Labour’s first campaign ad

Written By: - Date published: 7:06 am, July 18th, 2017 - 124 comments
Categories: Andrew Little, election 2017, labour - Tags: , , ,

The Greens a pushing hard for the strong left vote, Labour is aiming for the moderate / center left. Good tactics from the team that understands MMP.

Labour’s first campaign ad strongly features Andrew Little, see Vernon Small – ‘Andrew Little, regular guy’ is the theme of Labour’s first campaign ad.

https://twitter.com/andykirton/status/886748494836359169

124 comments on “Labour’s first campaign ad ”

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  1. WILD KATIPO 1
    18 July 2017 at 8:05 am

    There’s a graciousness about Andrew Little I like. It is a good ad as well . Very personable in its effects.

  2. dv 2
    18 July 2017 at 8:20 am

    AD, not add!!!

  3. red-blooded 3
    18 July 2017 at 8:26 am

    A really well-judged ad – hits a lot of the key issues and feels genuine and straightforward. Let’s hope it gets some cut-though.

  4. ianmac 4
    18 July 2017 at 8:34 am

    Down to earth. What you see is what you get. Refreshing change from Key or English.

  5. Enough is Enough 5
    18 July 2017 at 8:43 am

    Truly Inspiring

  6. Reality 6
    18 July 2017 at 8:45 am

    The ad portrays him well – he doesn’t try to be a show pony but it portrays him as a genuine caring person with integrity. Look at his eyes (which tell a lot about a person). There is a quiet steady warmness there.

  7. Cinny 7
    18 July 2017 at 9:09 am

    Awesome, that’s the Andrew I’m backing, sincere and genuine. Fantastic Ad.

    Didn’t know he was into kayaking, epic goodness 😀 One of the best feelings in the world is catching waves and riding surf on a kayak.

    Reality, you mention that looking into someones eyes reveals so much about a person, I strongly agree with you about that, and Andrews eyes reflect his warmth, strength and the deep love and concern he has for the people of NZ.

    • Reality 7.1
      18 July 2017 at 11:19 am

      Cinny, I remember all too well the shifty eyes of a recent previous prime minister and the eyes of the current prime minister when giving his changing explanations on the Barclay debacle.

      Actually before this ad appeared I had noticed Andrew Little’s eyes as having character and warmth.

  8. Adrian Thornton 8
    18 July 2017 at 9:22 am

    That is one shit ad, so clunky ..Andrew looks mostly uncomfortable, and who could blame him, with those stupid inane staged shots, I think anyone who has anything to do with Labours PR should be fired immediately.
    Look at the shot of him playing video games with his son…I mean,come on…grow up for fucks sake, it is embarrassing.

    And to think those PR people have got in Little, a politician who, although low in the polls, is none the less regarded widely as honest, and a man of integrity, and that. at this moment is all he has going for him ( and that is not nothing) so you would assume they would work with that positive, build on it…but no, just wheel out the cancer.
    Sure use they could use the cancer angle, if they feel they must, but not at the beginning of the campaign, first they needed to build and define his character to the public of being the trustworthy man of honest integrity and intent, in a political sea of bullshit…I could go on, but why bother, Labour seems committed to it’s march to political oblivion.

    • The Chairman 8.1
      18 July 2017 at 9:30 am

      Careful, the cheerleaders in the echo chamber will claim you’re a right wing troll. Negative feedback is not taken well.

      I largely share your sentiments on this ad.

      • red-blooded 8.1.1
        18 July 2017 at 10:00 am

        So who are the “cheerleaders in the echo chamber”, mate? People who react differently to you? Is it somehow wrong or empty-headed to actually find something positive to say?

        I’m not accusing you of being a right-wing troll, but I am calling you out for being such a miserly misery-guts. And as for you, Adrian Thornton (above) – I don’t think I’ve ever seen an approving comment from you about Labour. I’m curious, what are you doing that’s actually constructive to forward your political ideas? Do you belong and contribute actively to a political party? Actually doing something takes a lot more commitment (and shows a lot more integrity) than sitting on the sideline emanating negativity.

        • Adrian Thornton 8.1.1.1
          18 July 2017 at 10:18 am

          @red-blooded, Well I think that is unfair, i have been very positive about elements in Labour (UK) consistently for the last couple of years, I am hard on Labour (NZ) because I believe they are a captured political party whose economic ideology has been a disaster for NZ over the past 25 years, so yes I am negative about the current direction of Labour, however I also believe Labour is the only political institution in NZ that has the capacity to bring real progressive change, witness Labour UK.

          As far as political action goes, I don’t have to justify myself to you or anyone else, but you can be sure that I am very active politically, personally, in my business and with my band, and take direct action very very seriously….as a few local politicians well know.

          What is it you do?

          …and btw, do you think I should have said that that piece of junk ad was good ,just to say something positive about Labour?…is that what you did?
          Haven’t you noticed that people are seeing through dumb heavy handed political propaganda now, it is time for genuine authenticity, which Little has actually got, why not use it, that is all I am saying.

          Labour…I prefer their early work!

          • WILD KATIPO 8.1.1.1.1
            18 July 2017 at 11:11 am

            Tell you something ,… I have written twice before on this site I had a son who died of having complications with cancer at age 11 years 11 months…

            And when Little mentioned he was a cancer survivor that made my ears prick up straight away. I know what that’s all about.

            And maybe my tastes are simple, or maybe these days I’m just jaded and cant be stuffed with flashy highly choreographed glitzy ads… but I enjoyed the simple home shots and was quite impressed with seeing him out on the kayak and walking the dog. Its got an endearing quality.

            Helen Clark was a mountain climber… well Mr Little is a kayaker.

            Its all good.

          • red-blooded 8.1.1.1.2
            18 July 2017 at 11:39 am

            Adrian, you are regularly unfair in your comments. So you like “elements” of Labour UK – so what? That’s not what this discussion is about. Get a bit more informed about the current values and policies of NZ Labour and then I may take some of your comments a bit more seriously.

            What is it I do? I work within my chosen political party to promote the policies and values I espouse, and I work damn hard to give practical support to that party. That’s how parliamentary democracy works. I also have a strong history of union activism (many years on the national exec), activism within community groups and bodies like the NCW, protest activity, volunteer work with groups like Trade Aid and Greenpeace… Back in the day I represented NZ at a UN anti-apartheid conference. The reason that I ended up opting into a political party is that I decided it was the best way to actually get things done.

            The point I was making is that sitting off on the sidelines and criticising is nowhere near as constructive as actually mucking in and helping to create positive change. I stand by that point.

            • Adrian Thornton 8.1.1.1.2.1
              18 July 2017 at 12:31 pm

              red-blooded, I have no interest at all whether you take my comments seriously or not.

              Labour’s ‘actually getting things done’ over the last 25 years is a pathetic joke, workers conditions, pay and security have plummeted since 1984 and that is just a fact.

              Anna Lorke is our local candidate… a fucking insult from Labour, why would any worker or thinking progressive vote, let alone get in the trenches for her…or by extension Labour, if that is what they think of us?

              Labour UK is the issue, that you and Labour NZ can’t see that IS the problem.
              I mean seriously Labour at below 30%…Andrew Little in preferred prime minister polls 5%…wake up man.

              Turn Labour Left!

              • red-blooded …
                18 July 2017 at 12:39 pm

                Adrian my dear, we are not all men. Turn AT away from sexist assumptions!

                • Adrian Thornton …
                  18 July 2017 at 1:46 pm

                  Oh for gods sake, who cares, so you are a woman so what, my comment still means the same thing, so answer it…or not.

                  • red-blooded …
                    18 July 2017 at 2:21 pm

                    Well, believe it or not, Adrain, I care.

                    And, BTW, I’ve answered your comment. My answer was, basically, put up or shut up.

                    • Adrian Thornton …
                      18 July 2017 at 4:05 pm

                      I see, so what you are saying is, if someone does not follow the party line to your satisfaction, or works in politics in a way you don’t deem legitimate..then shut up.

                      That is real funny coming from a defender of a Labour party that has lost the support of most workers, the poor and disenfranchised, and now relies on less than 30% of the liberal centre as it’s support base…has it occurred to you, that maybe it is you who should shut up before you do anymore damage to the party,hopefully before it becomes relegated to the wastelands of political oblivion.

                      Turn Labour Left!

              • McFlock …
                18 July 2017 at 12:55 pm

                LabourUK is irrelevant to whether you want a labgrn government in november instead of another nact term.

                Yes, the greens have better social policy than Labour, boo hoo. Yes, the greens might well end up supplanting Labour as a major party in the next few elections.

                You know what? I don’t give a shit. I want the policies in place, I don’t give a darn about the label. If National put forward progressive policies that you could believe they’d follow through on, I’d consider voting for them. If you want the greens to be in a position to try and make the 20% increase on benefits happen, they need to be in coalition with Labour. And Labour might have some decent policies, too – some unexpected flavouring in the sponge filling of the red&green-iced spongecake.

                If you don’t like Anna Lorke, who’s your green candidate? Do you have a socialist candidate who might put the wind up the Labour selection committee if they got a thousand votes or so? If you’re fixated on Labour, do you turn up to branch committees and put forward policy remits?

                These are ways you can actually stand for something.

                Or you can just campaign against Labour and thereby help the nats, like TC or other concern-o-fucks. Your choice.

              • The Fairy Godmother …
                18 July 2017 at 1:15 pm

                Adrian the only way to turn a party left is to join it. Sitting outside yelling won’t achieve a thing. If yoy join you can do what other members are doing to ensure we get a left wing leader and candidates as opposed to the Jose pagani and sunny Kaushal right wing ones who you may notice are not candidates this time. Of course all this does take time and effort but if you actually do care …….

                • Adrian Thornton …
                  18 July 2017 at 4:18 pm

                  That is a fair point, and maybe I will rejoin after the election, however I feel I have been pretty effective operating in a very active capacity outside the political party system over the the past several years.

                  And believe me when I say, I do care…a lot.

                  Thanks for your comment.

                  Turn Labour Left!

        • The Chairman 8.1.1.2
          18 July 2017 at 10:21 am

          “So who are the “cheerleaders in the echo chamber”

          Those constantly supportive of the party.

          “Is it somehow wrong or empty-headed to actually find something positive to say?”

          No. I said and implied no such thing.

          “I am calling you out for being such a miserly misery-guts.”

          If you’re not disappointed and concerned with the direction this country is heading, you’re merely ill-informed.

          • red-blooded 8.1.1.2.1
            18 July 2017 at 11:23 am

            What in my comment made you think I’m not “disappointed and concerned with the direction this country is heading”? Perhaps – just perhaps – people who feel this way should actually try to contribute to changing that direction… Do you honestly think that tearing down the efforts of the main opposition party this close to an election is helping to change that direction? (And don’t come back with the old “Labour is no different from National” line, because if you believe that than you’re merely ill-informed.)

            • The Chairman 8.1.1.2.1.1
              18 July 2017 at 12:23 pm

              Re: disappointed and concerned. I didn’t state you weren’t. I said if.

              “Do you honestly think that tearing down the efforts of the main opposition party this close to an election is helping to change that direction?”

              Highlighting policy flaws (or in this case providing feedback that their ad is uninspiring) and suggesting alternatives allows the party time (if they wish) to make adjustments before we go to the polling-booths.

              Politicians tend to listen most when they are seeking ones vote. Therefore, it’s a good time to seek a change in party direction.

              They would be less inclined to change once voted into power, arguing we gave their current manifesto the mandate.

              Do you think UK Labour would have changed if supporters remained quiet?

              • red-blooded …
                18 July 2017 at 12:37 pm

                UK Labour changed because they voted to change their leader, not because people said snide things about advertisements on chat-lines. The people who took part in that vote were people who joined the party and worked from within. NZ Labour also elects our leader. We’ve done that –
                Andrew Little won because the members voted him into the job. And let’s note, too, that while UK Labour surged this year, they didn’t win. The UK still has a Tory government and all the misery of their austerity policies.

                As for changing policies and election campaign advertising – get real. Policies take months and years to form in a democratic party, not weeks. Ads are the result of a lot of work and planning. Labour doesn’t have big coffers full of cash, it won’t be reworking its advertising campaign because you’ve made some critical comments on TS.

                You don’t have to support Labour. Give your vote to the Greens if that’s your choice. But if you want to change either party, then the best way to do that is to join up and actually do some work.

        • marty mars 8.1.1.3
          18 July 2017 at 10:37 am

          + 1 such moaners and well soilers. And boring – so so boring plus ego monsters – oh I have something to say listen up its really interesting and important to ME. I’m over both of you tbh

          • Adrian Thornton 8.1.1.3.1
            18 July 2017 at 2:04 pm

            I’ll tell what is boring, that is watching Labour flounder around less than 30% and AL at 5% for PPM, all the while, those National arseholes are fucking the country over…that is infuriating and sad, not boring, while all this is unfolding before our eyes sycophants praise Labour…all the way down.

            So I am sorry if you are so easily bored by the facts.

      • Red 8.1.2
        18 July 2017 at 11:39 am

        Likewise, cringe worthy only saving grace national will probably follow with something similar for bill as a man of the people, I don’t necessarily want a man of the people running the country, Aunty Helen was anything but and did not try to pretend otherwise barring the odd league and union game which she probably just gritted her teeth attending Now honest john hate or love him was a people person that’s why it works from him but not bill and angry

        • Psycho Milt 8.1.2.1
          18 July 2017 at 12:01 pm

          Now honest john hate or love him was a people person…

          Sincerity – if you can fake that, you’ve got it made. A lot of people who are successful in the corporate world have the skill of making you feel like they’re your friend when you really are just a customer they’re happy to deal with as ruthlessly as necessary when the occasion calls for it. Key had that in spades – it was a good thing for Key’s personal ambitions and for National’s election prospects, but not a good thing for the country.

          • Red 8.1.2.1.1
            18 July 2017 at 12:51 pm

            A bit biased there PM, no matter of his politics honest john was a people person, of course you turn it on and off for business, that’s. business, similar to politics re working a room etc but irrespective I don’t think jk is the devil you make him out to be and I am sure that f you met in other circumstance you would get along fine

            • McFlock 8.1.2.1.1.1
              18 July 2017 at 12:57 pm

              didn’t get on with waitresses, did he.

            • Psycho Milt 8.1.2.1.1.2
              18 July 2017 at 2:39 pm

              …of course you turn it on and off for business, that’s. business, similar to politics re working a room etc…

              Well, yeah, exactly. That’s my point – Key is a master at that, but there’s nothing genuine about it. It’s just business.

              I don’t think jk is the devil you make him out to be…

              I make him out to be a guy who was very good at his job, which consisted to some extent of getting people to think he was a great guy. That’s not inherently evil, although there are certainly ethical issues with it. I think there’s inherent evil in the political outcomes of exercising that skill to pursue right-wing politics, but that (as you point out) is my bias.

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                18 July 2017 at 2:50 pm

                Reality has a Psycho bias.

              • Red …
                18 July 2017 at 3:01 pm

                How can it be evil if you believe in what your doing is for the greater good, irrespective of your politics I don’t think jk was out to destroy nz or look after his mates, no more than Helen Clark or Angry has or had that intent. Politics just come down to a competition of ideas and beliefs nothing more, nothing less, To try and demonise some one because of that says more about the demoniser than the suppose demon Likewise having career aspiration and goals, been good at what you do is not evil, these are good traits in all endeavours of life

                • McFlock …
                  18 July 2017 at 3:07 pm

                  How can it be evil if you believe in what your doing is for the greater good,

                  Don’t even have to godwin that – someone just needs to watch Hot Fuzz.

                  Rest of it’s an interesting perspective, I guess – lack of career aspiration is not to exist, democracy is merely a competition of (a-?)morally-equivalent ideas none better than the others…

                  Pretty typical example of the tory worldview.

                • Psycho Milt …
                  18 July 2017 at 3:13 pm

                  It’s very easy to achieve evil outcomes while believing you’re working for the greater good. Look at the history of bolshevism, or just about any religion for that matter. NB: I’m referring to those examples just to point out why I think that it’s easy to achieve evil while thinking you’re doing good, not because I’m trying to claim that having a National Party government is on a par with Soviet communism or Salafist Islam.

                  In Key’s case, the political outcomes of him exercising his talent to promote right-wing politics were evil (in terms of more employees on shit wages and conditions, more people struggling to make ends meet, more people not getting healthcare, more homeless people etc, while the rich have had their circumstances improved significantly). As a left-winger, to me those are evil outcomes. I don’t doubt that Key, not being a left-winger, considers it otherwise and felt like he was doing his best for the greater good.

                  • garibaldi …
                    18 July 2017 at 3:34 pm

                    More like “he was doing his best for the Bankers and the Deep State of USA/ Israel.”

            • Cinny 8.1.2.1.1.3
              18 July 2017 at 4:19 pm

              Red I think the PM that quit was not so much a people person, rather he had the gift of the gab like a used car salesman.

              Pretty sure he was not given the nickname on wall st as the smiling assassin for being a people person.

      • Sara Matthews 8.1.3
        18 July 2017 at 7:31 pm

        Me also.

    • bearded git 8.2
      18 July 2017 at 9:41 am

      You must have been watching a different ad to me….maybe you prefer tinned spag on pizza dross.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.3
      18 July 2017 at 9:50 am

      That is one shit ad, so clunky ..Andrew looks mostly uncomfortable, and who could blame him, with those stupid inane staged shots,

      That’s what I thought. It’s going to resonate with some people though – the people who want to know that the leader is just the same as them with the same concerns.

      I, on the other hand, want politicians that represent me to do what’s right because it needs to be done and not because it relates to them. The latter is a very shallow way to govern.

      • WILD KATIPO 8.3.1
        18 July 2017 at 11:20 am

        Its called gaining a rapport with people.

        I think – despite all governments being a human institution and never perfect – we are going to be in for a pleasant surprise and breathe a sigh of relief when Labour takes over from National after September 3rd.

        • Draco T Bastard 8.3.1.1
          18 July 2017 at 11:55 am

          Its called gaining a rapport with people.

          Yeah, I know that. I’m not one of the people it builds rapport with and I don’t think it’s going to be that successful in general.

          Pretty much any government would be better than this one.

        • mac1 8.3.1.2
          18 July 2017 at 1:03 pm

          My birthday on September 5 so I’m looking forward to an early present.

          With regards to the ad. I saw it yesterday and read one complaint about not enough brown faces. Well, that’s easily checked and the first few frames put the lie to that.

          And Asian faces, too.

          And pictures of what looked like a very relaxed leader, who was direct, clear and articulate- good body language, snazzy red tie (I always wore something red as a candidate), and a good mix of formal and informal styles.

          As a cancer survivor myself what he said about the health system really resonated.

          All in all, a good ad.

          (Except for the use of the word ‘passionate’…….. especially when I read that Todd Barclay’s office released a statement saying that he was still ‘passionate’ about advocating for the people of Clutha-Southland. Barf-making. At least we didn’t get “going forward”,” I’m comfortable with,” “ordinary hard-working New Zealanders” and “I’m working hard for you”.)

          • Anne 8.3.1.2.1
            18 July 2017 at 7:42 pm

            My sentiments too mac1. I watched it twice. The first time with a critical eye and ear and I found a few negatives in presentation. The second time I sat back nice and relaxed and lo and behold the negatives faded into obscurity and it came across well. A remarkable turnaround.

            As for the ‘passionate’ word… see my comment earlier today.

      • Red 8.3.2
        18 July 2017 at 11:40 am

        Exactly

    • Sara Matthews 8.4
      18 July 2017 at 7:29 pm

      Yeah I’m hoping he’s our new PM but the ad was terrible, it is being panned on other websites comment sections too. Sometimes you need to open your eyes to what other voters opinions really are, certain people live in a vacuum here, where criticism of anything on the left is condemned as an act of RW trolls, we need to get real.

    • Keith 8.5
      19 July 2017 at 8:20 am

      Pretty harsh Adrian.

      Objectively it’s to the point, I thought the captions were a great touch and it didn’t dwell on one issue.

      I have seen a lot worse, the fuck Key for example, grinning like a Real Estate salesman telling me him and his dishonest Nats are “Working for New Zealand” was too much for me.

  9. Stunned Mullet 9
    18 July 2017 at 9:53 am

    Meh..uninspiring and feels very forced – though I haven’t ever seen a good political ad in NZ to be fair

    Disclosure (I’m not a fan and will be unlikely to vote for him)

    • Kevin 9.1
      18 July 2017 at 10:12 am

      I agree.

      I like Andrew Little, but this is just to formal and the language is not how you talk. The minute you put the word ‘passionate’ in there, I am thinking first year copy writing student.

      “It’s time for a fresh approach for New Zealand”

      Seriously who the fuck came up with that line? I’m sorry, but that is shit.

      • Anne 9.1.1
        18 July 2017 at 10:35 am

        The minute you put the word ‘passionate’ in there, I am thinking first year copy writing student.

        The word “passionate” is like “awesome” – once spectacular words used for truly memorable moments. Now both have been totally devalued by everyday usage for mundane matters. Principled politicians should avoid these words as much as possible.

      • Ross 9.1.2
        19 July 2017 at 1:20 pm

        I guess he could have said ‘Let’s make NZ great again.’ 🙂

    • swordfish 9.2
      18 July 2017 at 10:22 am

      “will be unlikely to vote for him”

      So you’re saying ,,,there’s still a chance ? ,,, I getcha

    • WILD KATIPO 9.3
      18 July 2017 at 11:22 am

      Its not meant to be a production of the zillionth edition of Star Wars…

  10. BM 10
    18 July 2017 at 10:22 am

    Next ad needs to see Jacinda in a long white dress walking around silently in a meadow playing with baby goats and sniffing daffodils with that ethereal light thing going on.

    Then finish with “It’s time for a fresh approach for New Zealand” across the bottom of the screen and her smiling.

    10% rise in the polls for Labour there for the taking.

  11. Chris 11
    18 July 2017 at 10:23 am

    I’ve always thought it takes a special kind of stupid to decide your vote by advertisement.

    • Red 11.1
      18 July 2017 at 11:46 am

      As the old saying goes talking to the average voter highlights the weakness of democracy, further amplified with average left voter, shame nothing better

      • One Anonymous Bloke 11.1.1
        18 July 2017 at 1:18 pm

        [citation needed]

        Go on Red, tell us, what does research reveal about the correlation between political opinion and intelligence? What does the evidence say?

        What’s the matter Red, unable to Google it, or just unwilling to share? 😆

        • Red 11.1.1.1
          18 July 2017 at 2:27 pm

          You are misinterpreting my comments OAB and getting all hot and bothered as usual😀, its not intelligence I am arguing, To your point to try and set me up I believe research indicates lefties come out a bit higher on that scale in general (albeit plenty of research arguing against IQ as an effective measure as highly contextual) ) , The issue is not intelligence but the consequence of that leftie vote that worries me under democracy

          • One Anonymous Bloke 11.1.1.1.1
            18 July 2017 at 2:37 pm

            Yes, because intelligence leaves one completely unable to work out or notice consequences /sarc.

            How are the consequences of your vote for National working out for homeless children? You’re alright Jack, that’s how.

            • Red 11.1.1.1.1.1
              18 July 2017 at 4:14 pm

              Yes but to counter Corbyn policy would be catostophic for Uk yet a lot of lefties voted for him

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                18 July 2017 at 5:59 pm

                🙄

                Newsflash: that isn’t a counter-argument, it’s another repetition of your ideology, and Red, just between you and me, I don’t need you to repeat the dogma, I can remember it just fine.

  12. Akldnut 12
    18 July 2017 at 10:35 am

    He really needs to be coached on body language and verbal presentation, there’s nothing terribly wrong with the sentiment of the ad……. but the awkwardness of his body language and the smoothness of the words definitely make it look un-natural.

  13. Enough is Enough 13
    18 July 2017 at 10:45 am

    Mr Andrew Kirton, if you are reading, time to hire PR consultants or something.

  14. David Mac 14
    18 July 2017 at 11:12 am

    In most ads that work the product is the hero. Ducks and clean toilets? Having wild fun with our mates synonymous with a bottle of Coke?

    I question whether the Labour party is the actual product? They’re the packaging, the means of delivery. The actual product is what a left leaning government can do for us all. I think the changes we will see with a strong left bias in the House should be the focus of the ad, the hero.

    Andrew is a terrific lead guitarist, but he’s a bit of a wooden frontman. Doesn’t matter, he isn’t the product. What he and his mates can bring to be is the product. I think it’s what we should be selling.

    It needs to be tied into the party, that can be done with a 5 second still of Jacinda and Andrew at the end and tag-lines: ‘Do yourself a favour, double tick Labour’, ‘Time for a fresh approach’, whatever. People don’t vote for smiles and slogans. They tune into their personal frequency of WII FM (what’s in it for me) and vote for their favourite song.

    • Anne 14.1
      18 July 2017 at 11:42 am

      It’s only the first ad. The one that introduces the main character which is Andrew Little. I guess the “products” will be coming to a ‘cinema’ near you very soon.

  15. mauī 15
    18 July 2017 at 11:36 am

    It seems like Little is trying to be the regular kiwi bloke, shit that what’s National did well with Key and are trying to do again with Bill. What’s the point of copying that when you’re always going to be outplayed there. There has to be a better marketing approach than that. What about talking about policies like Kiwibuild and how they would change kiwis lives, more about the party than the person.

    What I get from the ad is safe, awkward and vague. If that works for middle class voters then that’s great but it doesn’t do it for me.

    • Red 15.1
      18 July 2017 at 11:48 am

      The problem is key was the average kiwi bloke come good, angry is anything but, awkward and a bit unusual but not in a redeeming way, unlike uncle Bill

      • WILD KATIPO 15.1.1
        18 July 2017 at 12:21 pm

        Except that Key came from a humble background and learnt nothing from it , – then chose to surreptitiously act like a degraded type of Caligula towards those he knew he could easily bully like workers , the poor , the sick and the unemployed…

        Or am I confusing that with the Double Dipper from Dipton who was really the real back door architect behind all of that ?

        No wonder the RWNJ’s call Mr Little ‘ angry ‘ – there’s plenty to be pissed off with right there.

        • Red 15.1.1.1
          18 July 2017 at 12:42 pm

          Not really disagreeing with you Wk, but it’s perception that matters, most people don’t follow politics that close, double dip bill is is no Jk but comes across a bit of a dufuss nerd but competent in an appealing old uncle sort of way ( social investment catholic guilt and all that ) , unfortunatly Andy does not, union bother boy, awkward, angry tag etc Dont get upset about angry tag, just showing my colours, likewise I take no offense been call a rwnj,

    • Chris 15.2
      18 July 2017 at 1:00 pm

      I think you will find that the problem for both Little and English is that it was Key that came across as your average bloke. There wasn’t really any manufacturing

      Trying to manufacture the average bloke, using two guys (Little and English) who let’s face it, don’t exactly have one personality if you added both of theirs together, will always come across as a bit naff.

      • Psycho Milt 15.2.1
        18 July 2017 at 2:47 pm

        There wasn’t really any manufacturing

        Good actors make you forget they’re acting. It’s astonishing the number of people who mistake the role for the man in this case.

      • DRUM 15.2.2
        18 July 2017 at 4:16 pm

        This is what baffles me….30 years a journalist and now working as a social worker….you learn to read people. To me Key was/is an artifice. He was obviously so contrived. Smiling is not just a matter of showing your teeth. The whole face smiles and I never ever saw Key with a genuine smile on his face. But he was seen as “everyman”.

  16. savenz 16
    18 July 2017 at 12:16 pm

    An ok start, Andrew looks good, he’s awkward still but Corbyn is also awkward. Voters are sick of slick political puppets. At least Andrew comes across as very genuine which is a good start. Billy Boy is the most awkward of them all, but after his double dipping and lying about Barclay, not looking that genuine.

    However the video needs to go A LOT deeper. The policies look vanilla. Not enough emotion – whoever produced the video does not understand story telling is pinned by emotional connection to the story, not just a series of linked images.

    Also with the Greens going very strong for the bottom 20% of voters and NZ First going very strong on highly conservative policy – the gap has opened for Labour to go for the middle.

    And the middle is very fertile based on 65% homeowners who are not feeling particularly badly off financially, but growing increasingly concerned with the lies, deceit, assets selling, dumbing down of education and health care, low wage economy, lack of local concerns, removal of democracy at local government level but educated and working hard and fairly successful and above all, no clear vision by National.

    There is plenty of room for Labour to show their difference from National on the environment for example – linking Aucklanders paying for water charges while companies get water piped offshore virtually for free, and people being poisoned by water while off shore corporations buy up NZ and then sell us our own bottled water back for $3 a drink. Was talking to some Natz supporters last week and even they were complaining about it.

    Labour needs to show clear differences in Labour and National policy. e.g. Instead of talking about affordable houses which is meaningless, they should show how Labour produced xxx state houses post war for NZ families, and now Natz are selling them off cheap and then asking for tax payer money for developer welfare to build less of them. Show the absurdism.

    Really liked the Labour Auckland CBD billboard, which showed how the airport rail link under the Natz is taking longer than manned flights to Mars! More of that, please.

  17. outofbed 17
    18 July 2017 at 12:40 pm

    “for the many not the few” is a much clearer message from UK Labour.
    This video is OK but not amazing. Its focus of AL is probably not the greatest idea given he is fairly wooden (even in a highly scripted and edited campaign video) Much better to focus on left wing policies.

  18. Tautoko Mangƍ Mata 18
    18 July 2017 at 1:26 pm

    I will go with authenticity with a little awkwardness anytime over snake oil bullshit with pretty legal musical backing.

    • Red 18.1
      18 July 2017 at 2:21 pm

      Fair enough but you are not the average non engaged voter that all this is hard sell is pandering to

      • In Vino 18.1.1
        18 July 2017 at 7:20 pm

        Neither are you. You presume to know what the average voter thinks, and put your own hopeful spin upon it.
        Nobody calls Little angry – except wishful trolls like you. You have a minority opinion, Red.

        • Sara Matthews 18.1.1.1
          18 July 2017 at 7:47 pm

          In the general public, I think reds opinion is right, Little comes across as angry, he needs to stress that the anger is actually passion, which it is. And if he gets asked about this perception needs to explain why he is so passionate, eg, the countries inequality etc.

  19. Pat 19
    18 July 2017 at 7:23 pm

    it is neither good nor bad, rather it isn’t inspiring and doesn’t grab you….much like Labour currently (sadly)

    • Sara Matthews 19.1
      18 July 2017 at 7:43 pm

      What is the ad that most people remember from the last election, was it the long winded heart to heart rubbish like this?, no it was the Nats rowers in synchronization against our side who were rowing in opposition to each other, simple effective, memorable. This is what we need, I hope it’s coming.

  20. CLEANGREEN 20
    18 July 2017 at 7:25 pm

    yes Andrew came over very well and soft.

    We do not want or need harsh combative arrogant leader in our midst now we are in full election mode already with this respectable add for labour good work guys.

  21. Sara Matthews 21
    18 July 2017 at 7:59 pm

    I’m not blown away by the ad it’s just okay, but he doesn’t need to convince me, he needs to convince the fringe and undecided voter, I don’t think he’s done it yet. But my biggest worry is the slogan, a fresh approach?, come on!, that sounds like your happy with the way things are going, but we just need to freshen it up a bit, terrible imo.