John Key – The Gambler
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- Date published:
12:30 pm, April 14th, 2008 - 19 comments
Categories: humour -
Tags: humour
A reader’s just sent us the lyrics to the song sung at Labour Party social and again at the conference as reported in The Herald today.
We understand they were penned by Grant Robertson, Labour candidate for Wellington Central. To the tune of “The Gambler“:
John Key – The Gambler
On a warm summer’s evening in a party going nowhere
Bill met Key the Gambler; slippery and sleek
When Bill saw that Don’s wanderin’ days were over
he and John got together, and put the Doc to sleep
Key said, Bill I’ve made a life out of gambling people’s money
not caring where it came from, or who would lose their job
so if you make me leader, I promise to be funny
and I’ll be ready every day, to flip and flop
Chorus
You’ve got to know not to trust him (not to trust him), not to believe him (don’t believe him)
know what he tells you, won’t be the truth
we can’t let him run the country, cos he’s just not able
you need more than a cheesy smile, to rule the roost
Now little John boy knows the secret to surviving
Is not telling anyone, what he really thinks
So he’ll just say whatever, Murray’s written for him
But when you’re swallowing dead rats – you begin to stink
and, sitting in the darkness, of his Parnell mansion
John asks the question, can I get away with it?
Cos if you’ve not no policy, and if you’ve got no vision
People soon enough work out – that you’re full of ….
You’ve got to know not to trust him (not to trust him), not to believe him (don’t believe him)
know what he tells you, won’t be the truth
we can’t let him run the country cos he’s just not able
you need more than a cheesy smile, to rule the roost.
(repeat chorus)
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- Release: Willis’ resignation call means only one thing – $2 billion more cutsMassive cuts to public service are on the cards as Nicola Willis has promised to resign if she doesn’t deliver tax cuts but is refusing to make the same commitment if she doesn’t raise enough income from her bungled foreign buyer’s tax. ...1 week ago
- Release: A faster justice system focused on victimsLabour will help more victims of crime achieve justice faster by introducing a formal class-action regime, modernising consent laws and increasing the use of technology to speed up hearings. ...1 week ago
- Release: Gaping hole confirmed in National’s tax planA whopping $2.1 billion dollar hole has been confirmed in National’s tax scheme in a new report released today. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour pledges biggest ever increase to training DoctorsLabour will deliver the largest ever increase to the number of doctors trained each year, adding an additional 335 doctors a year to our health workforce from 2027, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins has announced. ...2 weeks ago
- PREFU Exposes Political PromisesToday’s PREFU has some alarming statistics showing an economy deteriorating and the cost of unaffordable government expenditure, mainly in the 2022 and 2023 budgets. Despite this alarming economic and fiscal picture, political parties are making unaffordable promises, talking about a surplus by 2027, or four years time, all of which ...2 weeks ago
- State of books makes clear case for wealth taxThe case for a wealth tax has never been stronger. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour pledges free cervical screeningIf re-elected Labour will make cervical screening services free to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 – 69 years, delivering better cancer care for over 1.4 million New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Chris Hipkins sets out 9 key pledges to New ZealandLabour Leader Chris Hipkins has set out nine key pledges to be achieved in his first full term as Prime Minister. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour's Plan 2023Labour is running a positive, forward-looking campaign that's focused on fixing the cost of living, keeping people and communities safe and investing in education, health and housing. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Coalition of Cuts and Chaos would be NZ’s most unstable governmentStatements from David Seymour and Winston Peters have called into question whether National would be able to lead a functional government if they were in a position to do so after the election. ...2 weeks ago
- Healthy Ocean Act – Marama Davidson SpeechHe mōhio ō tātou tīpuna ki te tirotiro taiao. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens will demand Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to lead ocean rescue planThe Green Party will protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, create an independent Ocean Commission to advise the government, and put a Green Minister for Oceans and Fisheries in charge of making it happen. ...2 weeks ago
- Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
Regions 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 day 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 ...2 days 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 ...3 days 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 ...3 days 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 ...3 days 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 ...4 days 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 ...4 days 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 ...4 days 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 ...4 days 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 ...4 days 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 ...5 days 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 ...5 days 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 ...5 days 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 ...5 days 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 ...5 days 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 ...6 days 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 ...1 week 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 ...2 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,” ...2 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 ...2 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience$12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...2 weeks ago
- New Wildlife Act to better protect native speciesThe 70-year-old Wildlife Act will be replaced with modern, fit-for-purpose legislation to better protect native species and improve biodiversity, Minister of Conservation Willow-Jean Prime has announced. “New species legislation is urgently needed to address New Zealand’s biodiversity crisis,” Willow-Jean Prime said. “More than 4,000 of our native species are currently ...2 weeks ago
- Further safety initiatives for Auckland City CentreCentral and Local Government are today announcing a range of new measures to tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour in the Auckland CBD to complement Police scaling up their presence in the area. “Police have an important role to play in preventing and responding to crime, but there is more ...2 weeks ago
- Govt confirms additional support for Enabling Good LivesThe Government has confirmed $73.7 million over the next four years and a further $40.5m in outyears to continue to transform the disability support system, Minister for Disability Issues Priyanca Radhakrishnan has announced. “The Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach is a framework which guides positive change for disabled people, ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand gets AAA credit rating from S&PStandard and Poor’s is the latest independent credit rating agency to endorse the Government’s economic management in the face of a deteriorating global economy. S&P affirmed New Zealand’s long term local currency rating at AAA and foreign currency rating at AA+ with a stable outlook. It follows Fitch affirming New ...2 weeks ago
- Appointment of Environment Court JudgeChristchurch barrister Kelvin Reid has been appointed as a Judge of the Environment Court and the District Court, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Mr Reid has extensive experience in Resource Management Act issues, including water quality throughout the South Island. He was appointed to the Technical Advisory Group advising the ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s biggest ever emissions reduction project hits milestoneNew Zealand is on track to have greener steel as soon as 2026 with New Zealand Steel’s electric arc furnace project reaching a major milestone today. The Government announced a conditional partnership with New Zealand Steel in May to deliver the country’s largest emissions reduction project to date. Half of ...2 weeks ago
- Poroporoaki: Paki Leslie Māngai NikoraPokia ana te tihi Taiarahia e Hine-Pūkohu-rangi Hotu kau ana te manawa! Horahia ana te whārua o Ruātoki e te kapua pouri Tikaro rawahia ko te whatumanawa! Rere whakamuri kau ana te awa o Hinemataroa Ki te kawe i te rongo ki te mātāpuna i nga pōngaihu Maungapōhatu, tuohu ...3 weeks ago
- 50,000 charges laid in crack down on gangsPolice Minister Ginny Andersen has today congratulated Police in their efforts to crack down on gangs, after laying 50,000 charges against gang members and their associates through the hugely successful Operation Cobalt. As at 31 August, Police have: Laid 50,396 criminal charges against gang members and their associates Issued 64,524 ...3 weeks ago
- Farmers and cyclone-affected properties supported with tax rule changesThe Government has confirmed details of the tax changes to the bright-line test for cyclone-damaged properties, with the release of the required legislative amendments. Revenue Minister Barbara Edmonds has released a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) to be considered by the Finance and Expenditure Committee in the next Parliament, as it ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand wins CPTPP dispute against CanadaMinister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor has welcomed the CPTPP Panel’s ruling in favour of New Zealand in our dispute against Canada, a significant win for our primary sector exporters. The Panel found that Canada’s dairy quota administration is inconsistent with its obligations under the Comprehensive and Progressive ...3 weeks ago
- New intensive turnaround programme launched to break the cycle of offendingThe next phase of the Government’s response to youth crime is underway, with an intensive programme for the country’s most prolific young offenders launched today in Auckland, Minister for Children Kelvin Davis said. The programme, announced by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins in July, will see up to 60 recidivist young ...3 weeks ago
- Government extends report date for COVID inquiryThe Government has agreed to a request from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 for extra three months to deliver its final report. The Royal Commission was established in 2022 to strengthen New Zealand’s preparedness for any future pandemics. It was originally due to conclude mid-2024. “The Commission has ...3 weeks ago
- New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week
What are you going to be watching this week? We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. The biggies Neighbours: The Return (on Prime Video from September 25) Neighbours is back, baby. The long-running Australian soap that ended ...1 hour ago - Luxon's call on NZ First could come back to bite him
Christopher Luxon has given the voters what they wanted – transparency on who National will work with. But, in doing so, some of his supporters worry he may have given New Zealand First a boost. Comment: National Party supporters at a meet and greet in Matamata with Christopher Luxon were ...2 hours ago - Te Whatu Ora Must Stand By Employees’ Rights To Freedom Of Thought And Speech
...2 hours ago - Te Whatu Ora Must Stand By Employees’ Rights To Freedom Of Thought And Speech25 September 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Te Whatu Ora must stand by employees’ rights to freedom of thought and speech The Free Speech Union insists that Te Whatu Ora stand by their employees’ rights of freedom of thought and speech ...2 hours ago
- NZ election 2023: Bryce Edwards: The most hollow campaign in living memory
The 2023 general election campaign must be the most hollow in living memory. There really isn’t much that is positive or attractive about the electoral options on offer. This is an election without inspiration. There is a definite gloominess among the public right now — with a perception that not ...2 hours ago - Severe Weather Demands Voters' AttentionMore severe weather and floods in regions demand voters’ attention. Floods in Queenstown and Southland, wildfires in South Canterbury, and further risk of flood in Gisborne, are a warning that the biggest issue in this election has to be climate ...2 hours ago
- Labor and Albanese recover in Newspoll as Dutton falls, but the Voice’s slump continuesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Newspoll, conducted September 18–22 from a sample of 1,239, gave Labor a 54–46 lead, a one-point gain for Labor since ...3 hours ago
- Peters defends decision on 2017 coalition and repeats Bill English claimsWinston Peters has repeated his claim that Bill English said he was about to be rolled as National leader during negotiations after the 2017 election. According to the New Zealand First leader, English said during post-election negotiations that he was about to lose his position as leader of National. It’s ...3 hours ago
- Luxon left looking ‘slow and expedient’ after Peters rule-in announcementWe’ve been waiting weeks months for a captain’s call from Christopher Luxon on whether or not he’d work with Winston Peters – and that finally came today. As I detailed this morning, Luxon, in a video shared to social media, finally admitted he would work with Peters if necessary after ...3 hours ago
- Are fish oil supplements as healthy as we think? And is eating fish better?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia Fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, is promoted for a number of health benefits – from boosting our heart health, protecting our brain from dementia, ...4 hours ago
- What lies behind Luxon’s change of heart on NZ First?The 11th-hour decision to rule in Winston Peters if necessary leaves the National leader looking slow and expedient. When Chris Hipkins declared last week that National’s polling was beyond its peak, it seemed born more of hope than data. It is hard to avoid concluding, however, that Christopher Luxon has ...4 hours ago
- Watch live: Election debate – Parties questioned on policies affecting Pasifika
RNZ Pacific has partnered with Pacific Media Network to question major parties on how their policies will affect Pacific peoples. ...4 hours ago - EPA Annual Charges On Forestry Participants Unlawful?...5 hours ago
- A teenager’s OCD journeyA 17-year-old shares their reality living with the ‘doubting disease’. A version of this essay was first published on Emily Writes’ Substack. Every day I return to my house, gently closing the door behind me. Each time I unpack my bag, wash my lunch box and water bottle, place my ...5 hours ago
- The ‘community of care’ improving the wellbeing of Sāmoan teachersAn ambitious initiative in Sāmoan early childhood centres is improving the health and wellbeing of children, families and teachers across Auckland – with aspirations to extend nationwide. The Seugagogo Aoga Amata Pre-School had humble beginnings. Situated close to the town centre of Auckland’s Ōtāhuhu and founded as a playgroup ...5 hours ago
- National would work with NZ FirstWelcome to The Spinoff’s election live updates for Monday, September 25. I’m Stewart Sowman-Lund: on deck today from the mighty Manawatū. Get in touch with me on [email protected] Find out more about the political parties at Policy.nz The agenda Christopher Luxon has confirmed he would work with Winston ...5 hours ago
- Election 2023: National Party confirms it could work with NZ FirstChristopher Luxon says his preference is to work with ACT in government, but could work with New Zealand First too. ...6 hours ago
- Is it ethical non-Indigenous people get to decide on the Voice? Is it OK for one group to have right...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Formosa, Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy, and Co-Director of the Macquire University Ethics & Agency Research Centre, Macquarie University Australians will soon be asked to vote on whether we should “alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples ...6 hours ago
- America’s leaders are older than they’ve ever been. Why didn’t the founding fathers foresee th...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jared Mondschein, Director of Research, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney The US Congress has had no shortage of viral moments in recent months. Senator Dianne Feinstein seemingly became confused over how to vote. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell experienced two extended ...6 hours ago
- We need urban trees more than ever – here’s how to save them from extreme heatSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Renée M Prokopavicius, Postdoctoral Researcher in Plant Ecophysiology, Western Sydney University Torychemistry, Shutterstock Australians are bracing for a hot spring and summer. The Bureau of Meteorology has finally declared El Niño is underway, making warmer and drier conditions more likely for ...6 hours ago
- How to manage exam season: don’t forget to take regular breaks and breatheSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Ginns, Associate Professor in Educational Psychology, University of Sydney Oleksandr P/Pexels Around Australia, Year 12 students are heading into the final stretch of study before exams start in early term 4. This is typically seen as a very intense ...6 hours ago
- ‘An insatiable and unrestrained desire for passionate love’: the holy slut-shaming of Mary of Eg...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olympia Nelson, PhD Candidate in Modern Greek & Byzantine Studies specialising in Byzantine art and literature, University of Sydney Mary of Egypt, The Pantanassa Monastery, Mystras, Peloponnese, Greece Olympia Nelson, CC BY-ND Mary of Egypt, a fourth-century saint with a large ...6 hours ago
- How Māngere plans to become the cycling capital of the PacificA beloved community group is shifting transport habits in this Manukau suburb. As I biked down Coronation Road in Māngere, a driver beeped and yelled, “Get off the road and onto the footpath!” When I didn’t get out of their way, they yelled again, telling me it was for my ...6 hours ago
- It’s poll dayNewshub’s next poll will be revealed at 6pm tonight, teased by political editor Jenna Lynch as one that shows the face of the election is “changing in more ways than one”. Is that a reference to New Zealand First, especially given National’s decision to commit to working with them (if ...7 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Where’s the urgency on drinking water?Andrea Vance has been on a tear of late, publishing a series of fired up columns about the dire state of political discourse as we head towards the election. This week’s Sunday Star-Times column (paywalled) is on the “stonking great elephant in the room” that none of the party leaders want to ...7 hours ago
- Gloves come off as Robertson and Willis show their leaders how it’s doneThe finance chiefs’ Q&A debate was some of the most compelling TV of the election season so far, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Tempers flare in the TVNZ studios Grant ...7 hours ago
- Act And National A Coalition For Change“ACT and National are on the same page about a future coalition Government, with both parties working together in a strong coalition to overcome the significant challenges New Zealand faces,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “Christopher Luxon confirmed ...7 hours ago
- Political Leaders Must Back Corporate Manslaughter Law – Pike FamiliesPike River family members Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse have called on political leaders to agree to introduce a corporate manslaughter law following charges for Whakaari deaths being dropped. Anna Osborne, who lost her husband Milton in the Pike ...7 hours ago
- Providing Real Choice In Education“We need to get the politics and bureaucracy out of New Zealand’s education system, bring high standards for attendance and learning in, and treat the profession with respect. While Labour is responsible for lowering the bar and leaving kids even ...7 hours ago
- National would work with NZ First, confirms LuxonAfter months of speculation and countless questions from journalists, Christopher Luxon has confirmed he would work with Winston Peters – if required to. In a video posted to social media, Luxon made it clear that his preference was for “strong and stable” two-party coalition between National and Act. “I believe ...8 hours ago
- Think Before You Speak – Ethnic and Faith Community Leaders urge politicians“Think before you speak” urges Ethnic and Faith Leaders to election candidates. The national network of ethnic and faith leaders of the Chinese, Indian, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish and African communities has urged civility and respect by politicians during ...9 hours ago
- Election 2023 updates: Latest developments on 25 SeptemberParty leader Christopher Luxon has for months refused to explicitly state whether or not he could work with New Zealand First's Winston Peters. ...9 hours ago
- Election 2023 updates: Latest developments on 25 SeptemberParty leader Christopher Luxon has for months refused to explicitly state whether or not he could work with New Zealand First's Winston Peters. ...9 hours ago
- Duelling fiscal plans: Labour-National economic rivalry comes to a headNational and Labour are both promising to front up with their full fiscal plans this week, their rhetoric over the economy growing increasingly feisty. ...10 hours ago
- Duelling fiscal plans: Labour-National economic rivalry comes to a headNational and Labour are both promising to front up with their full fiscal plans this week, their rhetoric over the economy growing increasingly feisty. ...10 hours ago
- Did National really just simply sell off state houses?New Zealand has a massive deficit in state housing, but is that all National’s fault? Max Rashbrooke runs the numbers. It has become a truth universally acknowledged, at least on the left, that the last time National was in power, its only interest in state houses lay in selling them ...10 hours ago
- Who dares challenge Chlöe? The race for Auckland CentralChlöe Swarbrick’s victory was one of the biggest surprises of the 2020 election, but in the past three years she’s made the seat her own. Can the high-profile Green hold on to Auckland Central, or will it flip to a National or Labour newbie? Read the other battleground electorate profiles ...10 hours ago
- Council decided to leave slash in forest above Queenstown cemetery
Questions asked of Queenstown’s council about tree harvesting ...10 hours ago - Gone are the days of political leaders being mobbed
The risk of protesters and unwanted guests has spoiled the election campaign. Over back-to-back days in Auckland with the two Chrises, political editor Jo Moir observed increased security and vetting, and safe party-faithful crowds. Analysis: At Auckland’s Viaduct on Friday afternoon Luxon bounced from one restaurant to another chatting with ...10 hours ago - Economy bounces back after flooding, but primary industries fall
Business & investing: Economists warn better-than-expected GDP data likely to be temporary ...10 hours ago - Daily crossword, Monday 25 September
...10 hours ago - Political and business leaders still living in Fantasyland
The idea we can hit net zero targets and grow the economy just isn't real and will hit the wall ...10 hours ago - Defining issues: Infrastructure's bottomless well
How will each party approach New Zealand’s chronic infrastructure underinvestment? ...10 hours ago - The Sure Things: Rangitikei is 'quintessential NZ' and Suze Redmayne wants it protected
Suze Redmayne has first-hand experience of how the political game works ...10 hours ago - Te Pāti Māori's path to Parliament narrows
Two polls in key battleground Māori seats have the Labour candidate in the lead ...10 hours ago - Tiny homes, big problems
Tiny home living is cheap, good for the environment and encourages a simpler life. Getting there, however, can be a bureaucratic horror show and involve a huge financial leap of faith. You've probably seen the videos where you're walked through a picture-perfect tiny home on an idyllic section. The incredibly ...10 hours ago - Metuarau on a Silver Ferns mission
Missing out on the Commonwealth Games gave Tiana Metuarau the fire to work even harder for her Silver Ferns dream. She's back from an abrupt World Cup call-up and ready to keep growing. Tiana Metuarau lay shaking uncontrollably in her Cape Town bed, unsure what was happening to her. She'd ...10 hours ago - Bid $80,000 for Jane Austen
First edition masterpieces are up for grabs this week at an antiquarian book auction Three extremely rare first edition Jane Austen novels will be auctioned on Wednesday, with the top bid estimated at around $80,000. Jane Austen – one of the greats, so great that she is hardly ...10 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 25 September
Loading...(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...11 hours ago - Employment white paper to deliver more highly qualified workers in net zero, care and digitisationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The government will commit $41 million for technical and further education and “higher apprenticeships” when it releases its white paper on employment on Monday. Of this, $31 million will be for new TAFE “centres ...13 hours ago
- Employment white paper to deliver more highly qualified graduates in net zero, care and digitisationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The government will commit $41 million for technical and further education and “higher apprenticeships” when it releases its white paper on employment on Monday. Of this, $31 million will be for new TAFE “centres ...14 hours ago
- Release of Victor Yeimo from Indonesian prison rekindles West Papuan fight against racismSPECIAL REPORT: By Yamin Kogoya Prominent West Papuan independence activist Victor Yeimo was yesterday released from prison in Jayapura, Indonesia’s occupied capital of West Papua, sparking a massive celebration among thousands of Papuans. His release has ignited a spirit of unity among Papuans in their fight against what they refer ...14 hours ago
- John Mitchell: Blessed are the peacemakers – why this day is so vitalCOMMENTARY: By John Mitchell in Suva On Thursday, the whole world celebrated the International Day of Peace. Although the UN day is not as famous as others, like World Press Freedom Day, International Women’s Day or World Teacher’s Day, it is important nevertheless. The UN General Assembly has set aside ...16 hours ago
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Very mature stuff, imagine the uproar from the left if Dear Helen was the subject of a childish jingle.
Just shows how desperate Labour has become…
Yes Mike – desperate. And I’m sure the latest polls will really upset them. http://kiwiblogblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/14/roy-morgan-poll-2/
Of course those on the right don’t tend to pen “childish jingles” about Helen, they’re busy cut and pasting “adult images” of her instead.
Bit of a differnece when it is cabinet ministers and candidates doing it though…
PS wonder if they got copyright clearance on the use of the tune…?
PS wonder if they got copyright clearance on the use of the tune ?
Last I heard, you don’t need copyright to use a tune in your head 🙂
That aside, I thought this was a bit unfortunate, given the propensity of our media to present ‘infotainment’ to us. This song took up about 40% of the coverage of the Congress yesterday – truly pathetic!
RS
This link to the Morgan poll is a little less biased.
http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2008/4285/
Matthew
I heard they sung it on stage. Hooten said the camera then panned to HC who was looking pained…
Insider – I was also (pained), when I heard in on the telly. However, there wasn’t any backing audio.
Insider , MP
If this is the cak we have to put up with now you can only expect the electioneering to get even more vacuous as we run up to the election although one wonders how it could get much worse.
Well HS, it was their congress, and not electioneering per se…
That coven were quite simply embaressing. According to Liala Harre (on National Radio) Clark was far from impressed. While we all acknowledge that most the remaining left voters suffer from KDS, it now appears fatal and death will be in about six months.
People have been taking the piss out of this all day and it seems this cheap nasty stunt has back-fired. On top of that we have the scandal of Mike Williams telling delegates to use brochures of Government departments as electioneering material and the protesters.
Seems like the very thin veneer that Labour was relying upon has already worn off.
They seem to have forgotten the maxim that something that sounds hilarious when you’re rat arsed is actually the opposite when you are sober. If HC looked pained, I’d have to agree with her. Embarrassing isn’t the half of it.
“Yes Mike – desperate. And I’m sure the latest polls will really upset them”
Thanks Sod, if its race we are in the lead. The thin red line is looking a bit sad today. Just keep Mike W talking and chicks singing thanks.
As Matthew pointed out, it was a labour party congress. These happen in an election year and are primarily to make sure the labour activists and organisers are geared up to run the campaign at grassroots level. A secondary level is to make sure the candidates know their do’es and don’ts.
Of course the mainstream media will cover themselves in glory (choke) and only bother to show the most trivial bits. Even where they actually run a serious story, for instance, Audrey Young’s story on the front page of the herald this morning “Labour’s plan to sidestep ads law”. It is a pile of crap.
Plan – what bloody plan? It was raised as a suggestion during the conference because there is a shortage of correctly labeled material. Hey, it has only been 3-4 months since the EFA was passed – much of that over the summer vacation period. Virtually no party has reasonable amounts of correctly labeled material done yet.
This is typical granny herald editorial. Full of absolute bullshit spun to get a headline. You actually get to the interesting bits with some meat in it at the END of the article. Then you find out there is no plan.
Audrey wrote a reasonable blog on it here later in the day. This is what should have been on the herald front page. It is a good bit of writing and actually addressed the issue, unlike the pile of crap that was on the front page of the Herald.
The coverage I’ve seen after I got out of the conference all seemed to be like that. Sensationalist crap that had little realtionship to what was going on at the conference.
Anyone got other links to stuff that is a bit more thoughtful?
better than watching the tories shagging a goat…errr gagging a goat…errrrr bagging a goat…errrr baaaaaaaaa
[lprent: I suppose that is meant to be funny? I’m not laughing.]
AncientGeek seems quite comfortable with Labour Party volunteers distributing publicly-funded public service material, conveniently with the excuse “because we haven’t got our own material printed yet”.
Do you think any opposition party has the option of using publicly funded material? No.
In an environment where the Government is spending $100 million on government publicity, and in an environment where there have been major scandals around the neutrality of government publicity officers, and where Madeleine Setchell was fired because a Minister felt she wouldn’t be kind enough to Labour–it is an outright disgrace that Labour’s President should be encouraging Labour volunteers to use publicly funded public service material.
AncientGeek seems to conveniently forget that Labour wrote the Electoral Finance Act, unilaterally. Labour refused to heed official advice on the consequences of the legislation, and ignored calls from the Law Society and the Human Rights Commission, among many other groups, for it to be scrapped. Labour ignored calls that the legislation was confusing, and ignored calls that various parts of it needed further clarification. Labour ignored statements from the Electoral Commission that they did not understand the law, and would not be able to advise on big chunks of it, and that the Court would have to resolve it. Instead, Annette King proudly proclaimed that the law was clear, and the “law of common sense” would apply.
So let’s see. Here we have Labour activists complaining that the law THEY WROTE restricts them from campaigning, and the magical solution is to use public service material.
Oo: you are a total idiot. Filing in an old post – I only saw it because I was looking for an old comment of mine to link to.
You seem to be able to ignore anything that anyone says to you as being a lie because your chronic myopia makes you always right. It is a tendency I’ve observed in you before.
What I said was that there was no plan. It wasn’t a deep dark secret plan to subvert the EFA. It was a suggestion raised at congress during a discussion about the shortage of written material. After the weekend, people realised that it was
Go and read my comment rather than putting your own spin on it. That takes care of the first paragraph. All of the rest of your comments appear to be simple unadulterated whinging of a loser. You didn’t even come up with a single suggestion about how the EFA could be improved. Not particularly productive and it just makes you look like a fool.
At this point I think I’ll have to pre-file your comments under f**kwit unless I see some thought go into them.