National announces new line up
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3:47 pm, March 11th, 2018 - 121 comments
Categories: Amy Adams, Gerry Brownlee, Judith Collins, national, nick smith, paula bennett, Politics, same old national, Simon Bridges -
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Simon Bridges has announced the result of National’s reshuffle.
From the Herald:
National leader Simon Bridges’ reshuffle will feature five new faces on the party’s front bench of its top 10 MPs.
The big winners in the reshuffle include Judith Collins, who moves up to be fourth-ranked MP and will take on Labour’s Phil Twyford in Housing and Urban Development – one of the areas Bridges has identified as fertile ground for attacks on the Labour – NZ First Government.
Other new faces on the front bench are Todd McClay, who takes Foreign Affairs, Trade and Tourism; Mark Mitchell, who gets Justice and Defence; and Jami-Lee Ross, who gets Infrastructure and Transport.
The relatively low-profile Paul Goldsmith will get a chance to change that – he is ranked at 9 and will take on the massive Economic Development and Regional Development areas, going head to head against NZ First’s Shane Jones and Economic Development Minister David Parker.
The biggest losers are Nicky Wagner (down 18 places), Joanne Hayes (down 11), Nick Smith (down 8), Chris Finlayson (down 8), Gerry Brownlee (down 7) and Maggie Barry and Tim McIndoe (down 6). Expect a few more resignations from this list before the next election.
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- Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island$2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...2 days ago
- Government future-proofs EV chargingTransport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...3 days ago
- World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZersAssociate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...3 days ago
- First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners CourtHon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...3 days ago
- Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floodsThe Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...3 days ago
- New appointment to Māori Land Court benchE te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...3 days ago
- Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...3 days ago
- Vertical farming partnership has upward momentumThe Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...4 days ago
- Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote AddressE nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...4 days ago
- New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patientsThe new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...4 days ago
- Second Poseidon aircraft on home soilDefence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...4 days ago
- Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and SyriaAotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...4 days ago
- Community voice to help shape immigration policyMigrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today. “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...4 days ago
- State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for TaranakiConstruction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...4 days ago
- Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of PolicePrime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...5 days ago
- Government confirms vital roading reconnectionsSix further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...5 days ago
- Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign MinisterForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...5 days ago
- Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in AotearoaEducation Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...5 days ago
- State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone GabrielleA vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...5 days ago
- Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recoveryInternal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...6 days ago
- Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability servicesThe Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...1 week ago
- Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and memberMinister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...1 week ago
- Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announcedFifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...1 week ago
- Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High CourtHigh Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...1 week ago
- NZ still well placed to meet global challengesThe economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...1 week ago
- Western Ring Route CompleteAucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...1 week ago
- Briefings to Incoming MinistersThis section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...1 week ago
- Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient FijiAotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...1 week ago
- Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recoveryThe Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...1 week ago
- Next steps developing clean energy for NZThe Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...1 week ago
- Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart NashThis morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...1 week ago
- CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to AucklandThe Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...1 week ago
- Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses$25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...1 week ago
- The Detail's Long Read: What's Up With ADHD?
This is The Detail's Long Read - one in-depth story read by us every weekend This week, it's What's Up With ADHD?, written by Mirjam Guesgen and published in North & South's April 2023 issue. You can find the full article, with illustrations by Rachel Salazar, in this month’s issue of North & South. Once a condition ...1 hour ago - Short story: The Islands of Arthur Trimble
"He imagines the rattling windows of his bach": a sad seaside saga by Majella Cullinane Màiri watches him as he walks down the hill next to her house. The man appears gradually – first his head covered in a tweed cap and earphones, then the unkempt hair and beard, ...1 hour ago - Short story: The Islands of Arthur Trimble"He imagines the rattling windows of his bach": a sad seaside saga by Majella Cullinane Màiri watches him as he walks down the hill next to her house. The man appears gradually – first his head covered in a tweed cap and earphones, then the unkempt hair and beard, ...1 hour ago
- The Week in Detail: Top authors, lobbying, and Muriwai
Every weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories. This week, we looked at how our top authors make a living writing books, the sky-high fares coming from independent taxi drivers, how the people of Muriwai are putting their lives back together post-Cyclone Gabrielle, why a Levin chocolate maker is ...1 hour ago - The Week in Detail: Top authors, lobbying, and MuriwaiEvery weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories. This week, we looked at how our top authors make a living writing books, the sky-high fares coming from independent taxi drivers, how the people of Muriwai are putting their lives back together post-Cyclone Gabrielle, why a Levin chocolate maker is ...1 hour ago
- Why we enjoy the excruciating miseries of the super-rich
The popularity of stories about unhappy rich people says more about our need to view them that way than it does about how they experience their lives Opinion: Succession is returning to Aotearoa’s television screens. It joins other portrayals of the emotional traumas that come from having far, far too ...1 hour ago - Why we enjoy the excruciating miseries of the super-richThe popularity of stories about unhappy rich people says more about our need to view them that way than it does about how they experience their lives Opinion: Succession is returning to Aotearoa’s television screens. It joins other portrayals of the emotional traumas that come from having far, far too ...1 hour ago
- The Detail's Long Read: What's Up With ADHD?This is The Detail's Long Read - one in-depth story read by us every weekend This week, it's What's Up With ADHD?, written by Mirjam Guesgen and published in North & South's April 2023 issue. You can find the full article, with illustrations by Rachel Salazar, in this month’s issue of North & South. Once a condition ...1 hour ago
- Inside the radical plan to build ‘the new state house’ and change renting forever
Not content with transforming KiwiSaver, Simplicity is now planning to out-build Kāinga Ora. Duncan Greive meets a pair of of unlikely revolutionaries trying to fix housing – a task which seems impossible, even for the state itself. In September of 2020, a builder named Shane Brealey sat down and typed ...2 hours ago - What not to miss at the Auckland Writers Festival 2023The Auckland Writers Festival has just launched its 23rd programme, the first since Covid to include its signature line-up of visiting international writers. With 160 events to choose from, here’s books editor Claire Mabey’s top 10 to help you navigate your way through the lit fest universe. Straight Up: Ruby ...2 hours ago
- Family tree key to Twigg's fifth Olympic bid
Taking her her young family around the world as she rows is a key factor in Emma Twigg's decision to defend her Olympic single sculls title at next year's Paris Olympics. And, Andy Hay writes, the next Emma Twigg could be waiting in the wings at the Maadi Cup next week. ...2 hours ago - Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika looking for 80min performances
The Fijian Drua will need to start and finish well, while Moana Pasifika’s coach wants to see a full 80-minute performance this weekend as the two regional teams continue their Super Rugby Pacific campaigns. The Drua tackle the Highlanders in Dunedin today and Pasifika face the Hurricanes at Mt Smart ...5 hours ago - PNG contractors plead for government to pay up after 12-year waitBy Todagia Kelola in Port Moresby A number of small contractors in Papua New Guinea are still waiting for positive feedback for money owed to them by government agencies after 12 years. A 2015 Post-Courier front page picture showed a man, David Goli, who chained himself at the then headquarters ...5 hours ago
- A new review into how teachers are educated should acknowledge they learn throughout their careers (...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Beryl Exley, Professor, Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Griffith University Shutterstock Last August, the federal government set up an expert panel to look at the continuous improvement agenda in teacher education in Australia. The panel, led by ...12 hours ago
- Analysis: Teachers need a lot of things, another curriculum 'rewrite' isn't one
We all clearly want the best learning outcomes for our nation's children, but there are deep ideological divisions, writes Cathy Buntting. ...13 hours ago - The Winston Peters greatest hits hourThe New Zealand First leader took to the altar of an East Auckland church today to set out his 2023 election agenda. It was, as Stewart Sowman-Lund found out, pretty much what you’d expect. Winston Peters rolled into Howick today with a state of the nation speech that, he claimed ...14 hours ago
- Woolworths is getting into telehealth – but patients need to be treated as more than customersSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Wardle, Professor of Public Health, Southern Cross University Shutterstock Earlier this week, Australian retail giant Woolworths announced a move into health-care delivery via development of its subsidiary HealthyLife’s online portal. Through this portal, Australians can book a same-day ...14 hours ago
- Winston Peters rails against secret 'woke agenda' in campaign speechNew Zealand First leader Winston Peters - eyeing a political comeback - has used a scene-setting speech in Auckland warning against a "conceited, conniving, cultural cabal". ...15 hours ago
- At the 2023 Adelaide Festival, the best works shimmer with a brutal honesty on incarceration, exile ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William Peterson, Adjunct Associate Professor, Auckland University of Technology The Sheep Song. Tim Standing/Daylight Breaks/Adelaide Festival Few Adelaideans remember a time before the Adelaide Festival. Formed in 1960 as a civic enterprise and financed against loss by prominent Adelaide businessmen, the ...16 hours ago
- Week in Politics: Minor parties could hold unprecedented influence post-electionAnalysis - The Greens lay down a challenge as the minor parties approach an election in which both National and Labour are going to need coalition partners to form a government, writes Peter Wilson. ...16 hours ago
- Repeal Fiji’s media law and start with ‘clean slate’, says CFL chiefBy Arieta Vakasukawaqa in Suva Communications Fiji Ltd (CFL) chair William Parkinson has called for a repeal of Fiji’s Media Industry Development Act 2010 and more discussion on the proposed Media Ownership and Registration Bill 2023. He said this during a public consultation on the review of MIDA Act 2010 ...16 hours ago
- Posie Parker wins the beautiful freedom to make an ugly argument
High Court Justice David Gendall regretfully allows anti-trans activist to enter New Zealand, but warns the expression of her views may be harmful to our vulnerable rainbow community. Jonathan Milne does his best to be civil. Opinion: Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull calls herself Posie Parker. And that's what I'm going to call her. Because she is ...16 hours ago - Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee is an absolute joyIt’s about time somebody made a wacky TV show about how bonkers spelling is. Enter comedian Guy Montgomery and his Guy Mont Spelling Bee. The three years since Covid-19 began have been pretty rocky, but one of the best things to come out of the chaos was Guy Montgomery’s Guy ...16 hours ago
- Psychologists Condemn Anti-trans Hate Speech And Urge The Government To Put Hate Speech Laws Back On...
Te Rōpū Mātai Hinengaro o Aotearoa, The New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS) stands beside LGBTQIA+ and Takatāpui communities rallying against anti-trans rhetoric in light of the impending visit of Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (Posie Parker). We are ...16 hours ago - Shocking and controversial: MAFS Australia has outrated 1NewsEarlier this month, everybody’s favourite Monster of the Week series Married at First Sight Australia toppled 1News to become the highest rating television show for New Zealand viewers aged 25-54. The controversial reality series garnered an average audience of 137,000, or 6.7% audience share from March 5 until March 11. ...17 hours ago
- Ingredient of the week: FeijoasIt’s the most wonderful time of the year for feijoa lovers – here’s how to make the most of it. Fragrant and sweet, with a delicate jelly centre surrounded by gritty, tangy flesh, all encased in a green sour skin. My parents’ feijoa tree has just dropped its first fruit, ...17 hours ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Bang a Drum’ by Maggie Rainey-SmithA new poem by poet and novelist Maggie Rainey-Smith. Bang a Drum We’ve hit Gentle Annie passed the pub at Okaramio and on the left, at Wakapuaka there’s Sunnybank where parents left their children An oddly named orphanage manned (ha) by Nuns childless women in black habits, scapula, cowls and ...17 hours ago
- Teachers need a lot of things right now, but another curriculum ‘rewrite’ isn’t one of themSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cathy Buntting, Director, Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research, University of Waikato Getty Images Less than a fortnight after teachers staged a national strike, education was back in the headlines with the National Party’s release of its curriculum policy – ...17 hours ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending March 24The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $38) Number one in both ...17 hours ago
- High Court Decision The Only Right Result For Nation That Values Free SpeechThe Free Speech Union welcomes the decision of the High Court to reject the application to overrule the decision of the Minister of Immigration to allow Kellie-Jay entry into New Zealand. This was the only right result for a nation that ...18 hours ago
- AI chatbots with Chinese characteristics: why Baidu’s ChatGPT rival may never measure upSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fan Yang, Research Associate at RMIT and Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University Baidu’s ERNIE Bot was launched to considerable disappointment. Ng Han Guan / AP On March 16, Baidu unveiled China’s latest rival to OpenAI’s ChatGPT – ERNIE Bot (short for “Enhanced ...18 hours ago
- Ask Fiji military about ‘guns on plane’ claims, says Sayed-KhaiyumBy Meri Radinibaravi in Suva Former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has told The Fiji Times to ask the Republic of Fiji Military Forces about claims that his bodyguards were allowed to take guns on to Fiji Link flights without proper authorisation. “I understand that there’s some enquiries going on regarding that ...18 hours ago
- Melbourne Now: a vast, sprawling and inspiring exhibition that seems to burst out of its architectur...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sasha Grishin, Adjunct Professor of Art History, Australian National University Installation view of Troy Emery’s work Mountain climber 2022 on display as part of the Melbourne Now exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne from 24 March – 20 August ...18 hours ago
- KPIs are for businesses and boardrooms, not children and schoolsNational’s education policy reinforces an old-fashioned and hierarchical curriculum that does lasting harm to many students, writes educational specialist Dr Sarah Aiono. Announcing the National Party’s new education policy this week, leader Christopher Luxon cited a recent NCEA pilot in which two-thirds of students were unable to meet the minimum ...18 hours ago
- Last ditch attempt to stop anti-trans speaker from entering NZ failsAttempts by rainbow groups to stop an anti-trans campaigner entering the country have failed. The High Court has dismissed a judicial review application from Gender Minorities Aotearoa, InsideOUT Kōara and Auckland Pride, aimed at the immigration minister for allowing Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull into New Zealand. As part of the application, the ...19 hours ago
- Urgent hearing under way to determine if anti-trans speaker can enter NZThe High Court is this morning considering an interim order that would prevent an anti-trans campaigner from making it into New Zealand. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull is expected to arrive on our shores today ahead of two planned rallies in Auckland and Wellington over the weekend. After immigration officials deemed her safe ...20 hours ago
- Statement From Mayor Paula Southgate: Hamilton’s LGNZ MembershipI was disappointed to see yesterday afternoon’s announcement that Auckland has chosen to leave Local Government NZ (LGNZ). Hamilton’s membership of LGNZ is one of collaboration and sharing. Being a member gives us important views from other ...20 hours ago
- Review: The Unruly Tourists is fun, but facileIt’s the most talked about local opera production in years – but does it live up to the chatter? The lowdown You’ve probably heard of the “unruly tourists”, the British family who created a media firestorm as they toured around the country leaving trash and turmoil in their wake. You’ve ...20 hours ago
- Ministry of Health removed trans advice after pressure from activistsAs reported by Newsroom’s Marc Daalder this morning, correspondence released under the Official Information Act shows advice about puberty blockers was removed from the Ministry of Health website “in the hopes it creates fewer queries” from anti-trans campaigners. The line that was removed from the site said puberty blockers “are ...20 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nucle...Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nuclear submarines The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The ...21 hours ago
- Secondary teachers confirm next strikeSecondary teachers will strike again next week after an agreement on improved pay and working conditions was not reached. The strike will take place on Wednesday, less than two weeks after thousands of educators took to the streets across the country. “PPTA Te Wehengarua members have shown they are serious ...21 hours ago
- Share Your Views On Human Rights Progress In Aotearoa New ZealandTe Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission is encouraging organisations and individuals to share their views on human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand for the government’s upcoming report to the United Nations. The report informs a process ...21 hours ago
- Secondary And Area School Teachers Plan More Industrial ActionSecondary and area school teachers around the country have voted overwhelmingly in favour of more industrial action, including a one day national strike next Wednesday, in support of their collective agreement negotiations. “PPTA Te Wehengarua members ...21 hours ago
- Aaron Hawkins: Auckland Council has turned its back on the rest of the countryAt a time when our need for collective action is stronger than ever, Auckland Council has opted out to save each of its residents just 25c a year, writes former Dunedin mayor Aaron Hawkins. I grew up in rural Southland, in the shadows of the Cut The Cable movement. In ...21 hours ago
- Fishing for data: commercial fishers help monitor rising temperatures in coastal seasSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Jakoboski, Oceanographic Data Scientist, Moana Project’s Te Tiro Moana Team Lead, MetService — Te Ratonga Tirorangi Moana project, CC BY-ND The world’s oceans are buffering us from the worst climate impacts by taking up more than 90% of the ...22 hours ago
- Political editors panel: Schools, lobbying, and trans rightsMorning Report - RNZ and Newsroom's political editors consider National's education pitch, and the political responses to lobbying revelations and Posie Parker. ...22 hours ago
- Free Speech Union Granted Intervening Status In Posie Parker Judicial ReviewThe Free Speech Union will be an intervener this morning as the High Court considers whether Immigration New Zealand's decision to allow Posie Parker (Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull) entry into New Zealand was legal, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free ...22 hours ago
- Why is this Auckland club clinging to a ‘discriminatory’ dress-code rule?For over a decade, Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club has come under fire for denying entry to people wearing religious headwear. Despite the Human Rights Commission getting involved, it seems the rule remains unchanged. One of the definitions given by the Oxford dictionary for the word cosmopolitan is: “including people from many ...22 hours ago
- Listen: How Labour just hurt the Emissions Trading SchemeChris Hipkins’ dump of Ardern-era policy has potentially jeopardised a major part of the government’s climate change response. In this week’s episode of When the Facts Change, Bernard Hickey talks to climate policy expert Christina Hood from Climate Compass to find out why this month’s Emissions Trading Scheme auction failed and ...22 hours ago
- LGNZ head confused by Wayne Brown’s claim about drunken conferenceThe head of Local Government NZ, the group representing councils across the country, has hit back at claims made by Auckland mayor Wayne Brown. It was his casting vote that saw Auckland Council leave the representative group yesterday evening, with councillors divided on whether or not it was the right ...23 hours ago
- A new study on Australian volcanoes has changed what we know about explosive ‘hotspot’ volcanismSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Al-Tamini Tapu, Geoscientist, The University of Queensland Warrumbungle national park. colinslack/Shutterstock Our new study published in Nature Geoscience on an ancient chain of Australian volcanoes is helping to change our understanding of “hotspot” volcanism. You may be surprised to learn eastern ...23 hours ago
- Time to grow up: Australia’s national security dilemma demands a mature debateSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Sussex, Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University There’s been a lot of recent shouting about Australia’s national security policy. It began with the Nine newspapers’ “Red Alert” extravaganza, spread over multiple articles. Featuring a graphic of warplanes ...23 hours ago
- Want an easy $400 a year? Ditch the gas heater in your home for an electric split systemSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Goldlust, Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University Shutterstock Earlier this month, regulators flagged electricity price rises in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Like many people, you’re probably wondering how you can ...23 hours ago
- 4-day work week trials have been labelled a ‘resounding success’. But 4 big questions need answe...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Veal, Adjunct Professor, Business School, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock A little more than a century ago, most people in industrialised countries worked 60 hours a week – six ten-hour days. A 40-hour work week of five eight-hour days ...23 hours ago
- The gaming audience is ‘queerer than ever’ – so how are game creators responding?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Xavier Ho, Lecturer in Interaction Design, Monash University Sony Entertainment Mainstream games are embracing openly queer characters – and so are many of their players and fans. The Last of Us, the prestige HBO adaptation of the critically lauded ...23 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Let’s Get Wellington Moving consultant costs in the crosshairsThe capital’s transport overhaul will have spent $130 million on consultant fees by the end of next year, Stuff reports. Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) expects to spend $60 million on outside experts in the coming year, after already spending $38.5m in the past three years and $35m this year. Greater ...23 hours ago
- How Labour just hurt the Emissions Trading SchemeChris Hipkins’ dump of Ardern-era policy has potentially jeopardised a major part of the government’s climate change response. Bernard Hickey talks to climate policy expert Christina Hood from Climate Compass to find out why this month’s Emissions Trading Scheme auction failed and how she feels cabinet have destroyed confidence in ...24 hours ago
- National’s ‘back to basics’ plan to address the literacy crisisChristopher Luxon says the policy is what’s needed to address serious issues with reading, writing and maths in primary schools. Others aren’t so sure, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Back ...1 day ago
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Nick Smith down 8.
Nelson by election?
Time to reflect…
Opportunity for the party to parachute the next National PM in? Although could be high risk in that electorate.
Smith will stay until the next election and then retire.
Nope, they won’t risk that seat going to the Greens or Labour. Bet he stays.
I really hope nick smith stands next election, he WILL lose and so many people are very much looking forward to that.
However I tend to agree with BMs comment above.
I wouldn’t be too concerned Cinny. Tanz has been proven wrong about every prediction she’s ever made here. 😉
“[Housing Minister] Phil Twyford is on notice, Judith is coming,” Bridges said.
Labour have had the warning, lets see what they can do (it probably won’t end well for Twyford) Go Jude!
But where has she been for the past 9 years while the problem became worse and worse? Rhetorical flourishes don’t cut it.
Doesn’t matter, Labour made the claim so now they need to be held to account and Judes just the person for the job
Bet Twyfords already having nightmares, hes toast
Yeah I’m sure your alternate reality on Planet Key looks like that, but meanwhile back in NZ 2018 …
Well don’t worry because when, when not if, Jude makes Twyford and by extension the Labour party look like incompetents that just plucked numbers out of their nether regions I’ll be here to helpfully remind you that I said it was going to happen
“plucked numbers out of their nether regions”
While National disgorged the contents of their nether regions over the people for 9 years.
You are a nice case study in the psychopathology of vandalism – wreck stuff, then jeer at the people trying to fix it, especially if they can’t fix it as fast as they had hoped.
The intention being that your jeering will disillusion enough people so that you are then given another go at wrecking it all again.
Your worship of Judith Collins is true to character
But then again maybe “Jude” Oravida Collins will implode once again. Yeah, I’m sure Twyford will be quaking in his boots.
He will have to keep on his toes, but there is no indication so far that he isn’t, so as he goes about starting to fix National’s mess he’s probably enjoying the sleep of the righteous.
Kiwiblog has helpfully put up a counter showing how many houses Labour will need to build to make their own targets
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/
Basically hes going to have to start to pull finger at some point because Jude knows, for good or bad, how to get headlines and you know shes going to be onto this
This move a good move by Simon as I was worried he was going to demote Nationals biggest weapon
I don’t read that hate fulled garbage website.
Thats ok as of the time of writing for Labour to reach 10000 houses built per year they’ll have needed to build 3739 and to have planted 100 million trees for the year they’ll have needed to have planted 38597880, although that counter goes up roughly two per second
So they’re a wee bit behind schedule at the moment but I’m sure Jude won’t mention it at all nor will she go through the details with a fine tooth comb
🙂
National trumps all Labour’s big numbers, and we all how much National loves big numbers and Big Data, because they are still counting down from 11.7 billion (that’s’ 11,700,000,000 for you; lots of lovely zeroes). But I agree that Jude is gonna crush Phil and all his affordable and state houses because that’s what Jude (and National for that matter) does best: decry, deter, and destroy. Let the market sort it out. Oh, wait …
“I don’t read that hate fulled garbage website.”
That leads to having to pick one of two conclusions.
1. You are lying and you do read it. If so you can at least claim to have some excuse for your description of the site.
2. You don’t read it. In that case you have no possible way to claim that it is what you depict. If you don’t read it it is impossible to be able to make such a claim about something you are ignorant about.
Either way makes you a liar. Which is it?
3: took a look at it a few times and it was consistently full of arseholes, so now don’t visit it at all.
No lies involved. Just good taste and experience.
Surely you don’t have to dig Ed out of his hole?
I note he never bothers to answer any questions he gets.
You, on the other hand are a true gentleman.
A cigar aficionado no less. No wonder you can suggest sensible, if unlikely options
For your entertainment
https://twitter.com/CigarAficMag?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
No, I was merely pointing out the absurdity of your false dichotomy before you disgraced yourself too much. A futile gesture, perhaps.
And again, tense is important. Sadly no longer an aficionado.
” Sadly no longer an aficionado”.
Oh dear. No wonder you sometimes seem a trifle ill-tempered.
So am I (an ex smoker), in New Zealand. When visiting civilised countries like France I can still afford to indulge. They allow people to practice their small pleasures. Not like the wowsers in the form of Key and Turia that we had here.
As usual – RWNJ fuck logic. That’s the kind of reasoning one learns in Year 3.
Kiwiblog has helpfully put up a counter showing how many houses Labour will need to build to make their own targets
And I’m sure there are plenty of Kiwiblog too dumb to see where the grift is. Are you one of them, or are you just assuming the readership here contains a similar proportion of dumbasses?
Like in most things around politics its not whos right or wrong it manages to convince the majority of people
Labour made much ballyhoo of building a stack load of houses, if Labour fail to deliver any meaningful numbers then they’ll certainly believe Jude when she says how much of a clusterf**k kiwibuild has been
The authoritarian right has this weird, neo-fascist adoration of Judith Collins.
I bet chris73 has a Judith action figure complete with jackboots and a riding crop that he frantically rubs on dick every night.
Trouble is, most people find her polarising and she only really gets her base – and how base they are – supporters going.
Well I don’t know anyone named dick but I get what you’re saying and shes a fine women all right
It’s not so much the right as Big Julee’s Claque.
yes, the same sort of men that worship collins also worship pauline hanson and maggie thatcher. says a lot about them and there relationship to there mothers. the other 44% of men cant stand any of these women and have normal sexual fantasies…..
Define normal
I like the one with the gooseberries.
Labour supporters!
define normal…NOT fantasising about being ruled by a nasty overbearing harridan . you sound like the typical nat gimpboi,….. mistress orivida will see you now
Can we get away from such gendered abuse, please guys? Why does your disussion of JC have to be sexual? And why does a powerful woman have to be characterised as a “harridan”? Say she’s a bully – yes, she is, but let’s avoid words made up to diminish strong women and make a woman’s gender central to the way in which she’s criticised.
The exact number of houses Labour will build doesn’t matter. What matters is that they build as many as resources allow. Labour are now in government, not so much because they promised to build 100,000, but because National was seen to have failed in this area.
“Are you one of them, or are you just assuming the readership here contains a similar proportion of dumbasses? ”
Oh I don’t believe this site has any shortage of dullards, the extreme edges of politics seem to attract them.
We want Housing sorted not endless point scoring..so has Judith Collins got any ideas, or is it sleep in cars, and live in motels time again?
If you want ideas or constructive criticism you’re at the wrong address with National.
don’t you mean go judas Chris 73
The top 20, with changes from the last rankings.
1. Simon Bridges, Leader (+4)
2. Paula Bennett, Deputy Leader, Social Investment Services, Tertiary Ed, Women (nc)
3. Amy Adams, Finance (+3)
4. Judith Collins, Housing, RMA reform (+5)
5. Todd McClay, Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism (+8)
6. Jonathan Coleman, Health (+1)
7. Mark Mitchell, Justice, Defence (+14)
8. Jami-Lee Ross, Infrastructure, Transport (+19)
9. Paul Goldsmith, Economic Development, Revenue (+5)
10. Nikki Kaye, Education (+2)
11. Gerry Brownlee, Shadow House Leader (-7)
12. Nathan Guy, Agriculture, Biosecurity (-1)
13. Michael Woodhouse, Immigration, Labour (-3)
14. Louise Upston, Social Development (+1)
15. Alfred Ngaro, Children, Community, Pacific (+5)
16. Chris Finlayson, Shadow AG (-8)
17. Scott Simpson, Environment (+9)
18. Jacqui Dean, Local Govt, Small Business (+5)
19. Melissa Lee, Broadcasting, Comms (+12)
20. Sarah Dowie, Conservation (+19)
Theres some talent in there, Labour must be feeling really jealous
Oh, there’s some talent in there, alright, but I’m not sure Labour has a great need for talents in dirty politics and crony capitalism. Can’t imagine jealousy featuring.
Currently Labour is like the 80s NZ cricket team, you have Jacinda being basically Paddles and Hogan, you have a couple of decent, hardworking performers but the rest…
And if , by implication you are trying to say National had a line up of ‘decent , hardworking performers’ , well yes you could be right. The fact that they were performing for their overseas masters and not the people of NZ seems to have slipped your notice, however …
and yet the TPP just got signed
Then you admit that National works for their overseas masters , then. Or perhaps it would be more accurate that the neo liberals in both National and Labour work for their overseas masters.
Oh , btw – TINA is no alternative. Look at the destruction of our country after 34 years of neo liberal crap.
New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html
maybe..but National sure as hell arnt Australia
No they’re not
@ Chris 73 (3.1) … doubt it somehow. What’s there for the government to be jealous about in that murky brown lineup?
Collins will demonstrate how vindictive and nasty she and Natz are, in comparison to a more caring and progressive government.
Can’t see she will have anything to throw at Twyford to unbalance him or the coalition. After all she and her party weren’t exactly visible over the nine years National was government, doing anything positive for housing and urban development!
You mean apart from Hipkins who can’t count, a deputy leader that apparently can’t (or not allowed to) speak and Clare Curran
I think she means Collins was stood down to the back benches because of her’ conflict of interests’ over Orivida, among other things,…I’m sure you remember that , chris 73 ,… or are you new?…
L0L… where do these young nat RWNJ’s get their sycophancy from?
Always a laugh.
She did get demoted and now, through her hard work, shes got promoted again.
Hard work brings rewards, something most lefties probably don’t quite understand 🙂
She only got promoted because Key and English are no longer there.
And you seem to forget that this current National mpb – and the last one couldnt hold a shadow to the hard work and legacy of Michael Joseph Savage in bringing the country out of the Depression , and rebuilding our infrastructure including a massive state housing program , a harbour bridge ( Yes , Simon ,- a HARBOUR BRIDGE ! ) hydro dams , the largest man made forest in the southern hemisphere , free education , healthcare , low cost electricity and on it goes…
And that was initiated under a ‘ left’ Labour govt…
So much for the work ethics of the far right,…
Eh.
She only got promoted because Key and English are no longer there.
– and?
“And you seem to forget that this current National mpb – and the last one couldnt hold a shadow to the hard work and legacy of Michael Joseph Savage in bringing the country out of the Depression , and rebuilding our infrastructure including a massive state housing program , a harbour bridge ( Yes , Simon ,- a HARBOUR BRIDGE ! ) hydro dams , the largest man made forest in the southern hemisphere , free education , healthcare , low cost electricity and on it goes…”
Well you just managed to sneak in under a century ago so thats something 🙂
Yes, but what you liberals seem to forget that it had NOTHING to do with Milton Freidman , the Chicago school of economics nor Roger Douglas.
You have a problem with history showing up your fallacy’s?
Get the drift?
What Harbour bridge are you talking about?
The only well known one I can think of is that one in Auckland.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge Authority was set up in 1950. At the time we had a National Government. Construction started in 1954. At that time we had the same National Government. It was finished and opened in 1959. Yes at the time of the opening we had a short-lived Labour Government, elected at the end of 1957 but you could hardly argue that they built the bridge.
Which Bridge did you have in mind?
As far as Hydro stations go there are, apparently, about 100 in New Zealand. Of these only 5 were opened during the term of the First Labour Government from 1935 to 1949.
Not a particularly wonderful record by the Savage/Fraser gang is it?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_New_Zealand
And you like the chris character above seem to have the same neo liberal problem. Denial and the rewriting of history to suit your narratives.
You seem to have conveniently forgotten that BOTH National and Labour adhered to KEYNESIAN ECONOMICS, – not neo liberalism.
You have both walked into the trap admirably.
Or do you both deny Bob Jones didn’t set up the NZ party only to topple Muldoon and destroy that system? And that under neo liberalism NONE of those large projects have taken place ? . We even have problems maintaining the few state houses we have left, – let alone a functioning education / health system.
So rather than try and quote sites to back up your claims that the infrastructure that built this country all occurred post Douglas and Richardson and Shipley and Clarke or Key or any of these neo liberal ideologues ( an impossible claim no matter how you try to paint it ) – wouldn’t it be far easier to admit your both talking through a hole in your arse and try being honest for a change ?
READ THIS :
New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html
Did you bother to read what I said?
It doesn’t seem possible that you read any of it if you think that I, in your own words, claimed that everything was built post 1984.
“So rather than try and quote sites to back up your claims that the infrastructure that built this country all occurred post Douglas and Richardson and Shipley and Clarke or Key or any of these neo liberal ideologues “.
Can you please point out where on Earth I made any such claim? The only politicians I mentioned were Savage and Fraser. If you don’t know who they were I shall inform you that they were PMs between 1935 and 1949.
Now, will you come clean and admit that you are simply talking through a hole in your arse?
got nothing to do with work, plenty to do with bridges having to keep her satisfied(shudder) and how much yen she promises to bring to the nats…
Look, I’m really getting a bit tired of all your bluster chris. I take it the 73 is your birth year. Going on that you will be coming up 45 this year. Well I shall be coming up 75 and by rights that should make me a fat cat conservative old fucker who sits around bemoaning the loss of a Tory government. Well, far from it, I get more socialist and environment caring as I age. Then I look at the hugely entitled and selfishly unforgiving young turks of the 70s and 80s and wonder what went wrong.
Here’s something to stick in your buttonhole, or up your arse, or wherever you find most appropriate – a Labour led government is taking a much more holistic approach to managing the way our people live in the 21st century.
1. Providing more and better housing for the less fortunate.
2. Making a purposeful attempt to eliminate child poverty.
3. Looking to support new parents more directly.
4. Managing the supply of immigrants in a more careful way.
5. Trying to filter who buys our property and who is allowed to invest.
6. Reshaping the education system to make it more relevant and purposeful for people’s lives.
I won’t list everything. We all know the thrust of their policies.
This is a government which has shifted the emphasis away from the importance of money as a commodity to what it will do for people. We have now moved away from adulating and glorifying the rich for their fine efforts and hard work which has seen them become insanely wealthy. We are looking more critically at the likes of Fonterra and Fletchers and wondering how we allowed them to become so.
And yet there is this puffed up, self important, pseudo-intellectual, money worshipping, poor people hating, selfish, thoughtless, nasty and self aggrandising bunch of neo-liberal arseholes who are whining for the return of their blue suited, career minded Nationals who spent 9 years doing nothing that people needed. They were locked in the 50s churning out policies which served everyone except those who needed help.
People like Shonkey made us an embarrassment to the world. We are well shot of him and his ilk. He is the best advertisement for why knighthoods should be banished for ever.
Kia kaha Jacinda. More power to your elbow my girl.
+ 100 doogs ..73 sounds like the typical me,me,me nat fanboi. the sort of person who doesnt give to charity, do any community service or think about anybody but himself…should go and live on an island..white island
+10000 doogs
There’s a fundamental disconnect in Nat thinking. What is the purpose of government & the NZ economy? Is it to make money for the 1% or is it to promote the wellbeing of scoiety?
The typical Nat fanboi’s framing of cost cutting and surpluses assumes that the peons exist to serve the economy. So they don’t give a fuck about neglecting education/health/welfare or making tens of thousands homeless as long as their bankster pals make $$$$
I’m of the 1973 vintage, but unlike chris73 and likes of the rest of his fellow Muppets, I fully agree with your sentiment their Doogs and like you I wonder even to this day where NZ went wrong? If it weren’t for the Jackass National party in 90’s I might be still living in NZ with a good secure job a roof over my head and some money in bank, shares or both. But I had to overseas to get all that plus a bit more and when I look back at my cohort and my wee brother I made the right decision back in 98 and apart from my work related injuries I feel a lot better than having to put up with the RWJ’s and being kick down the St like a coke can.
Oh wow, this comment @ 8:30am should be a guest post on TS.
Thanks Doogs for telling it as it is – no ifs or buts.
Brilliant Doogs.
The 73 in chris’s Handle is the key.
Born in 73.
Formative years in the late 80s and early 90s.
Fell for the neoliberal gospel hook, line and sinker.
Selfish.
Greedy.
Sociopathic.
if you added that top 20 to to the top 20 from Labour and the top 10 from the greens and Winston First you’d still struggle to find an IQ/EQ higher than your average Cro Magnon.
Chris Bishop?
Cro Magnons are under-rated – can’t imagine Gerry Brownlee knocking out a few Lascaux cave paintings in between barging through security cordons.
Are you sure you’d want to compare with Cro-Magnon? Odd choice IMO. But then again, I assume this comment did not intend to offer or add anything remotely intelligent; it was not even funny.
“There’s some talent in there, somewhere, it’s just not obvious.” FIFY
A bit….but it’s about to leave (one way or another).
Not mitch to worry about in that shower.
no Nick Smith?
Yes, maybe this will be one of the resignations we are all hoping for.
And Gerry looks on the way out.
actually (or akshully?)…Im surprised he remained as high as he has…thought he was going to be thrown to the wolves…11 would appear to indicate he can choose.
He is the spymaster.
theres that…he may have suggested hed take a few with him
or he can while away his days on the backbench reliving old war stories….maybe Bill will get him a job
Why WK? The longer Smith sticks around the worse National look.
Cheer up , no bridges Bridges has included Collins , that’ll provide a bit of mirth , all Tywford has to mention is Chinese dinners, swamp Kauri and free water for export and it’ll bring the house down…
Nick is there – he has simply redefined how the Arabic numeral system works.
So even though he sits at ’44’, that is actually higher than ‘4’ on this list because two 4’s are worth more than one.
This was all in the excellent cause of making our numeric system more ‘swimmable’ than it was before. Great job Nick!
hell…on that basis he probably thinks he’s leader
4. Judith Collins, Housing, RMA reform
LOL – RMA Reform.
No resource consents required for draining wetlands and extracting swamp kauri perhaps? Or even for digging near vital infrastructure?
And no minister for “Homelessness Reform”, or “Poverty Reform” or “Tax Evasion Reform”. What a transparent bunch of 3rd-rate ideologues they are!
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue …
I feel we’re on the cusp of something special!
Not worth worrying about them.
Labour’s main problem is the same as National’s in the 2014 election:
Will their support partners survive to enable Labour to form the next government?
The biggest risk to the next Labour-led government is New Zealand First and the Greens.
And Nationals potential support partners are? Oh that’s right, the Act party, with 0.5% and one propped-up seat in Epsom.
Funny thing is, Nationals lack of support partners could be what actually wins it for them in 2020.
Right vote no split
Left vote 3 way split.
National will get more votes than Labour, Greens and NZ First don’t make it then National wins outright.
That stratergy didn’t work for National at the last election, so good luck with that idea.
It’s not a strategy its fact.
There are no support partners because they’ve all aligned themselves with Labour.
NZ First ===Labour
Greens ===Labour
You want a centre-right party running the country the only option is National.
Unfortunately for Labour, those other two parties split their vote.
Ever heard of MMP? Why is National in opposition again?
Maori party got wiped out and Peters managed to fool enough elderly and farmers that he was going to go with National.
And that fuckwit Peter Dunne left them in the lurch by pulling out just before the election.
And that was because no one wanted to vote for him….
What happens when you refer to former friends as ‘fuckwits’? Does that make it easier, or more difficult to find new friends?
They weren’t ‘friends’ in the normal sense of the word. They were business partners in a shady business deal to extract maximum (political) profit from the NZ voters. Politics and business are intertwined now more than ever, the voters/consumers come much further down the picking order and always have, actually.
He said exactly how he felt, he said he was fed up with National, it is National voters who did not get his message..to bad.
BM, if you had attended a Winston Peters rally before the election, as I did, then you just might have realised that he was going no where near National.
His speech was pretty clear. I went to the rally to hear Winston, as an older man. (btw ‘elderly’ is a bit pejorative to describe senior citizens with its connotations of being a bit past it and doddery).
There was no mistake about his strength of language regarding his opposition to National. It confirmed earlier intimations in his speeches to Grey Power audiences where he referred to National’s “corporate capitalism”. Grey Power itself, (these older citizens supposedly duped by Winston Peters), understood the need for change and accordingly advised its membership.
But, BM, you continue to search for reasons as to why National did not retain the government benches in places where the blame does not lie. Certainly, blaming voters for rejecting National by an 8% margin is not fair, reasonable or good politics. But believe differently. 2020 will go easier for a further term for L/G/NZF with such analysis.
Understand that National lost. They tried to get a 50% majority, failed in that and suffered the consequences. Get your head around the reality that the majority voted against the government and for the opposition Labour, Green and NZ First parties.
They voted for change. None of them achieved National’s percentage. But that’s MMP, because a coalition of three parties is stronger in this case.
Stronger than the coalition that formed and lies within the National party.
“Unfortunately for Labour, those other two parties split their vote”
Reality Check BM:
Labour, NZ First and the Greens are the Government today. It’s called MMP.
The Greens and NZFirst are running at 6% each, I wouldn’t bet on NZFirst making it back and at the moment I can’t see the Greens taking too many votes off National or Labour so they’re in a precarious position, at the moment anyway
^ crystal ball gazing again and wishful thinking, hoping like hec the dreams come true…
Just out of interest , has Bridges gotten rid of the Chinese spy they had embedded in there as an MP?
I wonder if that’s taken the ‘shine’ off the Blue Dragons and a big portion of where National was getting its votes from…
But NZ First won’t be there next time, and their new deputy leader will not save them. Toast. So yep, quite on the cards National will win an outright majority. Sooo can’t wait to see a real election again.
Or to put it another way, for Labour to forget the MMP environment and to become as arrogant as those pesky little gNats that failed to understand its nature.
What is Simon Bridge’s Portfolio? Also who has the Energy Portfolio and the Arts Portfolio – what headers do they come under. Please help.
Nicky Wagner Arts, Culture and Heritage
Paul Goldsmith Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage
Jonathan Young Energy and Resources
“Paul Goldsmith Associate Arts”
Excellent choice – truly he is the Marcel Marceau of election campaigning. The ‘art of silence’ at its finest.
The contrast with the current Government portfolios is striking:
Jacinda Ardern Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
Grant Robertson Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
Carmel Sepuloni Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
Megan Woods Minister for Energy and Resources
National don’t support the Arts (no money to be made there!) – so Paul Goldsmith is an excellent choice from that point of view.
Kinda odd that the associate is ranked higher than the primary spokesperson. Must be expecting a departure.
Nicky i’d rather be sailing would just about have a constructive dismissal case if she was a normal employee
Simply an indication of the complete disregard these Orcs hold for Art and Culture.
Paul Goldsmith’s other portfolios are:
Economic and Regional Development
Revenue
Isn’t he infrastructure?
Building Bridges and all that.
No Bridges Bridges.
Thanks guys for filling me in. The energy guy doesn’t even feature in the top 20 – is this saying they will not have an emphasis on oil drilling – can’t see it but you never know, our Simon drives an electric car – sarc.
Oh darn, trouble in paradise already, already.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12010781
I watched the announcement of the shadow lineup on TV news this evening – dear oh god, has Paula Benefit got the hots for Soimun or what. It was excruciating to watch.
What internal leverage must Coleman have to retain the Health portfolio?
Yeah – that was a real surprise. Coleman was a disaster in Health and evidence of his incompetence is liely to continue to come out over timme.
Perhaps what he did is seen as competence by Bill English – see: –
http://werewolf.co.nz/2017/08/bill-english-the-forgotten-history/
Its all about wrecking the system for a private takeover, without it getting to be a scandal with too many people dying. I know some people were starting to say that private health insurance was the way to go, but that may have been offset by the anecdotal story of at least one insurer refusing further operation costs after a claim, and putting up premiums significantly for people that had claimed.
Bennett as Tertiary Education spokesman. What a joke! Looks like National is admitting it screwed up over the earthquakes with the demotions of Brownlee and Wagner – two incompetent ministers.
Bill English is gone from the political landscape, and still commenters here knock him. Move on. Sad.
He’ll be gone when we see those 450 txts. Nah, didn’t think so.