New Day Rising

Written By: - Date published: 12:38 pm, January 31st, 2016 - 80 comments
Categories: Andrew Little, david shearer, Globalisation, International, labour, phil goff, Politics, trade - Tags: , , ,

There has been consternation at the dissenting voices from the Labour Party caucus over the TPPA. But Phil Goff and David Shearer losing their self control and putting ego and self promotion ahead of caucus responsibility is actually a good thing.

It shows just how irrelevent and dated the conservative minority in in Labour’s ranks have become. Under the leadership of a genuinely left wing social democrat, the faction that we used to call ABCers, neo-libs or Blairites are a spent force. The fact is, the majority of caucus overwhelmingly support Andrew Little’s more aggressive position on the TPPA.

It’s telling that Goff and Shearer chose to go public with their pro TPPA positions. Only a couple of years ago, they would not have had to mouth off to the press to make their point. They could have simply got caucus to back their timidity and it would have been the official Labour position. Nowadays, the bland appear blind sided by Little’s leadership. Labour’s got its mojo back and looks up for the fight.

Phil Goff’s motivation is clear and, to an extent, his position on the TPPA is understandable. He was there at the start of TPP negotiations and its reasonable for him to support the process. However, he could have done that and still damned the outcome. Goff knows better than most how pisspoor National are at bargaining. That’s the point he should have been hammering.

While it would have been better overall if Goff had just kept quiet on the matter, at least he did the decent thing and got caucus permission to dissent. That shows some respect for process and for his colleagues.

Really, I just see this as the first step in the Auckland mayoral campaign. Phil Goff needs a certain distance from Labour if he wants to be Mayor of Auckland. Because of the almost unique way we Kiwis kid ourselves that local body elections are apolitical, Goff needs to be seen to his own man, capable of crossing the political divide. He’s simply signalling to conservative voters and organisations that he is nominally independent in his thinking.

That’s good local body politics, though it might be better now if he simply resigns his seat and starts the mayoral campaign early. Labour could certainly use the good vibes a thumping by-election win would bring.

As for Shearer, well, lets just say Relevance Deficiency Syndrome appears to have scrambled his brains. His leader has treated his self indulgent disloyalty appropriately. Andrew Little could have gone off at him, stripped him off responsibility and banished him to the back benches, but rather he has kept the matter in perspective. David Shearer has been admonished and ordered to apologise to his caucus colleagues. It’s a sign of how weak Shearer’s support in caucus is that he has agreed to comply without complaint.

Perhaps it’s time for David Shearer to move on too. Mayor Phil will need a chief of staff. What could be more agreeable than having the two of them spending their evenings singing Kumbaya together in the quiet of the mayoral office?

This episode has been a shame. It didn’t have to happen, but it’s been dealt with firmly and fairly by a leader who is now comfortable that he has majority support in the wider party, among the affiliates and now, at last, in caucus.

So thanks, Phil. Thanks, David. You didn’t mean to, but you’ve strengthened the NZ Labour Party.

Phil, you still have history to make. If you lift yourself, you could be an average Auckland mayor.

David, you’ve made yourself history. You can probably go now, too.

The rest of the ABCers? Your time is up. Take a hint and jump before you’re pushed.

There’s a new day rising.

 

 

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80 comments on “New Day Rising ”

  1. Chris 1

    “Perhaps it’s time for David Shearer to move on too.”

    It’s been that time for a long time now. The painter on the roof debacle exposed his true colours. He might seem a nice guy but he ain’t no friend of the poor. Whether it’s a new day rising or not – and I doubt that it is because it’s the current Labour party we’re talking about – David Shearer should still fuck off now.

  2. Lanthanide 2

    “Phil, you still have history to make. If you lift yourself, you could be an average Auckland mayor.”

    Damning with faint praise if ever I saw it.

    • rhinocrates 2.1

      Especially considering the average quality of Auckland Mayors.

      Not that we in Wellington have much to be proud of.

  3. Alan W 3

    New day rising , yep, hard left Labour soon polling less than 25% and going backwards fast, same as in the UK, brilliant strategy, well thought through, bound to see Labour forming the next government………

    • Paul 3.1

      There will be attempts like this to derail the thread by rwnjs .
      Let’s set the agenda of the discussion where we want it, rather than having trolls starting petty little arguments by using mantras and slogans like ‘hard left’

      • Indeed, Paul, but I take heart from the reaction by the right in recent days. They must now sense that the old memes about disunity and leadership coups are not working anymore. They’ll need new strategies if they want to stop Andrew Little from becoming the next PM.

        • Paul 3.1.1.1

          Let’s hope so.
          I am encouraged by the amount of people who now bypass the msm to get the news.

        • Chris 3.1.1.2

          I sincerely hope you’re correct but we’ve experienced this kind of hope before and it’s gone nowhere. Perhaps Goff leaving will help other dead wood to move on but the evidence of the “new day” isn’t quite strong enough to rejoice quite yet.

        • Anne 3.1.1.3

          I take heart from the reaction by the right in recent days.

          Indeed I have too. 🙂

        • The Lone Haranguer 3.1.1.4

          Its not the “RWNJ/GRWC” groups who need new strategies to stop Andrew Little becoming the next PM, its the Left who need new strategies to get the “missing million” out to vote.

          As long as that group sit at home on their collective arses, and dont engage in the political argie bargie of ideas, then the only hope that the left have for getting Andrew Little to PM in 2017, is if aliens invade before 2017 and take Key away with them.

      • Alan W 3.1.2

        huh?
        Shearer, Goff represent moderate left, TRP says farewell and good riddance and hails those to their left, therefore how is my comment possibly derailing the thread????
        Would seem to me that my comment is exactly on thread.
        (and RWNJ in no way describes my political thinking, thank you)

        • Draco T Bastard 3.1.2.1

          Shearer, Goff represent moderate left

          No they don’t. They’re almost as radical right-wing as National.

          (and RWNJ in no way describes my political thinking, thank you)

          If you think that Goff and Shearer are moderate left-wing then yes it does.

        • Pasupial 3.1.2.2

          Alan W

          RWNJ in no way describes my political thinking, thank you

          Perhaps it doesn’t, but it certainly describes the comments you have chosen to post on this site. Your last comment (under this pseudonym anyway) was back in September:

          Rally for Kim?
          So a few people with limited knowledge wave a few banners and chant a few chants, Yep, that is going to make a huge difference to the outcome

          Which certainly reads like it was typed while your right-wing knee was jerking. Prior to that was various bits of Cobyn bashing, rugby idolation and rightwing sloganeering. All of which began around the time of the Northland byelection and has happened every couple of months since. You never seem to initiate a conversation, merely reacting in a disparaging manner to others (the knee-jerk part of RWNJ). Why exactly do you feel the description is inaccurate?

      • weka 3.1.3

        Nicely expressed Paul, thanks.

  4. Manuka AOR 4

    “He’s simply signalling to conservative voters and organisations that he is nominally independent in his thinking.” In other words his loyalties are now clearly divided.

    “That’s good local body politics, though it might be better now if he simply resigns his seat and starts the mayoral campaign early.” Yeah that. Otherwise he starts to look like someone trying to hang onto their piece of cake while tucking into it for a quick nosh.

  5. Ad 5

    I thought the same TRP.

    I viewed it that Shearer evaluated he would spend precious media capital with Goff going TPP-pro, but the prize was near-total caucus unity, and red meat to his activist base. (Shearer was less expected).

    Worth the cost in medium-term.

  6. Graeme Stanley 6

    You are reiterating what this Gold Badge oldie 40 years a Labour member & footsoldier feels right now. We at the coalface year after year of street corner meetings, leaflet drops and fundraising election campaigns are sick and tired of this grandstanding by Goff and Shearers self serving lack of discipline. They are past there use by date in my book..David Shearer &Phil Goff has shown poor political judgement in past I think with Skycity corporate box syndrome etc and they should stand aside.Iam relieved that at last Andrew Little has said No To The TPPA as my sympathies and support had begun to steer towards The Greens who articulate these matters brilliantly.Heres hoping Andrew can learn to state clearly his position with Guyon Espiner next time and put more of his stamp on our Party.

  7. Jenny Kirk 7

    Totally agree with you, TRP – pleased, and relieved, that Andrew Little is starting to put his stamp on to Labour Party policies, and caucus discipline. Looking forward to his speech in a couple of minutes being live-streamed. Hope its a goodie.

  8. Macro 8

    As an Auckland voter – I now know who I shall not be voting for.

  9. alwyn 9

    “The rest of the ABCers? Your time is up. Take a hint and jump before you’re pushed.”
    Huh? I thought that ABC meant anyone but Cunliffe?
    That group clearly includes Little doesn’t it? The one MP who Little really seems to have it in for is Cunliffe. No real responsibility now at all and a clear indication that Little wants him out of Parliament.
    So you are calling for Little to quit apparently.

    • Nope. Not even close. Little is not part of the dwindling group often referred to in the past as ABCers. Or as I wrote in the post, referred to as ABCers, neo-libs or Blairites. Nice try though, feel free to have another go.

      • Ovid 9.1.1

        I’m a bit wary of purges. So far I’ve been very happy with Andrew Little’s performance and I think he’s handled Goff and Shearer appropriately. But I don’t want Labour to be a caucus of yes-people. It should be able to have MPs privately arguing their cases to meet the party’s overall goals for New Zealand. But they should also fall into line once a decision has been reached.

      • marty mars 9.1.2

        pretty sad attempt by allwhiney – heart doesn’t seem in it anymore.

        Onya Andrew and Labour and trp for some hope to back up the faith. TPPA is changing the political battlefield and the left will benefit!!!

      • Colonial Viper 9.1.3

        Nope. Not even close. Little is not part of the dwindling group often referred to in the past as ABCers.

        If the ABC’ers were such a dwindling, powerless group in caucus Little wouldn’t have shafted Cunliffe on to the backbenches and removed his key portfolios.

        That move was done to please the ABC’ers.

      • alwyn 9.1.4

        If Little wasn’t trying to get rid of Cunliffe why has he sent him off to Coventry on the backbench?
        Nothing to do and very clear hints that he should GO.

        • te reo putake 9.1.4.1

          Two different things. First, Little is not an ABCer. Second, how he chooses to use or not use Cunliffe is his decision as leader. He has to build an effective team for the future, not put bandaids on the hurt feelings of ex-leaders. And its possible that Cunliffe simply didn’t want a role. I wouldn’t blame him in the least if he wanted a breather.

          • alwyn 9.1.4.1.1

            “First, Little is not an ABCer”. That actually meant Cunliffe for leader didn’t it? I guess that no one, except David C himself wants him for leader now. In that sense the whole caucus is an ABCer.
            The last election proved of course that anyone who didn’t want Cunliffe to lead the party was very sensible. He was a disaster merely waiting to implode, which he managed to do very successfully when the public got a chance to see him..

            It must be very hard being a loyal member of a political party when it in opposition. In only 7 years a good Labour Party member has had to believe.
            (1) Helen Clarke is God. Then God abdicated.
            (2) Phil Goff is the anointed one. No one can compete with him.
            (3) Phil Who? Shearer is the messiah.
            (4) Who do you mean David S? David Cunliffe is my master and the one who will crush Key.
            (5) David C? Never heard of him. Little is the Lord.

            Rather like in Stalinist Russia. They even air-brushed the deposed out of photos. I suppose at least in NZ they don’t shoot them.

            I’m glad I have never got involved with a party. It must have been the same in National from Bolger to Shipley to English to Brash to Key.

            • marty mars 9.1.4.1.1.1

              “In only 7 years a good Labour Party member has had to believe”

              I’m not a Labour person but even I can see the gaping holes through your vacuous assertions.

              The one quoted for instance – HAD to believe??? You need to try really, really hard and do some of your own thinking (I know, wtf???) because at the moment you really seem to be struggling to grasp basic, basic concepts. No one HAD to believe – that is not what ‘belief’ is about – don’t you get that bot?

              • alwyn

                Your comments are diverting more and more from reality.
                You have to believe these things if you wish to remain a member in good standing. Personal beliefs that divert from the party line are simply not acceptable are they?
                When Shearer was leader I am sure every one in the party would have lined up and said that the TPPA was good. Now he has to stand up and apologise to the whole of the Caucus because he had a thought that wasn’t in line with the latest dogma.
                From things Colonial Viper has said on this site I suspect that he has been told off by the party inner circle for not slavishly following the latest party line. Yes, to be a proper “good” party member you do have to give up free will.

    • weka 9.2

      I’ll take pity on you alwyn. Here’s two politicos’ outlines of the threeway factions within Labour circa Cunliffe as leader time.

      http://thestandard.org.nz/labours-three-factions/

      http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/07/15/labour-party-coup-watch-downgrade/

      • alwyn 9.2.1

        That may be very interesting Weka, but I am interested in what is happening now.
        The first opinion, and that is all it was, is nearly 3 years ago.
        The second is by that noted journalist Martyn Bradbury, the man who believed he could ride on KDC into a position of influence.

        Little has shafted Cunliffe, now.
        He clearly hopes he will quit, soon.

        He is obviously one who believes that he would rather have “Any one but Cunliffe” in Labour’s front row (or second row) in Parliament. That is even more extreme that being in an ABC group for leader isn’t it?
        QED.

        • weka 9.2.1.1

          Interesting to see you make shit up about Labour too.

          ABC is an historical term relating to the time period of those links. It shows Little and either on DC’s side or neutral. It doesn’t get used a lot now, most people refer to neoliberals or rogernomes.

          I don’t believe Little has shafted DC. He’s put him on the back bench as a way of settling down the civil war with caucus. It appears to have worked. Labour would be insane to get rid of DC, he’s one of their more competent MPs. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him with more responsibility once Shearer and Goff are gone, but for Robertson (I don’t really understand what he’s up to).

          • alwyn 9.2.1.1.1

            It is only you who is talking about the dim distant past Weka.
            Te Reo Putake was talking about the present when he said
            “The rest of the ABCers? Your time is up”.
            I was also talking about the present when I proposed that Little is clearly now an ABCer, saying
            “That group clearly includes Little doesn’t it?”
            When you use “is” and “includes” you are using the present tense.
            What Little may have been back in the days when Shearer was leader doesn’t matter in the slightest. We were both talking about the present day.

            You can believe in Cunliffe as much as you like. It doesn’t really matter. It is what Little thinks that matters and he doesn’t want anything to do with him.
            Cunliffe is yesterday’s man and is like the black sheep uncle who the family wish would go off to the colonies.

            • weka 9.2.1.1.1.1

              That’s easy then, you’re wrong in the present tense as well as the past tense.

              I was just trying to be helpful by giving some historical context. Feel free to keep making shit up instead, just expect to be called out on it.

              • alwyn

                “you’re wrong in the present tense as well as the past tense”
                Now that was quite funny. There is hope for you yet.
                You still get a fail in logic though.

                • te reo putake

                  The logic fail is yours. Little has never been an ABCer. He isn’t one now. Your argument appears to be based on a misunderstanding of what ABC means. Hint, it’s about preventing DC from leading the party. Little has never stood against Cunliffe, and never canvassed or counselled against him. He isn’t an ABCer, he’s his own man.

        • Tautuhi 9.2.1.2

          Obviously you don’t want Cunliffe in the Labour Party?

  10. rhinocrates 10

    (Too) Little, too late. Lack of discipline sank Labour’s chances in the last elections and this just confirms that the problem’s still there and Little can’t control his caucus. It takes years to establish or change perceived brand, it’ll take years yet and they don’t have that time. So thanks [Shearer] and Goff, I am really NOT looking forward to more years of Key as PM, followed by Bennett or Collins.

    I’m willing to paint your roofs if you like – but it’ll be with [Death threat deleted. Don’t do it again. TRP] if you don’t mind.

  11. Reddelusion 11

    The sun must be getting to TRP, let’s see the next poll before we conclude that the left Is on the way to the promised land, labour is simply a hot bed of division and single interest groups temporarily placated for the sake of self interest survival, of it ever dwindling MPs . CV is on the mark with his evaluation, labour represent a time past and no longer are a United cohesive party representing main stream society, what we are seeing now is the death throes of the party. The real interest is what wil replace it

  12. Richard Christie 12

    And that sums it up nicely, good post.

  13. Colonial Viper 13

    Caucus strongly back Andrew Little’s harder stance against the TPP, and not Shearer?

    Are you sure, TRP?

    Because I think Shearer has plenty of support in caucus, he will keep his position as no. 13, he will keep his position on the TPP law change committee, he won’t lose any portfolios, and he will get nothing more than a wet bus ticket slapping on the wrist.

    If Cunliffe had spoken out in the same manner as Shearer, he would have been stripped of his major portfolios and sent to the backbenches almost immediately.

    That’s the contrast.

    • Northsider 13.1

      +1

    • Well, that’s exactly what’s happened, CV. Goff asked for permission to act outside the caucus line, but Shearer just jumped on the bandwagon and blurted without thinking. Caucus has not backed that behaviour and instead, they are looking for him to be contrite and to get back on task. Little, being a good employer, has not over-reacted. Requiring Shearer to apologise is punishment enough, I would have thought.

      So, Little has demonstrated that he leads caucus. And Shearer has demonstrated he’s a goose. As I said in the post, probably time for him to move on. But, Little … Little’s here to stay.

      • Colonial Viper 13.2.1

        Well, that’s exactly what’s happened, CV.

        ?

        Did Shearer get demoted from no.13 and lose major portfolios?

        I didn’t hear that had happened.

        IMO, a wet bus ticket is the level of punishment that Little can afford to mete out to Shearer.

        • te reo putake 13.2.1.1

          No, your strawman didn’t happen. What did happen was the leader clearly imposed his authority and did so without over-reacting. And caucus supported him in his approach. So, united in thought and deed. What’s not to like?

          • Colonial Viper 13.2.1.1.1

            Oh right, so no punishment of substance for Shearer. No wonder he wasn’t shy to speak out directly against Little’s comments.

            • te reo putake 13.2.1.1.1.1

              Try and focus on what a fair and reasonable response should be, CV. The man is being made to apologise for his stupidity. Little gets to assert his authority and Shearer is humbled. That’s a fair and reasonable result. A+ Andrew, D- Dave.

              Anyway, it’s a bit rich you moaning about punishments, CV. Pretty much every public statement you ever make is designed to hurt Labour and yet you are tolerated within the party. Why should Shearer be heavily punished for this single error of judgement if you are not punished at all for a daily campaign of denigration?

              • Brendon Harre -Left wing Liberal

                +1

              • gsays

                Hi trip, not wanting to pick a fight or anything…

                Anyone convinced against their will, keeps their own opinions still.
                When someone is ‘made’ to apologise, in my experience, their resentment grows.

                • te reo putake

                  I agree with you that the apology may not be sincere, but it’s what it says about formal and informal power within caucus that I find interesting. This marks the end of an era, hopefully.

                  • gsays

                    i do admire yr optimism.
                    i remain a tad cynical, i see too many careerists who are there for their own benefit.
                    this is not limited to the labour party btw. need a few more public servants with emphasis on the servant in wellington.

                    keep up yr good work.

      • Jenny Kirk 13.2.2

        + 100% TRP

    • Hami Shearlie 13.3

      +1

  14. adam 14

    I love your optimism TE REO PUTAKE.

    Actually it’s one of the best qualities, and you should be congratulated on it.

    But, my gut is telling me you are wrong. Yes labour looks more unified, but does it look more left wing? I’m not convinced. It still has not said it will change the reserve bank act. Or maybe that’s the best we can expect.

    Labour being no friend of freedom or liberty. Labour the dull edge sword of the elites to smudge the world for working people. Of good old labour at the neck of working people telling them what is good for them.

    A nicer way for those in charge to tell all us folk to shut up, and do as we are told.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 14.1

      There’s a simple reason why it’s always worth choosing a Labour government over a National one: fewer dead children.

      If you aren’t prepared to put them before ideological purity I question your ethics.

      • Colonial Viper 14.1.1

        Nah, not good enough.

      • greywarshark 14.1.2

        Fewer dead children! For someone taking an emotional shot instead of a considered one, you have just added a further mark against you OAB. If you are a sincere idealogue it should be more than NO dead children, it should be ALL children well cared for and with affordable, accessible medical and educational services for all.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 14.1.2.1

          Nope, it isn’t an emotional shot it’s a simple statement of fact. Not good enough? Fine, stick with National and enjoy your moral superiority.

          • greywarshark 14.1.2.1.1

            Your moral superiority is better than my moral superiority. Twerp.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 14.1.2.1.1.1

              Who’s making emotional shots now?

              Labour are not going to roll back every facet of neo-Liberal vandalism in one go, more’s the pity. We can still have a lower morbidity rate all the same.

  15. Northsider 15

    Little will survive this debacle IF he comes down like a tonne of bricks on any misbehaviour by Shearer/Robertson/King and their bag carriers. Little’s nasty treatment of Cunliffe in the last reshuffle, at the behest of that trio, suggests to me that he is not free from their clutches.

    TRP makes a number of valuable observations and comments but there is something not right about his conclusion. Viewing The “dispensation” for Goff as a sign of strength has some validity. Allowing Shearer to continue as a spokesperson on any matter touching on foreign trade relations is stupid and the Nats will bring it up time after time: it will become a distraction and a running sore.

    Little’s political capital has been depleted by Shearer. There is absolutely noting positive to be said about Shearer and his role in Labour since 2009. I agree Shearer should be shown the door. Little’s next reshuffle will be interesting.

    • Colonial Viper 15.1

      Shearer should be shown the door, but he won’t be.

      Further, I believe that Shearer knows that he spoke out from a position of strength and that Little won’t be able to apply anything more than a wet bus ticket against him, hence why he stepped forward to begin with.

      • te reo putake 15.1.1

        He’s been forced to apologise. Hardly proof of a position of strength. Er, actually, it’s the exact opposite.

        There’s a few in Labour that should be shown the door in my opinion, CV. Not all of them MP’s 😉

  16. Peroxide Blonde 16

    Shearer has “Entitlement” written all over his face.

    Shearer deliberately made this stand on TPPA because he believed he was entitled as Goff. Robertson’s clique has blown so much smoke up Shearer’s arse that Shearer actually believes he has the same entitlements as a trooper of Goff’s stature.

    Shearer also has an eye to another international gig via his Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) buddies and feels that being associated with an anti TPPA stance is a blot on his CV.

    Shearer won, In his head he achieved his objective.
    Labour lost. Little has had his mana damaged by a useless toe-rag like Shearer.

    Grant Robertson is very happy.

    • FiFi 16.1

      I trust him even less if he is involved with the IISS, that must be where they got the name ISIS from. If he has anything to do with Zbigniew Brzezinski who started the IISS then we sure as hell don’t need Shearer in our political arena.

  17. Penny Bright 17

    Distributed a number of leaflets today to Labour MPs, organisers and supporters, at the Labour Leader Andrew Little’s ‘State of the Nation’ speech, at Albert Park – advertising the upcoming PEACEFUL protest against the TPPA that will be happening Thursday lunchtime 4 February 2016.

    This protest has been called and has been organised by the It’s Our Future (Auckland) group and is NOT going to Sky City – which we see as a provocative ‘corporate trap’.

    The aim is to get tens of thousands of concerned New Zealanders to fill
    Queen St, from 12 noon at Aotea Square, and marching to Britomart – where this peaceful protest will end at 1pm.

    It was great to hear how many Labour Party supporters knew about this anti-TPPA peaceful protest, and said they were coming.

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

  18. Gangnam Style 18

    Regarding the sex for rent story, how about sex for higher education, http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/01/where-the-sugar-babies-are/384547/?utm_source=SFFB
    “In recent years the rising cost of student debt has given birth to an odd phenomenon: a population of ostensibly generous older men who appear poised to solve the higher-education crisis, one student at a time. Once a relatively underground subculture, this benevolent group of men is coming to the rescue across the country, essentially volunteering to subsidize the students’ tuition costs.”

    • Gangnam Style 18.1

      D’oh, was meant for the “Postcards from the brighter future” post, posting without glasses sorry.

      [No worries! Not sure that I can transfer it, sorry. TRP]

  19. swordfish 19

    Upset at “the ritualised humiliation of David Shearer”, Phil Quin loses heart with what he calls “Labour’s remaining moderates” (ie the ABCers).

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11529206

    Apparently, the ABCers have betrayed Phil’s dream, having “folded like cheap tents” under pressure from Little and are just not “capable of such courageous, potentially career-threatening acts” as crossing the floor in support of the TPPA.

    For Phil and his small coterie on the Right-Wing fringe of Labour’s ABC brigade, the Dream is Over.

    • Manuka AOR 19.1

      @swordfish
      Phil Quin wrote that in October 2015. At that time Key had not yet released the text of the TPP – How did Phil get to read it in advance, I wonder.

      Great top comment underneath his article, which begins: “What utter rot. That Labour would propose to govern in a manner that serves NZers and not corporate interests makes them eminently more capable of governing…”

  20. nzsage 20

    I feel the tide is turning against Key and the right wing self interest policies.

    Acquaintance who have in the past staunchly defended him are beginning to question both him and his parties underlying motives.

    I really hope Key is still fronting the Natz come the next election, it will be a huge advantage for the left!

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    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    15 hours ago
  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    22 hours ago
  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    23 hours ago
  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    24 hours ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    1 day ago
  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    2 days ago
  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    2 days ago
  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    3 days ago
  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    3 days ago
  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    4 days ago
  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    4 days ago
  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    4 days ago
  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    4 days ago
  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    4 days ago
  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    5 days ago
  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 17, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 23, 2023. Story of the Week  Opinion: Let’s free ourselves from the story of economic growth A relentless focus on economic growth has ushered in ...
    6 days ago
  • The End Of The World.
    Have you been looking out of your window for signs of the apocalypse? Don’t worry, you haven’t been door knocked by a representative of the Brian Tamaki party. They’re probably a bit busy this morning spruiking salvation, or getting ready to march on our parliament, which is closed. No, I’ve ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • Climate Town: The Brainwashing Of America's Children
    Climate Town is the YouTube channel of Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians. They examine climate change in a way that doesn’t make you want to eat a cyanide pill. Get informed about the climate crisis before the weather does it for you. The latest ...
    1 week ago
  • Has There Been External Structural Change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase. Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was similar to the May Budget BEFU, ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • Another Labour bully
    Back in June, we learned that Kiri Allan was a Parliamentary bully. And now there's another one: Labour MP Shanan Halbert: The Labour Party was alerted to concerns about [Halbert's] alleged behaviour a year ago but because staffers wanted to remain anonymous, no formal process was undertaken [...] The ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: Ignoring our biggest problem
    Its that time in the election season where the status quo parties are busy accusing each other of having fiscal holes in a desperate effort to appear more "responsible" (but not, you understand, by promising to tax wealth or land to give the government the revenue it needs to do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • JERRY COYNE: A good summary of the mess that is science education in New Zealand
    JERRY COYNE writes –  If you want to see what the government of New Zealand is up to with respect to science education, you can’t do better than listening to this video/slideshow by two exponents of the “we-need-two-knowledge-systems” view. I’ve gotten a lot of scary stuff from Kiwi ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago
  • Good news on the GDP front is accompanied by news of a $5m govt boost for Supercars (but what about ...
    Buzz from the Beehive First, we were treated to the news (from Finance Minister Grant Robertson) that the economy has turned a corner and New Zealand never was in recession.  This was triggered by statistics which showed the economy expanded 0.9 per cent in the June quarter, twice as much as ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • The Scafetta Saga
    It has taken 17 months to get a comment published pointing out the obvious errors in the Scafetta (2022) paper in GRL. Back in March 2022, Nicola Scafetta published a short paper in Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) purporting to show through ‘advanced’ means that ‘all models with ECS > ...
    Real ClimateBy Gavin
    1 week ago
  • Friday's Chorus: Penny wise and pound foolish
    TL;DR: In the middle of a climate emergency and in a city prone to earthquakes, Victoria University of Wellington announced yesterday it would stop teaching geophysics, geographic information science and physical geography to save $22 million a year and repay debt. Climate change damage in Aotearoa this year is already ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER: Calling the big dog’s bluff
      For nearly thirty years the pundits have been telling the minor parties that they must be good little puppies and let the big dogs decide. The parties with a plurality of the votes cast must be allowed to govern – even if that means ignoring the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago
  • The electorate swing, Labour limbo and Luxon-Hipkins two-step
     Another poll, another 27 for Labour. It was July the last time one of the reputable TV company polls had Labour's poll percentage starting with a three, so the limbo question is now being asked: how low can you go?It seems such an unlikely question because this doesn't feel like the kind ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago
  • A Womance, and a Nomance.
    After the trench warfare of Tuesday night, when the two major parties went head to head, last night was the turn of the minor parties. Hosts Newshub termed it “the Powerbrokers' Debate”.Based on the latest polls the four parties taking part - ACT, the Greens, New Zealand First, and Te ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
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