Yes, RoG, I saw that article yesterday. It is really concerning, as is the fact, as mentioned in the article, "Stuff reached out to National for comment but did not receive a response." The lack of responsiveness about a policy position concerning a significantly at-risk group is really concerning. And in case anyone suggests that National is too busy with coalition negotiations – when a policy concerns a vulnerable group in society, you make the time to respond. At least ACT did that!
I am already aware of all this otherwise I would not have said all this.
The thing is, as a disabled person, I'd rather be talking with whatever left-wing government in power than right-wing government in power because they are more likely to economically benefit us even if they are extremely frustrating at times. We can rattle against them safely compared to if we rattle against right-wing governments because there's more of an element of economic danger in it.
UPDATE: Talbot Mills informs me that the poll that was reported by the NZ Herald as internal polling for Labour was “wrong”. I accept them at their word, so that should not be treated as an accurate reflection of their polling. this of course raises serious questions about why media prominently reported on an unpublished internal poll, that had “wrong numbers” according to the polling company that did them.
I know, Kiwiblog and Farrar are anathema to many Standardistas.
However, this is a really serious issue.
If (and, on the face of it, there is no reason to disbelieve him), Farrar is correct and Talbot Mills have indeed told him that the results 'leaked' to the press were wrong – this is really serious.
There has been much discussion on TS about the way that polls and the messages that the electorate take from them, change voting patterns.
In this case, it appears that 'incorrect' results were deliberately leaked (it can only be deliberate, since there was no attempt to correct them) – in an attempt to change the political narrative.
Talbot Mills did not address this at the time (it was up to their client to correct the mis-information) and have only come forward now – because it was likely to reflect badly on their ability to poll accurately (i.e. had a business impact on them).
Should the media be reporting on 'leaked' polls at all?
No polls, leaked or unleaked, correct or incorrect, should be published for 12 months before an election. None. They are becoming a propaganda tool and have had a catastrophic effect on the quality of political journalism.
A lot of what the media do around politics stinks. Money shouldn't be given to them, ever, for one thing. Or if it is, it's via some separate entity that is impartial.
Shoutout to departing Member of Parliament Andrew Little.
In a typically honourable move he has pulled out of the list before being sworn in again.
This guy had a massive career in the unions for E Tu, and fought many battles for workers throughout his pre-Parliamentary career.
I first saw him up close in Labour when he spoke at the annual conference and he rocked up to the podium in a Huffer sweatshirt rather than a suit. Back in 1999 that was pretty cool and unusual.
It was his selfless act to move aside in mid 2017 during the campaign to bring in Ardern that actually stopped us losing and started us winning again. She was precisely what we all needed at the time. He remained a strong part of the Cabinet from the government that formed.
He did an outstanding piece of work on the Waitangi paepae speaking solely in te reo Maori in 2020. It really rocked what is otherwise a tough crowd. That takes a lot of courage and practise.
But for me the most farsighted thing he did was to re-unify the health system. When the cabinet paper went up it was proposed that there would be a series of large aggregated regions that decreased the number of health boards but did not unify them nationally. Even if the Maori Health Authority is indeed abolished, what will remain was his own decision to form a single national entity and greatly scale back the Ministry of Health into a small monitoring agency.
While that doesn't take the full step of eradicating the corporatised buffer of boards between agencies and the democratic order, he took it a long, long way.
The other really useful thing is that at only 58 he has plenty of gas left int he tank and will go on to further great things. I would not be surprised to see his name in charge of a major Crown entity as Maharey and Cullen did, or go on to work in a significant global labour institution.
I don't think Andrew Little will be lost to New Zealand but he is indeed lost to the Labour caucus. Useful to reviving the caucus while they are down, it's also a huge loss of talent and performance who represented the labour movement in so much of what he did.
Thank you Ad. I see Andrew as a real labour member. He always remained in touch with the grass roots. I hope he has many happy games of golf with his son. His Christmas cards are in our box of special things. Go well Andrew.
A good example of Michael Cullen's line that governments and Ministers get things done and the public simply bank it.
As Justice Minister, Little piloted the abortion law reform through Parliament. It is now locked in, and even an anti-abortion PM with many ultra-conservative MPs has had to promise that there is no going back. (He'll be toast if he breaks that promise).
The status quo ("abortion's a crime but leave it alone") has been replaced by a new status quo ("not a crime and we leave that alone"). Major achievement, shifting the ground, and yet … barely acknowledged now.
“It was his selfless act to move aside in mid 2017”.
Yes, indeed, Ad, what I honour Andrew Little for as well.
He taught three great lessons, there. Firstly, that personal ambition and ego must be subject to reason and the greater good.
Second, that we have to all recognise the time for us to stand down.
Third, that our choices for who represent us as politicians must also be made by our recognising the same qualities of humility, selfless regard for others, willingness to learn, human decency and altruism that Andrew Little has and displays.
That a Pakeha man, busy as he is, had the energy and drive to learn te reo rangatira is an example to us all.
For the gender identity people who say that everyone knows what sex is and no-one is trying to deny biological sex, here's the UK Green Party's Queerphobia Guidance document.
Transphobic behaviour typically includes actions which convey a view that —
● trans women are not “real women”, are men and/or are male people;
While I agree there are social issues with saying to transsexual women they are not real women, there is no rationale that I can see that should stop people from being able to talk about TW as being male, especially in a political context (eg feminists being able to talk about male pattern violence by TW). Male is the word we use to describe biological sex.
A writer at the Critic wrote a piece on the guidance,
When I asked one of the authors how they could justify their claim that trans women are female, I was pointed towards a website. Nothing there provided any evidence that humans, uniquely amongst mammals, are able to spontaneously change their own sex.
I've definitely come across and talked with people who do in fact believe that TW are biologically female. Some believe that sex is a colonial construct, or that sex is a spectrum and therefore TW can be female. I think they are in the minority.
The problem here is the larger group of people who insist that female and male are words of identity rather than material reality and won't acknowledge this is what they are doing.
This makes it impossible to know what the UK Greens mean. Are they trying to establish that there is no such thing as biological sex? Are they trying to downplay sex and establish gender identity as the primary way in which we understand sex/gender? And in doing so want to co-opt language to their politics? Are they just really confused?
For context UK Greens have a history of seriously bad judgement on gender identity (google Aimee Challenor, or defining women as non men).
A few days after the election I thought I would post my thoughts about how the parties performed and what were their successes (and failures).
National – obviously the winner on the night so you have to say it was a successful campaign but it actually wasn't the rampage that they are claiming. Their overall majority if you exclude NZ First will be 1-2 seats, which is actually an uncomfortably thin majority, whilst in 2020 Labour had an overall majority. Was it a good campaign? Depends on your definition of good. It was bought success, certainly. National had a huge amount of money donated by big business and big farming but their messages were confused and contradictory, although the voters obviously pretended not to notice. because they were so pissed off with Labour.
Labour – they knew quite early on that they were down for defeat but in the face of a death sentence decided to go out fighting and their last week of campaigning was probably their best, Hipkins showed he could come out swinging but the damage was done by then. Labour can possibly take a little heart that they prevented the NACTs from achieving a comfortable majority but little else. Labour's message was clear, but it always looked like a reaction to National, rather than an innovation so the voters scoffed in derision.
The Greens – unquestionably a good campaign for the Greens. They identified that Wellington was their prime target – aided immensely by the retirement of two long-serving popular Labour MPs – and won a solid backing from erstwhile Labour voters frustrated with their party's pandering to the centre and neglect of good old fashioned democratic socialist values. Their messages were clear and uncompromising and appealed to a new generation of voters who believe that climate change is the biggest threat to mankind.
ACT – a campaign that threatened to outshine National in its early days but in retrospect it probably peaked too soon and Seymour's howdy doody style began to wear a bit thin. The party's obvious problems with rebellious candidates and its concentration on populist vote fodder policies made it look like a National tailgater rather than a party of fresh ideas. Although outwardly ACT will be crowing like Peter Pan, privately they will think they deserved to have ended up with a few more seats than they actually did.
Te Pati Maori -the best and most organised campaign that they have ever mounted. They avoided the in-your-face confrontational style of previous campaigns and probably won considerable swinging left voters with their provocative, but also very accessible, policies done in a way that was somehow both uniquely Maori but also very accessible to non-Maori.
NZ First: You can't deny the success of a man who has once again come back from the political wilderness to lead a party to the brink of kingmaker status. A remarkable campaign in that Winston seemed to promise both everything and nothing at the same time but a lot of voters seemed to love him for that. His charisma and penchant for populist policy repackaging enabled him to pinch the less extreme cooker vote and his was the most successful "no" vote of the election.
The Opportunities Party: Lacking the resources and key public figures of the other parties it was always going to be a struggle for them to get their message heard between Labour's superficial optimism and National's calculated negativity and they were subsequently quickly banished from the voters' minds as also-rans. They needed to have a significant voter base in more places than just Ilam but they didn't.
The cookers parties: NZ Loyal, NZ Freedoms, Democracy NZ and the rest of the nutters: scored only about 2% of the party vote in total, a significant proportion of it coming from rural North Island electorates. They would have done better but for their own delusions of grandeur and in the end a lot of their supporters jumped ship for NZ First.
Women's Rights Party: a very new party campaigning on a brass razoo in the midst of a big swing to the right, this was not an opportune time for them. They may be one to watch for the next election if they stay together.
It was National's worst share of the vote since 2005. It will be interesting to see the final percentages.
This election was not a disaster for the Left as is being painted by the MSM. Indeed assuming the special votes add to the Left's tally of seats, Winston could, if he was in the mood, install a left-wing government, albeit with a tiny majority.
My description of the elements of the parliamentary ground occupation who actually had genuine gripes, not just a good opportunity to throw their excrement and bricks at police and screech out their hatred of organised society.
As one of the Top voters I know we lost the battle on Saturday, but maybe one day we will win a war.
Given that politics is about winning, and transforming your ideas into legislation, I would suggest that the biggest winner was the Nats, and the biggest loser was ACT.
The Nats they have survived generations by rarely ever rocking the boat, and Luxon is a moderate leader of that type. Remember, Key brought TPM into the Government "fold" tho he didnt actually need the numbers. What he needed was their ideas (and cynically), some brown faces.
Meanwhile, ACT has nowhere else to go, and love them or hate them, they arent going to bite off the National arm that feeds them. So Luxon has them cornered. They are way past the early days (Prebble and co) where they declared that staying on the opposition side was best for them, and that the baubles werent a prize they sought.
I read the top policies…and there was some good stuff in there..
Kinda demeaning tho' how manji prostrated himself before luxon.. promising undying support..if luxon would do a deal with him..like they did for seymour..
I find it baffling that National has out polled Labour in 5 of the past 6 elections. Why is this the case when National never does a damn thing for the benefit of the country.
For me that is a real concern because it is difficult to form a government when you are not the largest party.
In the MMP environment the second largest party has only lead the government once (2017). This shows it is very difficult to cobble a government together when the leading party from a block is polling in the 20s or low 30s. This election is a perfect example. The right probably won't be able to do it on their own, but there is next to no chance of the left forming a government.
Labour's core support base needs to increase by 5 to 10%. Just look at their less than impressive support since 2005:
2005: 41.1%
2008: 33.99%
2011: 27.48%
2014: 25.13%
2017: 36.89%
2020; 50.01%
2023: 26.81%
Other than 2005 and 2020, Labour has underperformed and something needs to change.
A lot of people do quite well out of the status quo and major change is scary. Throw in fearmongering at all attempts at change once real proposals appear, and it becomes very hard.
THe National Party has kept its factions in-House. Thus the Christian right and the Denialists etc are just hidden in the folds. 2023; 50+2 =52seats.
Where as Labour has Leftists in plain sight. Therefore you could read Labour-Green-MP as one blob in order to compare with National blob. 2023; 34+14+4= 52 seats
I am glad that I can see where the Left factions are. I am suspicious of the factions hidden in National. (O'conner was just one to be exposed and look what happened to him.
For my part, I have never forgiven Labour for their Rogernomics betrayal. They have since pretended to revert to the left, but in fact, they never overturn the neo-liberal plumbing that has been built in. All they do is stop the neo-liberal flow. They never really change the plumbing to stop the next right-wing govt from making further inroads on society. Both Ardern and Chippy ran true to this form. Why would I ever give either of them my party vote?
People blaming Chris Hipkins for Labour's election loss (not that you are Mike) seem to have a simplistic perspective. Evidently most people weren't voting for a wealth tax, or a tax exemption from the first $10,000 to $30,000 of income, because more would have voted for Te Pāti Māori or the Green Party if these were the main policies concerning people. Clearly many people voted against their own interests.
Huge donations assisted National with a relentless attack campaign against Labour.
Resentment towards Labour seems to have originated from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some media colluded with National and manipulated people into feelings of anger at being expected to comply with Labour's successful Covid minimisation strategies, for the safety of others. Constant commentary that people felt angry resulted in people feeling angry. Media repeatedly gave entitled individuals opportunities to complain about their individual circumstances.
National, ACT and NZ First also appealed to many people's deep-seated racism, by falsely insinuating or overtly claiming that Labour's policies advantaged Maori at the expense of other NZers.
Even though economists criticised as unworkable National's plans to cut taxes and sell houses to overseas buyers to pay towards the tax cuts, people's resentment overrode their willingness to see National's tax plan for the con job it was/is.
Even though it was clearly explained that overseas buyers purchasing NZ properties would likely increase house prices, related expenses and rental costs, evidently many people knowingly voted against their own interests, presumably as an irrational action to punish Labour.
Winston Peters walks through the airport for two minutes. Surrounded by media. Says "kia ora" to a member of the public … and nothing else. Not one single word.
Saying nothing? Nah. Saying "I'm back, and I'm in charge now". Without words.
I am curious to know why Andrew Bayley ,National mp for Port Waikato was not investigated for his share in a family trust after Michael Wood was stripped of his portfolios for the same thing. Were the rules changed or something? It seems he is certain to get the seat of the deceased Act pm.
Nope. Ministers are covered by the Cabinet Manual – which is a lot more restrictive on what must be declared, and what should be divested. Ministers have to declare shareholdings to the Cabinet Office – which determines the level of conflict – and makes recommendations for managing this.
For the simple reason that Ministers have a lot of power in government – and must be seen to be impartial. Back-bench and/or opposition MPs – not so much.
If Andrew Bayley becomes a Minister, then he will be required to meet the same level of disclosure and scrutiny as Wood.
Of course, Wood stuffed up, mostly, by repeatedly assuring everyone concerned that he had sold the shares, while making no attempt to do so.
"MPs are required to disclose their shareholdings to Parliament as part of the annual register of pecuniary interests, however MPs decided at the end of the last parliamentary term that shares held in a trust did not necessarily need to be declared, taking a different view to a top official."
I gather that decision – that shares in a trust do not need to be declared – has come under fresh scrutiny following the Wood privileges committee hearing – and MPs (especially those with Ministerial ambitions) are pre-emptively declaring…. just in case.
But Parliament’s Privileges Committee, investigating Wood, came to a different opinion, saying that the current rules did not exactly require this. Nonetheless, in the aftermath of this resignation, a host of MPs began declaring their interests in more detail.
Note: this Trust issue is irrelevant to the Wood situation – he personally owned the Airport shares while he was Transport Minister (although he was also the beneficiary of a Trust which owned other shares – which is why the situation was being discussed by the PC).
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TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff is calling on all political parties to support the new Member’s Bill from Labour’s workplace relations and safety spokesperson Camilla Belich MP that would ensure negligent companies are held accountable when their employees ...
A historian with an uncanny track record of predicting US election winners tells RNZ's Sunday Morning that President Biden looks to be on track for another term, but things could still go very wrong for him. ...
Ngaio Marsh House is one of Christchurch’s best kept secrets – and contains more than a few mysteries of its own.Trust Ngaio Marsh to leave more than a few mysteries scattered through her house long after her departure. For a start, there’s the curious concrete portal in the garden, ...
Appointment viewing has been lost to the mists of time, but memories of Montana Sunday Theatre can still be conjured by hitting play on a particular piece of classical music. “You’re not going to be able to sell it.” Over 30 years on, Karen Bieleski still recalls how the task ...
Performance Review King Luxon sat behind His massive polished oak desk. It is Performance Review time. There is a knock on the door. “Enter!” says the King. In steps Minister of Disabilities and Carer Pedicures, Penny Simmonds. “I can explain everything …” she begins. “Fine,” says King Luxon, pressing the ...
The pair opened their first fully collaborative exhibition, Nina for Flowers, last Saturday. Gabi Lardies visited their studio to find out who Nina is and what working together was like.‘It didn’t start out like, ‘This is a show about Nina,’” says Josephine Jelicich, gripping a thermos of peppermint tea. ...
Thank you, Dr Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner, for your brilliant invention. I’m another mid-20s Kiwi who had an OE last year. I hopped on my bicycle where France meets the Atlantic and cycled east. I pedalled through the Loire Valley, down rivers lined with willows and ancient wisteria-draped chateaus. I relished ...
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scout’s human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird – she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including ‘terrible’ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking “do you have what it takes to be a popstar?” 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The 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.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
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Schools too.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-palestine-conflict-gaza-hamas-attack-b2431294.html
https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/133132419/election-result-leaves-disabled-community-feeling-anxious-about-policies-of-incoming-national-act-government
Shame on these who has voted for ACT & NAT knowing this might happen. Shame on you for doing this.
People like that don't experience shame.
Nevertheless, it should be said. Just so it is on the record.
Yes, RoG, I saw that article yesterday. It is really concerning, as is the fact, as mentioned in the article, "Stuff reached out to National for comment but did not receive a response." The lack of responsiveness about a policy position concerning a significantly at-risk group is really concerning. And in case anyone suggests that National is too busy with coalition negotiations – when a policy concerns a vulnerable group in society, you make the time to respond. At least ACT did that!
For your elucidation. A very interesting and surprising 23 minutes.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018909519/disability-is-this-year-s-forgotten-issue
Rest assured the political 'blind spot' that disabled find themselves is across the whole political spectrum.
Gsays,
I am already aware of all this otherwise I would not have said all this.
The thing is, as a disabled person, I'd rather be talking with whatever left-wing government in power than right-wing government in power because they are more likely to economically benefit us even if they are extremely frustrating at times. We can rattle against them safely compared to if we rattle against right-wing governments because there's more of an element of economic danger in it.
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2023/10/how_the_polls_look_vs_provisional_results.html
I know, Kiwiblog and Farrar are anathema to many Standardistas.
However, this is a really serious issue.
If (and, on the face of it, there is no reason to disbelieve him), Farrar is correct and Talbot Mills have indeed told him that the results 'leaked' to the press were wrong – this is really serious.
There has been much discussion on TS about the way that polls and the messages that the electorate take from them, change voting patterns.
In this case, it appears that 'incorrect' results were deliberately leaked (it can only be deliberate, since there was no attempt to correct them) – in an attempt to change the political narrative.
Talbot Mills did not address this at the time (it was up to their client to correct the mis-information) and have only come forward now – because it was likely to reflect badly on their ability to poll accurately (i.e. had a business impact on them).
Should the media be reporting on 'leaked' polls at all?
No polls, leaked or unleaked, correct or incorrect, should be published for 12 months before an election. None. They are becoming a propaganda tool and have had a catastrophic effect on the quality of political journalism.
+100
They are bad for democracy.
Perfect comment.
Just jobs for the girls and boys in polling companies and the media who would otherwise be unemployable.
Ban polls.
Polls are just a line of coke for campaign managers and a few media pundits.
election porn
A lot of what the media do around politics stinks. Money shouldn't be given to them, ever, for one thing. Or if it is, it's via some separate entity that is impartial.
Shoutout to departing Member of Parliament Andrew Little.
In a typically honourable move he has pulled out of the list before being sworn in again.
This guy had a massive career in the unions for E Tu, and fought many battles for workers throughout his pre-Parliamentary career.
I first saw him up close in Labour when he spoke at the annual conference and he rocked up to the podium in a Huffer sweatshirt rather than a suit. Back in 1999 that was pretty cool and unusual.
It was his selfless act to move aside in mid 2017 during the campaign to bring in Ardern that actually stopped us losing and started us winning again. She was precisely what we all needed at the time. He remained a strong part of the Cabinet from the government that formed.
He did an outstanding piece of work on the Waitangi paepae speaking solely in te reo Maori in 2020. It really rocked what is otherwise a tough crowd. That takes a lot of courage and practise.
But for me the most farsighted thing he did was to re-unify the health system. When the cabinet paper went up it was proposed that there would be a series of large aggregated regions that decreased the number of health boards but did not unify them nationally. Even if the Maori Health Authority is indeed abolished, what will remain was his own decision to form a single national entity and greatly scale back the Ministry of Health into a small monitoring agency.
While that doesn't take the full step of eradicating the corporatised buffer of boards between agencies and the democratic order, he took it a long, long way.
The other really useful thing is that at only 58 he has plenty of gas left int he tank and will go on to further great things. I would not be surprised to see his name in charge of a major Crown entity as Maharey and Cullen did, or go on to work in a significant global labour institution.
I don't think Andrew Little will be lost to New Zealand but he is indeed lost to the Labour caucus. Useful to reviving the caucus while they are down, it's also a huge loss of talent and performance who represented the labour movement in so much of what he did.
Go well Andrew.
Thank you Ad. I see Andrew as a real labour member. He always remained in touch with the grass roots. I hope he has many happy games of golf with his son. His Christmas cards are in our box of special things. Go well Andrew.
A good example of Michael Cullen's line that governments and Ministers get things done and the public simply bank it.
As Justice Minister, Little piloted the abortion law reform through Parliament. It is now locked in, and even an anti-abortion PM with many ultra-conservative MPs has had to promise that there is no going back. (He'll be toast if he breaks that promise).
The status quo ("abortion's a crime but leave it alone") has been replaced by a new status quo ("not a crime and we leave that alone"). Major achievement, shifting the ground, and yet … barely acknowledged now.
Thanks Andrew.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2020/mar/20/this-week-we-brought-new-zealands-abortion-laws-into-the-21st-century
“It was his selfless act to move aside in mid 2017”.
Yes, indeed, Ad, what I honour Andrew Little for as well.
He taught three great lessons, there. Firstly, that personal ambition and ego must be subject to reason and the greater good.
Second, that we have to all recognise the time for us to stand down.
Third, that our choices for who represent us as politicians must also be made by our recognising the same qualities of humility, selfless regard for others, willingness to learn, human decency and altruism that Andrew Little has and displays.
That a Pakeha man, busy as he is, had the energy and drive to learn te reo rangatira is an example to us all.
Ngā mihi nui ki a Anaru.
As Minister of Justice, Andrew Little also inflation adjusted Teina Pora's compensation payment for wrongful conviction and over 20 years' imprisonment, meaning Pora got almost a million extra dollars. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/teina-pora-compensation-adjustment
Little's predecessor in the Minister of Justice role, National's Amy Adams, wouldn't make the inflation adjustment, a decision Little described at the time as "niggardly, quibbling and miserable." https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/andrew-little-the-renaissance-man/TUSGNZZTWFNWSFXAVAXLBAEBCU/
I would add my voice to the chorus of those praising his efforts to do with Pike River.
Those that are close to the issue, who hold him in high regard, confirm my view from afar.
As to being Health Minister, this time I will follow my Nana's advice, if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.
Hard to disagree with any of the kudos being heaped upon a. little…
Looking forward to the Republicans coating themselves in sticky brown glory trying to elect Jim Jordan and Speaker.
For the gender identity people who say that everyone knows what sex is and no-one is trying to deny biological sex, here's the UK Green Party's Queerphobia Guidance document.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bIvJ1MYZyt-sLwnGUzL6WCLSuL7T7AHM/view
While I agree there are social issues with saying to transsexual women they are not real women, there is no rationale that I can see that should stop people from being able to talk about TW as being male, especially in a political context (eg feminists being able to talk about male pattern violence by TW). Male is the word we use to describe biological sex.
A writer at the Critic wrote a piece on the guidance,
https://thecritic.co.uk/nowt-so-queerphobic-as-folk/
I've definitely come across and talked with people who do in fact believe that TW are biologically female. Some believe that sex is a colonial construct, or that sex is a spectrum and therefore TW can be female. I think they are in the minority.
The problem here is the larger group of people who insist that female and male are words of identity rather than material reality and won't acknowledge this is what they are doing.
This makes it impossible to know what the UK Greens mean. Are they trying to establish that there is no such thing as biological sex? Are they trying to downplay sex and establish gender identity as the primary way in which we understand sex/gender? And in doing so want to co-opt language to their politics? Are they just really confused?
For context UK Greens have a history of seriously bad judgement on gender identity (google Aimee Challenor, or defining women as non men).
Oh what clever little kiddies you are – but we mustn't annoy Daddy or he'll send you to bed early.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/17/they-challenged-the-communist-monopoly-vietnam-regime-turns-on-its-climate-champions
A few days after the election I thought I would post my thoughts about how the parties performed and what were their successes (and failures).
ACT – a campaign that threatened to outshine National in its early days but in retrospect it probably peaked too soon and Seymour's howdy doody style began to wear a bit thin. The party's obvious problems with rebellious candidates and its concentration on populist vote fodder policies made it look like a National tailgater rather than a party of fresh ideas. Although outwardly ACT will be crowing like Peter Pan, privately they will think they deserved to have ended up with a few more seats than they actually did.
Te Pati Maori -the best and most organised campaign that they have ever mounted. They avoided the in-your-face confrontational style of previous campaigns and probably won considerable swinging left voters with their provocative, but also very accessible, policies done in a way that was somehow both uniquely Maori but also very accessible to non-Maori.
NZ First: You can't deny the success of a man who has once again come back from the political wilderness to lead a party to the brink of kingmaker status. A remarkable campaign in that Winston seemed to promise both everything and nothing at the same time but a lot of voters seemed to love him for that. His charisma and penchant for populist policy repackaging enabled him to pinch the less extreme cooker vote and his was the most successful "no" vote of the election.
The Opportunities Party: Lacking the resources and key public figures of the other parties it was always going to be a struggle for them to get their message heard between Labour's superficial optimism and National's calculated negativity and they were subsequently quickly banished from the voters' minds as also-rans. They needed to have a significant voter base in more places than just Ilam but they didn't.
The cookers parties: NZ Loyal, NZ Freedoms, Democracy NZ and the rest of the nutters: scored only about 2% of the party vote in total, a significant proportion of it coming from rural North Island electorates. They would have done better but for their own delusions of grandeur and in the end a lot of their supporters jumped ship for NZ First.
Women's Rights Party: a very new party campaigning on a brass razoo in the midst of a big swing to the right, this was not an opportune time for them. They may be one to watch for the next election if they stay together.
That's my take on it.
I welcome comment and criticism;
It was National's worst share of the vote since 2005. It will be interesting to see the final percentages.
This election was not a disaster for the Left as is being painted by the MSM. Indeed assuming the special votes add to the Left's tally of seats, Winston could, if he was in the mood, install a left-wing government, albeit with a tiny majority.
Except for last election though? Wasn't that percentage in the 20's?
This seems to be untrue:
National's percentage of the vote:
2023 (provisional): 38.95%
2020: 25.6%
https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/
Sorry Bella, I'm sure your numbers are right.
I heard someone say that on RadioNZ but I should have checked it.
National's share is well below what National achieved under John Key and Bill English.
Hard to disagree with much of it.
I do have a challenge for you. A less devisive term for "less extreme cooker".
As was suggested to Barfly, they may well be yr comrades should Luxon decide to let Seymour have his way with his Te Tiriti referendum.
My description of the elements of the parliamentary ground occupation who actually had genuine gripes, not just a good opportunity to throw their excrement and bricks at police and screech out their hatred of organised society.
So, regular citizens with the courage of their convictions?
As one of the Top voters I know we lost the battle on Saturday, but maybe one day we will win a war.
Given that politics is about winning, and transforming your ideas into legislation, I would suggest that the biggest winner was the Nats, and the biggest loser was ACT.
The Nats they have survived generations by rarely ever rocking the boat, and Luxon is a moderate leader of that type. Remember, Key brought TPM into the Government "fold" tho he didnt actually need the numbers. What he needed was their ideas (and cynically), some brown faces.
Meanwhile, ACT has nowhere else to go, and love them or hate them, they arent going to bite off the National arm that feeds them. So Luxon has them cornered. They are way past the early days (Prebble and co) where they declared that staying on the opposition side was best for them, and that the baubles werent a prize they sought.
I read the top policies…and there was some good stuff in there..
Kinda demeaning tho' how manji prostrated himself before luxon.. promising undying support..if luxon would do a deal with him..like they did for seymour..
Kinda mixed messages there..eh..?
I find it baffling that National has out polled Labour in 5 of the past 6 elections. Why is this the case when National never does a damn thing for the benefit of the country.
For me that is a real concern because it is difficult to form a government when you are not the largest party.
In the MMP environment the second largest party has only lead the government once (2017). This shows it is very difficult to cobble a government together when the leading party from a block is polling in the 20s or low 30s. This election is a perfect example. The right probably won't be able to do it on their own, but there is next to no chance of the left forming a government.
Labour's core support base needs to increase by 5 to 10%. Just look at their less than impressive support since 2005:
2005: 41.1%
2008: 33.99%
2011: 27.48%
2014: 25.13%
2017: 36.89%
2020; 50.01%
2023: 26.81%
Other than 2005 and 2020, Labour has underperformed and something needs to change.
A lot of people do quite well out of the status quo and major change is scary. Throw in fearmongering at all attempts at change once real proposals appear, and it becomes very hard.
THe National Party has kept its factions in-House. Thus the Christian right and the Denialists etc are just hidden in the folds. 2023; 50+2 =52seats.
Where as Labour has Leftists in plain sight. Therefore you could read Labour-Green-MP as one blob in order to compare with National blob. 2023; 34+14+4= 52 seats
I am glad that I can see where the Left factions are. I am suspicious of the factions hidden in National. (O'conner was just one to be exposed and look what happened to him.
For my part, I have never forgiven Labour for their Rogernomics betrayal. They have since pretended to revert to the left, but in fact, they never overturn the neo-liberal plumbing that has been built in. All they do is stop the neo-liberal flow. They never really change the plumbing to stop the next right-wing govt from making further inroads on society. Both Ardern and Chippy ran true to this form. Why would I ever give either of them my party vote?
People blaming Chris Hipkins for Labour's election loss (not that you are Mike) seem to have a simplistic perspective. Evidently most people weren't voting for a wealth tax, or a tax exemption from the first $10,000 to $30,000 of income, because more would have voted for Te Pāti Māori or the Green Party if these were the main policies concerning people. Clearly many people voted against their own interests.
Huge donations assisted National with a relentless attack campaign against Labour.
"If we subtract negative posts from positive posts, about 63 percent more Labour posts included positive self-presentation than negative attacks. In comparison, when we do the same for National, it had a net positivity score of just 5.5 percent". https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2023/10/negative-campaiging-in-the-2023-new-zealand-election
Resentment towards Labour seems to have originated from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some media colluded with National and manipulated people into feelings of anger at being expected to comply with Labour's successful Covid minimisation strategies, for the safety of others. Constant commentary that people felt angry resulted in people feeling angry. Media repeatedly gave entitled individuals opportunities to complain about their individual circumstances.
National, ACT and NZ First also appealed to many people's deep-seated racism, by falsely insinuating or overtly claiming that Labour's policies advantaged Maori at the expense of other NZers.
Even though economists criticised as unworkable National's plans to cut taxes and sell houses to overseas buyers to pay towards the tax cuts, people's resentment overrode their willingness to see National's tax plan for the con job it was/is.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/election-2023/497974/economists-analysis-rubbishes-national-s-foreign-buyers-tax-numbers
After repeated challenging of National's tax plan: https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/05-10-2023/nicola-willis-confirms-only-3000-households-will-get-full-250-a-fortnight-tax-cut – an example of resentful, oppositional behaviour: many people knowingly voting for a party that has lied by omission and implication about the supposed benefits of a major policy.
Even though it was clearly explained that overseas buyers purchasing NZ properties would likely increase house prices, related expenses and rental costs, evidently many people knowingly voted against their own interests, presumably as an irrational action to punish Labour.
As Chris Trotter commented prior to the election: "That so many of us are willing to see so much pain inflicted upon our fellow citizens, strongly suggests that there is a fair amount of sadism mixed in with all that masochism. Hardly a pretty picture of our national character, and even less so of those NZ First voters bounced so easily into abandoning their nobler impulses by the prospect of a second election". https://democracyproject.nz/2023/10/09/chris-trotter-reckless-speculation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chris-trotter-reckless-speculation
Well said
Thank you for that Vivie. Spot on.
No-one seems to have pointed out that these preliminary results actually give National fewer seats than they got in 2017!
it would spoil the media's narrative of how great Luxon and National are.
I’m more than happy to oblige!
National was 8 seats down on 2017, based on the preliminary results.
This is awesome!
Winston Peters walks through the airport for two minutes. Surrounded by media. Says "kia ora" to a member of the public … and nothing else. Not one single word.
Saying nothing? Nah. Saying "I'm back, and I'm in charge now". Without words.
Watch: Winston Peters refuses to answer 27 questions in media scrum (1news.co.nz)
I am curious to know why Andrew Bayley ,National mp for Port Waikato was not investigated for his share in a family trust after Michael Wood was stripped of his portfolios for the same thing. Were the rules changed or something? It seems he is certain to get the seat of the deceased Act pm.
Short answer. One was a Minister, One was not a Minister.
Both were entitled to run in their electorates. Both did.
But both were in parliament. Andrew Bayley should have had the same level of scrutiny as Michael Wood.
Nope. Ministers are covered by the Cabinet Manual – which is a lot more restrictive on what must be declared, and what should be divested. Ministers have to declare shareholdings to the Cabinet Office – which determines the level of conflict – and makes recommendations for managing this.
For the simple reason that Ministers have a lot of power in government – and must be seen to be impartial. Back-bench and/or opposition MPs – not so much.
If Andrew Bayley becomes a Minister, then he will be required to meet the same level of disclosure and scrutiny as Wood.
Of course, Wood stuffed up, mostly, by repeatedly assuring everyone concerned that he had sold the shares, while making no attempt to do so.
National’s Simon O’Connor also filed multiple amendments to the register stretching back to 2018/19.
'MPs rush to declare pecuniary interests after Michael Wood shares scandal'
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/mps-rush-to-declare-pecuniary-interests-after-michael-wood-scandal/NIDO4EGZ35FIXA5LS4HY3OBJ4Q/
MW was stripped of ministerial warrants.
AB wasn't a minister so that wasn't an option.
Still a member of parliament, and there was a mad flurry of mps correcting the record. See 10.1.1.1.1
The by-election must be held because the ACT candidate died. He was not an MP (nor PM) and it was not his seat as such.
This seat was held by Andrew Bayly (NAT) who will likely win it again in the by-election.
And the shares.????? Bloody typical. Rules for us and rules for them. Will Luxon get another report to “shelve?”
Thank you for your clarifications but I still don’t see why he didn’t have to declare his shares.
This seems to be the relevant bit in the report
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2023-national-mp-did-not-declare-shareholding-to-parliament-in-wake-of-michael-wood-scandal/FR5FFQ73GJES3LS63CZRLCXE7U/
I gather that decision – that shares in a trust do not need to be declared – has come under fresh scrutiny following the Wood privileges committee hearing – and MPs (especially those with Ministerial ambitions) are pre-emptively declaring…. just in case.
Note: this Trust issue is irrelevant to the Wood situation – he personally owned the Airport shares while he was Transport Minister (although he was also the beneficiary of a Trust which owned other shares – which is why the situation was being discussed by the PC).
It’s ok. I think I’ve got it. But still sounds shonky.
Everything changes from here on in. Saying "what about?" doesn't have much effect when it's about a candidate or backbencher for an opposition party.
But as of now, it will be about Ministers and government supporters (with baubles). The chances of Nat/ACT/NZF being clean are zero.
Watching Luxon run away from the inevitable questions about inevitable hypocrisy will be a feature of Politics 2024. Enjoy it.
Louis. That’s what I had thought.
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-18-10-2023/#comment-1973558