Leadership and loyalty

Written By: - Date published: 7:45 am, March 31st, 2015 - 55 comments
Categories: accountability, john key - Tags: , , , ,

One factor so far missed in the acres of coverage of the weekend’s by-election has been the behaviour of the main party leaders.

Andrew Little was there in Northland with his candidate Willow Prime, owning the call that he made and what he asked of her and her team. (I hope that she has a bright future ahead in Labour.)

John Key was on a plane, running from his candidate and the Nats’ defeat. (Off to Melbourne for the cricket – Andrew Little managed to be in Northland and get to the cricket too.)

Key has form in this respect, he abandoned Melissa Lee the night of her defeat in the Mt Albert by-election too.

Loyalty is a fine thing. A leader expects loyalty, they should also return it. Key fails.

55 comments on “Leadership and loyalty ”

  1. tracey 1

    I wonder how many of Key’s troops are still prepared to die in battle for him?

    Key comes from a background where loyalty is always self serving and the people disposable. Only ever as good as the money they make for the directors/partners…

    This kind of behaviour can make people scared to NOT toe the line for fear of upsetting the leader and not getting their personal baubles. In time it can make some say “fuck it, I have shut up, toed the line, fawned and fetched and for what? I have nothing left to lose and it would be good to see this fucker squirm”

    • saveNZ 1.1

      @tracey
      +100

      In particular…

      Key comes from a background where loyalty is always self serving and the people disposable. Only ever as good as the money they make for the directors/partners…

      Key also thinks our country is disposable. Only good while he asset strips it, and then off to International Democrat Union where he is chair, and more ultra right wing fantasy proposals to inflict, like some plague, on the populous.

      • tracey 1.1.1

        s’cuse my language.

        being Pm is an extension of his career ambitions. a chance to be on th ebog stage, meet some celebs and do some favours for those he thinks can help him later, collect a knighthood and move on.

        • Karen 1.1.1.1

          +1 Tracey
          His nickname “the smiling assassin” suits him very well. Now that he has sold off NZ’s assets to his rich mates and met all the celebs he wants to, he just needs to sign the TPPA and he will be off to whatever he has been promised. If it looks like the TPPA is going to be delayed he might go sooner (let’s hope).

          • tracey 1.1.1.1.1

            As important, if not more important than RMA, imo…

            BUT it doesn’t have to go to Parliament (unlike RMA proposals) and Key knows that. Numbers don’t matter as long as others sign, we will sign. For the record NZF is anti aspects of the TPP including the process for “deciding” conflicts.

            http://nzfirst.org.nz/news/new-zealand-first-bill-more-important-ever

          • Bearded Git 1.1.1.1.2

            @Karen Agree with you on Key. This from the Dom Post editorial yesterday:

            “The by-election was a triumph for Peters, a politician almost as gifted as Key”

            They have to be joking surely? Key is a money-man to the core. No policy ideas, no “vision-thing”, no mana. His strengths are listening well to the advice he is given and smiling and waving.

          • Bearded Git 1.1.1.1.3

            @Karen Not sure if comparison between the two can be made.

            The way National/ACT intend to change the RMA will result in widespread degradation of NZ’s best landscapes. TPPA is likely to result in a world run by corporate behemoths. Both awful in their own way.

        • Patrick 1.1.1.2

          Yes the knighthood is key (no pun intended) I think.

        • Once was Tim 1.1.1.3

          +1 …….. and Mex is a D-d-d-d-d J ……… YES! a DEEE JAY
          ……. next

          He knows nothing else, and given that he hasn’t the power or intelligence for critical thought (rather snide animal cunning), not much will change until a few sharper knives in the draw ekshullly wake up and realise just how much they’ve been used and abused in the name of creating an oikun and a celeb (that goes by the name of ‘hashtag’ “Team Key”).

          We’re all worried about Labour being a fucked unit ….. When you look at National in any depth, you find the potential for REAL fucking turmoil.

  2. Draco T Bastard 2

    A leader expects loyalty

    No they don’t, they earn it.

    • weka 2.1

      which might go some way to explain why Little is succeeding where others have failed before him.

    • McFlock 2.2

      true.
      a tosser expects loyalty while showing none.

    • Once was Tim 2.3

      Well that’s just the difference eh? Draco. Masters of the Universe EXPECT it. Others earn it. I suspect many Natzis when they look back in time will come to realise that has been their fundamental problem. It won;t happen over night, but it WILL happen – just like those pesky split ends.
      Meantime ….. some of the more (once-upon-time) reasonable amongst them get bitterer and bitterer.
      Someone throw that Krus Finlayson a bone will ya! He’s becoming a right ole bitch!
      And Muff Mc Kully …. I see his bit on the side switched sides while the getting was good (hasn’t done much for her journalistic integrity though – but I ‘spose there’s always a Ralston to fall back on

      Like grandma used to say: “Get yourself a trade! ….. It’s always something to fall back on”
      ….. haven’t they just!

  3. mary_a 3

    Well this behaviour from Key is hardly alien to him is it? Use, abuse and dump!

    Loyalty does not even register with Key.

    Not a Natsy supporter at all and may I be struck dead should I ever turn to the blue side, but I did feel quite sorry for Mark Osborne on Saturday night, alone and left to his own devices. Very bad look on Key’s behalf.

    • tracey 3.1

      Osborne knew the nest of vipers he wanted to play with, and I feel sorry for him only insofar as he thought a nest of vipers only has an upside for him personally.

      He has spoken more since he lost. Speaks volumes about the Nats and Osborne’s personal level of courage. He was happy to be used when he thought it would advance his ambitions.

      • mary_a 3.1.1

        @ tracey (3.1) – Nest of vipers – you got that one right on. Absolutely spot on comment there.

  4. toad 4

    John Key flew off to the cricket early to avoid association with Osborne’s defeat. Meanwhile, Tony Abbott flew off to Singapore to avoid getting booed at the cricket.

    That’s Tories for you.

    • miravox 4.1

      Anyone know if Crosby or Textor (or business people looking for a deal worked out on the back of a serviette) were also at the cricket?

      • tracey 4.1.1

        funny… Hoots and Farrar have hoed into the campaign up North… queuing up to take over?

        • RJL 4.1.1.1

          Note that on election night DPF claimed to be too busy on a dinner date and then going to a play to be able to post comments on the Northland results. But, you can bet that if DPF’s polling looked better he would have been furiously blogging into the night.

          DPF abandoned Osborne just like Key.

  5. ScottGN 5

    I also couldn’t help but feel a smidgen of sympathy for Osborne as the chickens started to come home to roost. Don’t worry though I soon got over it! And abandoned to face the media on the Sunday he wasn’t that much of a munter. Just another indication of the massive panic in National’s ranks.
    And a friend in Auckland reminded me of the dreadful behaviour of Maggie Barry at that candidate’s meeting where she did her best to talk over Osborne and berated anyone who dared to question the party line.

    • tracey 5.1

      Scott & Mary

      Will we soon hear that this was the plan all along… treat the candidate like scum, and garner public sympathy for him so he wins easily in 2017? 😉

      To my knowledge Osborne hasn’t mentioned how he has been treated. I suspect in Northland he would gain alot of mana if he did.

      • Lanthanide 5.1.1

        He’s not going to get another chance in the spotlight.

        • mary_a 5.1.1.1

          @ Lanthanide (5.1.1) – Was Osborne in the spotlight? Well tickle me pink!

          And here’s me thinking it was Steven (Lord Haw Haw) Joyce’s show! Now I wonder what made me come to that conclusion?

          • Lanthanide 5.1.1.1.1

            Steven was lurking in the shadows pulling the strings of his marionette, not in the glare of the spotlight.

    • Lanthanide 5.2

      ” And abandoned to face the media on the Sunday he wasn’t that much of a munter.”

      “… oh no, not at all!…”

  6. Sacha 6

    You have to wonder how the guy was raised when you see his lack of character. What an embarrassment.

    • tracey 6.1

      OR

      You have to wonder how the guy was raised (and what he was promised) to allow himself to be publicly used and ridiculed. What an embarrassment.

      Is this what all the Nat List MP’s are like who neevr have to speak to get in? In fact is it what all parties List MP’s are like?

      Green List MPs have to be public cos they all stand in an electorate and campaign but what about all those MPs who don’t campaign?… lapdogs all?

      • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1

        Did Bill English ever campaign in his Southland electorate?

        It’s all very well to say that list MPs don’t have to campaign except for that most of them actually do. And considering National’s campaigning in Northland I think that they figured that they wouldn’t have to campaign there at all.

      • mary_a 6.1.2

        @ tracey (6.1) –

        OR

        He knew something the Natsies wouldn’t want to be made public which could be embarrassing for dear leader should it come out! The reason for minder Joyce’s presence perhaps?

    • saveNZ 6.2

      Maybe after being close up and personal with the Nats, Osbourne will vote NZ First or Labour next time:)

      His idol Key is just a user.

      The other point, is that Key has now muddied the ‘National’ brand. Even conservative people are so disillusioned with what Key has done to the country that the mythical ‘National’ brand is diluted and tainted.

  7. Penny Bright 7

    Don’t forget that Mark Osborne was Mike Sabin’s electorate treasurer.

    In my view, given the significant disquiet within the Northland electorate over the lack of transparency regarding the sudden resignation of Mike Sabin’s resignation for ‘personal reasons’ – doesn’t it strike you as odd that National didn’t put some distance between their former (disgraced?) MP and their new National candidate?

    Why did National pick a new candidate, Mark Osborne, who was arguably so close to Mike Sabin?

    Arrogance – or ‘insurance’ ?

    Just asking …..

    Penny Bright

    • Melanie Scott 7.1

      Just a reminder, police policy since the year dot is to alert the ‘powers that be’ of any upcoming criminal action involving an MP, as part of the ‘no surprises’ protocol.

  8. Patrick 8

    Key went up North, and National lost.
    Key went to Melbourne, and we lost.
    Is there a pattern starting………..

  9. infused 9

    One is a prime minister, the other is in opposition. Little has all the time in the world.

    • McFlock 9.1

      And yet, given the same time constraints, Key turned up to one while Little turned up to both. Time management is an important skill for leaders 🙂

      BTW, I hope your young employee hasn’t done anything rash career-wise, and is taking some time to reconsider his decision.

    • Karen 9.2

      And as Prime Minister Key should have been at Lee Kwan Yew’s funeral and not at the cricket. The man doesn’t know how to behave decently.

      • alwyn 9.2.1

        Gosh, this was the web site where people ranted on interminably about how we shouldn’t have flown the NZ flag at half-mast when the Saudi Arabian King died because people didn’t approve of that countries policies?

        Now some people are unhappy because John Key didn’t attend the funeral of a former leader of Singapore.
        Why don’t you look at this from “No Right Turn”.
        http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2015/03/no-freedom-of-speech-in-singapore.html
        Singapore under Lee Kwan Yew, and continuing under his son who is the current PM, is anything but a democracy to be admired.

        Could it be that you are only complaining about things to be on the opposite side to our Government?
        Are there people here who, like the NZ Labour Party, only decide their policy position on the basis that whatever John Key says, they will say the opposite?
        This is the approach that says “The enemy of my enemy is my friend”, and that “The friend of my enemy is my enemy”.

        • Karen 9.2.1.1

          I didn’t say Lee Kwan Yew was someone I admire. I am fully aware of Singapore’s poor human right’s record (which is a lot better than Saudi Arabia’s if doing a comparison).

          However, trade with Asia is important to NZ’s economy and choosing a cricket match over attendance at a state funeral for an important ex leader is bound to be seen as insulting. Presumably that is why Abbott chose the funeral over the cricket. Key was just looking for a photo opportunity.

          • alwyn 9.2.1.1.1

            Why on earth should they be upset, because the second ranking New Zealander didn’t go to the funeral?
            We sent the Governor General who outranks the PM in the diplomatic pecking order.

            As far as trade goes our exports to Singapore and Saudi Arabia are quite similar. About $660m to Singapore and around $560m to Saudi Arabia.
            Imports from Singapore are quite a lot more but that is likely to make Singapore more nervous about trade falling off with us rather than us having to worry.
            I also suspect that a lot of oil imports will be recorded as coming from Singapore as there are major refineries there which supply us, rather than their original country of production.

            We are flying the New Zealand flag at half-mast for LKY which is all we did for Saudi Arabia. The King was of course the head of state whereas LKY was only a long retired (25 years after being PM) politician who had never even been the head of state.

            • Sacha 9.2.1.1.1.1

              Yeah I don’t think Key was pondering any of this stuff when he decided he’d rather be photographed with sporting heroes and his son than alone at a funeral with world leaders.

  10. Hateatea 10

    There is something about the mantra that we should be unquestionably loyal to our ‘leader’ that I have always found troubling. I think it is the assumption that a leader always knows the correct thing to do in any set of circumstances, that they are all knowing, all wise and leading the followers to a better place.

    Perhaps it is that I grew up in the aftermath of WW2 and lived through the Korean Campaign, then the Malaysian, Vietnam and on and on that I question the kind of blind obedience that allowed some seriously flawed individuals to perpetrate horrendous acts, supposedly in the name of the citizenry.

    That said, Key not going to Northland for Saturday evenings result seems typical of a person who acts as if his role as just the front person for the brand. Is this true leadership? Not to me, and it is becoming apparent, not to many others.

    The question for the various parties to the left of NACT is whether one charismatic leader is what we need or whether it is that we need the kind of practical, down to earth leaders who will work with one another to achieve the displacement of the NACTS as government with a coalition that is willing and able to work collaberatively for the betterment of ALL the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, not just the rich, nor just for the ‘workers’.

    The people who will earn my vote and my respect in the future will be those who see that we all need to be loyal to one another, and to this beautiful corner of the world. They will inspire loyalty by demonstrating loyalty, humility and collegiality themselves.

    Well, a person can dream, can’t they?

  11. adam 11

    I’ve said it before – how many people can Key throw under the bus, before the backbenchers start to revolt?

  12. I found it interesting that Gower, Owen and Garner mentioned the “don’t hug a corpse” idea – i.e. it’s bad for your political image to be associated with obvious failure.

    This makes Key’s absence understandable, but also raises an interesting question: the most senior Minister visible during Osborne’s TV appearances was Paula Bennett. (If I recall correctly, Joyce was also there, but probably standing on the other side of the camera.)

    Does Bennett lack the political instincts of the PM, or was she pressured to be the face of the administration – and thus be the one hugging the corpse? Not that it harmed her chances, according to iPredict:
    https://www.ipredict.co.nz/app.php?do=contract_detail&contract=NATLEAD.BENNETT

    • Karen 12.1

      Maybe she has better political instincts. She was the only cabinet minister to forgo the ministerial car when supporting Osborne.

      • North 12.1.1

        I’m not over my euphoria yet but yes…….Paula. She bought a house on a taxpayer funded benefit. Reckon she fancies she’ll buy (Vogel) house on a taxpayer funded benefit as well !

        I mean, in the onetime Tory ethos she’s done well has Paula……

  13. Dorothy Bulling 13

    When English came to a campaign in Otautau, rural Southland, he came accompanied by mother who sat in the front row and asked patsy questions. This campaign meeting had been organised by a service club in the community.

  14. North 14

    RunFromTheCorpseKey (thanks Garner/Gower), then JinxOnTheBlackCapsKey……Oh Dear God !!!!!! How much more damage can ThisPonceKey do in his quest for celebrity ????? And I’ll betya there are heaps and heaps and heaps of Tories (and cricket fans) thinking exactly the same. Will ask around in the lifestyle blocks of Pakuranga North where presently I find my pillow.

    It’s algud…….more grist for the mill of stolen golden slippers falling from shifty clay feet. Sooner or later, and there’s the promise of sooner, one good rain……..

    Kia Ora Cuz’ Fizzy !

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    One of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under control
    New Zealand has  a chance  to  rise  again. Under the  previous  government, the  number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing  year by year. The Luxon-led government  must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising  the  pillars  of the economy. After the  mismanagement  of the outgoing government created   huge ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago
  • KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new government
    Two articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations.  He writes –    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PHILIP CRUMP:  Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadership
    The work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Black Friday
    As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...
    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    3 days ago
  • In Defense of the Media.
    Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
    Nicola Willis’ first move was ‘spilling the tea’ on what she called the ‘sobering’ state of the nation’s books, but she had better be able to back that up in the HYEFU. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • PT use up but fare increases coming
    Yesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had. That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ...
    3 days ago
  • The very opposite of social investment
    Nicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Giving Tuesday
    For the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...
    4 days ago
  • Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
    Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Stopping oil
    National is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...
    Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise  “informed by” head ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The stupidest of stupid reasons
    One of the threats in the National - ACT - NZ First coalition agreements was to extend the term of Parliament to four years, reducing our opportunities to throw a bad government out. The justification? Apparently, the government thinks "elections are expensive". This is the stupidest of stupid reasons for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • A website bereft of buzz
    Buzz from the Beehive The new government was being  sworn in, at time of writing , and when Point of Order checked the Beehive website for the latest ministerial statements and re-visit some of the old ones we drew a blank. We found ….  Nowt. Nothing. Zilch. Not a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • MICHAEL BASSETT: A new Ministry – at last
    Michael Bassett writes – Like most people, I was getting heartily sick of all the time being wasted over the coalition negotiations. During the first three weeks Winston grinned like a Cheshire cat, certain he’d be needed; Chris Luxon wasted time in lifting the phone to Winston ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Luxon's Breakfast.
    The Prime Minister elect had his silver fern badge on. He wore it to remind viewers he was supporting New Zealand, that was his team. Despite the fact it made him look like a concierge, or a welcomer in a Koru lounge. Anna Burns-Francis, the Breakfast presenter, asked if he ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL:  Oranga Tamariki faces major upheaval under coalition agreement
     Lindsay Mitchell writes – A hugely significant gain for ACT is somewhat camouflaged by legislative jargon. Under the heading ‘Oranga Tamariki’ ACT’s coalition agreement contains the following item:   Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 According to Oranga Tamariki:     “Section ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON:  Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record. Brian Easton writes – 1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Cathrine Dyer's guide to watching COP 28 from the bottom of a warming planet
    Is COP28 largely smoke and mirrors and a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel? Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: COP28 kicks off on November 30 and up for negotiation are issues like the role of fossil fuels in the energy transition, contributions to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Monday, Nov 27
    PM Elect Christopher Luxon was challenged this morning on whether he would sack Adrian Orr and Andrew Coster.TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am on Monday November 27, including:Signs councils are putting planning and capital spending on hold, given a lack of clear guidance ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the new government’s policies of yesteryear
    This column expands on a Werewolf column published by Scoop on Friday Routinely, Winston Peters is described as the kingmaker who gets to decide when the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded but equally important role as the ...
    4 days ago
  • The New Government’s Agreements
    Last Friday, almost six weeks after election day, National finally came to an agreement with ACT and NZ First to form a government. They also released the agreements between each party and looking through them, here are the things I thought were the most interesting (and often concerning) from the. ...
    4 days ago
  • How many smokers will die to fund the tax cuts?
    Maori and Pasifika smoking rates are already over twice the ‘all adult’ rate. Now the revenue that generates will be used to fund National’s tax cuts. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The devil is always in the detail and it emerged over the weekend from the guts of the policy agreements National ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How the culture will change in the Beehive
    Perhaps the biggest change that will come to the Beehive as the new government settles in will be a fundamental culture change. The era of endless consultation will be over. This looks like a government that knows what it wants to do, and that means it knows what outcomes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • No More Winnie Blues.
    So what do you think of the coalition’s decision to cancel Smokefree measures intended to stop young people, including an over representation of Māori, from taking up smoking? Enabling them to use the tax revenue to give other people a tax cut?David Cormack summed it up well:It seems not only ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 19, 2023 thru Sat, Nov 25, 2023.  Story of the Week World stands on frontline of disaster at Cop28, says UN climate chief  Exclusive: Simon Stiell says leaders must ‘stop ...
    5 days ago
  • Some of it is mad, some of it is bad and some of it is clearly the work of people who are dangerous ...
    On announcement morning my mate texted:Typical of this cut-price, fake-deal government to announce itself on Black Friday.What a deal. We lose Kim Hill, we gain an empty, jargonising prime minister, a belligerent conspiracist, and a heartless Ayn Rand fanboy. One door closes, another gets slammed repeatedly in your face.It seems pretty ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • “Revolution” is the threat as the Māori Party smarts at coalition government’s Treaty directi...
    Buzz from the Beehive Having found no fresh announcements on the government’s official website, Point of Order turned today to Scoop’s Latest Parliament Headlines  for its buzz. This provided us with evidence that the Māori Party has been soured by the the coalition agreement announced yesterday by the new PM. “Soured” ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • The Good, the Bad, and the even Worse.
    Yesterday the trio that will lead our country unveiled their vision for New Zealand.Seymour looking surprisingly statesmanlike, refusing to rise to barbs about his previous comments on Winston Peters. Almost as if they had just been slapstick for the crowd.Winston was mostly focussed on settling scores with the media, making ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • When it Comes to Palestine – Free Speech is Under Threat
    Hi,Thanks for getting amongst Mister Organ on digital — thanks to you, we hit the #1 doc spot on iTunes this week. This response goes a long way to helping us break even.I feel good about that. Other things — not so much.New Zealand finally has a new government, and ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Thank you Captain Luxon. Was that a landing, or were we shot down?
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Also in More Than A FeildingFriday The unboxing And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Cans of Worms.
    “And there’ll be no shortage of ‘events’ to test Luxon’s political skills. David Seymour wants a referendum on the Treaty. Winston wants a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Labour’s handling of the Covid crisis. Talk about cans of worms!”LAURIE AND LES were very fond of their local. It was nothing ...
    6 days ago
  • Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here’s how we can fight back
    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Misinformation is debated everywhere and has justifiably sparked concerns. It can polarise the public, reduce health-protective behaviours such as mask wearing and vaccination, and erode trust in science. Much of misinformation is spread not ...
    6 days ago
  • Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record.1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is not even an entry in Wikipedia. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago
  • The New Government: 2023 Edition
    So New Zealand has a brand-spanking new right-wing government. Not just any new government either. A formal majority coalition, of the sort last seen in 1996-1998 (our governmental arrangements for the past quarter of a century have been varying flavours of minority coalition or single-party minority, with great emphasis ...
    7 days ago
  • The unboxing
    And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the tree with its gold ribbon but can turn out to be nothing more than a big box holding a voucher for socks, so it ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago
  • A cruel, vicious, nasty government
    So, after weeks of negotiations, we finally have a government, with a three-party cabinet and a time-sharing deputy PM arrangement. Newsroom's Marc Daalder has put the various coalition documents online, and I've been reading through them. A few things stand out: Luxon doesn't want to do any work, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Hurrah – we have a new government (National, ACT and New Zealand First commit “to deliver for al...
    Buzz from the Beehive Sorry, there has been  no fresh news on the government’s official website since the caretaker trade minister’s press statement about the European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement. But the capital is abuzz with news – and media comment is quickly flowing – after ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • Christopher Luxon – NZ PM #42.
    Nothing says strong and stable like having your government announcement delayed by a day because one of your deputies wants to remind everyone, but mostly you, who wears the trousers. It was all a bit embarrassing yesterday with the parties descending on Wellington before pulling out of proceedings. There are ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Coalition Government details policies & ministers
    Winston Peters will be Deputy PM for the first half of the Coalition Government’s three-year term, with David Seymour being Deputy PM for the second half. Photo montage by Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: PM-Elect Christopher Luxon has announced the formation of a joint National-ACT-NZ First coalition Government with a ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • “Old Coat” by Peter, Paul & Mary.
     THERE ARE SOME SONGS that seem to come from a place that is at once in and out of the world. Written by men and women who, for a brief moment, are granted access to that strange, collective compendium of human experience that comes from, and belongs to, all the ...
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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