even Treasury figures over many years illustrate this. Time for journalists to expose Mr Luxon, rather than giving him figurative handys under the table.
I'll see your "The bottom 50% of NZers have just 1.7% of the total wealth" and raise you a He Puapua."
That is the way the betting is done.
Tiger Mountain I do so like the cut of your jib.Keep it up,boyo.The only thing neoliberalism has given the poor is cheap TVs ,I can not recall how many manufacturing jobs ,the likes of which I am only fit for ,have been lost.Would 200000 be close to the mark.
You sort of need to piece it together really, from various academics writings.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogernomics
If there is an overall repository of how many were sacked/displaced under Roger’n’Ruth I would like to see it.
I worked in the NZ car assembly industry mid 70s to early 90s, and 16,000 jobs were lost there. It was called import substitution–where imported car parts had to have locally produced tyres, batteries, upholstery, wiring looms and glass added to imported CKD metal and mechanical parts. The main product of car assembly was actually jobs on good union wages, that kept South Auckland and Porirua and Thames, Nelson and other communities going well.
Of course Douglas swung a wrecking ball through the provinces as well and people that had secure work in local authorities, infrastructure maintenance, forestry, freezing works, post, rail, telecommunications etc. were on the scrapheap with no serious mass retraining as say the Scandinavians do.
Textiles, clothing, footwear all largely departed offshore to cheaper labour markets.
So yes several hundred thousands sounds a reasonable estimate.
Well if he dose'nt appear to cut the mustard, it wont be through lack of media spin in his favour as shown by a very unbalanced performance view on morning report.
A proponent of "Bill English’s social intervention theory whereby people with “very complex, challenged and messy lives” are identified and supported."
Luxon misses the point that this group has expanded off the charts precisely because of the kind of capitalism he espouses. This Christian gives his cup of water to the bloodied corpses at the bottom of the cliff.
Gruesome image, but very clever metaphorical analogy because that makes it easily memorable.
The analogy reminds me of Question time yesterday we listened to, Gezza.
Luxon was complaining there weren't enough ambulances at the bottom of the cliff like they have in Australia.
Ardern replied that the fence at the top kept down the casualty rate while they trained paramedics to attend the ambulance stretchers. The Australian example called for far too many hearses.
Meanwhile, the business interests running the hotels, tours, and coffee carts at the top of the cliff want the fences removed so visitors can enjoy the view while sipping a $7 latte and hopefully scoffing a sausage roll!
Brilliant Mac1. So true. You are truly a clever sausage on a roll.
More a Burleigh pie man, me.
Can't wait to ask Simon to show me his penny.
Ha!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Oh, Lordy, that's good, Mac1!
Bill English certainly had "very complex, challenged and messy" accommodation arrangement when he was in government. It was "supported" to tune of $30,000/annum by the New Zealand taxpayer, and he was very upset when it was "identified" and questioned in media.
"smooth talking rich man"
I think you are missing the point here.
Both Key and Luxon were not born rich.
They worked hard and became successful in their chosen careers. Success resulted in wealth.
Most New Zealanders respect talent, hard work and resultant success.
Yes Keys father owned a restaurant in St Heliers and Luxons father was an executive at Johnson&Johnson….real…battlers.
What was the restaurant Blazer?
When did he own it?
Where did this story come from?
Speak up and prove something for a change.
I'm waiting…..
Alwyn ,I say Alwyn….its all in his biography by John Roughan.
I don't have a copy 4 you….but you need to understand the way politicians are marketed!
Next ,you'll be telling me Key donated his P.M salary…to charity!
Key's mother also came from a wealthy family of leather merchants in Europe. Plenty of social capital in that state house.
Don't tell Alwyn that Sacha…he'll blow a fufu valve!
We never were quite able to settle that matter, were we…
(Charitable view)
Yes it was settled after the b/s was embedded in urban myth…
He gave a 'portion' of his P.M salary…coulda been $5…he never would be drawn.
So. You think it was in a book you once read but you can't actually tell me where in the book. Is that right?
Sorry but I really don't have the time or inclination to try and track down the details of your claims.
As for your statement that "Next ,you'll be telling me Key donated his P.M salary…to charity".
Why on earth would I say such a thing. If you really think it happened why won't you say it? Come on, be bold. If you think something happened you surely aren't too frightened to say so yourself? I certainly wouldn't make the claim though. If Key never said it, and no one else has demonstrated that he did it I really don't see why I should believe what seems to be a figment of your imagination.
Alwyn,I say AlwynI don't 'think' it was in a book I read.I 'know 100% it was in a book I read.
I don't doubt you do not want to discover the truth and blow that carefully crafted persona of Key that you swallowed ,hook,line and…sinker.
John Key: Portrait of a Prime Minister by John Roughan (goodreads.com)
"I don't doubt you do not want to discover the truth and blow that carefully crafted persona of Key that you swallowed ,hook,line and…sinker."
Now just relax and have a nice cuppa. Then try and explain to us why you believe that Key gave all his Parliamentary salary to charity? That really sounds delusional to me.
I very seldom read pot-boiler biographies of current politicians. I did read Brian Edward's hagiography of Helen Clark but that was an exception and a very disappointing one.
Read Roughan's attempt. Nah. I'll leave it to you.
Alwyn,I say Alwyn….I don't think there is any proof Key donated ANY of his salary…to charity!
What did your mate Roughan say on the matter? Surely you can remember what he said, if anything, on the topic. You seem to regard him as an authority and remember exactly what he said in his book,
Come, let us all know the details. I'm probably like most us and never bothered to read the book. Or any of the other ones in our current crop of Pollies.
Sir Robert Jones on Nationals new shooting…star..
THE DEIFICATION OF CHRISTOPHER LUXON | No Punches Pulled
We dont believe it . But as yuou were fond of finding out about what Cullen said 'excatly'
Key is on record "John Key has vowed to donate "a good part'' of his government pay to charity should he be New Zealand's next Prime Minister."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/573560/Key-pledges-PMs-salary-to-charity
An interesting aside is that Mps salary includes an amount to 'cover the donations they are expected to make as Mps', rather than them putting down as an expense.
Wasnt a party donation called a charity at some stage , something to do with a round of Golf.
Isn't it interesting how the papers blow up a story to get a more spectacular headline. Then they blame the subject of the story if the headline turns out to be false.
In this story the front page of the paper was pretty much covered by, in capitals and in very large print "KEY:I'LL PAY PM'S SALARY TO CHARITY".
When you read the real story you find it comes back to "National Party leader John Key has vowed to donate "a good part'' of his government pay to charity"
Then you get what he really said "I already donate a good part of the pay I receive as Leader of the Opposition to charities and other good causes. I will continue that practice should I become Prime Minister,'' Key, above, told Sunday News.
Laudable of course but it really doesn't match what their headline claimed does it? Now of course we get those who dislike him pretending that that headline quoted him properly.
The expenses they get is meant to cover the koha they have to put in, or the raffle tickets they have to buy and so on. That isn't the sort of thing Key said he did.
Instead of making that last statement as a question why don't you state it as fact. Then justify it. If you can't don't say it.
I'm sure you wouldn't feel badly done by if I asked something like "Didn't ghostwhowalksnz get a term for drug ….?" Well that is roughly what you are doing here unless you can justify the claim. Either justify it or don't do it.
You seemed to claim that he never said anything like it.
A 'good part' suggest a considerable amount and the headlines are a valid claim
Alwyn,I say Alwyn…that headline was absorbed by a lot of people…even heard a caller to ZB a few weeks ago…stating the b/s that Key donated his salary to charity…
fake news works,especially when you have a dedicated black ops team.
So did he ever donate a dollar to charity….we must trust him,because he said he did!
Wheres blips list of his lies…got to over 400 from memory…'trust John Key….sure ..can't'!
"blip's lies"?
The claims he made were wrong. He claimed that Key had said things that he hadn't. I had a careful look at a sample of the things blip claimed Key had said but when you tracked down the original comment you discovered that blip had got it wrong.
This business about donating all his salary is just like the things blip complained about. He hadn't actually said it, even though people thought he had. I can't be bothered tracking it down but an example IIRC was the claim that he had promised to recover the Pike River bodies. He hadn't. He had said they would take all possible actions that they could do safely, or something like that, but not that they would do it. Little of course has done exactly the same thing.
I'm afraid, for all you true believers, that blip got it wrong. He simply hadn't read what Key really said carefully, and suspiciously enough, and he allowed himself to be fooled because he wanted to be fooled.
Alwyn,I say Alwyn…you ask others for evidence but can't supply any yourself!
You're like the psychic that got hit by a car and said…'I didn't see it…coming'!
Then there was this 'charity'
'
The golfing photo of Oravida owner Stone Shi and Prime Minister John Key was the result of an up to $56,600 donation to the National Party.
We have of course always known about the golf game – John Key has previously said it came from Shi getting the winning bid at a "charity" auction.
It turns out the "charity" was the National Party.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/opinion/patrick-gower/opinion-oravidas-56600-golf-photo-with-john-key-2014032009
Not many commenters on this web site "respect talent, hard work and resultant success."
In fact I would go as far to say they despise it and want to cut down the tall poppy.
No, I definitely respect her talent, hard work and resultant success.
Yes Jacinda has done well if that is who you are referring to. But would you still feel the same if she owned 7 properties?
The Prime Minister wouldn't be the same person.
I hear the liars on social media are putting it about she has more wealth than Luxon’s $21 million housing portfolio.
No I think that is some scam website that reckons Jacinda is worth $24m? Don't think too many people believe that.
A bloke like Graeme Hart hasn't done too bad for himself as an example. I think he left school at 16.
Jacinda's worth more than that.
I'm not interested in the framing that monetises her worth: her "value" is on another plane altogether 🙂
Yes Hart can give thanks to Douglas/Caygill for going behind Langes back and virtually gifting him a state asset….the Govt Printing Office…with multi million dollar contracts.
And there's the thing, Jimmy. You respect him for making money. I look at what you just wrote and ask why he neglected his education.
You look at Luxon and say he's done well for himself. I look at our Prime Minister, Jacinda Adern, and don't even think about money.
Different values, different importances. As Robert says below.
working at a fish&chip shop after school ring any bells.?
Just coming from Morrinsville is a very down to earth upbringing.
Tough town that one.
Tough town?
Its the town in the middle of the most productive dairy country in the world. I would call it affluent as opposed to tough
"respect talent, hard work and resultant success."
'silver spoon,old boy networks,property investment and forex gambling'.
No one's born rich – we're all born…naked.
… and shortly thereafter attempt to cover ourselves in excrement..
Thank you for your reverent aphorism 😈
Yes very true, but some are born in to wealthy families
Some?
Few.
Remuera is a good area to be born!
There are may types of success. Most don't result in wealth – a very narrow selection of them do. Some people are very focused on that narrow range – their success consists of trying to get rich and doing so. Their wealth is not an accidental side effect of their success. Your statement could be rephrased as a tautology – "becoming wealthy results in becoming wealthy".
So what? Being born poor does not give one the right to tell every one else how to behave. Smooth talking bs gets you along way on wall street and air nz.
He has to appeal to 33% of the Voters – Seymour's 17.5% puts them on to the Treasury benches.
Covid exhaustion will be on his side …. How much longer can a Covid Queen rule?
Precisely. Ardern was formidable in the House yesterday – she's certainly got what it takes. But she needs to take a little bit of whatever that is, and use it when she's talking to New Zealanders. She destroyed Luxon's stupid questions yesterday with clear detailed facts. She needs to do the same when outside of the House, and get rid of that horrible perception – together with fake Helen Clark-style smile – that she's talking down to people. If she can do that then moving from Covid Queen to whatever's next Queen will be far, far easier.
Only of there's no crossover between the 33% and the 17.5%.
Maurice for shame. "Covid Queen" Get a life. What do you call Boris then? You make it sound like she enjoys covid!! When she said with sincerity " it is keeping me awake at night."
Doris?
For some reason this just keeps humming through my mind (tiny as it is!)
She keeps her Moet et Chandon
In her pretty cabinet
"Let them eat cake", she says
Just like Marie Antoinette
A built-in remedy
For Khrushchev and Kennedy
At anytime an invitation
You can't decline
Caviar and cigarettes
Well versed in etiquette
Extraordinarily nice
A look at "Upper Room" website https://upperroom.org.nz/ shows what looks like a church. There would be 70+ church goers there. They all appear to be white people so perhaps the church does not appeal to the diverse population of Newmarket, or maybe diverse faces do not appeal to the church, even in Auckland.
They dont use the term 'church' in their branding or even in their signs outside the building in Newmarket.
probably the way Luxon was slyly able to say he 'hadnt been to church in 5 year's, they refer to themselves as a 'fellowship' and do seem to have fellowship meetings in private homes as well as the ones at the 'Upper Room ' itself.
But your comments about the 'diversity' seem spot on .
Its really a version of Tamaki's Destiny church but for upper middle class white people.
Chapeau to the algorithms (or whatever it's called) that summon up the old articles underneath the OP. Recommended reading. The comments are a mixture of prescient and … amusingly wrong.
(Bridges was leader less than 2 years ago? Seems like several lifetimes).
MickySavage doesn't always get his predictions right but he did well on Luxon.
PS Also includes Luxon's first recorded lie as a politician, more than a year before becoming an MP:
"Christopher Luxon says he is not an option for National in the Botany seat".
(NZ Herald, 28 May 2019)
''It will be interesting to see whether the electorate will again suppress its egalitarian instincts.''
What egalitarian instincts?
That went out with union bosses dressed like Soviet government officials. Unlike Muldoon, I was a great admirer of Comrade Anderson… until he instigated a school holiday strike.
Luxon's first day up against the PM was very average. However, I'm not that worried because no matter how bad Luxon is, another year of Labour and it may come down to a stark choice for voters – do you want more of this lot, or do you want to try a pot luck with Luxon?
National really need to get around the table with Winston and work a deal. Winston isn't out of the picture yet. He could mop up voters who can't stand any of the party choices at the moment. All Winston needs do is list the things he stopped Labour doing when he was in coalition.
If Winston is the answer then we really are stuffed. He is a toad and he always has been. In fact he always has been a has been . I remember his Tory flashiness and obnoxiousness from Albert Park in the late sixties/early seventies. He's never changed.
True. But hard times may mean making hard decisions. National may have no choice if Jacinda remains popular. Winston knows if he gets back into parliament, it will be his swansong. Offer him something perky and preferably in the background. He would only be needed for special occasions.
It's a very big ask for him to get back into power, and a bigger ask for him to work with National. But as someone on this site said: ''never burn your bridges.''
ps- I hope he wouldn't bring Jonesy back into parliament. I find that pontificator worse than Winston. Every time I clean my shower head he pops into my mind.
Luxon, and the issue of Luxon, is boring now.
So, this will be your last comment on the guy, then?
Is that correct?
Too bored to respond, Gezza.
A Luxon fluff.
https://bryangould.com/a-luxon-fluff/
Contradiction:
1- A situation in which inconsistent elements are present.
You've misunderstood, Blade.
Luxon is certainly boring and that's something to be talked about, in a resigned, bored kind of way.
Judith was fascinating (with ya, Pucky!) in the same way that watching children play with matches is fascinating, but Luxon is…
… boring!
Nothing wrong with that, many also-rans are boring, it's just, I'd hoped for someone…
… interesting…
So, has Gezza misunderstood?
Repeatedly.
As well, I'm disturbed to read that Luxon has lied already!
Where & how has he lied?
Observer @ 9:48 am.
He may not have been a candidate at the time he said the above. May have been persuaded to stand after that. Hardly proof of a lie.
At least it's not boring.
Your words, at 12. You tend to burble nonsense rather a lot, imo.
Of course that timeline would have been before Jamie-Lee Ross started went out in public with his interesting political attitudes or afterwards?
Before there was a viable National MP and no room for a new National candidate. Or after when the standing MP had no political clothes or political party and National needed an emergency candidate (now the emergency party leader).
Context is always important in a political discussion…
Luxon's certainly boring, but suggestions that he's started off with a lie is quite interesting, imo.
What's interesting is that there's no indication that what he said when he said it was a lie.
But two people posting here want to allege, with no proof, that it was a lie.
2?
Probably 20 (or more).
Hard to be certain…
Do you really think there are 20 different contributors, who are so emphatically Luxon-haters, on any given day to this blog? That seems a bit high to me Robert. There are certainly a few of you but 20 seems to be stretching it.
“2?
Probably 20 (or more).
Hard to be certain…”
… … … …
Oh? That many? So you'll be able to identify & list their post numbers? Please do. I'll be interested to see how many others are making unfounded allegations.
Now I'm thinking, 30? 40?
Who can say.
Many visitors to TS quietly watch and don't say, keen to avoid attracting blatherers and malcontents.
I understand their reluctance.
Gezza @ 2.59pm.
Did you really mean to provide the Morse for O O O O and then add the word Oh. Or is it just an accident?
@ Guyton
Me: "But two people posting here want to allege, with no proof, that it was a lie."
You: "Now I'm thinking, 30? 40? Who can say. Many visitors to TS quietly watch and don't say, keen to avoid attracting blatherers and malcontents. I understand their reluctance."
… … …
You seem to have comprehension problems. You are saying 30 or 40 people have posted here (or want to) with no proof that Luxon lied when he said what he said above?
If they're reading your posts on this thread alone they can't sure can't avoid blatherers.
Clearly no one else is bothering to make such an unfounded allegation because they know they have no proof of a lie. Your pathetic attempts at diversion from being challenged on unfounded gossip and blithering are so transparent I'm embarrassed for you.
Luxon said he turned around Air NZ ,only he believes that!
'Christopher Luxon had big shoes to fill when he became chief executive at Air New Zealand in 2013.
Out the door went "rock star CEO" Rob Fyfe, credited with turning Air New Zealand around after a taxpayer bail-out in 2001, and snaffling numerous awards for best airline in the world. It was praised for improving its financial performance while all about it other airlines were losing theirs.
In came Luxon, who'd spent 18 years at Unilever — a consumer giant with a presence in houses across the globe with its brands like Dove, Rexona, Lipton and Sunsilk'-Stuff.
She certainly is
Still?
Even more so, what will she do now we all wonder…
Wounded bull?
Cornered rat
I was amazed to see when looking at the National party list in 2020 that Luxon was number 61 on their list. A year ago. Great to have good mates, eh?
https://www.national.org.nz/2020-party-list
Meteoric rise!
(but meteors fall 🙂
That may be true but meteors never crash to the ground Robert.
Only meteorites do that.
.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7Rx2PZ7C0c
My take on Key’s popularity was the guys wanted to be like him and the ladies wanted to date him. Given the current controversy over housing wealth and his lack of looks, I think he’ll prove to be low on that magic X factor the population needs so much of from politicians these days.
"ladies wanted to date him"
They did?
Mmmmmmmm…
Tugged their own hair over it.
There's a tradition that says stroking a hunch-back's hunch brings good luck…
There is the one about being shat on by a bird will bring luck.. stupid nonsense.
Taking a hit for the team, Patricia!
I wouldn't mind it, and if my dear mother-in-law escaped the "blessing", I'd be smiling; she'd be ever so grateful; therefore, lucky me! 🙂
That someone as ancient as you appear to be still has a living mother-in-law seems to be a miracle Robert.
Did you do a Charlie Chaplain and, at the age of 54 marry an 18 year old?
Flora's a gem, alwyn, and sharper than you (it seems) – kinder too.
I shook hands with a man who shook hands with Charlie – you?
That I cannot claim Robert.
I did shake hands with David Lange on occasion. Then I counted my fingers.
a friend of mine knows someone (wont say) who has eaten human… in nz no less …
Did you still have…6?
Ha!
Ha ha ha ha ha!
It's been a great day!
I had lunch with Lange once – just a handful of people present. I was very apolitical at the time, yet my overwhelming impression was of a man who was finished with not being his own man, not being able to say what he really wanted to.
I remember asking a few probably very dumb questions and Lange would look regretful, as if he wanted to engage like a normal person but realised he couldn't.
Six weeks later he had resigned. It came as no surprise.
I had breakfast with (at the same occasion as) Don Brash once – he ate crappy, processed cereals (that's all that was on offer – I felt for him – he probably yearned for muesli, with blueberries and probiotic yoghurt – who knows? Bill English was there – he had saussies and eggs 🙂
I am not at all surprised at you feeling that way about him. I met all the PMs between Nash and Bolger with the exception of Norman Kirk. Lange seemed to me to be the only one who didn't really relish the idea that they were PM and they wanted to stay there. I didn't see Palmer during the time he was PM but I wouldn't be that surprised if he had felt the same way while he had the role..
It always seemed to me to be a bloody impossible position to manage. If someone had told me I had to do it I would have come out with the Sherman response. “I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected.”.
Mind you. There was never the slightest chance that anyone would ever want me in the job
I reckon you've got the same chance as becoming PM as Luxon, Alwyn!
Never give up!
Alwyn,I say Alwyn that was nice of you to give them all an audience!
Palmer must have been very disappointed.
Nash! Now that is going back a year or two. What you say about the job is so true; it really does take a rare person willing to do it.
We all have our preferences, but part of me holds back from judging most political people because I know damn well how poorly I'd probably do at it.
He doesn't seem to have wowed anyone with his adlibs, but he can stick to a prepared line about obvious talking points – his particular religious beliefs amongst them.
Maybe he can just be reliable and agreeable, and that might be all National need as a caucus leader at the moment.
Whether reliable sparks joy in the populace is another matter – the last few years have just been cascades of shit around the world, maybe they think National will handle it better. We'll see.
Hopefully there will be a respite in the bile put forth by the nats, in favour of competent opposition. That might be nice.
"A respite in the bile put forth by the nats". BBBB Baby , you just ain't seen nothing yet,oh no, you ain't seen nothing yet……. you ain't been around ,as the song by Bachman Turner Overdrive goes.
lol if he can outdo juco for bile, that would also be impressive.
But if he puts in a solid effort without looking too happy when covid numbers rise, or blatantly leveraging the discomfort and pain of others to knife colleagues in the back, well if he manages all that, National might soar in popularity, reaching the high twenties in no time.
The reason for the change at this time …well more Collins surgical strike against Bridges… was the polling season is over by early december.
That would allow a summer for people to forget about politics or even forget about Luxon
A sensible appraisal….it is far too early to judge his effectiveness, especially in light of an unknown future….he may crash and burn, or equally he may be a beneficiary of 'events'.