Metiria Turei: The state of the Nation
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11:30 am, January 26th, 2016 - 45 comments
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This is due today at 12:30 pm. Speech notes will be posted as soon as we can get them. The livestream of the speech is here.
Update with speech notes:
Tēnā koutou katoa
I te tuatahi ka mihi au ki ngā mana whenua o tēnei rohe, āra, ko Te Ātiawa, ko
Taranaki Whānui, ko Ngāti Toarangatira hoki. Kia ora koutou katoa mō tō
manaakitanga.
Ki a koutou kua tae mai i tēnei ahiahi, te whanau a Pāti Kākāriki, me ngā
manuhiri, koutou katoa, tēnā koutou.
Ka tu manahau ahau mo tenei korerorero kia a koutou kia matatika ai te ao
torangapu ma tatou katoa.
He tino harikoa ahau ki te kite i a koutou i a koutou katoa.
Ko Metiria Turei ahau, te kaiārahi takirua o Te Rōpū Kākāriki.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
There’s this story about Michael Joseph Savage before he became the first
Labour Prime Minister. He was an opposition MP for a very long time, and during
the 1920s he used to tour the country building support for his new party. And he
warned people that the economic system was broken. That it was unfair. And
that it had corrupted the political process. That the system was rigged in ways
that were dangerous and unstable. And he talked about the role of government
in fixing these problems. Preventing collapse. Making things fair again.
And one day, the story goes, he asked a farmer at one of these meetings, ‘Do I
have your vote, sir?’ And this farmer said, ‘Well, you’ve got a lot of big ideas.
Some of them sound right. But you and your party have never been in
government. And I’ve learned on the farm that you never let a man watch your
stock unless they’ve done it before. So you do not have my vote.’
Years later, in the mid-1930s, Labour still had never been in government. By
then New Zealand was in the depth of the depression. The agricultural sector
was the backbone of the economy and it had collapsed. There was mass
unemployment. Mass farm bankruptcies. Riots. During the election campaign in
1935 Savage was by then the leader of the opposition. He went back to this
province and saw the same farmer and said, ‘Do I have your vote yet? Are you
going to let me look after your stock?’ And the farmer replied, ‘I don’t have any
stock anymore and that’s why you have my vote.’
I’ve been in parliament nearly fourteen years. I’ve been an opposition leader for
almost seven of those. One of my goals and the aim of the Green Party is to try
and stop history from repeating itself. To prevent yet another systemic collapse
like the one that Savage warned about. The depression he warned about, and
ended up leading New Zealand out of, was economic. The problems we’re talking
about today and that we’re trying to avert are both economic and
environmental. They’re going to be harder to recover from if we let them
happen.
And I hear the same doubts expressed about the Greens as they said to Savage.
We like you. We like your ideas. We’re worried about the future. But you’ve
never been in government before, so how can we trust you with our vote? It’s a
Catch-22.
So today I want to talk about these reservations people have about us and tell
you why you can trust us with your vote and with the responsibility of helping to
govern the country. And I hope to convince you that you should do this now.
Because it’s a lot easier to not make a mess in the first place than it is to clean
one up.
The first thing I want to talk about is this idea that the Greens are too radical.
Too outlandish. We have all these audacious ideas that won’t work in the real
world.
We are the party of new ideas. We make no apology for that. It’s very easy in
politics to focus on day-to-day trivia. Rather than on what really matters.
The Green Party has taken pride in unashamedly talking about serious issues.
We don’t shy away from the hard stuff.
We look at pollution and see a world’s worth of risks. And so we challenge the
damage to our rivers caused by dairying, the use of toxics that put the bee
population at risk, the pollution that puts our very planet at risk. We tackle these
hard issues because we know the solutions are opportunities, not burdens.
We see a future where all our families can go swimming in New Zealand’s rivers
and lakes, where our native birds and forests are humming and we have
certainty in a great future for all our kids.
Imagine if the Government stopped seeing state homes, and the people who live
in them as a burden, a problem better shifted out of sight so out of mind.
Imagine if we had a Government instead that worked with the people that lived
in those communities to design beautiful new homes and neighbourhoods that
people actually want to live in. Michael Joseph Savage made that real once
before. We see a future where all New Zealanders live in warm, dry affordable
homes. Where children are no longer at risk of dying simply because of the
home they live in.
And we see a New Zealand where our people and our sovereignty are our
priority. Not international companies and their profit margins. Not trade deals
with countries who execute their citizens. But a green economy built on fairness,
pay equity, on the new global opportunities that sit just within our reach. If we
are willing to lean forward to take them.
However, under National we are falling far short of this vision. Rather than
leaning forward to take these opportunities, the National Government has sat
back and let things get worse.
Harmful pollution under this Government: Up.
Kids living in poverty: Also up.
New Zealanders unemployed: Up.
House unaffordability: Way up.
That is the record of this National Government.
Our record is pretty good for a party that’s never been in Government. We’ve
had agreements with both Labour and National and through these, we’ve
delivered significant wins for New Zealanders.
Our MoU with National meant over 235,000 New Zealand homes had insulation
installed as part of the Warm Up New Zealand scheme. Not only did this mean
there were 235,000 homes worth of warmer Kiwis, but $1.2 billion worth of
health benefits came from the scheme. Our MoU has delivered more value to
New Zealand than from policies brought about by National’s actual coalition
partners in fact.
We weren’t in coalition with Labour in 2005 but we were still able to secure the
electrification of Auckland rail, we won a commitment to increase the minimum
wage, and two Green MPs were the Government spokespeople on energy
efficiency and Buy Kiwi Made.
In just the last 12 months we supported the Feed the Kids campaign that has led
to hundreds of local initiatives to feed hungry children at school. We launched
the ‘Yes We can’ climate emission reduction plan to show how we can meet a 40
percent reduction by 2030 by being ambitious for New Zealand. We announced
our intention for a gender balanced Cabinet so that half of all Green Ministers
will be men [because they have a place too] and challenged our future coalition
partners to do the same. We launched the Kids Kiwisaver Scheme to combat
growing wealth inequality and give all our kids some savings for their future. We
led the walkout of women MPs from Parliament to show that rape is not and
should never be a political weapon.
These wins, these solutions, this leadership, shows we are capable of governing.
Our goal is to effect meaningful change. And sometimes when you challenge
conventional wisdom people feel threatened, and they call you ludicrous. For the
past few years we’ve been questioning the Government’s reliance on dairy to
prop up the economy. And we got told we were foolish, many many times right
up until the price of milk solids collapsed last year. We argued that we needed
more diversification, more investment in science and innovation, and John Key
used to tell us we were, quote, away with the fairies, unquote, for suggesting
this. Now some of his press releases about science and diversification read like
the Green Party election manifesto.
We were the first to talk about climate change. Outrageous. Last year National
signed the Paris agreement. Capital gains tax. Ridiculous, until suddenly we got
a version of one in last year’s budget. Inequality. Foolish. Energy efficient
homes. Weird. Cycling and public transport. Bill English told us for many years
that we were completely wrong for suggesting he invest more in cycling and
public transport. Now, National and the Greens are working together on building
a nationwide cycle trail. And we’ve heard that tomorrow his boss, the Prime
Minister, is finally going to announce funding on the Auckland central rail link.
Oh, that’s another good idea we campaigned for.
There are two lessons here. The first is that ideas that are attacked as radical
when the Greens propose them become conventional, sensible solutions very
quickly when other parties adopt them. That tells us something about the gap
between perception and reality when it comes to the Green Party.
The second is that if you still think Green ideas are too radical for government
then you have a problem. Because no matter which party you vote for, a lot of
the new ideas and new solutions still come from us.
The difference is that the solutions we propose are thought through. They flow
from our values. They’re designed to complement each other. And when the
other parties cherry pick them it’s usually out of a motivation to be seen to be
doing something, while the solution itself is diluted.
So if you like our ideas but want them done properly then you really need to get
us into government.
The other thing I want to say about this notion that we’re too radical is that
when it comes to environmental and social and economic issues we’re actually a
fairly conservative party. We think that the economic experiment imposed on
our country over the last thirty years is radical. We think that doubling the
number of dairy cows and the increasing pollution killing our rivers and streams
is radical. We think a government that wants to mine our national parks is
fanatical. We think the steep rise in child poverty and poverty related child death
is radically irresponsible.
It’s not radical to stand against the disintegration of our environment and our
society. It would be radical not to do so.
One of the core strengths of the Green Party is to think long-term. I talked about
Michael Joseph Savage and the first Labour Government. A lot of their reforms
are still with us today, eighty years later. State housing. Free hospital care. Free
secondary education. And yes, some of those policies have been chipped away
at, but their essence remains.
We want our accomplishments to have the same sustained popular support as
those first Labour reforms all those years ago.
The progressive green change that we want to make happen has the potential to
be the potent idea mix that fixes the big problems of the early 21st century and
steers a course to great prosperity. But change isn’t the easy route. This
Government likes the easy route. It likes to make minimal changes. They like to
do just enough so we feel like something is happening. But real meaningful
change is much harder.
Over this summer break, I’ve been home in Dunedin, reconnecting as you do,
with family and friends and thinking about my personal contribution to this work,
whether I can still make a difference, whether I’m still useful to the Green
kaupapa.
And the time I spent out of the beltway, doing ordinary things away from politics
I thought about why I’m a Green and it’s that we take on the big problems. We
talk about the hard issues that the other parties prefer to ignore, climate,
environment, poverty, kids. And that’s because we remember who we really
belong to. And who we answer to.
I remembered ka whawhai tonu mātou: that the struggle for justice and equality
is the struggle without end. And that it is a great privilege and a great
responsibility to take up that struggle and rise to be a leader in it.
I’m in politics because I believe in the transformational power of government.
And a Government with the Greens in it will be transformational. But we don’t
want to make change that abandons people, or communities. We’ve had enough
of that kind of change in my lifetime, and we know what it does to our loved
ones.
We want to make change that will still be helping people for the next eighty
years, and we can’t do that if that change is chaotic or unpopular, and the
subsequent Government just sweeps it all away again. The Greens are
committed to change that endures.
So how are we going to do that? We’ll be talking about our major policies over
the next 12 months. But part of the philosophy of the Green Party is to look for
small changes you can make that will have a big outcome. And the policy I want
to talk about today is a small change to our political process that will have a big
impact on our democracy.
During election campaigns there’s always a lot of conflict and shouting between
politicians about whose policy costs what, and where the money will come from.
Which party is going to get us into surplus ten minutes faster than the others,
and so on.
We get criticised a lot for the supposed cost of our policies. But we do extensive
work costing all of our policies before each election. We release fiscal
statements. We get them audited.
National doesn’t do that. They don’t because there’s a perception that they’re
sensible and trustworthy on economic issues. So the reality is they get to make
it up as they go along. Money appears out of thin air and no one even blinks.
The asset sales are a good example. John Key pitched it as freeing up $7-10
billion. They got $4.7 billion. Then Bill English promised to spend that money
many times over, in completely different ways depending on who he was talking
to. We got scammed. And no-even even blinked.
So what I’m here to announce today is a measure designed to bring a little more
transparency and accountability into New Zealand politics. Today, the Green
Party has sent a letter to each party leader, asking for support from across the
House to establish an independent unit in the Treasury to cost policy promises.
Political parties could submit their policies for costing to this independent unit,
which would then produce a report with information on both the fiscal and wider
economic implications of the policy.
Instead of New Zealanders making their decisions based on spin and who can
shout the loudest, they will have meaningful, independently verified information
instead.
It will also ensure that policy promises are stable and durable because parties
won’t be able to promise the earth unless they have the earth to give.
So we are going to work with the other political parties in Parliament to try and
make this a reality for the 2017 election. And it’s going to be very interesting to
see which parties support it and who opposes it. Hopefully everyone will support
it. It won’t cost much. It’s good for our democracy. It’s good for New Zealand.
Political power can transform the country for the better, and make a positive
difference to the lives of generations to come, if that power is exercised with
responsibility and caution. So the first things we should ask of those who seek to
wield that power is what they’re going to do, how they’re going to do it, and
what it’s going to cost.
So we call on the other political parties to welcome this idea and to work with us
to make next year’s election more accountable and democratic. To close this gap
we have between perception and reality, the gap between what political leaders
say and what we actually do.
The role of Government is not to provide entertainment or sideshows. The role
of Government is to lead the country; to fix the problems that need fixing. The
Green Party has been developing solutions for two decades now, two decades
where our solutions have been adopted by other parties because we get it right.
The future can be scary to think about but it doesn’t have to be. We will make
enduring Green change that keeps children and families at the heart of our work.
The solutions to the problems we face are not radical, or outlandish, the
solutions are transformative.
So I want you to take away this key point, this one thing about the Green Party
and our political system: while change is not easy and meaningful change takes
hard work; the Green Party is ready for that job.
Together we are heading towards a beautiful tomorrow.
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Today the Auckland Transport board meet again as a whole for the first time in two months. AT note: Members of the public are welcome to join the meeting via Teams. Please note, due to technical difficulties, the video feed will be unavailable. However, attendees will still be able to view ...5 days ago
- The fourth article of the Treaty
While Parliament struggles with David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, a Christian scholar and some heavyweight mainstream church leaders have developed a different perspective on the Treaty of Waitangi. Theologian Alistair Reese presented a petition to Parliament’s Petitions Committee on Thursday asking Parliament to legislate to recognise the oral agreement “4th ...5 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on why so many young males like Donald Trump
To foreigners, the fact that so many millions of Americans are buying the used and poisonous goods that Donald Trump is selling is an unfathomable mystery. However, some clues to the allure of Trumpism can be found in the gender gap of unprecedented size that has opened up between those ...5 days ago
- Building a Safer Future for Every Worker
Every New Zealander deserves a workplace that puts safety and wellbeing first. Too often, we’ve seen the real cost of a system that doesn’t fully protect workers. Lives are lost, families grieving, and communities bearing the burden of preventable tragedies. That’s why, alongside Business New Zealand, the New Zealand Institute ...6 days ago
- Not all authoritarians are fascists.
A few days ago I responded to a post about Trump being a fascist on one of my friend’s social media page, then made a few comments on the consultancy social media page by way of follow up. Given the … Continue reading ...6 days ago
- Keep the Vampires From Your Door
I'll protect you from the hooded clawKeep the vampires from your doorWhen the chips are down I'll be aroundWith my undying, death-defying love for youEnvy will hurt itselfLet yourself be beautifulSparkling love, flowersAnd pearls and pretty girlsLove is like an energyRushin' an' rushin' inside of me, ehSongwriters: Brian Philip Nash ...6 days ago - The Odd Couple.
Strange Political Bedfellows: Matthew Hooton’s support for Winston Peters’ New Zealand Futures Fund reflects the Radical Right’s newfound reluctance to bet everything on the efficacy of market forces.AS IF HE WASN’T IN ENOUGH TROUBLE, Matthew Hooton has now come out for Winston Peters’ New Zealand Futures Fund (NZFF). Not only ...6 days ago
- Your Friends Should Be Close By
Hi,I’ll never forget the time the guy next to me on the plane got really angry because the Wi-Fi wasn’t working. Here we were, 40,000 feet in the air, and he couldn’t get Facebook. He was huffing, he was puffing. He was insufferable.I’m constantly amazed you can get the internet ...6 days ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #43
A listing of 30 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, October 20, 2024 thru Sat, October 26, 2024. Story of the week As an experiment, we asked Google's Gemini for help categorizing the articles we shared during the week. ...7 days ago
- Labour Weekend
Stand up all victims of oppressionFor the tyrants fear your mightDon't cling so hard to your possessionsFor you have nothing if you have no rightsLet racist ignorance be endedFor respect makes the empires fallFreedom is merely privilege extendedUnless enjoyed by one and allSongwriters: Eugene Edme Pottier / Petrus Christianus De ...7 days ago - Fact brief – Do volcanoes emit more CO2 than humans?
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Do volcanoes emit ...1 week ago
- People of Courage & Decency. And Everyone In Between.
Today, news broke that Jeff Bezos, the American billionaire with a net worth of $206 B (NZ $344B), personally vetoed Washington Post’s Editorial Team from endorsing Kamala Harris.That stops the decades-old tradition of the Wapo for endorsing Presidential candidates. And editors have resigned - that includes Editor at large Robert ...1 week ago - Let’s Talk About… Anything.
Can't we talk about anything else but love?Love that launched a thousand shipsPlease! Let's talk about anything else but loveLove that causes war and famineCan't we speak about real estate?Love of wifeWatergate?Love of children!Seasonal fluctuations in the prime interest rate?Love of chocolate, you must love chocolate, everybody loves chocolate, say ...1 week ago - Can you hear me now?
1 week ago - Why Nations Fail
This year’s Nobel awards in economics raise critical issues about the future of the world.I was not alone with high hopes when the Soviet Union collapsed. It has been good to see various nations leave the yoke of the Soviet Empire and move towards liberal democracies with thriving economies although ...1 week ago - All very instructive
1. Who played the sax solo on Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street?a. Kenny Gb. Lisa Simpsonc. Bill Clintond. Raphael Ravenscroft2. What did Nicola Willis, addressing a large gathering of senior public servants this week, ask them to do?a. Come up with fresh ideas and innovative audacious out of the box thinking b. ...1 week ago - More Sabotage
The Waitangi Tribunal has been one of the most effective critics of the National government and its racist, anti-Māori agenda. So naturally, they're sabotaging it with a crony appointment: Former ACT Party leader Richard Prebble has been appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal. Prebble, a Commander of the British Empire, ...1 week ago
- Ghost of a (Mad) Dog
How can that dog be barkin' in the backyard?We ran over him years agoHow can that dog be runnin' by the backfence?We ran over him years agoGhost of a dogBarkin' in the backyardSongwriters: Edie Brickell, Kenny Withrow.I have to say this one caught me by surprise. I had to check ...1 week ago - David Seymour’s School Lunch Provider Has Questionable Record – Including Listeria, Hors...
Yesterday, I looked into Seymour’s school lunch provider and found out it was Compass Group - a group that has had a long list of food quality issues and settled out of court for corruption and bribery of officials.Never mind the food looked like slop - heavy, process laden food ...1 week ago - After years of cover ups and hacks, the truth on gas is out
Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:Gas is worse for the climate than coal, over any timeframe that is relevant for a ‘bridging strategy’. The ...1 week ago
- Brown orders motorway building to start before business case done
Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, October 25: Scoop of the day: Oliver Lewis reported for BusinessDesk-$$$ this morning that Transport Minister Simeon Brown ordered construction to start on the four-lane Hawkes Bay ...1 week ago - The Hoon around the week to October 25
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate news, including another extreme climate event in the United States; on the escalating conflict between Israel, Iran ...1 week ago
- Weekly Roundup 25-October-2024
Happy Friday, even more so as we’re head to a long weekend, so welcome to another round-up of interesting stories about what’s happening in Auckland and other cities. Feel free to add your links in the comments! This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely ...1 week ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #43 2024
Open access notables The rate of global sea level rise doubled during the past three decades, Hamlington et al., Communications Earth & Environment: The rise in globally averaged sea level—or global mean sea level—is one of the most unambiguous indicators of climate change. Over the past three decades, satellites have ...1 week ago
- Does New Zealand need Vegas-style transit security on our busses?
There’s a reason why people are supposed to stay on the Strip when they go to Las Vegas, and it’s not just proximity to the best attractions. This city of fluorescent lights and gambling halls extends in all directions across the Nevada landscape, for as far as the eye can ...1 week ago
... 
- Greens call for bottom trawling ban and call out Minister for lacklustre response
The Green Party is urgently calling on the Government to ban bottom trawling, following news a New Zealand bottom trawler caught 37kg of coral in international waters, prompting the suspension of all fishing in the area until 2026. ...2 days ago - Mark Patterson: Farmers understand we have their backs
Spring is here which means the start of the A&P show season. Those treasured community days where town meets country. There's no rural-urban divide here, just a chance to meet up with family and old friends and celebrate all things that make rural New Zealand so special. I'm embarking on ...3 days ago - Release: Funding for Gumboot Friday should pause
The National Government should review its support for Gumboot Friday after unacceptable comments by its leader and champion Mike King. ...3 days ago - Louise Upston cherry-picks data to punch down on the poor
The Government has very conveniently cherry-picked data from the latest MSD projections to justify its cruel agenda and punch-down policy when it comes to people living in poverty. ...3 days ago
- Luxon needs to address the cow in the room
The Green Party was appalled to hear Prime Minister Christopher Luxon claim we are “doing everything we can” on climate change, while his government does nothing to address emissions in our most polluting sector. ...5 days ago
- Govt Must Clean Up ‘Its Shit’ From Sunken HMNZS Manawanui
Te Pāti Māori is calling out the Government and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) for their inaction and disgraceful downplaying of the impact caused by the sunken HMNZS Manawanui in Samoa. “We demand the Government move without further delay to clean up its shit from the sunken HMNZS Manawanui in Samoa,” said co-leader Debbie ...7 days ago
- Jamie Arbuckle: Inquiry into Banking Competition
This week was the start of the bank inquiry hearings into banking competition. The inquiry was confirmed in the NZ First/National Coalition agreement. 140 submissions were received on the inquiry, and we will hear from over 60 submitters including all the major banks. ANZ, New Zealand's largest bank, was first ...7 days ago
- Tanya Unkovich: It’s time to start the debate on palliative care as a ‘right’
There is one topic that is the great human leveller, and that is of death and dying. One day, we will all have to face it, and I am of the belief that being able to pass away with grace and dignity is a vital, basic, human right. How we ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour backs Christchurch City Council sanctions on Israel
Labour is backing Christchurch City Council’s decision not to do business with firms involved in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories. ...1 week ago
- Release: Government driving away offshore wind industry
The Government has created a hostile environment for companies seeking to build offshore wind farms. ...1 week ago
- Another step towards Pasifika justice
The Green Party acknowledges the historical importance of MP Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill, passing its second reading in Parliament today. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions Soar, Jobs Vanish – National’s Cruelty Exposed
Te Pāti Māori is enraged at the National government’s ruthless punishment of beneficiaries, all while jobs are disappearing. MSD data shows a 133% increase in sanctions over the past year, with over 14,000 sanctions in just three months. The kicker? The jobs this government insists people should find are nowhere ...2 weeks ago
- Police Perpetuate Siege on Ōpōtiki
Te Pāti Māori MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi, says today’s police-sponsored terrorism in Ōpōtiki is a continuation of the State’s predatory behaviour towards the iwi of Te Whakatōhea. "Ōpōtiki is once again being intentionally targeted and is the direct byproduct of this Government’s 'tough on crime' legislative changes,” said MP ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt cuts school lunches even further
The Government has gone back on its word and cut the full school lunch programme in primary schools after saying it wouldn’t. ...2 weeks ago
- Time to shut down failed Youth Justice Residences
The Green Party is calling for Youth Justice Residences to close, following a protest in which a group of young people spent the night on the roof of an Oranga Tamariki justice facility. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Appalling process on three strikes law
The Government is subverting parliamentary process on laws the evidence already shows don’t work. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls for investigation into tobacco tax cut
The Government’s decision to award a $216 million tax break for Philip Morris’ heated tobacco products reeks of tobacco industry interference and needs to be thoroughly investigated. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Delay to retirement village review won’t help residents
The National Government is treading water on a much-needed review of the Retirement Villages Act, kicking any amendments down the road till the next parliamentary term in 2027. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Serious concerns ignored in Govt’s fast track bill
National’s fast track bill enables the most radical and unbalanced consenting regime in living memory. ...2 weeks ago
- Fast-Track, off the rails: Submitters show strong opposition to Bill
Despite resounding public opposition, the fast-track legislation is being pushed through Parliament with provisions that could have real consequences for people and planet. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour supports continuing fight for dairy access
Labour welcomes the National Government’s decision to further pursue our access to the Canadian dairy market under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Job losses devastating for Timaru
Confirmed news that the Smithfield meatworks will close is devastating for the hundreds of people who work there, Timaru and the wider region. ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand First Member’s Bill to Improve Access to Palliative Care
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill which aims to improve access to palliative care for all New Zealanders, ensuring kiwis have better access to the compassionate palliative support they may need. The ‘Improving Access to Palliative Care Bill’ seeks to guarantee that every New Zealander has the right ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Further uncertainty for Kiwirail as jobs set to go
KiwiRail offering voluntary redundancy to all its staff is hugely concerning given the future of New Zealand’s rail system is under threat. ...2 weeks ago
- ASA Declares Hobson’s Pledge Advertising Misleading and Socially Irresponsible
Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer welcome today’s ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which found that a Hobson's Pledge advertisement regarding customary marine titles was misleading and socially irresponsible. The two-page wraparound ad, published in The New Zealand Herald, suggested that nearly the entire coastline ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Benefit numbers continue to soar under National
National’s all pain approach to beneficiaries has yielded no gain as benefit numbers continue to surge past projected figures. ...2 weeks ago
- Casey Costello: What Once Was…
Entering politics is a privilege afforded to very few and, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Being an MP is a call to service. Whatever your politics you have a duty to show up. Whatever your party's policy, you have made a promise to those who ...2 weeks ago
- Soaring benefit sanctions push more into poverty
Sanctions on beneficiaries have sky-rocketed since the Coalition Government came to power, pushing more families into poverty. ...2 weeks ago
- International Energy Agency issues wake-up call on climate action
Today’s report from the International Energy Agency highlights how far this Government’s actions are dragging us backwards in the fight against climate change. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Lack of funding puts pressure on frontline Police
News that 173 roles are being cut at Police will only put more pressure on the frontline. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Bipartisan agreement on outdated marriage law
Changes to outdated relationships legislation has passed its third reading giving family violence survivors the power to quickly dissolve abusive marriages. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Cuts to Apprenticeship Boost will fail future NZ
The Government’s cuts to the Apprenticeship Boost programme will leave New Zealand without the workforce it needs to build homes, schools and hospitals. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Sluggish economy means struggles ahead for Kiwis
While today’s inflation numbers are good news for Kiwis, there are still struggles ahead with rising rents, rates, insurance and high unemployment. ...3 weeks ago
- CPI figures show rents continuing to soar
Stats NZ has confirmed that higher rent prices were the biggest contributor to the annual inflation rate. Almost a fifth of the 2.2 per cent annual increase in the CPI was due to rent prices. ...3 weeks ago
- New Charter to guarantee better access for hunting and fishing
Minister for Hunting and Fishing Todd McClay has today launched an Access Charter (the Charter) to ensure better access for recreational hunting and fishing on public conservation land (PCL) across New Zealand. “This Charter establishes guiding principles for the Department of Conservation (DOC) to provide clear and transparent decisions on ...24 hours ago - Pou Whenua blessing honours Tongariro
A beautiful new Pou Whenua at the beginning of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing will introduce visitors to the sacred landscape they are entering, says Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. Mr Potaka attended a blessing for the specially carved Pou Whenua at Mangatepopo, at the start of the track on 1 November. ...2 days ago
- New members appointed to the NZTA Board
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today announced two new appointments to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Board. Mary-Anne Macleod and Mike Rudge have both been appointed as members for three-year terms commencing 1 November 2024 and ending 31 October 2027. “Transport is a critical part of our Government’s plan ...2 days ago
- Welcome relief from new oestradiol gel funding
Associate Health Minister David Seymour is welcoming Pharmac’s funding of oestradiol gel, following global shortages of oestradiol patches earlier this year. “I’m well aware of the stress caused by the global shortage earlier this year. At the time I said I was confident Pharmac was working hard to find a ...2 days ago
- Deputy Prime Minister visit to Australia
Foreign Minister and Racing Minister Winston Peters will visit Australia next week. “Australia is New Zealand’s closest partner, and we are pleased to make this second official visit there for 2024 following the first ever Foreign and Defence Ministers 2+2 Meeting between our two countries in Melbourne in January,” ...2 days ago
- Applications now open for new training pathway
Applications have now opened for tertiary education organisations to seek Government funding to develop New Zealand’s first postgraduate diploma programme for associate psychologists, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced today. “Investment in this new training pathway supports the Government’s target to grow our mental health and addiction workforce and ...2 days ago
- Increased medicines access continues following budget boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see further increased availability of medicines for Kiwis following the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When this Government assumed office, ...2 days ago
- New Zealand concludes high quality trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
New Zealand and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have concluded negotiations on a trade agreement that will open up significant opportunities for New Zealand exporters in the Gulf region, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay announced from Doha today. Today’s announcement follows significant reengagement with the GCC following meetings ...2 days ago
- Government seeks views on remote court attendance
The Government is exploring how to modernise the law around people attending court remotely, to support access to justice and enhance court performance. Courts Minister Nicole McKee says the current law has not kept up with evolving court practices and public attitudes to the use of remote technology, nor been ...3 days ago
- Breast screening age extension begins in Nelson Marlborough
Free breast screening has been extended for 70 to 74-year-old women living in the Nelson Marlborough district, ahead of a national roll-out late next year, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand with about 3,400 women diagnosed with the disease ...3 days ago
- Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Board strengthened
He toi whakairo, he mana tangata. The reappointment of one trustee and the appointment of four new trustees to the Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Board will enable the legacy of Te Māori to be carried forward into the future, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka and Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith ...3 days ago
- Affordable housing project supporting home ownership
Up to 300 affordable, healthy, community-tailored homes helping to support home ownership are set to be built in eastern Porirua, supported by Government funding for Our Whare Our Fale through the Building Homes for Pacific in Porirua initiative, Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti and Associate Housing Minister Tama ...3 days ago
- Dire benefit forecasts show the need for Welfare that Works
A new report that forecasts young people on benefits will spend an average of 20 more years relying on welfare underscores the need for the Government’s reforms, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. MSD’s latest Benefit System Insights report, released today, which estimates how many future years different ...3 days ago
- Trade Minister travels to Doha for GCC trade discussions
Trade Minister Todd McClay will hold trade discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) trade ministers in Doha this week. Minister McClay will meet with all six GCC Trade Ministers, as well as the GCC Secretary General. “This will be my seventh visit to the region this year including two Ministerial ...4 days ago
- Podiatry prescribers will boost patient care
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister David Seymour say it’s great news that podiatrists will soon be able to prescribe medicines, meaning patients with painful foot and leg conditions don’t have to make a separate trip to the doctor. “This simple step means a big change for people ...4 days ago
- Historic redress inequities finally resolved for Lake Alice Unit survivors
The Government is addressing historic redress inequities for some survivors abused at the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit. In 2001, the Crown reached a $6.5 million group settlement with 95 survivors subjected to abuse at the Lake Alice Unit. Law firm Grant Cameron & Associates (now GCA Lawyers) represented ...4 days ago
- ERO report shows Government’s truancy emphasis is vital
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that the Education Review Office’s (ERO) timely report on chronic school absence released today is further evidence of a truancy crisis. “Chronic absence has doubled since 2015. This report reinforces that action is needed to ensure this generation reaches its full potential,” says Associate ...4 days ago
- Minister welcomes business view on AML
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomes BusinessNZ’s report which addresses reducing the compliance burden on small businesses. “The challenges outlined in the report released today echo many of the concerns I have heard from businesses, which have informed my Anti Money Laundering/Countering Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT) priorities,” she says. “I have ...5 days ago
- Mangamuka Gorge opening in time for Christmas
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge will be open for Christmas, with critical work currently underway to clear the large slips and dropouts that have caused significant disruption for Northlanders trying to get where they want to go quickly and safely, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Mangamuka Gorge ...5 days ago
- Trusted building professionals able to self-certify
The Government is proposing further significant action to reform the building and construction sector to support more affordable homes and a stronger economy, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “If we want to grow the economy, lift incomes, create jobs and build more affordable, quality homes we need a ...5 days ago
- New appointments to the TEC board
Dr Alan Bollard CNZM and Mr Bharat Guha have been appointed to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) board, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “I would like to welcome the two new members joining the TEC board,” Ms Simmonds says. “Dr Alan Bollard CNZM is an experienced public ...5 days ago
- Move to fast-track overseas doctors welcomed
Fast tracking applications for registration by eligible specialist doctors wanting to practice in New Zealand is in line with the Government’s push to improve the health outcomes for New Zealanders, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. This fast-track pathway applies to specialists trained in anaesthesia, dermatology, emergency medicine, general practice, ...5 days ago
- Address to Western Sydney University: Constitutional and Rule of Law challenges in current global en...
Tēnā koutou Nau mai haere mai ki tenei hui Thank you to Vice Chancellor Williams, and the University of Western Sydney, for inviting me to speak today. I speak to you today in my capacity as Attorney-General – the New Zealand Crown’s Senior Law Officer. In this capacity, I serve ...5 days ago
- Security advice for start-ups welcomed
Minister responsible for the security and intelligence agencies Judith Collins has welcomed new guidance that aims to protect New Zealand’s start-up and emerging technology sector from the threat of economic espionage. “We are a nation well-known for our ingenuity, and our willingness to openly collaborate in the spirit of enterprise ...5 days ago
- Funding support to strengthen frontline volunteer service organisations
The Government has approved $23.1 million for four critical frontline volunteer service organisations to replace storm-damaged assets and provide training and equipment to improve New Zealand’s response to future emergency events, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey says. $14.6 million for Surf Life Saving New ...6 days ago
- Jones heads to international mining conference
Resources Minister Shane Jones will speak at Australia's largest annual mining event in Sydney this week to mark New Zealand’s return to the international industry stage. Mr Jones will attend the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) where he will update the sector’s most influential players on the work the ...7 days ago
- NZ investing in Pacific disaster preparedness & climate resilience
New Zealand will contribute $20 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters have announced. “The Pacific Islands region faces severe challenges from natural disasters and climate change impacts and New Zealand is committed to doing its part to help meet them,” ...1 week ago
- Police to increase presence on Auckland public transport
Aucklanders will see a greater Police presence on public transport services to boost safety and reassure public transport workers and passengers, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. “Minister Brown and I are working together, alongside Police and Auckland Transport in response to the horrific ...1 week ago
- Government funds helicopter replacements
The Government is investing in eight new emergency helicopters to replace some of New Zealand’s ageing air ambulance fleet, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello and ACC Minister Matt Doocey announced today. “Our air ambulance helicopters play a vital role in saving lives around New Zealand,” Casey Costello says. “This is ...1 week ago
- China and New Zealand strengthen organic trade
An uplift to New Zealand’s organic product trade is expected through a new upgraded arrangement with China, Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says.“The upgraded Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products will deliver opportunities for our organic export sector.”The upgraded MRA was signed in Central Otago today by Andrew Hoggard ...1 week ago
- Judicial appointments announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced two Court of Appeal and two High Court appointments. The four appointments will take effect on 21 November 2024 and are: Justice Christine French Justice French, who has been appointed President of the Court of Appeal, graduated with an LLB (Honours) from the University of Otago ...1 week ago
- Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track becomes New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka joined tangata whenua from Ngāi Tahu and local community members today to celebrate the opening of New Zealand’s eleventh Great Walk – the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track. “The 60km upgraded track provides the opportunity to do one of New Zealand’s world-class multi-day walks, and will bring ...1 week ago
- New Chief Criminal Cases Review Commissioner
The Honourable Denis Clifford has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. Hon Clifford brings a wealth of expertise and experience that will prove invaluable to the Commission. “He has served as a judge at both the Court of Appeal and High ...1 week ago
- Changes to improve building fire safety
The Government is progressing changes to better protect Kiwis and their property from fires, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Following the tragic Loafer’s Lodge fire in 2023, 37 boardings houses across the country were assessed and I am pleased to say that all fire safety recommendations from the ...1 week ago
- Germany and New Zealand partner to support agriculture and tackle global emissions
New Zealand and Germany have announced the official start of a partnership aimed at supporting the agriculture sector and tackle global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “The partnership, called the Alliance for the Climate – Dialogue on Climate and Agriculture between New Zealand and Germany (Agri-DENZ project), ...1 week ago
- New members appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today confirmed the appointment of two new members to the Waitangi Tribunal, as well as the reappointment of Kevin Prime. The members appointed and reappointed are: Hon Richard Prebble (CBE). Mr Prebble is a former Cabinet Minister where he held a broad range of portfolios. ...1 week ago
- New appointments to the Local Government Commission
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has today announced the reappointment of the current Chair and the appointment of a temporary member to the Local Government Commission.Current Chair Brendan Duffy ONZM has been reappointed as Chair for a one-year term ending 23 October 2025, while Gwen Bull CNZM will be joining ...1 week ago
- New Electoral Commission Chair appointed
Today the House agreed to Justice Simon Moore KC being appointed chair of the Electoral Commission, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Justice Moore brings with him a high level of legal acumen and decision-making ability, strategic planning skills and unquestionable personal integrity and independence. “He retired from the High Court ...1 week ago
- Education Minister attending conference in Australia
The Education Minister is travelling to Australia today to attend the 23rd edition of public policy conference, Consilium. “New Zealand and Australia share common challenges and aspirations for education. New South Wales has recently introduced a new curriculum that is explicit, sequenced and knowledge based while Victoria is requiring structured ...1 week ago
- Launching VisAble to enable safer lives
The launch of new community advocacy group VisAble signals an important development in community advocacy to achieve more focus on the needs and rights of disabled people in the family violence and sexual violence system. Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, and Disabilities Issues Minister, ...1 week ago
- An Ode for .. Matt Doocey
The Psychopathology of Everyday GumbootsMinister of Mental Health Doocey walks into the counselling session.A shadowy figure in gumboots behind a cloud of cigar smokeMotions to the couch.“Welcome,” says Legendary Viennese Psychoanalyst, Sigmund King. “What seems to be the problem?”“I have this friend,” begins Minister Doocey, “But he only wants to be my ...48 mins ago - US election: Latinos hit back by showing up
A heady mix of barbecued meat, horse poo, and cattle welcomes Latino voters as they walk between the metal fencing and into the arena at Rancho Ochoa.Some of those making their way into the Mexican rodeo in southwest Phoenix are there purely for the action: the bull riding, roping, big ...2 hours ago
- Parliament Library became haunted house for Halloween
Most people might not call Parliament a normal place, but some call it a paranormal place. ...3 hours ago - Healthcare needs go beyond the physical
Opinion: Recent Census data highlights our increasingly secular and multi-faith context. More than half of Aotearoa New Zealand’s population does not identify with any particular faith tradition, and just 32 percent are Christian, down from 36.5 percent in 2018.For people whose spirituality is not associated with a faith or belief ...3 hours ago
- The fascination with Katherine Mansfield
Inspiration to Compose Wellington based- singer-songwriter Charlotte Yates brings together some of New Zealand’s most talented musicians to create a unique concert Mansfield in Her Own Words. In this episode Yates explains her fascination with Mansfield.
https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.jsShe chooses poems for composers and performers including William Ricketts and Brooke Singer. We film Ricketts reflecting on Mansfield’s poem, A Sunset on a ...
3 hours ago - Three reasons America’s democracy is under threat
For just a few weeks shy of eight years now, a certain class of Americans have been walking around in something close to a daze. The election of Donald Trump in 2016 blew to smithereens decades of conventional wisdom about the way many Americans view politics.The ensuing years have seen ...4 hours ago
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Apparently they’re going to announce a modest policy, perhaps about the TPPA?
Labour is apparently going to have a major policy announcement for their ‘state of the nation’ speech, which I think might be about the TPPA, and possibly why Little was so mealy-mouthed this morning when interviewed about it, because he wants to keep their plans under wraps until their speech?
Ah yes, it was a policy announcement about the fiscal impact of election promises.
The asset sales are a good example. John Key pitched it as freeing up $7-10
billion. They got $4.7 billion.
And she well knows it would have been closer to the first figure but for the last minute economic vandalism of the greens spooking investors with their talk of nationalising the power companies.
And here is me thinking that National was in power.
How much did they sell Solid Energy for, again?
Oh, they didn’t sell Solid Energy, they actually had to repeatedly bail it out, due to their own inept management?
Amazing. It’s the Green’s fault that the Prime Minister was both incompetent and fraudulent.
Makes a change from it always being Labours fault.
Massive fail from the government. They got less than half their upper estimate.
No one even blinked.
They really are terrible with numbers as Turei points out. Today, the operating deficit for the first 5 months of 15/16 is a massive 30% higher than forecast.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/294947/govt-deficit-higher-than-expected
kind of amazing that despite people knowing that asset sales are both political and unwanted they
A) bought shares without accepting the inherent risk of a politically charged purchase (esp over time)
and
B) seem to think that the ONLY factor in the sub par price was due to clearly signalled policy under a potential new govt
its almost as if they think it stopped being political – even with 51% govt ownership
Stolen goods always sell at a discount. And the buyer better beware.
Actually, the only ‘Catch-22’ is the fact that Labour cannot win without The Greens and this is why they cannot both muster (and maintain) 45%+ between them, like it or not but the ‘occasional’ Labour voter, a soft centre left swing voter, is frightened off at the thought of having The Green party in Govt. Methinks Metiria should step down and give the party a fresh face and outlook, someone that Shaw could show a new front with (has to be a female of course which doesn’t do your party any favours being so PC that co-leadership male/female is in your constitution, but with no female putting their hand up it seems the status quo is unfortunately maintained)
Such good advice, it must be only the four hundredth time one of you parrots has squawked it in mindless repetition.
@ OAB, And it’s still not getting through to the left!, you all slice and dice…analyse and post mortem then post in thread after thread blaming anyone/everything after big defeats or poor poll results….and here we are 7 years later and you have learned nothing…..looks like the ‘Such Good Advice’ is never heeded as it’s always easier to blame the MSM, missing million or indeed some other conspiracy theory de jour.
http://thestandard.org.nz/musings-on-dead-cats-and-sick-parrots/
This one is pining for the fjords…
But it beautiful plumage ain’t it
It’s stunned!
Its just tired and shagged out after a long squawk!
We should be so lucky 😉
Perhaps so. Or perhaps it’s a bunch of weasel words offered in bad faith by people who will never vote Green.
Yeah, that second one, it seems far more likely given the low ethics and National Party values involved.
However, I voted party Green last time – once I felt they had dropped the silly anti science shit – but now, back to the Labour losers with their PC rabble that has destroyed the workers party…
All in, the left is a pack of self destructing turds out of touch with the progressive socialist centre, with a chip on their shoulder ideology, promoting loony fringe policies – it’s a fucking turn off to be honest. Makes it damn hard to vote without coming out of the booth with the taste of sick in the back of my mouth.
The whole left? Interesting. The Green Party has largely ditched that woo-woo alternative health faction, with the notable exception of a certain candidate for the Wellington DHB.
That said, if you view political correctness, which is essentially having consideration for the feelings of others in how you speak, to be a problem, maybe you’re never going to vote for a party even slightly left of centre, and belong with NZ First at best. *shrug*
Voted left my whole life, so has one side of my family going back several generations all the way back to to north of England/Borders/Scotland and esp. miners. Consideration of others, yes, pragmatically, and fairly – whats happening at the moment is muddying the waters with issues that is a turn off to the middle. But hey, if you don’t want to compromise (be inclusive to people that don’t think your way), you’ll have no way to fight quietly in the background to change the attitudes you want – at the moment, to be honest, the left has become a lost cause to the shouty people that have been insulted… upset… and offended.
NZ First – seriously? But then why a cross over in the polls, myself I’d be a little bit sick first, but I understand, even if you don’t.
*Shug*
+1
Well Labour have done it before without the Greens
Hahahaha yeah that’s not happening this time.
The only scared voters are the died (del) in the wool NAts that are horrifified that the Nats have gone this far left. As for the rest of the misogynistic rubbish…
Hopefully the MSM will pressure the government to adopt the Green’s proposal.
But of course they won’t, because the MSM are spineless repeaters, rather than a profession that take an active interest in our democracy or health of the country as a whole (except when it’s Labour they don’t like, then they have banners about “Democracy Under Attack”).
More detail here, all nicely laid out for them 😉
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1601/S00106/greens-cut-through-spin-with-independent-policy-costing-unit.htm
Thank you for posting Metiria Turei’s speech.
I am surprised that, given the opportunity to assert that the Green Party policies are not radical, she didn’t make any international comparisons.
In a conversation once with Kennedy Graham, Green Party MP and their international affairs spokesperson, I asked him to give me examples of overseas countries with a policy package most similar to what a New Zealand Green government would be like.
In his characteristic manner, he answered carefully and thoughtfully. He provided me with a list, covering smaller (or developing) economies, medium sized, and larger economies.
They were: Costa Rica, Denmark, Switzerland, (the smaller countries); the UK and South Korea (the medium sized economies), and Germany. Does anyone think these are crackpot, radical, fall-apart countries? I think not.
And I think the Greens should emphasise these comparisons more.
Good story that and good point.
I like Dr Graham, but I very much question his comparing NZ Green Party policy with those of the countries you cite, unless he is referring to very narrow policy areas.
The Greens have a significant hurdle in that there have been so little Green party involvement in Governments globally. The closest was the Greens dalliance with Labour in Tasmania, and that ended in disaster. In NZ, Labour have repeatedly refused to endorse the Greens in a formal coalition, starving the party of much needed political credibility.
“In NZ, Labour have never been in a position in government where a coalition with the Greens was tenable due to their policy disagreements and electoral mathematics.”
FTFY.
During much of the Clark years Labour ran a government with a healthy electoral majority, so while the electoral mathematics may not have demanded it, Labour did have a chance to send a signal to the electorate that they viewed the Greens as credible, in a similar way to Nationals ‘convenient’ arrangement with Act. As to the policy, if there is really that little in common, how is it that the Greens were touted so strongly as part of a grand coalition to defeat National in 2014?
” how is it that the Greens were touted so strongly as part of a grand coalition”
Apart from the Green MPs you mean?
I don’t remember any Labour or New Zealand First MP saying a word about it. The might have, of course, but I can’t think of an occasion.
David Cunliffe mentioned it a number of times. In this article http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11320534 he clarifies that he intends to have a maximum of 3 parties ‘in Government’, and that he would possibly talk to the Maori Party. Labour did specifically rule out a coalition with Internet-Mana.
Yes Cunliffe said he could work with them. By that stage in the campaign with the dreadful numbers Labour had in the polls he could hardly have said anything else.
Would you really regard this extract from what Cunliffe said as being “touted strongly”.
“Mr Cunliffe also dismissed claims that Green co-leader Russel Norman was shaping up to become the chief position leader as “wishful thinking.” He said Dr Norman knew he would not get the finance portfolio after the election if Labour formed a Government with the Green Party”.
Finance Portfolio. No way.
On the other hand DC did same rather more complimentary things about Winston, wouldn’t you say?
“Would you really regard this extract from what Cunliffe said as being “touted strongly”.”
Well yes, I would. It is a clear statement that the formation of a Labour led government would include NZF and the Greens. This link is possibly clearer http://www.3news.co.nz/politics/cunliffe-labour-nzf-greens-will-work-2014091809#axzz3yKHpZjwd, and includes this quote from DC himself “I can assure you there is enough common ground in policy terms and enough political experience amongst the leadership that we will, can and should make that work.”
DC’s comments about RN were likely designed to calm any potential concern over a Green Party Finance Minister. Politically I believe this was shrewd move by DC, but it hardly helps lift confidence in the Greens.
It took Cunliffe a long time to come to this willingness to work with the Greens, didn’t it?
Look at what he was saying in March.
“Notably, Labour leader David Cunliffe is refusing to say that he would include the Greens in a post-election coalition, only admitting that he would discuss the possibility with the Greens after the election”
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nz-politics-daily-march-12th-2014-bd-153068
He got a lot more willing much later but by then he realised he was dead meat.
The Green Party were coming on much more strongly of course
“And they say that the possibility of sharing the role of deputy prime minister has to be on the negotiation table.” plus
“We are absolutely ready to take government at the next election,” said Mrs Turei.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11311273
My point is simply that after the comments Cunliffe made (and I would make the point this grand coalition was being well and truly promoted in media) it is very difficult for Labour to argue that ‘policy differences’ made a coalition ‘untenable’.
The Greens have been part of Government in a number of places. Germany and Ireland for example.
Like all social democrats these party’s sold out their members and supposed ideals at the first opportunity they got.
It cannot be otherwise if you pretend to want change but insist on supporting capitalism.
So how do the Greens influence government in NZ, where the majority of the population are supporting parties who favour capitalism? To me it appears the treatment they have received from Labour in Government is no better than have National. PS I am not a Green voter, but I am interested in a broad political discourse in NZ.
Intelligence, heart and strength, brilliant. I think that’s the best GP speech I’ve read. It’s also a very good exposition of what is meant by the Greens want change not power. It’s about time we gave them some more power as well so we can get to see what they do with it.
So glad to hear Metiria is sticking around.
Good speech – liked the stock and farmer analogy (so true today – soon Kiwi farmers will have no farms and no stock but it will be in the hands of large corporations and offshore individuals).
But why oh why no TPP? What is the problem with the opposition? How the hell can the Greens campaign for the environment and human rights standards when not be vitriolic about TPP, which is about to be signed here in the next 2 weeks!!
Why remind every Greens worst fear, Greens and National together in some sort of Maori/Natz partnership or NatLite Labour scenario? i.e.
“Now, National and the Greens are working together on building
a nationwide cycle trail. And we’ve heard that tomorrow his boss, the Prime
Minister, is finally going to announce funding on the Auckland central rail link.
Oh, that’s another good idea we campaigned for.”
People are really worried about big things now, having a house sounds like a mission or paying your power bill, so worrying about insulation or cycle ways are not necessary the most important thing for every Kiwi.
Would like to see the Greens more radical but (and this is where they lost a lot of middle ground last time) concentrating on home owners as much as renters. A lot of people are mortgaged to the hilt, rather than the Greens appearing to celebrate a property crash which quite frankly losing ones home and job is not really a vote winner for the 65% of home owners (see what happened in the USA) and not really this redistribution of wealth many people in these blogs seems to think will happen. (Actually the rich get richer as they have all the money to buy up the cheap property see USA scenario and it takes out the middle class and poor).
The problem with Labour and Greens is that they don’t seem to have a clue what is going on with the middle classes and why their is an obsession with property in NZ. One of the reasons Kiwis love their houses so much is that it is their only asset or retirement policy and there is nothing else to invest in. The government leads the way in this. Construct your way into economic debt. There needs to be a transition away from this, but appearing to want Kiwis to pay capital gains taxes so that overseas investors and developers can benefit isn’t exactly what Kiwis might have in mind. Wouldn’t a stamp duty be a better way?
Immigration is often a horrible tool in political debate but in NZ it is clearly a big deal when we have 60,000 migrants coming in, but no jobs or houses for them and nobody mentions it apart from Winston Peters.
Buying up NZ land and houses is actually a criteria for investment in NZ still. Buy now and get free NZ passport to boot!!!
This is a Bminus effort from Greens. Not terrible but I’m not set to riot over this speech. The Greens do some great speeches and are a consistent party but need to step up off small details (insulation, cycle ways) and get into the big boys or girls pants and start shouting TPP NO WAY , removing or taxing foreign investors, Universal benefit or a complete new way to do social welfare and radical ways to improve businesses in NZ and make them more ethical and unable to avoid their fair share of taxes as well as increasing NZ clean green policies that have been decimated under the Natz.
They need to protect more local rights and ideologies. The way to change the world is to start in your own backyard and community and so far there is not really a party wanting to protect and foster the majority of NZ citizens. Rather than telling people what they need to do more of (pay more taxes, insulate your house) they need to want to support and help the citizens of this country by cleaning up the water ways, keeping food safe, working out why our power bills are so high, why the SIS is allowed to spy on everyone without a warrant, why our houses are speculated internationally etc). Often the Greens are supporting all the right things but they are most vocal on more trivial aspects. The amount of emails I get about warm houses from the Greens for example. Yep NZ houses are from the 1900’s and terrible – but the Natz idea is to sell them off so that the Chinese billionaires and Auzzies can refurbish them and charge more rent. Is that really a winner for the poor?
If someone is homeless telling them about having a warm house might not be their main priority? Likewise if someone can’t afford to pay their mortgage or about to lose 6000 more jobs under TPP and lower the minimum wages and conditions and pretty much take over government decisions under the ISDS.
Greens should be talking about how the Natz are bankrupting this country AND selling it off and polluting it to boot.
Start fighting Greens, and people will rally behind.
+100 savenz
i am encouraged by the speech and like the mjs analogy.
what surprised me was the notion that treasury needs an independent department.
perhaps i am naive, i assumed treasury was impartial and that the pollys spin or lie about any costings/findings.
treasury have been pushing neolib policies since Douglas’ time….and probably before.
Metiria has hit the nail on the head: we do not expect good sustainability policy from the Gnats – they don’t understand it. We do not expect intelligent social policy. But we can and do expect them to get off their miserable bottoms and address major problems like Auckland housing.
No such luck – this is a total failure government. No good economically. Lazy, thriftless and corrupt. Whoever starts to pick up the pieces will have a generational task before them.
And I say we should prepare to be part of that – if you are tired of watching NZ go backwards, of watching lives and businesses and communities ruined by fuckwits like Bill English and crooks like John Key, there is no-one else to clean up their mess. It won’t be long now. Be ready.