Jacinda’s speech to the Labour campaign launch
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5:09 pm, August 8th, 2020 - 94 comments
Categories: election 2020, jacinda ardern, labour, uncategorized -
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E ngā mana
e ngā reo
Ngāti whātua ngā mana whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau,
e tika te kōrero
Ehara taku toa he toa (taki tahi)
he toa (taki tini)
No rēira tātou e huihui mai nei,
ka ‘Hoake tonu tātou’
Thank you for that welcome.
And thank you for being here.
What an amazing privilege it is to see you all gathered in one place today.
Thank you for all your work over these last few months, which has made this gathering possible. In a COVID world, our team of 5 million has been a steady ship and I am so grateful for that.
It’s hard to believe that we were here, in this town hall just three years ago, launching our 2017 campaign.
If you had told me then that our launch in 2020 would be in the midst of a global pandemic with our borders closed – I would have found that very hard to fathom.
If you’d told me that Clarke and I would have a toddler, I wouldn’t have believed we would have been so lucky.
And if you’d told me that we would have just completed a term in Government with both New Zealand First and the Greens, I’d assume you’d been watching excessive amounts of “Stranger Things” on Netflix.
And yet here we are.
It was perhaps fitting then, that three years ago as I finished speaking with you at our campaign launch, we all left this space with a joyous song of optimism by Tim Finn playing in the background.
It was called “Couldn’t Be Done”
And there were plenty who thought it couldn’t. And plenty of others who just hoped it couldn’t. And while I won’t name names, Mike Hosking, I will say this. When we stood here three ago, it wasn’t about winning for the sake of it. It wasn’t about being better than anyone else. It wasn’t about proving people wrong.
It was about change.
It was about change because after nine years there was a realisation that some really important things had been neglected, and that doing things differently wasn’t only possible, it was necessary.
John Key and Bill English, they were good managers of our economy. And I want to thank them for that. They helped New Zealand through the GFC and they paid down debt.
But after nine years of a singular focus on GDP and surplus, the actual result was too many families sleeping in cars, too many New Zealanders suffering from poor mental health and too many of our waterways polluted.
I maintain the point I have often made through this term, economic growth accompanied by worsening social outcomes is not success at all. It is failure.
And so, on the 26th of October 2017 as our government was sworn it, we set out to change that.
I remember the day of our swearing in really well.
It started with a text from my mother. She was in London with my sister who was expecting a baby, and that morning my nephew arrived. As John Campbell said, it was a big day in the Ardern household.
I did an interview with John that day as I drove to Government House to be sworn in as Prime Minister.
I never listened back to that interview, until yesterday. Two things stood out to me. The first, was that every time John asked me how far we were in our journey, rather than opt for street names I used well known landmarks, namely Subway and KFC.
And secondly, it struck me that my belief in what we needed to do as a government and why, had not changed.
When John Campbell asked “what is it you want to do?” I replied:
“I want this Government to feel different. I want it to feel like we are…. truly focused on every body.
I want people to feel that it’s open that it’s listening and that it’s going to bring kindness back in everything that we do……I know that will sound curious, but to me if people see that they have an empathetic government, I think they’ll truly understand that when we’re making hard calls that we’re doing it with the right goal, and the right focus in mind… that’s the feeling I want this government to create.”
We have made big decisions, we have made hard decisions. But ultimately we have made progress.
Now I’m very conscious that if I run through every single one of the things we have done, I risk losing my audience. And that’s saying something when half of your audience are enthusiastically holding up Labour signs.
So let’s just run through the things that when we stood here three years ago, we wanted to change.
We said we wanted to build a country where children grow up free from poverty.
And so in our first 100 days we brought in the families package. It boosted the incomes of some 384,000 families. It included the Best Start Payment, the first time New Zealand had a universal payment for kids since the 1990s.
We introduced the Winter Energy Payment, with over a million New Zealanders no longer having to make the decision between a warm home and food on the table.
We indexed benefits to wages, and lifted them by $25 week.
We increased school funding so parents don’t have to pay school donations, scrapped NCEA fees, and are rolling out lunches in schools and period products too.
We extended paid parental leave to 26 weeks.
And we increased the minimum wage from $15.75 to $18.90, which means an extra $126 a week for a full time worker.
But for all of that, there is more to do.
We said that shelter was a basic right, and that we wanted everyone to have a warm, dry home.
And so we created the healthy home guarantee, invested half a billion dollars to start retrofitting state houses, stopped foreign buyers purchasing residential housing, and gave tenants more security.
We brought more affordable housing to the market through KiwiBuild, launched the start of progressive home ownership scheme and a papakainga housing scheme, expanded the housing first programme and created 3900 public housing places.
In fact, we have undertaken the largest house building programme of any Government since the 1970s, with 18,000 state houses to be delivered by 2024.
And still there is more to do.
We said we wanted to rebuild health and education.
And so we made visits to the doctor cheaper for over half a million kiwis, increased nurses in schools, employed more doctors, nurses, midwives and mental health workers. And we began rebuilding our run down hospitals and health facilities.
We increased PHARMAC funding by over $400 million to buy more medicines for New Zealanders, including new cancer drugs. We set up the Cancer Control Agency and funded new radiation machines.
And we made the biggest investment in mental health ever seen in New Zealand with new, free, frontline services being rolled out around the country.
And yet still there is more to do.
We said we wanted to make our rivers swimmable again.
And so we worked with farmers and environmental groups on freshwater reforms and invested in riparian planting, fencing of waterways and sediment control.
We said climate change was my generation’s nuclear free moment.
And so we stopped new offshore oil and gas exploration, passed the Zero Carbon Act, established the Climate Commission, invested in our goal of 100% renewable electricity generation and reached an historic deal with farmers to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
And still there is more to do.
We trained more Te Reo teachers in our schools, invested in Kohanga Reo and Whanau Ora, and are making sure New Zealand history is taught in schools.
We ran budget surpluses, reduced net debt to below 20% of GDP, and got unemployment to the lowest rates in over a decade.
But still, there is more to do.
We haven’t always achieved everything we set out to, and there have been lessons for us in that.
In that same interview three years ago I was asked what I thought people wanted from our time in government. I said:
“I think we’ve got a big job to do to try and restore faith in politics and politicians, and I know politicians are desperate for that too….. I think it’s about really just following through, and when we fail, when we haven’t been able to reach our goal, telling people why….that’s what people expect of us.”
Despite the many things we have done, we haven’t always reached every goal.
We wanted more homes for first home buyers. We wanted light rail in Auckland. But we’ve had to accept that sometimes when you try things that have never been done before, you won’t always succeed, but that doesn’t mean you should give up.
There have been other lessons too. Some were unexpected, and some were devastating.
I remember vividly the moment I received a phone call telling me that there had been a shooting in Christchurch on March 15 last year.
I was in a van driving to visit a new environment school in New Plymouth. Much has been said about that afternoon, the terror that was rained down on our Muslim community, and what it represented for us as a nation. It will forever be etched into our collective memories.
But so too will the response.
Whether it was March 15, or Whakaari White Island, or even COVID-19 – these three entirely different events that devastated in very different ways – they drew out a response from kiwis that was the same.
They drew out a sense of collective purpose, of determination, of kindness. They are all values we will need as we take on our next challenge – and our next challenge is huge.
Some have asked me whether this is the COVID election.
No one wants it to be.
We would all prefer the world to be free of the health and economic impact that this global pandemic has created.
I would rather not have had to close our borders. Or put in place the most severe restrictions on personal freedoms in our country’s history.
But it has been our new reality, and one that the team of 5 million have made work in the most extraordinary way.
We have now one of the most open economies in the world, and we have a head start on our recovery and rebuild, but our job is not done.
And so yes, there is no denying that COVID has changed New Zealand, and therefore it will inevitably change what we talk about this election.
And there is a lot to talk about.
There wasn’t a playbook for COVID-19. That means there was no pre-written plan for how a country should respond to a one in one hundred year global pandemic. But respond we did.
We went hard and we went early, used the wage subsidy to support 1.7 million workers through a lockdown and beyond, and put ourselves in the position to safely reopen our economy.
We have never wavered from the view that the best economic response was a strong health response. There are tough times ahead but the proof is in an economy up and running well before others.
And now that we’re here, we need to keep rolling out our five point plan to recover and rebuild.
Here’s what that entails for the next three if we are re-elected.
Firstly, we’re investing in people with extra income support, and opportunities to retrain through free apprenticeships and vocational training.
We’re creating jobs, through shovel-ready infrastructure projects like community pools and sports facilities, and investment in environmental projects that are a win-win for our people and the planet.
We’re making sure our investments are taking on our long term challenges by building more state houses, waste processing facilities and energy options that mean New Zealand can be powered by 100% renewable electricity, and all of the exciting opportunities that brings.
We’re supporting small business with interest free loans, R&D support, targeted tourism funding and tax refunds.
And we are retaining our place as a trading nation by providing practical support for our exporters, while also working hard to improve their access into new markets.
It’s a plan that is already in motion, and that is already making a difference and that with New Zealand’s support we want to keep delivering over the next three years.
While we know there is much ahead of us, this week’s unemployment rate of 4% shows the measures we have taken to date have cushioned the economic blow from COVID, and the investments we are making now are all designed to keep driving job growth.
But the support for those hardest hit won’t just be measured in statistics. I have a different metric. Letters.
As COVID hit, one of the things we did to support our people’s wellbeing was to extend our free lunches in schools programme. I got a letter from a child in one of the schools we had already rolled this initiative out to.
She wrote:
“I had a mate who never ate, and whenever I said, are you hungry she would always say nah I’m not hungry, but I knew she was. She was too ashamed to admit it.
“But then you started getting us free lunches and now she can eat and she is healthy. I am really happy now because I don’t have to worry about my friend”
COVID has undoubtedly created many friends for us to worry about, and we know there are tough times ahead.
Analysis by the Treasury shows that downturns impact our lowest paid and most insecure workers most.
And we also know that those without formal training qualifications, those over 50, disabled people, and Māori and Pasifika workers will disproportionately bear the brunt of economic downturns – they are often in industries where job losses are most common and are the last industries to recover.
Some call it economic scarring – the long lasting damage to individuals of an economic down turn. I call it the loss of potential, and the greatest of wastes, and I am determined it will not happen on Labour’s watch.
That’s why I’m announcing today, that if Labour is returned to government we will roll out a support package to assist businesses in employing up to 40,000 New Zealanders whose employment is impacted by COVID-19.
We are revamping and expanding our existing Flexi-Wage scheme – a wage subsidy to help employers hire those on a benefit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.
Under our proposal, we will double the value of the wage subsidy to an average of $7,500 and ensure that far more work and income clients, including those who may be on the COVID income support payment, are eligible for this scheme.
As part of this package I am also announcing we will be ring-fencing $30 million to provide grants to those who lose their job to start a new business of their own.
The intention is to support those New Zealanders most affected by the economic hit of the virus.
Our team of 5 million’s approach to fighting COVID means there is huge willingness in our business community to avoid unemployment rising by taking on new staff where they can, but many just need a little bit of extra support which this package provides.
Businesses large and small are crucial to our economic recovery, but they can’t do it alone. The Flexi-wage is a way for the Government to partner with the private sector to support job creation together.
It will act as a strong incentive to support those who have been hit the hardest by COVID, and provide additional support to businesses who might not otherwise be in the position to take someone on long-term.
And importantly, we know this is a programme we can scale up quickly that works.
An evaluation by MSD of the Flexi-wage scheme showed seventy per cent of people placed into work still had a job at the end of the evaluation period, and that $7 in value was generated by every dollar that was invested.
I want to be clear though. This is a targeted scheme.
It is aimed at supporting real jobs that have a real chance of lasting. It’s an investment in our people, their future, and it’s about working together.
Almost every day I talk to businesses – large and small. I know their contribution to the economy, the commitment they have to their staff, I understand the pressures they face. Government alone can’t do everything. Neither can business. But together we can.
But as with all investments, there is a price tag. This scheme represents an investment of $311 million.
Our cautious approach to future spending means we will be using the current underspend from the Wage Subsidy to pay for this programme, rather than drawing from the COVID Response Fund which we intend to preserve in case it’s needed to fight the virus again, or to reduce our level of debt.
Ultimately though, there is no costless response to COVID, but Grant Robertson’s excellent management of the books means we went into COVID with lower debt relative to GDP than almost any other OECD nation, and look to come out in a better position than Australia, the UK, Canada and the US.
Keeping debt low is important to us, and we’ve shown that. But that need not be at the expense of health and education, and it shouldn’t mean leaving people behind. And that is the difference between Labour and others.
And so, when people ask, is this a COVID election, my answer is yes, it is.
But that does not mean that there aren’t still choices to be made. It does not mean there aren’t ideas to be debated, or plans to be discussed, policies to be announced.
In fact, it’s the very reason why this is election is more important than ever.
It’s about the future. It’s about leadership and it’s about values.
It’s about whether we stop and change to another team, or whether we keep those we know and we trust.
It’s about whether we build a few roads, or whether we rebuild New Zealand.
It’s about whether we stop and start again, or whether we keep up the momentum we already have.
In the last three years the Labour government has dealt with a lot.
And we have learned a lot too.
We came in on a platform of change, and a commitment to tackle our long term challenges, and that is what we have done.
Fewer children live in poverty.
More homes are being built.
We’re closer to making our country clean, green and carbon neutral.
And when we had hard decisions to make, we have been strong, we have been empathetic, and we have been kind.
But there is much more to do.
Now, more than ever, is the time to keep going, to keep working.
To do more for our people and their wellbeing, for our small businesses, for our economy and our recovery.
To grab hold of the opportunities that lie in front of us.
So let’s keep going
Let’s keep rebuilding
Let’s keep moving!
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A better world isn’t just possible, it’s desirable. And that’s how we should frame a lot of our conversations around making a greater Auckland. As an example take urban climate action. A climate friendly Auckland: Is free from congestion Enables people to travel how they choose Is filled with ...6 days ago
- AMA + Holiday Webworm Merch!
6 days ago - Discount Code for Webworm Merch!
Hi,So there’s a bunch of new stuff on the Webworm store (www.webworm.store) — just in time for the Holidays. Read more ...6 days ago - Trying to defuse the tension
There were urgent moves yesterday at Parliament to try and defuse the tension building up over ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill. The Bill’s author, ACT leader David Seymour, told reporters that he understood the Justice Select Committee met yesterday to discuss how long it should take to consider submissions on the ...6 days ago
- An Irritable NZ Pawn – David Seymour Admits Treaty Principles Bill will clear the way for deve...
7 days ago - Gordon Campbell On The Hikoi Arrival, And Tyler Childers
Politicians like to bang on all about the need to heal society’s racial/economic divisions, but in their actions they’re more keen on stoking those divisions, with the Treaty Principles Bill being the classic example. The Bill seeks to dilute the Crown’s responsibilities to Māori at the same time as it ...7 days ago
- Socially Backwards and Fiscally Forwards: the False Ideological Divide and the “Conservative” Li...
7 days ago - Kaamos: Accepted
I appreciate that A Phuulish Fellow has been fairly quiet recently. That’s a combination of two things – comparatively little in the way of relevant material to discuss (at least until The War of the Rohirrim comes out next month), and my general work on The Secret Non-Fiction Writing Project. ...7 days ago - Here’s how governments could fix their Paris climate commitment failures
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Governments around the world face a conundrum. Virtually none are on track to meet their Paris climate commitments. That includes the United States, which committed to cut its emissions at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 but is only on track for 32-43% cuts ...1 week ago
- Unstoppable.
1 week ago
- Katherine Trebeck – An Alternative Economic Narrative
The era of neoliberalism has been destructive on so many levels, with a huge growth in wealth and privilege for the one percent. A hollowing out of the state; fraying of the safety net; inadequate government investment in infrastructure; and continued environmental degradation has resulted in damage on a vast ...1 week ago - In a Manner of Speaking
In a manner of speakingI just want to sayThat I could never forget the wayYou told me everythingBy saying nothingOh, give me the wordsGive me the wordsThat tell me nothingOh, give me the wordsGive me the wordsThat tell me everythingSongwriter: Winston TongNext Tuesday, the subscription price for Nick’s Kōrero will ...1 week ago - Monday 18 November 2024
The NZNO have announced a nationwide strike for December over its pay dispute with Health NZ, who have put a 1 per cent cap on pay rises. The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti and Treaty Principles Bill remain front and centre in the media, with the impacts of the Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke-led ...1 week ago
- Shipley warns Seymour’s bill is ‘inviting civil war’
The divisive Treaty Principles Bill is not just a risk for the National Party, it’s a risk to civil order and unity, warns a National Party grandee. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on ...1 week ago - A clearer network for the City Rail Link?
This post was originally published on Linked In by Nicolas Reid. It is republished here with permission. Auckland is now just a year or so away from having the keystone of its urban rail network complete. As I wrote about here, the City Rail Link will be a literal game changer for ...1 week ago
- National’s support base is wobbling
If ACT leader David Seymour intended the Treaty Principles Bill to drive a wedge into National’s support base, he may well already be succeeding. By midnight on Thursday after the Maori Party haka in Parliament, National MPs were being deluged with emails and messages from their members calling them out ...1 week ago
- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #46
A listing of 33 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, November 10, 2024 thru Sat, November 16, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is completely "meta" (no, not that Meta). It's about our exploring how ...1 week ago
- Grifter Eftpos Tamaki at it again
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Self-appointed “Bishop” and proto-fascist, Brian Tamaki was at it again on 16 November, blocking Auckland’s southern motorway, SH1.This time, the target of his ire wasn’t the Civil Unions Act; covid lock-downs; mask mandates; or ...1 week ago - Rip up a bill, lead a haka are words to live by
I cannot stop grabbing people by the lapels, or shoulders, or similar, and raving at them about the tiny miracles in my ears.I can hear again! There could not be a more satisfied customer in all the world.In a noisy cafe I am even catching words that Karren cannot, she ...1 week ago - Unintended Consequences
Take the baitYou pay the priceIt's much too lateFor good adviceYou know and I know that our good things' throughBecause there's consequences for what we doConsequences for me and youWriters: Kevin Robert Hayes, David Nagier, Bonnie Adele Hayes.Fallout from the first readingOne News began last night by saying that tens ...1 week ago - Thank you, driver!
Today, Saturday 16th of November, is Auckland Transport’s Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Saturday 16 November marks the third annual Auckland Transport (AT) ‘Bus Driver Appreciation Day’, and this year we are encouraging all of New Zealand to thank their driver or let the bus go first if you are in ...1 week ago
- Totally Normal: Holiday Edition
Hi,If I was to accurately sum up my mental state over the week, I’d just say that I got a huge fright from my own shadow.I’d nipped out for an 11pm neighborhood stroll, just to calm down after a day of stress and screens. The Cure and Fazerdaze’s new record ...1 week ago - We Are Not Listening
The current rise of populism challenges the way we think about people’s relationship to the economy.We seem to be entering an era of populism, in which leadership in a democracy is based on preferences of the population which do not seem entirely rational nor serving their longer interests. ...
1 week ago - More lawlessness from National
On Tuesday, sick of government stonewalling, the Waitangi Tribunal issued a rare court order, ordering the Minister of Health to release unredacted documents within 48 hours showing its reasoning for disestablishing Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority. The government's response to the lawful order of a court? Yeah, ...1 week ago
- National’s tyrannical “foreign interference” law
Yesterday, under cover the the biggest political fight of the year, National quietly - covertly, even - introduced anti-foreign interference legislation. The bill is the product of a years-long work-program aimed at countering shit like this and this, and there's unquestionably a need to do something to counter foreign states' ...1 week ago
- The Haka Represents The Best Of Us
A few months ago, I was in an audience watching a Haka-Kapa and as I watched children dance and sing and sway and shout and beat, I couldn’t help but think “The Haka represents the best of us.”Yes, yes - there will be a thousand voices that rush forth to ...1 week ago
- Adding up the climate cost
St Mary’s Bay housing left hanging: Climate risk is systemically underestimated in the climate scenarios used by central banks, and a new report warns 10,000 houses are set to become uninsurable in Aotearoa. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in ...1 week ago
- Auckland chafing at Bishop’s housing intensification orders
One of the major problems the Government has in implementing its ‘going for housing growth’ strategy is that it isn’t giving much funding help to councils. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and ...1 week ago
- Release: Government should be transparent on live exports
Targeted consultation on reinstating live cattle exports by sea won’t allow the New Zealand public to have their say. ...3 days ago - NZ’s global climate rankings plummet as Govt removes agriculture from ETS
The Government has passed legislation to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while Aotearoa’s reputation on climate action plummets. ...4 days ago - Failed boot camp experiment must end
As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the good of our rangatahi. ...4 days ago
- Gender-affirming care must centre evidence and health needs, not political posturing
The Ministry of Health has today released an evidence brief regarding the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming healthcare, amid moves by the government to limit access. ...4 days ago
- Release: National doesn’t care about manufacturing
The National Government is walking away from our manufacturing sector with constant reports of closures and job losses. ...4 days ago
- Release: David Parker speech – Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change
David Parker's speech from the University of Auckland's forum on Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change in September 2024. ...4 days ago
- Release: Youth mental wellbeing no longer a priority for Child Poverty Minister
Louise Upston has revealed her diminished vision for vulnerable youth against a backdrop of snubbed advice, scrapped priorities, shifted goal posts and thousands more children projected to fall into poverty. ...4 days ago
- Release: National’s lack of climate action taking NZ backwards
National Government’s backward-looking climate policy has seen New Zealand fall seven places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 41 out of 63 countries measured. ...4 days ago
- Release: Simple reason for drop in emergency housing
When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...4 days ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...4 days ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...4 days ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...5 days ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...5 days ago
- Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills
The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...5 days ago
- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...5 days ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...5 days ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...5 days ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...6 days ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...6 days ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...1 week ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...1 week ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...1 week ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...2 weeks ago
- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...3 weeks ago
- Prime Minister’s scholarships awarded
New Zealand is strengthening its global connections with Asia and Latin America, as 119 individual recipients have been awarded Prime Minister’s Scholarships for education experiences abroad, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Expanding New Zealand’s global engagement through world-class international education is a key government priority,” Ms Simmonds ...2 hours ago - Climate Minister to see Antarctica research first-hand
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is travelling to Antarctica on Monday to see the impacts of climate change first-hand and see New Zealand’s scientific work on the ice. “Antarctica is under increasing pressure from climate change, with rapid changes to the Antarctic ice sheet, ice shelves, sea ice, and biodiversity now ...6 hours ago
- Joint Statement: Singapore-New Zealand Article 6 Negotiations reach consensus
Countries have reached a deal on carbon markets at the annual United Nations climate change meeting (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Co-chaired by Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu and New Zealand’s Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts, the negotiations on Article 6 (carbon markets) concluded successfully with ...7 hours ago
- Child Protection Investigation Unit established
A new Child Protection Investigation Unit is being established to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in care, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “The report released by the Royal Commission into abuse in state care shows us all the risk of not acting immediately when there are serious ...3 days ago
- Speech at United States Business Summit 2024
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Ka mihi ki te mana whenua ko Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Kia ora and good morning everyone. Thank you Fran and Simon for inviting me here today, and importantly your leadership of this forum over several years now. I want to acknowledge David Gehrenbeck, Deputy ...3 days ago
- Record number of submissions received on granny flat proposal
Nearly 2,000 submissions have been received on the Government’s proposals aimed at making it easier to build a granny flat of up to 60 square metres without a resource or building consent, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. “This is the highest number ...3 days ago
- District Court Judge appointed
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Rebecca Guthrie as a District Court Judge. Judge Guthrie was admitted to the bar in 1997 following her graduation from the University of Canterbury in 1996 (LLB, BA). She commenced her legal career in Hastings in 1997 before moving to London in ...3 days ago
- Appointments strengthen Predator Free 2050
The latest Predator Free 2050 Board appointments will help to strengthen biodiversity efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced two appointments to the Board of Directors of Predator Free 2050 Limited, a key player in the wider Predator Free 2050 Programme. “The Predator ...3 days ago
- New facility in Christchurch will improve the lives of young New Zealanders
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today opened Kahurangi, an innovative and much-needed facility for Canterbury’s Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Services. “The new state of the art outpatient facility opened today will be a gamechanger for the way mental health is delivered for young people in Canterbury,” says Mr ...3 days ago
- Driver safety screens to be installed on Auckland buses
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) that bus driver protection screens will be installed across Auckland’s bus fleet by 2026.“The Government is committed to improving the safety of working environments for bus drivers, and Budget 2024 allocated $15 million of Crown funding over ...3 days ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...4 days ago
- Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...4 days ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...4 days ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...4 days ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...4 days ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...4 days ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...4 days ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...4 days ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...4 days ago
- Fighting for Kiwis in Trade
Delivered at Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School Good morning and thank you Deputy Vice Chancellor Lithander for your warm welcome and for inviting me to open Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School today. A Special thanks to the University of Auckland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ...4 days ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...4 days ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...4 days ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...5 days ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...5 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...5 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...5 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...5 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...5 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...5 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...6 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...6 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...6 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...6 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...6 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...6 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...6 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...6 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...6 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...7 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...1 week ago
- Character references tell a court you’re a good person. Why are convicted rapists allowed to use t...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vicki Lowik, Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, CQUniversity Australia The Conversation,Elīna Arāja/Pexels In a recent Newcastle trial, a jury found three men guilty on multiple charges of sexually assaulting three teenage girls over two nights. The ...57 minutes ago - Human exclamations of pain are similar across the world, new study reveals
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maïa Ponsonnet, Researcher, Linguistics, The University of Western Australia KitohodkA/Shutterstock We all know what words we might shout out when we stub a toe or touch something hot. For those of us who speak English, it’s probably “ouch”. But what kinds ...1 hour ago
- NZ’s new cultural policy will be called Amplify. It is timely and needed, but not ambitious enough
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Wenley, Senior Lecturer, Te Whare Ngangahau–Theatre and Performance Studies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Anthony DELANOIX/Unsplash The arts and cultural activity of Aotearoa New Zealand enhances our global reputation, grows our economy and brings us fulfilment as ...1 hour ago
- Surgeries being rejected to game waitlist targets, Labour says
The Opposition alleges the number of people going onto waitlists is being limited, as GPs complain of referrals being rejected. ...2 hours ago - Surgeries being rejected to game waitlist targets, Labour alleges
The Opposition says the number of people going onto waitlists is being limited, as GPs complain of referrals being rejected. ...2 hours ago
- Louisa Wall says TJ Perenara’s Treaty statement during haka was censored
The former Black Fern, Silver Fern and Labour MP she "watched with pride" at how departing All Black TJ Perena used the side's haka. ...2 hours ago
- Warm and friendly or competent and straightforward? What students want from AI chatbots in the class...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shahper Richter, Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming education, with schools and universities increasingly experimenting with AI chatbots to assist students in self-directed learning. These digital assistants offer immediate feedback, ...2 hours ago
- Review: Thomasin McKenzie out-sasses Bill Nighy in Netflix’s Joy
Alex Casey reviews a cosy British biopic celebrating a groundbreaking moment in scientific history that many tried to erase. What’s all this then? A classic British underdog story that would sit nicely alongside Brassed Off, Made in Dagenham, and Kinky Boots, Joy charts the true story of the renegade research ...3 hours ago - Gov’t Needs To Put Taxpayers First After $500 Billion COP Deal
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Actually, it can. If it involves all of the community and not just a few people sitting in parliament.
And that's all the private business does to a degree – distributes out the decision making process to more people. But it comes with a price in higher poverty and the dictatorial aspects of private ownership.
Are you advocating government by a social media hivemind ? How can government involve all of the community when there is no agreement on what the community encompasses ? I'm suspicious of the exclusionary aspects of community, based on my experience as a pupil at an authoritarian private school, various institutions I have worked in, the Muldoon and Lange governments and my reading about marxist and fascist political movements.
No.
Its called democracy.
If there are exclusionary aspects then it fails to be a community.
You are saying that government can do everything if it involves all of the community and I floated the social media idea as the means, what did you have in mind to achieve total community involvement ?
We do not have a democracy because about 20% do not vote and no-one under 18 is legally allowed to.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96083630/new-zealands-growing-nonvoting-problem
"If there are exclusionary aspects then it fails to be a community" and the community finds a way to eliminate the excluded, including prisoners sentenced to more than three years.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/prisoner-voting-rights-be-restored-ahead-2020-general-election
Direct electronic voting on policies and use of our nations resources.
We do not have democracy but it has nothing to do with the legal age of voting. It has to do with the fact that representative democracy was designed to prevent democracy while giving the illusion that we were.
Over the last few decades I've seen the community become more and more inclusive. I see no indications that this will stop.
Now, the prisoners were excluded but was that because the community wanted it or because a small clique at the top of National did? If the latter, then why did they want it? Was it because prisoners vote Labour and National were looking for ways to prevent Labour being voted in? Was it just a distraction from something else?
The fact that Labour got in saying that they would repeal National's undemocratic legislation does tend to indicate that it wasn't what the community wanted.
Keep going Jacinda.
The vast majority of the country is right with you.
The speech was a lot of self-praise and self-congratulation.
[Please stick to one user name]
[Please stick to one user name]
Seems to be a rash of that lately. Can moderators perhaps tell the rest of us what the other handles are, if you're not going to ban people for that sort of behaviour?
I think this is ‘normal’ behaviour around a General Election. It attracts news users as well as old ones who have not commented for years, in some cases. After the Election, they’re likely to disappear again for a few years 😉
I give them a warning, or a few, and then ban them. Hasn’t happened in a while and the last one I can remember was a sockpoppet of a notorious pain in the proverbial (who copped a ban just recently). Some people just refuse to learn 🙁
Pusskins is a new-ish user here AFAIK.
Ta
Link for this speech: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2008/S00088/speech-ardern-lets-keep-moving-2020-election-campaign-launch.htm
Classic front runner speech. Well delivered (of course, she’s a superstar in that regard). The line ‘they can build a few roads, we’ll rebuild NZ’ was good. And keeping it real in what are unreal times.
The placard waving fans in the background….how long has that been a feature of NZ political rallies?
I thought I had accidentally stumbled Stateside.
Very poor presentation by TV1 and TV3, almost identical with cut ins of that lemon-sucking face of Collins and out of context repeats of Jacinda saying"there's more to do". But despite their negative spin, there was no hiding the enthusiasm of the faithful and the comments gathered from the public.
Oh really? That's a shame.
What about the 25% of kiwis not planning to vote Labour or National?
So far people can see through her bs and obviously the plan is to try to elevate a less compromised, more messianic figure later.
Hope Labour has got some good long term plans! It's all a bit messy out there
Not as messy as it could be.
“I said “How was Europe, Bruce?” He says “Fred, it’s a mess”
We don’t know how lucky we are, mate”
Whatever! I only ever vote to keep the Nats out…
That 25% have their own rallies to come.
Doesn’t matter. This time round Labour doesn’t need to make a splash at the campaign launch, that will be Judith’s job next weekend. Ardern’s task now is to make sure everyone is getting the memo, she and Labour are focussed solely on them.
The Media produce larger well placed pictures of Judith Collins, the Labour Launch photo being half the size.
The reporters who attended the Labour Launch in numbers and asked searching questions must have been gutted by the coverage.
Most of us watched online so we truly enjoyed it with no twists or malice, including the Press conference.
Political reporters and editors are really not handling that we can now bypass their stranglehold and then lay bare the distortion they add.
Rosemary @ 5 the volunteers were invited to be on the stage. Many worked for Labour in 2017 and again now. They are unpaid supporters who do all sorts to help the Party.
They are nothing like Trumps supporters..FFS.
Lol, RNZ loves Collins.
Comparing Ardern to jesus now?
Oh Muttonbird. What religious picture for Judith?
The grinch?
or perhaps
Let us hope they are a lost cause!!
Labour ? Yes, they are, I hope.
[Please stick to one user name]
[Please stick to one user name]
Aljazeera's NZ Covid election
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/zealand-ardern-launches-covid-election-campaign-200808050440500.html
When did kiwis go US style and agree to hold up bits of card board like muppets on cue?
One is a legitimate protest, which I can post many photos of, from all sides and all good, as it is there right, one is a speech by the PM, which while all good, is a tad fanatic American.
O’kay.
An educated comment developed over many years while working at the rear end of cows, probably because he likes the view.
No religious Icon needed there.!!
Someone's swapped their clutching pearls for straws. lol
I just thought it was a bit cringy, Trump rallyish
"muppets on cue" – curious critters, those!
Yes. They do look it
You don't think supporters should be invited to share that stage? They represented many areas of NZ. (Muppets eh?)
It was no more American than the piles of blue and white balloons in nets, the G men accompanying the Leader of past National Rallies. I did not see you posting about that Chris…..but then …..I'm Labour so I am biased. Where do you stand? What did you think of the speech, or didn't you bother?
Was going to watch it and then Labour posters started to compare her to jesus so didn't bother.
[Who or what are those “Labour posters”? Feel free to back up your insinuation with evidence or withdraw your stupid allegation. BTW, your cop out is pathetic and begs the question why you visit this site and comment here other than to troll – Incognito]
Well it worked for the Beatles, you seriously need to lighten up. Any "posters" who did that just confirm the original point John Lennon made & not that it's remotely related to the public in general or entirely
See my Moderation note @ 11:42 AM.
Muttonbird at 9.05.
Yes, and?
Is Muttonbird on the Labour pay-roll? Does Muttonbird have a special affiliation with Labour that justifies/deserves the label “Labour posters”? Is Muttonbird a self-confessed member of NZLP?
If you don’t want to watch the speech of the Labour Leader and the current PM then please don’t insult our intelligence with stupid excuses and stop wasting comment space/bandwidth with your vacuous nonsense. OTOH, you could watch the speech and tell us why you think it was bad or whatever.
You’re wasting my time so put up or withdraw or you will join The Chairman in the infirmary who could do with some company.
You asked me to back it up and I did.
Tbf maybe Muttonbirds thinks Ardern is shit and apologise if this is the case.
It's only a meme, an interesting visual study of two leaders and the body language they use. Political rallies do have similarities to Mass, after all.
No need to get upset by it.
No, you did not. I know Muttonbird made the comment. What I asked you was why you called Muttonbird “Labour posters”.
Obviously, you’re not putting up and not retracting either. Fine by me; all you’ve achieved is burning your credit here, as your lack of goodwill will meet an equal level of goodwill from me next time. Your trolling this side is becoming tedious and with the Election coming closer, the urge to clear the site of trolls is increasing.
I will watch the speech btw
Fair point.
I probably should just become someone who just votes for the same name their entire life, no matter what the policy, cos their dad did.
(Sorry. No reply button on your other post)
..
Geezes mate. It is a half an hour and she is still going on about covid. This could be a long watch
You can read right! ???.
There is a reason that the transcript is there. I read the transcript. Then I decided I wanted to watch the video. I also skipped straight up to whathisname – the comedian.
Sorry, but there is only so many times I can hear Covid, Chch, White Island "Team of 5 million" " Be kind", while not actually having any policy that I am willing to subdue myself to.
Chris T
Read the transcript. Actual word usage.
1. White Island mentioned once.
2. Christchurch mentioned once.
3. Team of 5 million twice.
4. Covid mentioned 15 times (it is the Covid election after all!)
5. 'Be nice' not mentioned at all.
I think it is more, Labour are trying to make it a Covid election, minus the policy to get out of having any.
But then that is what PR people are paid so much to advise you to do.
"I want people to feel that it’s open that it’s listening and that it’s going to bring kindness back in everything that we do……"
You are partly right. 'Kindness' for 'Be kind' once.
So, you have a problem with words like 'Christchurch', "White Island', 'kind' being mentioned once in 3228 words?
With 'team of 5 million' twice in 3228 words?
'Covid', a word that has dominated politics and social life for months, is used by the PM fifteen times in 3228 words. That's like Prime Minister Fraser somewhere about 1944 being criticised for mentioning 'the War'!
I would just prefer some actual detailed policy.
Not that many other parties are giving it out.
1000 words of that 3228 word speech devoted to what Labour will do with the five point plan in the next three years, including a new policy costing $311 million to support up to 40,000 workers in employment.
That's the opening of the campaign.
Expect more.
I know I might be being a bit fickle.
But what does this mean exactly in detail?
"And we are retaining our place as a trading nation by providing practical support for our exporters, while also working hard to improve their access into new markets."
So you pick one part of a speech and ask for lots of detail? Man, then you'd really object to having to read 20,000 words.
Not lots.
Any, would be nice
Now you have to promise to read it. There will be a test eg how many times do the words ‘trade’, ‘exporter’ and ‘Covid’ appear?
Have read it. Would be interested in what you personally think are the highlights?
The highlights of the Prime Minister's opening campaign speech?
Counting the number of times that Judith Collins and National got a mention…….
Meant more the highlights of her detailed policies
I think it's clear you're not going to vote labour or green, no matter what policies they do, or do not put out.
Perhaps leave the concern trolling to those better at it, and you'd have better luck trying https://www.national.org.nz and https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz
Let us know how you get on, or don’t.
Not sure yet. Still haven't decided
lol
Let me put it this way.
Currently I am looking at neither the Nats or Labour, I would never vote Act, think Peters is scum, so I haven't got a huge array of options.
Will probably just end up voting in the referendums if you can do it without bothering with the party thing, or just not bother
This comment highlights your position across forums.
Isolated and confused.
The only way people will stop idolising Adern is if she'd stop being very clever at whatever it is she is doing. Most here detested Key, but I'm sure most here also appreciated he was skilled at giving the people what they wanted, you don't have to like someone to give them a quiet nod. KDS is now ADS, frustrating isn't it?
Muttonbird.
I am being serious. I have no idea who to vote for.
Not Labour as they haven't done anything or National as they are a mess.
Poor ChrisT! Neither here nor there, betwixt and between, no post to tether his horse to, no port in the storm, no compass, no stars to guide his flight! If only Peter Dunne had stuck it out; Chris'd have a hero!
Could we have a special election thread for ChrisT? He seems so special and yearns for special treatment and he's just not willing to subdue (subject?) himself to what every one else is getting – ChrisT is a special case, in need of special treatment; let's respect his specialness.
Pretty odd comment.
Just pointed out no parties apart from the Greens and maybe ACT have any policy and it is all turning to slogans.
Ah! You're praising The Greens for presenting their policy – good man!
Yes. Because they deserve kudos for doing it.
I thank you, ChrisT.
ChrisT is hot under the collar because I appropriated his image.
Missed this post.
Quite clever lol
Must have been a different speech by someone perhaps who resembled Jacinda. Don't recognise your report at all.
From the speech (with my italics):
So where is the 'why' on those two failures?
Guardians view, including quotes from Grey Lynn Farmers Market, great comments.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/09/can-anything-stop-the-high-flying-jacinda-ardern
@ Incognito
Are you able to advise me why my words this mornng were not used?
Many thanks
Yup, I moved them to OM with a Moderator warning. https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-10-08-2020/#comment-1739222.
Thank you Incognito for letting me know what was done.