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Key to spit dummy if voters reject him

Written By: - Date published: 10:51 am, January 3rd, 2011 - 162 comments
Categories: john key, Minister for Overseas Holidays - Tags: ,

We’ve always said that John Key was only in politics for his personal reward. He just wants to have ‘PM of NZ’ on his CV. He just wants to go around smiling and waving at people who know who he is because of the office he holds. Now, he’s admitted as much.

In an interview with the Herald before he went off to Hawaii for his holiday, Key said he would quit politics if not re-elected.

It’s a petulant, arrogant statement, a childish one: ‘I have to play the PM or I’m going home’.

Most people who get into politics, people like Phil Goff and his team, are there because they believe in the power of representative democracy to improve the lives of people.

The ultimate goal of politics is to have the power to make that difference, yes, but you don’t see Goff and others having a hissy fit and quitting if a single election goes against them. To do so would be to put their personal feelings ahead of their principles and duty to those who elected them.

I’m trying to think of a PM or even Opposition Leader who has quit Parliament after losing an election.

Clark resigned the leadership but stayed on as an MP until offered another political role, which is arguably even more powerful than being PM of NZ. Brash remained National leader after losing in 2005 and only quit after Key rolled him. English stayed on. Shipley stayed on, resigning in 2002. Bolger threw in the towel because he felt betrayed by his party, and that was after 26 years in Parliament. Moore stayed on for nine years after being PM. Palmer quit before he could lose, but only after 11 years as an MP. Lange stayed until 1996. Muldoon until 1991. Rowling retired only after FPP stole the ’78 and ’81 elections from him and he was replaced as leader by Lange in 1983. And so on.

These people didn’t quit when they lost an election because they had ideals they believed in and it was furthering ideals that had bought them to Parliament and leadership. They didn’t want the job for its own sake but for what they could do with it for what they believed in.

Key just wants to be PM for its own sake. He just wants the attention and public admiration that he gets by virtue of being PM.

This ultimately explains why he is the do nothing PM: why he has smiled and waved while the country has fallen back into the second dip of recession, while he has done nothing to lift the standard of living of New Zealanders, why he has let his ministers get away with corruption and passing legislation that undermines our democracy and human rights.

Because he doesn’t give a crap about any of that. Being PM isn’t an opportunity to make positive change for Key, it’s an opportunity to get his picture taken and feel good about himself.

Oh and don’t think he’s talking about what he’ll do if he loses for no reason. He knows this election will go down to the wire. This announcement is clearly an attempt to shore up support but I don’t think threatening to spit the dummy if it doesn’t go his way won’t help his cause.

162 comments on “Key to spit dummy if voters reject him ”

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  1. mickysavage 1
    3 January 2011 at 9:25 am

    Crosby Textor never sleeps.

    In today’s Herald is an interview with John Key where he says that he is not suited to opposition politics because he is not a negative person. You could have fooled me. I thought the last 12 months of the Labour Government’s term showed some of the most negative politics I have ever witnessed in New Zealand and Key was in there boots and all.

    This is however a very good line to run. It suggests that Key is a reluctant politician and also wants to have a life. This is a continuation of the “ordinary bloke” theme. This a theme that will go down very well in ordinary New Zealand land. It is however a cheap soundbite that totally ignores Key’s inability to deal with the detail, a skill required of a good PM.

    He also makes a comment about a possible replacement for the Governor General and had made one suggestion to which a Cabinet Colleague said “Don’t even think about it”.

    “Untrustworthy and obnoxious” was his ministerial colleague’s description of the suggested candidate.

    I wonder if it was Don Brash? The nats have done this before when Muldoon appointed Keith Holyoake as GG back in the 1970s.

    The article is at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10697623

    • Deadly_NZ 1.1
      3 January 2011 at 9:30 am

      Hey Smiley,

      Your wish is our command, now for you to lose the election . But you will have to take Blinglish with you.

    • Olwyn 1.2
      3 January 2011 at 10:43 am

      I do not think Key was ever likely to hang around in politics if he lost an election – for him, being PM of NZ seems to be one episode in his wonderful life. But I would not trust his “frank” admission that the election would be in November/December. He has not kept his word on other things, and it is easy enough to come up with a scenario that “necessitates” an early election. As to the “untrustworthy and obnoxious” GG gossip – it is like bread to sea gulls, the right can seize on Helen Clark or Michael Cullen or similar, the left on Brash etc.

      • Anne 1.2.1
        3 January 2011 at 11:18 am

        “But I would not trust his “frank” admission that the election would be in November/December”

        Yes, and he covers his tracks later with the words “you can never say never…”. If it’s in his interest to go early he will go early and to hell with public preferences.

        Note also Audrey Young’s use of the word “candour” to describe his comments. That conjures up a nice image of open-mindedness, impartiality, freedom from malice etc. If it was Helen Clark who had uttered those words early in 2008, then the descriptive word used would have been something along the lines of “controlling” or ” manipulative” or something with a negative connotation.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.3
      3 January 2011 at 11:05 am

      This is however a very good line to run. It suggests that Key is a reluctant politician and also wants to have a life. This is a continuation of the “ordinary bloke” theme. This a theme that will go down very well in ordinary New Zealand land.

      I think you’re wrong there. I think a lot of NZers will see it as an admission from him that he’s not there for them.

      PS, someone move this discussion into the new posts thread.

      • Salsy 1.3.1
        3 January 2011 at 11:15 am

        Looking at the comments on Yahoo, Id have to agree John key threatens to quit

      • mickysavage 1.3.2
        3 January 2011 at 11:44 am

        I wish you were right Draco but I get the strong impression that Key does not say anything unless it has been focus grouped within an inch of its life. And he does not need to persuade a lot of New Zealanders, just those that swing their votes around.

        These people tend to have an innate distruct of politicans. This is why for some of them a bunch of flowers on the Ministerial Card is much more important than incompetent handling of the economy allowing unemployment lines to lengthen.

    • Eddie 1.4
      3 January 2011 at 3:00 pm

      nah micky, this wasn’t intentional, this was key stuffing up.

      look at farrar’s weakarse response trying to cover for him. bet captain panicpants was on the phone to him quick-smart trying to work out a line

    • millsy 1.5
      3 January 2011 at 10:29 pm

      Don Brash, Nah, when I read or hear the word “obnoxious”, I think of Bob Jones…..

    • kinto 1.6
      5 January 2011 at 1:50 am

      Suprised McCully isn’t demanding it?

  2. Deadly_NZ 2
    3 January 2011 at 11:02 am

    Shows how much he cares. But was he holidaying in Hawaii because The Pres of the US was there and he is still trying to get a photo op. Looks like he did’nt get it.

    And with this peice it looks like he is going to the undecided older mom n pop type who would hate to lose that nice Mr Key(Shudder, ( (And there will be some of them in their rose coloured blinkers.))

    But to most in here it will be Hurry up and lose.

    And then please make like Sex and Travel and Fuck Off..

  3. lprent 3
    3 January 2011 at 11:06 am

    Beat me to it. I was about to write a post “Key admits to lack of fortitude”

    • Marty G 3.1
      3 January 2011 at 11:14 am

      I’ve just been reading the full interview: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10697628

      check out the final question:

      Do you regret setting the 2025 target to match Australia?

      No, and the reason for that iseveryone knows it’s very difficult to achieve because you are not benchmarking yourself against a lame duck [but] against a soaring eagle. They have got an amazing economy and they have got a lot of natural resources and they fundamentally have the same advantages we have. They are in Asia and all that sort of stuff. But they are our biggest economic base and they are 40 per cent of our economy so I think you do have to take those issues seriously and you’ve got to have long-term ambitions. You’re setting a medium-term target which people are always going to measure against the short term. It’s a bit like the cycleway. In the end, long after I have left politics, people are going to look back and there’ll be 18 cycleways around New Zealand. They will be very successful for those communities and they will be an asset that will live on a lot longer than I will but will I have to take a bit of flak about the number of jobs that gets created from day one? Yeah. Who cares? I don’t.

      “who cares if I’ve broken my promises? I don’t”

      • Mickysavage 3.1.1
        3 January 2011 at 11:22 am

        So cycleways remain the means by which he will lead us to our economic salvation? WTF?

        • Lanthanide 3.1.1.1
          3 January 2011 at 12:46 pm

          Working For Families, Kiwibank, Kiwisaver, Cullen Fund, Interest Free Student loans.

          18 cycle ways around New Zealand.

          Key certainly is “ambitious for New Zealand” isn’t he?

          • kinto 3.1.1.1.1
            5 January 2011 at 1:55 am

            Labour really needs to sink to Nationals level of shit politiking next election, I think a series of TV ads showing Key in a damning light, with his own words, all those things the media have quietly let him forget, eg cycle ways, is in order.

      • Eddie 3.1.2
        3 January 2011 at 2:17 pm

        Marty, I know we’ve talked about how it’s counter-productive to critise the media too much but jeez, it’s tempting when you read Key saying this shit:

        “I read John Armstrong’s [Herald correspondent] columns in the weekend and they look good.”

        That must be pretty professionally embarrassing for Armstrong, to be singled out as ‘helpful’ by Key.

  4. Colonial Viper 4
    3 January 2011 at 11:12 am

    He just wants to have ‘PM of NZ’ on his CV.

    Oh, how could you EDDIE? 😯

  5. Tigger 5
    3 January 2011 at 11:12 am

    I’ve always said Key had deep unresolved daddy-abandonment issues and this is a symptom of that. He is so afraid of rejection that already put in place his explanation for why he will run off crying if and when he loses the next election. He needs to sort this stuff out because it colours every decision he makes. He constantly makes decisions based on pleasing male power figures. It’s hardly a way to run a country. Or live a life for that matter.

    • Colonial Viper 5.1
      3 January 2011 at 11:20 am

      He constantly makes decisions based on pleasing male power figures.

      Hilary Clinton??? 😮

    • David 5.2
      3 January 2011 at 5:50 pm

      Of all the nasty bitchiness that comes from the “tolerant” side of the political fence that is arguably the nastiest I have ever read. Makes me question my political roots to be perfectly honest.

      • Marty G 5.2.1
        3 January 2011 at 5:52 pm

        your political views should be based on your own reason and ideals, not on whether you agree with everything someone on your ‘side’ says

      • the sprout 5.2.2
        3 January 2011 at 5:54 pm

        you must live an inordinately sheltered life if that’s the worst you’ve ever read

        • Tigger 5.2.2.1
          3 January 2011 at 6:18 pm

          Happy to argue the unbitchiness of what I’ve said, David as I feel it’s a just analysis of Key’s personality. But CV has a point, Key has a need to be liked by everyone, not just male power figures. And I believe that stems from not having a father (and feeling that he should have, some people I know didn’t have a father or mother and aren’t this way). How is that bitchy?

          And if it is indeed bitchy, how is it more nasty than, let’s say, the misogynistic bile directed at Helen Clark her entire time on the 9th floor…? At least mine has a basis in reality, not the desperate and illogical hatred of women in power…

      • QoT 5.2.3
        3 January 2011 at 6:44 pm

        Your political roots can’t be that deep then.

  6. Treetop 6
    3 January 2011 at 11:24 am

    Within the last month I stated on the Standard that Key was hungry for power like Muldoon was. When a person is power hungry they have a tendency to be sneaky about not disclosing the truth as this may jeopardise their position of power.

    Key’s ultimatum to the right wing voters is “vote for me if you do not want me to go.” Also Key’s ego is that he dares not think that he will be rolled as the National Party leader.

    • felix 6.1
      3 January 2011 at 4:16 pm

      No way will he be rolled.

      He’s the only person in the National caucus with public appeal.
      He’s the only one who can bring in the votes needed.

      He is, in short, National’s electability. Without him they are nothing.

  7. Colonial Viper 7
    3 January 2011 at 11:29 am

    OMG the Granny Herald has just pulled the Key Will Quit story from its headlines and replaced it with “Stung Diners Want Rules Clarified”

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😯

    • Marty G 7.1
      3 January 2011 at 11:34 am

      be serious, CV. What’s the bigger story – ‘PM threatens to quit if he loses’ or ‘jounro’s mates pissed off about holiday surcharge’?

      • Marty G 7.1.1
        3 January 2011 at 12:10 pm

        it’s not even on the front page now, you have to scroll right down.

        • BLiP 7.1.1.1
          3 January 2011 at 12:22 pm

          Yeah – I noticed that too. It was front page at 10am. When did this post appear?

          • Redbaron77 7.1.1.1.1
            3 January 2011 at 1:12 pm

            I came across it at 7.30ish this morning. It wasn’t the headline story however was easily visible sitting in the top quarter of NZZ online. It was subsequently repositioned to the headline spot at 1000 this morning but now sits in the Politics section.

          • Anne 7.1.1.1.2
            3 January 2011 at 1:47 pm

            Mickeysavage made comment on Open Mike (moved to this post) at 9:25am. It’s been all on from there. Interesting isn’t it.

  8. Sean 8
    3 January 2011 at 12:00 pm

    If John Key wants to go, he can go as. Being a Member of Parliament isn’t a gaol sentence.

    If he needed it, I’d shout him the taxi fare to Wellington airport.

    And smile and wave at him.

  9. BLiP 9
    3 January 2011 at 12:21 pm

    Reminds me of one of my nephews when we were playing one of those interminable monopoly games over Christmas – unless he had Park Lane AND Mayfair he wouldn’t play. He’s six.

  10. ghostwhowalksnz 10
    3 January 2011 at 12:23 pm

    The Air Force has moved a new plane up its priority list so that Key can carry a larger entourage around the country.
    Of course they arent saying that, its for …… whatever.
    Will they be stuck with an expensive plane they dont really want so Key who allways wanted his “own plane” just as another item on his bucket list

  11. Draco T Bastard 11
    3 January 2011 at 12:24 pm

    Mr Key said the 2011 election would be challenging because ”essentially there is no money”.

    ”There won’t be money for us and there won’t be money for Labour.”

    That’s because you gave it all to yourselves and your rich mates.

    • QoT 11.1
      3 January 2011 at 12:29 pm

      Isn’t it a bit laughable for a man worth $50m to claim there’s no money? Why not part with some of your own, JK? Except of course for the fact he doesn’t really give a fuck because it’s never actually been about governing NZ or anything.

      • Bazar 11.1.1
        3 January 2011 at 3:54 pm

        Indeed, we should make it so that to be PM on NZ, you have to forfit all your previous assets, and accept a 40k a year job.

        And if things go badly for our country, like recession or the all blacks loosing, we’ll just take our PM and execute him for treason.

        Its only fair.

        There are of course people who think that a persons private properity is his own to do with as they please, but they are lunatics and should also be shot.

        • QoT 11.1.1.1
          3 January 2011 at 4:04 pm

          Yep, that’s exactly what I said. Gosh, you’re so clever.

        • Colonial Viper 11.1.1.2
          3 January 2011 at 4:08 pm

          There are of course people who think that a persons private properity is his own to do with as they please

          Yeah, and it pleases John Key to keep it for himself.

        • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.3
          3 January 2011 at 4:22 pm

          There are of course people who think that a persons private properity is his own to do with as they please,

          and then there’s those of us who understand economics who think that people need to pay for the services that they’ve received from society. This is normally in the form of taxes which Jonkey and NACT cut for themselves and put up on everyone else.

          • Janice 11.1.1.3.1
            3 January 2011 at 4:31 pm

            If John Boy goes what will happen to all those deserving charities which have been receiving his (unwanted) salary? I am sure they have been looking forward to his tax cut, pay rise and back pay. BTW does anyone know who those charities are?

  12. JJ 12
    3 January 2011 at 12:47 pm

    You know, I wouldn’t read much into this. I think its fair enough, I don’t blame Helen Clark for quiting immediately and I wouldn’t blame Key for doing the same thing, all he is doing is providing advance warning.

    I think its the best thing to do too, once the electorate has decided they do not want you why hang around? Just makes you a liability for you party. Stepping down from the leadership position would be neccessary too – I mean can you imagine a party with an ex-prime minister as leader and all the baggage that goes with that??? And once you’ve stepped down, you’ve got to resign from being an MP altogether – or else how is the new generation of leadership meant to thrive with the old looking over their shoulder?

    Low, desperate attempt to make politics out of nothing EDDIE.

    • RedLogix 12.1
      3 January 2011 at 1:27 pm

      I don’t blame Helen Clark for quiting immediately and I wouldn’t blame Key for doing the same thing, all he is doing is providing advance warning.

      Clark resigned as leader but remained in Parliament until she took up an arguably more senior role in the UN. And this was after a remarkable career over almost 30 years, as a Ministers in one govt and several tough terms in Opposition. A person renowned for her intelligence, hard work, and encyclopediac command of policy detail.

      Key by contrast has never had to really work at politics, his wealth and the sheer lack of other talent in the National Party more or ensured the job of PM was his for the taking. He’s never done any real party work, the safest of Nat seats was given to him without hesitation, he’s never served as a Minister doing the hard yards and long hours running a Ministry… and now he’s telling us that he can’t even be arsed doing the job of Leader of the Opposition.

      The word lazy comes to mind.

    • bbfloyd 12.2
      3 January 2011 at 1:42 pm

      JJ… you seem to be missing a fundamental tenet of democratic government. e.g, the reason for having representative government is to represent the best interests of society as a whole.

      considering the amount of political capital plundered by supporters of this government regarding mp’s entering into politics simply for their own benefit, then one would assume a blatant admission from the leader of said government that he is not interested in representing his own people unless it is on his terms, would have them frothing in anger.

      that this isn’t happening suggests, to me anyway, that those “principals” are not adhered to as deeply as they would have us believe.

      does this mean that national, and it’s supporters are more focused on attaining, and holding on to power for it’s own sake, and that the exercise of that power is to be directed towards ensuring an ongoing advantage, economically and politically, for it.s own supporters. ?

      if this is the case, then john keys obvious lack of any social conscience is a distinct advantage, as he can say, and do, what is expedient, rather than have to weigh the consequences of his actions. this allows him to look the country in the eye, and lie without blinking.

      maybe we shouldn’t be surprised to see a wave of support for johns “candour” coming from the nat’s after all..

    • Eddie 12.3
      3 January 2011 at 1:52 pm

      notice the paragraph where I point out every single leader since Rowling (and probably the ones before) DIDN’T resign Parliament upon losing an election.

      That paragraph was specifically for morons.

      Unfortunately, it appears morons don’t bother to read beyond the opening paragraph.

      • Eddie 12.3.1
        3 January 2011 at 2:10 pm

        just for the hell of it:

        Kirk died on office
        Marshall stayed on for another term after losing in 1972
        Holyoake resigned in office as PM and stayed as an MP until 1977. He also stayed on as leader during the term of the 2nd Labour government after losing the PMship the first time in 1957.
        Nordmeyer lost in 1963 and lost the leadership afterwards but stayed in Parliament until 1969
        Nash lost in 1960 and stayed as an MP until 1968
        Holland resigned as PM due to ill health
        Fraser lost in 1949 and remained as an MP until he died in 1950
        Hamilton was rolled as National leader in 1940 but stayed as an MP until 1946
        Savage died in office

        And that’s all the National and Labour leaders since the modern two major party system formed.

        None of them had a hissy fit and quit Parliament after losing the PMship. Because they hadn’t come to Parliament just to be smile and wave PMs.

    • Robert Atack 12.4
      3 January 2011 at 3:05 pm

      If you put your hand up at election time (for a 3 year term) and the cards don’t fall your way, but you still get elected, then it is immoral to resign … letting down all those people who bothered to vote, otherwise what was the point of voting?
      And that goes for Clark and all of the ones that shot through in the last 2 years
      Lying scum comes to mind.

      • Policy Parrot 12.4.1
        3 January 2011 at 4:52 pm

        So are you saying to Key, that if he doesn’t want to stick around if he loses, don’t be an electorate candidate for Helensville?

        • Robert Atack 12.4.1.1
          3 January 2011 at 4:59 pm

          If the voters in Helensville elect him as their representative for the next 3 years, then he is morally obliged to stay for that term, they are electing a politician to represent them in Wellington they are not voting for a PM.

        • the sprout 12.4.1.2
          3 January 2011 at 5:01 pm

          good point – it would, by Robert’s towering intellect, be morally bankrupt for Key to stand as an electorate MP in Helensville given this latest admission

  13. KJT 13
    3 January 2011 at 1:05 pm

    Key was bought in as a charismatic figurehead for the Neo-lib agenda when Brash proved to be unelectable. No one was going to vote for Brash because they knew what he stood for.
    If Key loses the election then he has not served his purpose and will be dumped anyway. Best to jump before you are pushed.

  14. Policy Parrot 14
    3 January 2011 at 1:08 pm

    Good. The sooner we all smile and wave, the better.

  15. Richard 15
    3 January 2011 at 1:20 pm

    John “30 Seconds” Key………he smile and walk away.

    BTW…who could this be…..

    John Key has had his first nomination for the next Governor General rejected as being “untrustworthy and obnoxious”.

    Any guesses?

  16. Treetop 16
    3 January 2011 at 1:22 pm

    I think that the country is near bankrupt. Life is going to be tough for even the average income family for the next two years. Being charasmatic is not going to save NZ and a continuation of English’s economic mismanagement will only make matters worse due to excessive borrowing e.g. for tax cuts for those who did not need them, and as for the better off NZder spending their tax cut here, it has probably been spent overseas.

    • Draco T Bastard 16.1
      3 January 2011 at 1:51 pm

      Well, considering that the better probably don’t have their wealth here why would they spend it here?

      • Treetop 16.1.1
        3 January 2011 at 2:14 pm

        I would need to ask English why he gave the impression that NZ would benefit by the more wealthy spending there tax cut here?

        Thanks for the info link.

  17. alfa 17
    3 January 2011 at 2:11 pm

    Is there anything left for a person to go to after they’ve held the highest office in NZ? Clark left NZ politics as soon as she lost an election. She was graceful about it. So did Bolger. Muldoon and Lange both stuck around far too long afterwards, and it was pretty sad to see them justifying why they were there afterwards.

    It’s no bloody surprise that Key doesn’t want to stay around if he’s rejected by the voters. Maybe more MPs in Labour could learn from it.

    • Marty G 17.1
      3 January 2011 at 3:15 pm

      “Clark left NZ politics as soon as she lost an election”

      No she didn’t. She left months later after being offered the chance to head the UNDP.

      For God’s sake, that’s in the bloody post.

      As Eddie has pointed out no leader, National or Labour, has left Parliament because they lost an election. It’s not the right way to behave – you’re elected to be an MP, not to have a cry if you’re not PM.

  18. the sprout 18
    3 January 2011 at 2:38 pm

    Here’s Clark’s concession speech from Election night 2008. Instead of throwing her toys out of the cot like Key is threatening, she pledges her support to the new leadership.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/helen-clark-prime-minister/news/video.cfm?c_id=1502272&gal_objectid=10541898&gallery_id=103343

    • Robert Atack 18.1
      3 January 2011 at 3:08 pm

      And then she jumped ship

      • the sprout 18.1.1
        3 January 2011 at 3:12 pm

        moving on to lead the UNDP = ‘jumped ship’. yeah right 😆

        note also that at no time prior to her defeat, did Clark ever threaten to throw the toys out of the cot if she wasn’t re-elected. Key’s little toddler fit is unique.

        • Robert Atack 18.1.1.1
          3 January 2011 at 4:06 pm

          It doesn’t matter if she went to Calcutta and tried to fell Mother Theressa’s sandals.
          The people that wasted their votes thought they were voting for an MP for the next 3 years (Helen), ‘we’ all knew the UN job was on the cards.
          They all should grow a backbone and commit, just like everyone who went out and voted for her, by giving her their once in three year democratic ‘privilege’ … people have died for that privilege, those who don’t respect the voters are simply carpet bagging scum.
          Unless they sign a contract to guarantee there commitment, then why would you bother leaving home on election day?, taking their word doesn’t work as we have seen.
          Again they are all carpet baggers and self opportunists, out for number one only. As it has always been for politicians.
          We all need to listen to George http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIraCchPDhk
          Fuck hope don’t vote … garbage in garbage out.

          • Colonial Viper 18.1.1.1.1
            3 January 2011 at 4:21 pm

            They all should grow a backbone and commit, just like everyone who went out and voted for her, by giving her their once in three year democratic ‘privilege’ … people have died for that privilege

            And Helen Clark spent the majority of her professional working life representing both her electorate and her country.

            What exactly the frak more do you want from your public servants, apart from a decade or two of dedicated service and then having to put up with lip from the likes of yourself?

            • the sprout 18.1.1.1.1.1
              3 January 2011 at 4:39 pm

              What exactly the frak more do you want

              perhaps a loaded Johnny Come Lately who buys his way in to power, parachutes into the top job after serving what, one term in Opposition, then threatens to leave if it meant not keeping the prize position – all for the sake of satisfying his egoic needs?

          • Marty G 18.1.1.1.2
            3 January 2011 at 4:37 pm

            MPs aren’t bonded for three years. Occasionally they retire mid-term for health reasons or to pursue another job. nothing wrong with that

            • Robert Atack 18.1.1.1.2.1
              3 January 2011 at 5:03 pm

              If they stand in an election for a 3 year term, they are morally obliged to stay for that term, apart from death or serious ill health, another job offer just doesn’t cut it, leaving for another position is an act of selfishness.
              Dying on the job , now there is an honest departure

              • pollywog …
                3 January 2011 at 6:30 pm

                somebody shoulda told Winnie Laban 😛

              • Carol …
                3 January 2011 at 6:48 pm

                Moral imperative to stay for 3 years as responsibility to people who voted for them? But the voters get to vote again in a by-election. It’s not like the voters are left with no local representation.

                • pollywog …
                  3 January 2011 at 7:50 pm

                  yeah, nah…more on the ‘can’t be arsed putting the hard yards in opposition’ steez with our Winnie…

                  …some would say thats typical Pasifikan tradition right there 🙂

      • DJames 18.1.2
        3 January 2011 at 6:23 pm

        You realise she left the country but didn’t jump ship? She still talks with her old colleagues and gives them advice.

  19. Jordan Wyatt 19
    3 January 2011 at 2:45 pm

    Pardon me, but did Helen Clark not also pull the same stunt last election?

    I remember despising her for a very long time, being angry that she would leave parliament rather than be anything less than leader… but seeing her after Key won, it was very sad.

    Key is said to “spit the dummy” for SAYING he wouldnt run again, meanwhile, Clark walked the walk, and actually DIDNT continue.

    Regardless of who we like, of who we vote for, is this not the exact same act?

    • Marty G 19.1
      3 January 2011 at 3:17 pm

      “Pardon me, but did Helen Clark not also pull the same stunt last election”

      No, she didn’t. She resigned the Labour leadership then stayed in Parliament and would have stayed the term if the chance to be head of the UNDP hadn’t come along.

      You people don’t actually bother to read the whole post, do you? It’s been pointed out that NO National or Labour leader has ever quit Parliament because they failed to win the PMship.

      • Draco T Bastard 19.1.1
        3 January 2011 at 3:53 pm

        The RWNJs don’t bother reading the post. They just come in here and defend their heroes(s) no matter what the facts are.

        • Jordan Wyatt 19.1.1.1
          3 January 2011 at 4:07 pm

          Oh come on now, “Right Wing Nut Jobs”?

          I’m a guy asking that we treat our current PM the same as the previous PM.

          For what its worth, I wouldnt vote for National, as we speak, I’m uploading an Animal Rights video to YouTube, I’m the founder of the Invercargill Vegan Society.

          NOW, for what its worth, others have mentioned “does that sound like he’s gonna look out for NZers?”…. what about Clark, is she even in NZ still? Or did she move somewhere else for her UN post?

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Clark#United_Nations

          “Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme ” BAHAHAHA! Sorry, werent National welcomed in to power because of our own nations perceived “backwardness”? “We gotta keep up with Australia” and all that crap? And the last Labour government was seen as “these shower heads put out too much water”?

          I loved the Facelift programs take on politicians, I have one of the seasons on DVD, their version of when that scumbag Holmes visited “their homes” was hilarious!

          Left wing nut jobs, Right wing nut jobs, who cares? Lets treat PM’s the same.

          • Marty G 19.1.1.1.1
            3 January 2011 at 4:11 pm

            “I’m a guy asking that we treat our current PM the same as the previous PM.”

            No, you’re not.

            Key will quit politics if he loses.

            Clark did not quit politics either time that she lost a race for PM. Neither has any other National or Labour leader.

          • Colonial Viper 19.1.1.1.2
            3 January 2011 at 4:27 pm

            I’m a guy asking that we treat our current PM the same as the previous PM.

            Why?

            Why would you treat a 3 term Prime Minister who was dedicated to serving the country, and would have for a fourth term if she had been asked to, with John Key, a 0.7 term Prime Minister who has said that he will walk from Parliament the moment his party loses power?

          • RedLogix 19.1.1.1.3
            3 January 2011 at 4:35 pm

            I’m a guy asking that we treat our current PM the same as the previous PM.

            Well yes… and as Eddie and others have clearly made the comparison. Of all NZ’s previous Prime Ministers , not just Helen Clark, Key is the only one to have said that if he can’t be PM then he’ll quit politics altogether. And this while still in his first term!!!

            This is quite different from the usual practise of resigning as leader of a party after loosing an election. If you cannot make that basic distinction you really have no business being in this conversation.

    • RedLogix 19.2
      3 January 2011 at 3:29 pm

      Jordan… total fail.

      PMs who lose elections usually resign leadership. It’s an honourable and respectable tradition in Westminster politics at the least. But almost invariably they also stay on in Parliament, or some political role for a period to either serve the nation in some capacity or dedicate themselves to help their Party win a future election.

      Key has done something that’s quite different. What’s he’s saying is that if he can’t be PM then he really can’t be arsed with all the work that politics entails.

      • Jordan Wyatt 19.2.1
        3 January 2011 at 3:49 pm

        I most certainly understand its common, its also fair to acknowledge “the other side” when they depart, just as our own, favoured party did last time.

        captcha was “similar”, just like one leader “spitting the dummy” by leaving parliament, rather than starting as the leader of the opposition again and another “moving on to other things”, by leaving parliament, rather than starting as the leader of the opposition again.

        • Marty G 19.2.1.1
          3 January 2011 at 3:57 pm

          Jordan. You said Clark did what Key says he will do when he loses.

          It wasn’t true.

          Clark resigned the Labour Leadership (on her second election loss, btw, remember 1996?) and stayed in Parliament until offered a very powerful political role at the UN.

          Key says if he can’t be PM he’ll quit politics altogether and sulk off to his Hawaii mansion. Does that sound like a man who is committed to serving New Zealanders? Hell no.

          Just admit you’re wrong.

        • Draco T Bastard 19.2.1.2
          3 January 2011 at 3:57 pm

          Helen Clark wasn’t leader after the election as she resigned that position. It was after she stood for, and won, an election that she was offered another job that required her to leave office. If she hadn’t she’d still be there.

          Jonkey as said he will leave politics if he doesn’t win PM well before the election. Hell of a difference.

          • Robert Atack 19.2.1.2.1
            3 January 2011 at 4:12 pm

            >If she hadn’t she’d still be there.<
            Exactly looking after number one, fuck all those thousands of people in Mt Albert* who voted for her.
            *or whatever the electorate is called

            • Colonial Viper 19.2.1.2.1.1
              3 January 2011 at 4:18 pm

              I think Helen Clark gave extremely long service to the country as Prime Minister and even longer service to the people of her electorate.

              So your comment is truly unjustified.

              • Robert Atack …
                3 January 2011 at 4:29 pm

                Then why stand again?
                If she had had enough then don’t waste our money and piss off BEFORE the election
                Just stop lying and go.
                She was paid enough, she chose to stand at every election she stood in.
                I’m only saying why vote if the person telling you they want to be your representative for the next term gets your vote, then says stick it where the sun doesn’t shine, I’ve got a better offer. … JUST DON”T STAND, don’t lie to people
                Wini Laban was the same if they can’t commit, then why should we?
                Remember I hate them all equally

            • the sprout 19.2.1.2.1.2
              3 January 2011 at 4:56 pm

              looking after number one

              do you not understand the role of the UNDP?
              that’s a very impressive display of ignorance there Robbo 😆

              • Robert Atack …
                3 January 2011 at 5:02 pm

                Grow a real name if you want to attack me creep, don’t hide behind ya mums appron

                • the sprout …
                  3 January 2011 at 5:07 pm

                  after that crack and your previous tasteless comment about Rod Donald since deleted, you can now join the spam queue. you should have read the comments policy.
                  bye bye

                  • Robert Atack …
                    3 January 2011 at 5:12 pm

                    How does that saying go about power corrupts? Are you enjoying the buzz.

                    [Over the last six months or so you have had every opportunity to express your opinions and ideas. But nonetheless this is a moderated forum; repeated bad behaviour invariably attracts attention…RL]

        • felix 19.2.1.3
          3 January 2011 at 4:28 pm

          Jordan.

          Now that you’ve repeated it 3 times, and had your error explained to you 3 times, perhaps you should just repeat it again as if none of that had happened.

          That way it will appear to the casual observer that there is a real disagreement over the facts of the matter and thus – to the casual observer – subtly weaken the structural integrity of the post.

          You can probably only do this a couple more times and then sign back in with another handle and start all over again.

  20. Irascible 20
    3 January 2011 at 2:58 pm

    A more charitable way of reading the story would be:
    “I must be re-elected as PM as now that we’ve spent all the money the means for NACT to begin the policies I really stand for – the sale of all state assets. If I lost the election then my NZ (?) mates won’t be able to benefit from our policies. Now all that remains is to persuade the public that privatisation will benefit the “mum & dad investors” who believed in Hotchin, Bluechip, and Southern Finance…. or who can’t remember the asset stripping indulged in by Faye, Richwhite, AT&T…..”
    Whichever way it reads this statement by Key is every reason why Labour needs to really go all out in Botany and deliver the wave good bye message to good old scuttle & run, smile & wave and his rorting mates.

  21. M 21
    3 January 2011 at 3:07 pm

    Johnny to resign if he loses?

    In the immortal words of Helen the Great “Diddums!”

    Anti-spam: worry – sounds like Key is starting to.

  22. alfa 22
    3 January 2011 at 4:30 pm

    So labour PM quitting after losing an election and going to another job good, national PM quitting after losing an election and going to another job bad.

    • Marty G 22.1
      3 January 2011 at 4:34 pm

      which Labour or National PM has quit politics because they lost an election?

    • Colonial Viper 22.2
      3 January 2011 at 4:36 pm

      national PM saying that he’s already made plans to go to another job should he lose is bad.

      Fixed that for ya. And yes, it is bad.

    • Treetop 22.3
      3 January 2011 at 4:57 pm

      alfa, Clark was elected to parliament on 28 November 1981, Key was elected to parliament on 27 July 2002. The difference is, that Clark was serious about making a political contribution to NZ and after 27 years she also went on to make a political contribution, this time internationally.

      I have a suggestion for Key, call an early election to avoid dithering about.

  23. Colonial Viper 23
    3 January 2011 at 4:34 pm

    I am going to have a party talking to National supporters about Key’s statement. Lets force him to produce clarification after clarification after clarification throughout 2011.

    Let’s make sure people know that he is only in it for the top job and nothing else. Not his electorate, not his country.

    Key already has an exit plan in place to go, he has already thought it through in detail, he is ready to bolt for the door on to bigger and brighter things then being Prime Minister of NZ.

    Oh yeah, this is gonna be frakin good.

    • alfa 23.1
      3 January 2011 at 4:40 pm

      National supporters have better things to do than go to your parties. Maybe you should hold a party for labour party supporters and decide on a leader who can win an election in the next ten years.

      • RedLogix 23.1.1
        3 January 2011 at 4:44 pm

        Which is precisely the kind of bollocks that was said about Helen Clark in the 90’s. She did the hard yards slogging her way through two very discouraging terms as Leader of the Opposition…something your blue-eyed wonder boy clearly couldn’t be bothered doing.

        • alfa 23.1.1.1
          3 January 2011 at 8:30 pm

          Yes John Key is evil because he couldn’t be bothered losing an election as leader of the opposition before winning one.

          • Marty G 23.1.1.1.1
            3 January 2011 at 8:38 pm

            jeez, you’re clutching now, alfa.

            Give it up and admit that it’s pathetic, unprecedented, and immature of a PM to threaten to quit politics if they lose an election

      • Colonial Viper 23.1.2
        3 January 2011 at 4:45 pm

        Hey alfa weren’t you saying on Red Alert a couple of days ago that you were one of “us” Labour supporters?

  24. Tanz 24
    3 January 2011 at 5:33 pm

    Key is there for the glory, the glamour and the entertainment value, in my view. He is a trophy PM, but sometimes I wonder if the boyhood dream is not quite what he imagined in reality. Maybe he’s bored already, and he was sure a sprinter into the leadership. Strange, no twenty-five years apprenticeship as an MP for Key, first. Seems too easy. Anyway, he will win another term, if the polls are right.

    Bill English for next National leader? I wonder and I wish, but I doubt it.

    • Colonial Viper 24.1
      3 January 2011 at 5:37 pm

      There is the old rule in corporate life that if you are not moving upwards to a new position every three to four years max, chances are that you are stagnating and falling behind.

      Also life in the public eye is not always pleasant for someone more used to the freedom of being your own boss, and the realtive anonymity that private sector wealth brings.

    • RedLogix 24.2
      3 January 2011 at 5:41 pm

      Maybe he’s bored already, and he was sure a sprinter into the leadership.

      Actually this has characterised Key’s career all his life. A few years here or there looking promising, then suddenly he’s off somewhere else. Typical corporate ‘executive surfer’.

      More than that it always struck me as odd that after 20yr climbing the greasy pole in merchant banking, and clawing his was to almost the very top at the Foreign Exchange Committee of the Fed …after two years he suddenly throws in the towel and becomes a lowly opposition back-bench MP back home.

      In fact sticking at being a Parliamentarian since 2002 is about as long as he’s held down any job.

      • Treetop 24.2.1
        3 January 2011 at 5:52 pm

        My first impression on Key was that he was a money mover. May be the job as PM is not proving to be as satisfying as anticipated, because there is no money to move.

        • Colonial Viper 24.2.1.1
          3 January 2011 at 8:38 pm

          $9.1B in tax cuts moved to the richest 10% of NZ income earners, e.g. over $1000 per week to each of NZ’s 650x millionaire earners, thats not bad.

  25. Carol 25
    3 January 2011 at 6:51 pm

    There’s a vote on TV3 website on whether Key should stay as an MP if National lose the election. But the question doesn’t really get to the heart of the issue really.

    http://www.3news.co.nz/

    But there’s also comments on it under the TV3 article:

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Key-to-quit-if-National-loses-election/tabid/419/articleID/193012/Default.aspx

  26. kriswgtn 26
    3 January 2011 at 7:49 pm

    Key is a joke

    it was on Primes news re this
    oh please dont be evil to me or I’ll leave
    What a complete fucktard

  27. john 27
    3 January 2011 at 7:49 pm

    well yeah lets treat key as others treated clark….they went on and on that clark was a lesbian etc

    did you know that john keys wife is just for looks ? he really likes men and i mean really likes them.
    ohh and one time his wife got in trouble…somethink about she touched someone in a bad way on a plane…
    key keeps his beehive door locked as he models being a pm on how Bill Clinton acted as President of the United States …johns got his own bill for that…whats gos on behind locked doors and all that!!!
    he really hates women so much that if he loses out on pm its going to be their fault and Bronagh’s going to pay

  28. Jenny 28
    3 January 2011 at 7:57 pm

    [Bumped this into a post…RL]

  29. Chris73 29
    3 January 2011 at 8:53 pm

    Amazing innit, a politician speaking the truth…no wonder you people don’t/can’t understand it

    If (and lets face it thats a pretty big IF) he loses the election then the people are telling him that we don’t want his policies so why would he stick around? Better for the party for him to leave so they can rejuvanate (something Labour failed to do) then hang around

    But unlike a number of Labour MPs he doesn’t need to stick around for the money because he has other prospects…not that a bunch of former teachers and trade unionists wouldn’t be snapped up quickly 😉

    • QoT 29.1
      3 January 2011 at 9:34 pm

      Ha, only took ’em nine and a half hours to work that line out. I am so smug right now I cannot say.

      • Colonial Viper 29.1.1
        3 January 2011 at 10:47 pm

        Looks like teh fear is out that all their careful focus grouping might have gone awry lolz

    • millsy 29.2
      3 January 2011 at 9:36 pm

      Yes, lets all lay into those evil teachers and trade unionists. Lets all lock them up while were at it, shall we?

      • Chris73 29.2.1
        3 January 2011 at 9:43 pm

        I don’t know i’d lock ’em ALL up but the ones who refuse to teach the new standards should quit and find new employment

        • Draco T Bastard 29.2.1.1
          3 January 2011 at 10:57 pm

          No, the ones who refuse to teach Nationals’ Standards should be given a medal for preventing massive abuse of children and saving us money.

        • McFlock 29.2.1.2
          3 January 2011 at 10:59 pm

          Why should they be sacked? They’re only speaking the truth that national standards are bad for kids, bad for schools and bad for the country.

          Or are they obliged to do something when they know it is both stupid and wrong?

          • Chris73 29.2.1.2.1
            4 January 2011 at 8:48 am

            Yes as a matter of fact they are

            Whether they like it or not they are there to do what the ministry of education tells them to do (like tomorrows schools and NCEA) they dont turn around and say we’re not going to teach because we don’t like National (wheich lets face it is exactly whats happening)

            If my boss told me to do something and I refused I’d get the sack pretty damn quickly and as for speaking the truth who says standards are bad?

            for every expert for theres one against so get on with your jobs (for which you’re very well paid) or quit

            simple really

            [And you do not meet our standards here… take a weeks ban. Simple really..RL]

            • Chris73 29.2.1.2.1.1
              4 January 2011 at 9:27 am

              Umm replying to McFlock is bad?

              [No … but you have been banned for a week. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s stupid or wrong, you are obliged to leave. Simple really…RL]

              • McFlock …
                4 January 2011 at 6:53 pm

                damn, and he’d just come up with the Nuremberg Defense. Or if that’s too much of a Godwin, any other explicit legal principle that states that if someone knows (or believes) an act to be wrong at the time, then it’s no defense to say that one was only following orders.

                And most “experts” are people who have studied and practised in the field for years, and the dispute over national standards is in no way 50:50. It’s probably more 95:(5+Tolley).

  30. NX 30
    4 January 2011 at 3:10 am

    Clark resigned the leadership but stayed on as an MP until offered another political role, which is arguably even more powerful than being PM of NZ.

    ^ actually, Clark herself has pointed out that the UNDP’s annual budget is about equivalent to Tony Ryall’s health budget.
    While her UN job is certainly respectable, to rank it above the NZ PM – leader of a multi-billion dollar economy, & fourth largest EEZ in the world – is frankly insulting to all New Zealanders.

    • Marty G 30.1
      4 January 2011 at 11:25 am

      the UNDP affects the lives of far more people than the NZG, and in dramatically. Sure, the budget might be only a fifth of the NZG’s but that money saves huge numbers of lives and drives economic development in the third world on a massive scale.

      Clark, who should know, has compared the complexity of the job to governing a small country – that’s the source of my comment.

  31. RedBaron 31
    4 January 2011 at 10:43 am

    I think that Key is also making these statements to position himself to go onto the list and therefore not contest an electorate next election, spinning this as not “causing an unnecessary byelection if they lose.” Even if NATS win I can still see him leaving politics after a few months. It hasn’t been as easy as he thought it would be and I think he has made up his mind to leave full stop. Of course not contesting an electorate avoids any prospect of having to face Winston too!

  32. interesting 32
    4 January 2011 at 11:19 am

    So, was Helen Clark “Spitting the Dummy” when New Zealand didnt vote for her and she quit? or is it different with her? Her comments were along the line of not wanting to be an opposition leader after being Prime Minster. So why is it not okay for John Key to say and do the same?

    • Marty G 32.1
      4 January 2011 at 11:22 am

      Clark didn’t threaten to quit politics if not re-elected as PM. Indeed she hasn’t quit politics. She left Parliament when offered a job that is arguably more powerful than PM of NZ.

      Clark stood down as leader of Labour after the loss saying that it was appropriate for someone else to do the rebuilding for the future. Clark has continued to work in politics to advance the ideals she was elected for – first in Parliament, now as head of the UNDP>

      Key says he will quit politics altogether. That’s spitting the dummy.

    • Colonial Viper 32.2
      4 January 2011 at 11:26 am

      So why is it not okay for John Key to say and do the same?

      The same? Nope. John Key has declared that he has already thought through his exit plan from being NZ PM.

      He has bigger, brighter and more profitable things to move on to.

  33. Nick C 33
    4 January 2011 at 11:38 am

    It must really suck to live your life seething with blind hatred, as the standard authors and commentators seem to have for John Key

    • Colonial Viper 33.1
      4 January 2011 at 11:43 am

      It must really suck to live your life seething with blind hatred

      Oh no, its really quite reasoned and not blind at all.

      Tell you what, once Key starts championing the cause of the 50% of NZ’ers who earn less than $27K p.a., instead of the 2% of NZ’ers who earn more than $100K p.a. most commentators on The Standard will like him a lot more.

      Yeah, I know, when you can buy Mint Magnums in hell.

    • Treetop 33.2
      4 January 2011 at 11:58 am

      I took my rose coloured tinted glasses off the moment it became apparent to me that Key’s policies are only working for 10 % in the country, because that group is the group which has benefited.

  34. RedLogix 34
    4 January 2011 at 11:53 am

    There are 144 comments on this thread. I’ve just done a quick scan and failed to spot much in the way of ‘seething hatred’ for John Key.

    We don’t like his politics, we see plenty of evidence that his actions tend to benefit the few rather than the many and that in the long run the govt he is leading will cause much detriment to this country as a whole.

    On the other hand many of us have from time to time expressed respect for Key’s strong political instincts, he is an opponent we do not underestimate. He is very good at tapping into that strong undercurrent of kiwi ‘she’ll be right anti-intellectualism’, declaring himself to be ‘relaxed’ and then walking off with a smile. (Which never reaches the “Smiling Assasins” eyes by the way. A nick that Key earned long before he entered poltics.)

    But hatred…no.

    • Nick C 34.1
      4 January 2011 at 3:16 pm

      Oh come on, the hatred here goes far beyond policies. You would have to be blind not to see that. If you’re looking for examples try comments 2,5,6,10,11.1,18.11111, 20, 21, 24, 26.

      I’ve been reading this blog with varying degrees of interest since it was formed. It started off as nothing more than a hate blog of John Key, getting further into the gutter as he looked more and more likely to win the 2008 election. Admittedly its been a little better and focused on policy since he got elected, but occasionally the raw hatred comes through as it has done here.

      Also your defense of Clark is really pathetic. She quit parliament because she knew she had better job prospects than opposition backbencher. Key could probably also get a top job somewhere if he left parliament. At least hes prepared to be honest about it.

      • Colonial Viper 34.1.1
        4 January 2011 at 3:33 pm

        At least hes prepared to be honest about it.

        Yes we have a 0.7 term Prime Minister who is honest with the fact that he has already thought through his exit plan and would be ready to move on to something bigger and better at the drop of a hat.

        But good on you for defending his “honesty”.

      • RedLogix 34.1.2
        4 January 2011 at 3:37 pm

        She quit parliament

        She resigned as party leader. It was some six months later that she accepted another senior political role with the UNDP. This after a 27 yr career in Parliament , three terms as PM, two terms as Leader of the Opposition and a Minister of Health before that.

        I think Helen Clark gave extremely long service to the country as Prime Minister and even longer service to the people of her electorate. And has now moved on to serve the interests of the poorest and most vulnerable in the world.

        Contrast with your hero who before even his first term as PM is complete talks about quitting politics altogether if he can’t have the job he wants.

        By contrast whose interest’s do you think Key is serving?

        • Speaking Truth to Unions 34.1.2.1
          4 January 2011 at 3:54 pm

          “She resigned as party leader. It was some six months later that she accepted another senior political role with the UNDP.”

          I think even in Nadsat that’s equivalent to “She quit politics”. She would have stayed on as PM had she been re-elected and left after she lost. It’s fairly simple and no one expected her to stay on, indeed she got some brownie points for going quickly.

          Add Phil to that list in about 11 months.

          It seems a rather minor point to get upset about.

      • RedLogix 34.1.3
        4 January 2011 at 4:09 pm

        You would have to be blind not to see that. If you’re looking for examples try comments 2,5,6,10,11.1,18.11111, 20, 21, 24, 26.

        Perhaps you are seeing what you want to see. This is a left-wing blog, and moderated at that. We certainly do not allow the raw kind of raw emotive slander and filth that is routinely permitted on other blogs… especially of that hysterical and personal nature that was aimed at Helen Clark before 2008.

        I’ve checked all the comments you list. None except perhaps 26 was out of the ordinary for a political blog or forum anywhere. They do of course express opinions that I realise you don’t like reading… but it’s quite another step to project your own negative reaction onto the other person as hatred.

      • Treetop 34.1.4
        5 January 2011 at 1:55 pm

        Nick, I posted 6 on this thread. I do not have an issue with you having an opinion, nor whether or not you disagree with a posting of mine. I do have an issue with your statement that I “live my life seething with blind hatred.”

        Are you currently online, because if you are switch on 2zb and listen to the public’s opinion of Key quiting politics if he does not win the next election. Similar has already been said about my posting and other callers have said similar to what is on this thread. May I suggest that you make a complaint about the callers opinion’s you do not agree with.

        I came across this today:

        “The true goal of leadership is not to cross the finishing line first, but to take as many others with you as you can.”

        Bob Gass

  35. randal 35
    5 January 2011 at 1:37 pm

    sounds like he has had enough already.

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    1. We see here new police minister Ginny Andersen. Which larger than life NZ political figure was her great-uncle?a. Rob Muldoonb. Bill Andersenc. Richard John Seddond. Norman Kirk2. We see here archival footage of Ginny Andersen coming out of her electorate office to ask ex-tobacco lobbyist Chris Bishop if he ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Nash splashes out with a $900,000 investment in the blue economy (or is it more corporate welfare?)
    Buzz from the Beehive Stuart Nash, speaking as Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, one of his remaining portfolios after he was dropped down the Hipkins Government batting order, has drawn attention to the blue economy and its potential. Nash says the government is investing in the blue economy, or – ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to March 24
    Photo by Josh Mills on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:The runs on Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank on the west coast of the United States that forced the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 24-March-2023
    Roundup is back! We skipped last week’s Friday post due to a shortage of person-power – did you notice? Lots going on out there… Our header image this week shows a green street that just happens to be Queen St, by @chamfy from Twitter. This week (and last) in ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the Keen-Minshull visit
    After threatening Prime Minister Chris Hipkins of consequences if he dared to bar her entry, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull has been given her visa, regardless. This will enable her to hold rallies in Auckland and Wellington this weekend, and spread her messages of hostility against an already marginalised trans community. Neo-Nazis may, ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nucl...
    * Bryce Edwards writes – The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The deal was struck by the Albanese Labor Government as ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Wayne Brown's #Auxit moment
    Boomers voted him in, but Brown’s Trumpish moments might spook Aucklanders worried about what a change to National nationally might mean. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has become our version of Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, except without any of the insatiable appetite for media appearances. He ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nuclear submarines
    The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The deal was struck by the Albanese Labor Government as part of its Aukus pact with the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Posie Parker vs Transgender Rights.
    Recently you might have heard of a person called Posie Parker and her visit to Aotearoa. Perhaps you’re not quite sure what it’s all about. So let’s start with who this person is, why their visit is controversial, and what on earth a TERF is.Posie Parker is the super villain ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Select Committee told slow down; you’re moving too fast
    The chair of Parliament’s Select Committee looking at the Government’s resource management legislation wants the bills sent back for more public consultation. The proposal would effectively kill any chance of the bills making it into law before the election. Green MP, Eugenie Sage, stressing that she was speaking as ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #12 2023
    Open access notables  The United States experienced some historical low temperature records during the just-concluded winter. It's a reminder that climate and weather are quite noisy; with regard to our warming climate,, as with a road ascending a mountain range we may steadily change our conditions but with lots of ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • What becomes of the broken hearted? Nanny State will step in to comfort them
    Buzz from the Beehive The Nanny State has scored some wins (or claimed them) in the past day or two but it faltered when it came to protecting Kiwi citizens from being savaged by one woman armed with a sharp tongue. The wins are recorded by triumphant ministers on the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Acceptance, decency, road food.
    Sometimes you see your friends making the case so well on social media you think: just copy and share.On acceptance and decency, from Michèle A’CourtA notable thing about anti-trans people is they way they talk about transgender women and men as though they are strangers “over there” when in fact ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: More Labour sabotage
    Not that long ago, things were looking pretty good for climate change policy in Aotearoa. We finally had an ETS, and while it was full of pork and subsidies, it was delivering high and ever-rising carbon prices, sending a clear message to polluters to clean up or shut down. And ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is bundling restricting electricity competition?
    Comparing (and switching) electricity providers has become easier, but bundling power up with broadband and/or gas makes it more challenging. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The Kākā TL;DR: The new Consumer Advocacy Council set up as a result of the Labour Government’s Electricity Price Review in 2019 has called on either ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Westland Milk puts heat on competitors as global dairy demand  remains softer for longer
    Hokitika-based Westland Milk Products  has  put the heat on dairy giant Fonterra with  a $120m profit turnaround in 2022, driven by record sales. Westland paid its suppliers a 10c premium above the forecast Fonterra price per kilo, contributing $535m to the West Coast and Canterbury economies. The dairy ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    * Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public office and becoming lobbyists and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • A miracle pill for our transport ills
    This is a guest post by accessibility and sustainable transport advocate Tim Adriaansen It originally appeared here.   A friend calls you and asks for your help. They tell you that while out and about nearby, they slipped over and landed arms-first. Now their wrist is swollen, hurting like ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • The Surprising Power of Floating Wind Turbines
    Floating offshore wind turbines offer incredible opportunities to capture powerful winds far out at sea. By unlocking this wind energy potential, they could be a key weapon in our arsenal in the fight against climate change. But how developed are these climate fighting clean energy giants? And why do I ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • The next Maori challenge
    Over the past two or three weeks, a procession of Maori iwi and hapu in a series of little-noticed appearances before two Select Committees have been asking for more say for Maori over resource management decisions along the co-governance lines of Three Waters. Their submissions and appearances run counter ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Secret “war-crime” warrants by International Criminal Court is mischief-making
    The decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue war crimes arrest warrants for the Russian President and the Russia Children Ombudsman may have been welcomed by the ideologically committed but otherwise seems to have been greeted with widespread cynicism (see Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    3 days ago

  • How to answer Drunk Uncle Kevin's Climate Crisis reckons
    Let’s say you’re clasping your drink at a wedding, or a 40th, or a King’s Birthday Weekend family reunion and Drunk Uncle Kevin has just got going.He’s in an expansive frame of mind because we’re finally rid of that silly girl. But he wants to ask an honest question about ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • National’s Luxon may be glum about his poll ratings but has he found a winner in promising to rai...
    National Party leader Christopher Luxon may  be feeling glum about his poll ratings, but  he could be tapping  into  a rich political vein in  describing the current state of education as “alarming”. Luxon said educational achievement has been declining,  with a recent NCEA pilot exposing just how far it has ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: More Labour foot-dragging
    Yesterday the IPCC released the final part of its Sixth Assessment Report, warning us that we have very little time left in which to act to prevent catastrophic climate change, but pointing out that it is a problem that we can solve, with existing technology, and that anything we do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Te Pāti Māori Are Revolutionaries – Not Reformists.
    Way Beyond Reform: Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have no more interest in remaining permanent members of “New Zealand’s” House of Representatives than did Lenin and Trotsky in remaining permanent members of Tsar Nicolas II’s “democratically-elected” Duma. Like the Bolsheviks, Te Pāti Māori is a party of revolutionaries – not reformists.THE CROWN ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • When does history become “ancient”, on Tinetti’s watch as Minister of Education – and what o...
    Buzz from the Beehive Auckland was wiped off the map, when Education Minister Jan Tinetti delivered her speech of welcome as host of the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers “here in Tāmaki Makaurau”. But – fair to say – a reference was made later in the speech to a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Climate Catastrophe, but first rugby.
    Morning mate, how you going?Well, I was watching the news last night and they announced this scientific report on Climate Change. But before they got to it they had a story about the new All Blacks coach.Sounds like important news. It’s a bit of a worry really.Yeah, they were talking ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What the US and European bank rescues mean for us
    Always a bailout: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Government would fully guarantee all savers in all smaller US banks if needed. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: No wonder an entire generation of investors are used to ‘buying the dip’ and ‘holding on for dear life’. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp?
    Wealthy vested interests have an oversized influence on political decisions in New Zealand. Partly that’s due to their use of corporate lobbyists. Fortunately, the influence lobbyists can have on decisions made by politicians is currently under scrutiny in Guyon Espiner’s in-depth series published by RNZ. Two of Espiner’s research exposés ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • It’s Raining Congestion
    Yesterday afternoon it rained and traffic around the region ground to a halt, once again highlighting why it is so important that our city gets on with improving the alternatives to driving. For additional irony, this happened on the same day the IPCC synthesis report landed, putting the focus on ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Checking The Left: The Dreadful Logic Of Fascism.
    The Beginning: Anti-Co-Governance agitator, Julian Batchelor, addresses the Dargaville stop of his travelling roadshow across New Zealand . Fascism almost always starts small. Sadly, it doesn’t always stay that way. Especially when the Left helps it to grow.THERE IS A DREADFUL LOGIC to the growth of fascism. To begin with, it ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • Good Friends and Terrible Food
    Hi,From an incredibly rainy day in Los Angeles, I just wanted to check in. I guess this is the day Trump may or may not end up in cuffs? I’m attempting a somewhat slower, less frenzied week. I’ve had Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new record on non-stop, and it’s been a ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – What evidence is there for the hockey stick?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Carry right on up there, Corporal Espiner
    RNZ has been shining their torch into corners where lobbyists lurk and asking such questions as: Do we like the look of this?and Is this as democratic as it could be?These are most certainly questions worth asking, and every bit as valid as, say:Are we shortchanged democratically by the way ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • This smells
    RNZ has continued its look at the role of lobbyists by taking a closer look at the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Andrew Kirton. He used to work for liquor companies, opposing (among other things) a container refund scheme which would have required them to take responsibility for their own ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Major issues on the table in Mahuta’s  talks in Beijing with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has left for Beijing for the first ministerial visit to China since 2019. Mahuta is  to  meet China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang  where she  might have to call on all the  diplomatic skills  at  her  command. Almost certainly she  will  face  questions  on what  role ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • Inside TOP's Teal Card and political strategy
    TL;DR: The Opportunities Party’s Leader Raf Manji is hopeful the party’s new Teal Card, a type of Gold card for under 30s, will be popular with students, and not just in his Ilam electorate where students make up more than a quarter of the voters and where Manji is confident ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Make Your Empties Go Another Round.
    When I was a kid New Zealand was actually pretty green. We didn’t really have plastic. The fruit and veges came in a cardboard box, the meat was wrapped in paper, milk came in a glass bottle, and even rubbish sacks were made of paper. Today if you sit down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on how similar Vladimir Putin is to George W. Bush
    Looking back through the names of our Police Ministers down the years, the job has either been done by once or future party Bigfoots – Syd Holland, Richard Prebble, Juduth Collins, Chris Hipkins – or by far lesser lights like Keith Allen, Frank Gill, Ben Couch, Allen McCready, Clem Simich, ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  Te Pāti Māori’s uncompromising threat to the status quo
    Chris Trotter writes – The Crown is a fickle friend. Any political movement deemed to be colourful but inconsequential is generally permitted to go about its business unmolested. The Crown’s media, RNZ and TVNZ, may even “celebrate” its existence (presumably as proof of Democracy’s broad-minded acceptance of diversity). ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics
    Four out of the five people who have held the top role of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff since 2017 have been lobbyists. That’s a fact that should worry anyone who believes vested interests shouldn’t have a place at the centre of decision making. Chris Hipkins’ newly appointed Chief of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Auckland Council Draft Budget – an unnecessary backwards step
    Feedback on Auckland Council’s draft 2023/24 budget closes on March 28th. You can read the consultation document here, and provide feedback here. Auckland Council is currently consulting on what is one of its most important ever Annual Plans – the ‘budget’ of what it will spend money on between July ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • Talking’ Posey Parker Blues
    by Molten Moira from Motueka If you want to be a woman let me tell you what to do Get a piece of paper and a biro tooWrite down your new identification And boom! You’re now a woman of this nationSpelled W O M A Na real trans woman that isAs opposed ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    5 days ago

  • More Māori words make it into the OED, and polytech boss (with rules on words like “students”) ...
    Buzz from the Beehive   New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Social intercourse with haters and Nazis: an etiquette guide
    Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • The Greens, Labour, and coalition enforcement
    James Shaw gave the Green party's annual "state of the planet" address over the weekend, in which he expressed frustration with Labour for not doing enough on climate change. His solution is to elect more Green MPs, so they have more power within any government arrangement, and can hold Labour ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • This sounds familiar…
    RNZ this morning has the first story another investigative series by Guyon Espiner, this time into political lobbying. The first story focuses on lobbying by government agencies, specifically transpower, Pharmac, and assorted universities, and how they use lobbyists to manipulate public opinion and gather intelligence on the Ministers who oversee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Letter to the NZ Herald: NCEA pseudoscience – “Mauri is present in all matter”
    Nick Matzke writes –   Dear NZ Herald, I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. I teach evolutionary biology, but I also have long experience in science education and (especially) political attempts to insert pseudoscience into science curricula in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • So what would be the point of a Green vote again?
    James Shaw has again said the Greens would be better ‘in the tent’ with Labour than out, despite Labour’s policy bonfire last week torching much of what the Government was doing to reduce emissions. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Green Party has never been more popular than in some ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Gas stoves pose health risks. Are gas furnaces and other appliances safe to use?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Wesseler Poor air quality is a long-standing problem in Los Angeles, where the first major outbreak of smog during World War II was so intense that some residents thought the city had been attacked by chemical weapons. Cars were eventually discovered ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Genetic Heritage and Co Governance
    Yesterday I was reading an excellent newsletter from David Slack, and I started writing a comment “Sounds like some excellent genetic heritage…” and then I stopped.There was something about the phrase genetic heritage that stopped me in tracks. Is that a phrase I want to be saying? It’s kind of ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: Radical Uncertainty
    Brian Easton writes – Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq War
    This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq in mid-2003. With violence soaring, their 12-month deployment ended without being renewed ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    6 days ago

  • The motorways are finished
    After seventy years, Auckland’s motorway network is finally finished. In July 1953 the first section of motorway in Auckland was opened between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Mt Wellington Highway. The final stage opens to traffic this week with the completion of the motorway part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. Aucklanders ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Kicking National’s tyres
    National’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
    Rays of white light come flooding into my lounge, into my face from over the top of my neighbour’s hedge. I have to look away as the window of the conservatory is awash in light, as if you were driving towards the sun after a rain shower and suddenly blinded. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • So much of what was there remains
    The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report   IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...
    Buzz from the Beehive  The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Things that make you go Hmmmm.
    Do you ever come across something that makes you go Hmmmm?You mean like the song?No, I wasn’t thinking of the song, but I am now - thanks for that. I was thinking of things you read or hear that make you stop and go Hmmmm.Yeah, I know what you mean, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • The hoon for the week that was to March 19
    By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...
    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    1 week ago

  • Saving Stuart Nash: Explaining Chris Hipkins' unexpected political calculation
    When word went out that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins would be making an announcement about Stuart Nash on the tiles at parliament at 2:45pm yesterday, the assumption was that it was over. That we had reached tipping point for Nash’s time as minister. But by 3pm - when, coincidentally, the ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago

  • Radical Uncertainty
    Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go on to attack physics by citing Newton.So ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago

  • Jump onto the weekly hoon on Riverside at 5pm
    Photo by Walker Fenton on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week again when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kaka for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on Riverside (we’ve moved from Zoom) for our chat about the week’s news with ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • The Dream of Florian Neame: Accepted
    In a nice bit of news, my 2550-word deindustrial science-fiction piece, The Dream of Florian Neame, has been accepted for publication at New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). I have published there before, of course, with Of Tin and Tintagel coming out last year. While I still await the ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago

  • Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua
    Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has delivered the Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua for its historic breaches of Te Tiriti of Waitangi today. The ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton, hosted by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua, with several hundred ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Chinese counterpart
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has concluded her visit to China, the first by a New Zealand Foreign Minister since 2018. The Minister met her counterpart, newly appointed State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang, who also hosted a working dinner. This was the first engagement between the two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Government delivering world-class satellite positioning services
    World-class satellite positioning services that will support much safer search and rescue, boost precision farming, and help safety on construction sites through greater accuracy are a significant step closer today, says Land Information Minister Damien O’Connor. Damien O’Connor marked the start of construction on New Zealand’s first uplink centre for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
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