The National Party has raked in more than seven times more in donations than Labour since the start of 2021, raising concerns our political donation rules are tilted towards those with the deepest pockets.
The donation figures tell the story, the parasite class are terrified of a wealth tax–“it burnses usss…” but seem to have enough loot sloshing around to fund Natzos/Act/NZ First in the 2023 election campaign, for rather obvious reasons.
Even Chris Hipkins tried referring in a veiled way to capital flight when questioned on TVNZ last night on a wealth tax and free dental that have increasing support–up to 70%–from all sides of the political spectrum.
The Greens and TPM are fronting up well now, and NZ Labour needs to join them in informing voters what they are in for. If NACTfirst as PsyclingLeft succinctly puts it, attain office, working class people are going to lose a lot more than free prescriptions.
I am pleased Labour's last call to members has passed the goal set, and shows members and the public are beginning to recognise what is at stake. Most raised in six years. $413 000 in 4 days. $5 to $5000 put up by members, doubled by supporters. So we are growing a fighting fund which is open to further donations.
We should stop "buying into" National's "They have done nothing", and list the real meaningful gains for people. There are many. Start lauding the progress made in spite of the opposition, who have already "walked back" support they offered formerly.
The constant comparison of Aotearoa NZ with Aussie.
They have assets we don't, but they also have some huge issues with collapsing big businesses, growing unemployment, falling house prices, wilder weather, and wild fires are already a worry with the change in weather patterns. Plus pests at higher levels. Pest plagues actually.
I have family in three states. They have family renting and paying in excess of $700+ a week for houses. Granted pay levels are better, but not that much better as at one point a cauliflower was $13.00
They are now entering the "contracted/part time" unprotected work in many places, as businesses shed staff and then take people on in a temporary way.
If you are injured at work, you have to rely on insurances to help you.
They do have more sunshine hours, but more roads showing flood signs 2meters+.
We are more community minded, and admire Ed Hillary for his humanitarian work in Nepal, rather than the glitz of New York, a place many Australians aspire to visit.
My grand niece was shocked at the rows of tents housing homeless in New York city. Dislocation and hardship caused by covid is everywhere. A huge change from her prior visit a few years previously.
We are told this is a disorganised bad government. Really? They have managed six+ major crises while bringing forward changes.
Not at the speed we had hoped, and at greater debt levels than we hoped, but they have kept employment high, tried to improve work conditions and pay, provide the services in a world competing for skilled people.
In a pandemic which has now settled to infecting 4 to 5 thousand each week and hospitalising 200 odd and killing 12 to 20 we complain about the "inefficiency" of our hospital systems, as we have longer waits for other procedures and treatments.
Our systems strained but never broke under the load. We have been fortunate, but to hear National and a few of our own you could be led to believe it is "all bad"
Come on the Left, donate and believe we can do even better, because becoming despondent means they win as our voters fail to get out and vote. What we want fixed won’t be fixed by National and Act.
Excellent comment, Patricia. Hubby and I have a monthly automatic payment set up to donate to Labour, but we have scraped up an extra $100 following the email from Helen Clark and I'm delighted the plea for funds has brought in some much needed funding for the campaign – heaven only knows it is sorely needed. In the immortal words of Fred Dagg – 'we don't know how lucky we are', which reminds me of the campaign when Bill Rowling was running for PM – there was a TV advert where he ran into Fred Dagg, they had a short conversation and if I recall, Fred finished up with those words. Sadly – Rob's mob won the day.
Sometimes I wonder if I am shouting at the moon! But like you I donate fortnightly, and because I have a modest pension from 21 years of saving ( GSF )
I am able to give fortnightly, and Norm agreed twice to $500 gifts for their funds. I am awaiting a board in front of our place, but guess Hayden got busy.
The money that Paula Bennett has raised for National is so over the top, it is like they are trying to buy the election.
If we don't win we still need a strong opposition, but by working together we may pull this off. Every dollar counts.
Thank you for your kind words. Let us hope our PM's daughter is out of hospital soon and he can campaign.
The Greens and TPM are fronting up well now, and NZ Labour needs to join them in informing voters what they are in for.
And therein lies a major problem – one that I have banged on about for years:
Labour over-estimates the ability of the public in general to see through the sycophantic NActoids who suck up to the big money boys and girls at the expense of the rest of us. Add to that a noisy, dishonest bunch of tabloid journos who are more than happy to enable them because they know some of the spoils will trickle down to them by way of perks and positions.
Labour are way too timid when it comes to stepping up and calling them out at every opportunity. That includes the tabloid rats. Too late now. The government of chaos meme is fully entrenched.
Being nice and kind does not cut it in a political climate like we have now. The old truism 'fight fire with fire' is as true today as it ever was.
PS. Anyone who was part of the political scene in the Muldoon days will know what I am talking about. He rode roughshod over his 'enemies' and few had the guts to stand up to him. He brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy and paved the way for neo-liberalism.
Was thinking just yesterday what my retirement might have looked like if the super scheme he killed off would have looked like after 35 years of working life so far.
The government put a loaded gun to it's head when during the pandemic it did the most unforgiveable thing in contemporary neoliberal capitalism – it briefly prioritised the public good over private profit and became hugely popular as a result. Such contagion of the proper order of things had to be stopped, and all it took after that was for big money to come along and pull the trigger.
Agree AB, for a glorious few months Public Health was put ahead of Capital accumulation. In retrospect also Robbo should have ensured COVID payments were made direct via IRD rather than through employers, but hey, too late now.
They worked around that by having he bright-line test going to 5, then 10 years and the end of mortgage cost deduction against rent income for existing property. This to incentivise sale of rental property and to collect some bright-line test CG tax revenue – and move the landlord capital into new builds to increase supply.
That issue had moved onto either an estate tax or a wealth tax (2/3rd of nations have an estate tax and some have a CG that includes the family homes of the wealthy elite).
Yes indeed, also death duties could be renovated into something that will work better. I think part of the reason it fell into disfavour in the past was that the levels were not regularly reviewed.
I personally think all but say very small estates under say $5000 (might be too low) could be caught, then a low percentage or several flat rates until it got to levels such as the Labour Government was thinking of using in its wealth tax ideas.
Treasury estimates reckoned the wealth tax would have hit about 25,000 people – the top 0.5 per cent of New Zealanders. Their total wealth reckoned to be $300b, or 26 per cent of the total wealth held by New Zealanders.
Dead right, they gambled on luxon's buffoonery to see them through so decided holding the line was the best bet after realising the surprising level of support Hipkins had after Ardern's departure. What they didn't gamble on were ministers getting up-ended following the handy work of the right's black ops, which made quick work of their strategy to sit tight and has made them look like not only a shell of a party with no policies, but a shell of a party with stupid policies. The rest will be history…
The latest coverage (Newshub, Herald and now Stuff) on the new visa for migrant workers.
Immigration New Zealand staff have been warning their managers for a year that the under-fire Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system has major flaws and is a recipe for migrant exploitation – but were ignored.
They, Nats, may have wanted to clear the lists of the last of the types of creeps like those who made Hon Clare Curran's political life a misery.
Michael Woodhouse presents a divisive figure and thinking Nats, and there are some, probably thought someone like MW was no longer wanted on the journey.
I think it's more that he's been a list-only MP since 2008, and had several ministerial portfolios (Immigration, Police, etc.) without exactly setting the world on fire – either in Government or in Opposition.
I expect that there was a feeling that it was time for him to move on, and leave the more winnable list places to new talent.
However, if that was the case, I don't feel that it was handled at all well by the National Party and leadership. An honest conversation over his chances of Ministerial roles (should National/ACT win the election), giving him the chance to bow out gracefully – would have been a far better outcome for everyone concerned.
However, if that was the case, I don't feel that it was handled at all well by the National Party and leadership. An honest conversation over his chances of Ministerial roles (should National/ACT win the election), giving him the chance to bow out gracefully – would have been a far better outcome for everyone concerned.
Yes there is alot to be said for good manners and kindness and thinking of the feelings of others. I was deeply affected by seeing how hurt a health sector board chair was when he got no letter of thanks let alone one that said he was not going to be re-appointed. His appointment was thought by the Nats to be a political appointment, it wasn't, and that was the rationale apparently for no reappointment and no letter of thanks.
They need to try harder. Chris Bishop Tobacco and Barbara Kuriger who used her position to try to influence a court case against her son for animal cruelty.
"Elaine Naidu Franz, who was ACT's candidate for Rangitata and ranked 29th on its list, resigned after 1 News questioned ACT about her comments comparing vaccine mandates to Nazi concentration camps."
It took no time at all to discover what ACT candidates really believe, once they came under scrutiny.
Unfortunately, the free ride for Seymour's followers has gone on far too long, with the media finally waking up only weeks from an election. It was always obvious who ACT were attracting from the fringes.
The extraordinary lack of curiosity about the alternative government has been worse than in any previous MMP election campaign. Vote "Other" but don't ask who they are and what they stand for. And if Labour/Greens point this out … they are called "negative"!
It's a weird way for a democracy to function. Don't ask, don't tell.
A Curia-Taxpayers Union electorate poll, then the Taxpayer Union hosts a candidates debate. With The Platform (Wright family) show hosts as MC and debate moderator.
It could have been worse, with ZB show hosts and Cameron Slater there (with Simon Lusk and Jason Ede) I suppose.
We're now up to 3 ACT candidates who have either been dumped or had to apologise for their recent past. That's in just one day, who's next?
It's not an investigation by Woodward and Bernstein. These people have been caught simply by looking at the internet. David Seymour has only one job – to be in charge of his party. So let's get him to run a Ministry, he won't make any mistakes at all.
So let's get him to run a Ministry, he won't make any mistakes at all.
I some how doubt you could rely on that……there are ever so many more people in a Ministry he could blame.
But seriously, he must be about the worst at the sustained bad mouthing of the entire Public Service over his entire time in Parliament and it will take some big boy pants wearing to be able to make a transition to being a Minister should this horrible prospect arise.
Who ever said that the Labour Government couldn't get anything done?
At the last moment they introduced 286 pages of amendments to a 300 page ill and then whipped them through the house. Apart from the Minister answering questions during the Committee stages the only contribution from the Government appears to have been regular contributions from the Junior whip wanting to put the question so that all debate could be stopped.
The Bill was the Water Services Legislation. What a bloody shambles. Even the Green and Maori Parties seem to be embarrassed. They didn't contribute to the debate but they at least voted against the bulldozing going on.
The reporter's Editor thought he was an idiot and so he proved to be. Meanwhile, are you impressed with Chippies’ demonstration of what he thinks is a preferable alternative to Democracy?
When someone starts a story with the following statement I know exactly what he is saying, and what he suggests the Editor meant.
"When the editor asked for an Idiot’s Guide to Three Waters I suspected nothing, naively. “You’d be perfect,” she said, with what might have been a smirk."
Who is willing to step up and explain what a fantastic Finance Minister Robbo has been? A $35 billion dollar mistake (or hole if you prefer). What is a word for a very, very, very big hole? Whatever it is it is what Labour are leaving New Zealand in.
This is even more spectacular than the stinking mess Palmer and Clark left us in when they got the boot.
Yes technically true. He was Prime Minister for 60 days and saved them a fair number of seats. Gosh, Labour could help their cause by dumping Hipkins tomorrow and they might save some of their MPs.
Let's face it. Labour left the country in the shit in 1990. The did just the same thing in 2008 and are leaving an even worse situation this year.
Nationals cutting the prescriptions for free or for several million New Zealanders or 1,000 people get very expensive treatment just like John Key did in the 2008 election but by 2017 Keys National Government cut healthfunding by more than 20% to give tax cuts to the rich.Nationals tough on Crime same story National under Key cut police numbers by 20% plus for tax cuts for the wealthy.National can't help themselves conning enough poor people so they can make the already rich richer hoarding property money and resources.Dickensian days are here to stay.National put just enough on the table to tug the heart strings.while free prescriptions help millions tens of thousands avoiding complications over loading hospitals getting their medications.
Police NZ data shows actual police numbers rose between 2008 and 2016, during which time Ms Collins served two distinct periods as police minister.
When police numbers are described as an officer to resident ratio, they show an improvement during Ms Collins’ first period as police minister (from 1/519 in 2008, to 1/507 in 2011).
However, during Ms Collins’ second run as police minister, population growth in NZ largely outstripped the growth in police numbers (1/514 in 2015 to 1/526 in 2016). This is also true when you compare police to resident ratios for 2008 to the same data for 2016.
This means NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is only correct to say police numbers fell under Judith Collins when those figures are expressed as police per head of population.
Somewhat False – The claim has a problem or inaccuracy but it does contain a significant element or elements of truth.
* AAP FactCheck is accredited by the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network, which promotes best practice through a stringent and transparent Code of Principles. https://aap.com.au/
There are many things that Tricledrown could have said that would have been correct. He could have said that Gang numbers had risen markedly during the Ardern/Hipkins led Government for example.
What he did say was that "National under Key cut police numbers by 20%".
That statement was, as I showed, simply not true. Trying to demonstrate that some other statement that he might have said, but didn't, could have been true doesn't somehow miraculously make this false statement true.
There’s a solar-storm on at the moment, and since the South Island is having a day and night with clear skies, that means Aurorae. I have just got back from a midnight visit to Tunnel Beach – southwards-looking over the Sea, and without the light pollution. Quite a few others ...
Michael Bassett writes – I’m not sure that it’s much comfort to anyone to know that the post-Covid surge in violent crimes, gang activity, ram raids, random shootings, thuggery and stabbings is occurring in other countries as well as New Zealand. These days, wagging school, out-of-control welfare and ...
Oliver Hartwich writes – Cast your mind back to mid-December. A new Prime Minister had just been sworn in, the new Government started its 100-day programme, and Christmas was only days away.Amid all the haste, a report landed that would have deserved our attention.I am talking about the ...
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Hi,Before we crack into today’s Webworm, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that Israel is pushing into Rafah. Over 100,000 Palestinians are now attempting to flee the one place that was deemed “safe”.Trouble is, the place they’re fleeing to is already destroyed. Total annihilation is the end goal here.“Israel is ...
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Peter Dunne writes – I am always wary when I hear that the Controller and Auditor-General has commented on or made recommendations to the government about an issue of public policy that does not relate strictly to public expenditure. According to the legislation, the role of the Controller ...
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Another week goes by in the Luxon government’s efforts to roll back the past 70 years of social progress. The school lunches programme is to be downgraded by $107 million, and women need bother their heads no longer about pay equity, let alone expect ACC to provide adequate sexual violence ...
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Open access notablesA Global Increase in Nearshore Tropical Cyclone Intensification, Balaguru et al., Earth's Future:Tropical Cyclones (TCs) inflict substantial coastal damages, making it pertinent to understand changing storm characteristics in the important nearshore region. Past work examined several aspects of TCs relevant for impacts in coastal regions. However, ...
Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result? As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and always answered “yes”, with very few ...
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Alwyn Poole writes – After being elected to Parliament in 2008 the maiden speech of Hipkins was substantially around education policy. He was Labour’s spokesperson for education 2011 – 2017. He was Minister for Education from 2017 until February 2023. This is approximately 88% of the time Labour ...
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Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
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Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
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Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
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Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
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Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
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. ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
PNG Post-Courier New Zealand High Commissioner Peter Zwart and PNG Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph welcomed a C-130 Hercules to Port Moresby this week to support Papua New Guinea’s response to the March 24 earthquake and recent severe flooding. “Papua New Guinea has requested New Zealand’s assistance to transport emergency ...
Grub Street King Luxon rode through the streets Of King’s Landing, and was troubled By the sight of hungry urchins in the mud. “Who would be the best of my Lords To deal with this negative optic?” He pondered. The answer came to him instantly. “Seymour!” he said to himself. ...
“The Bill does not provide environmental protection, good quality decision making, certainty, public participation or speed. It should be withdrawn.” ...
RNZ News Television New Zealand has breached its collective agreement with the E tū union when deciding on discontinuing programmes, the Employment Relations Authority has ruled. It was announced in March that 68 staff members who work for news programmes Midday and Tonight, consumer justice programme Fair Go, current affairs ...
Asia Pacific Report Barangay New Zealand’s Rene Molina has interviewed the country’s first Filipino Green MP Francisco Hernandez who was sworn into Parliament yesterday as the party’s latest member. This is the first interview with Hernandez who replaces former Green Party co-leader James Shaw after his retirement from politics to ...
An Australian Strategic Policy Institute report says Pillar Two could raise the industry to state of the art capability - or "crush" it "under the weight of the globe's biggest player". ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marlene Longbottom, Associate Professor, Indigenous Education & Research Centre, James Cook University ShutterstockThis article contains information on deaths in custody and the violence experienced by First Nations people in encounters with the Australian carceral system. It also contains references to ...
“Instead of following along countries that are investing in death and better ways of killing people faster, we need to invest in life and in making Aotearoa a fair, just and equitable place where everyone has what they need for a dignified life.” ...
MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI, TPM MP FOR TAI TOKERAU This Government will not waver in its mission to exterminate Māori. CHRISTOPHER LUXON Oh well look you know I don’t think that hard-working Kiwis want to hear language like that. It’s just really unhelpful rhetoric. My Government is genuinely committed to advancing outcomes ...
The body positivity movement started with women confronting the unrealistic expectations and unrepresentative portrayals of them in media and advertising. Men weren’t part of it … their bodies hadn’t been sexualised to the same extremes and they didn’t really need it. But now that’s changed. And in a warped sort ...
The New Zealand comedy legend takes us through her life in television, including the time she hugged Elton John and the unshakeable legacy of a girl named Lyn. In 1981, Ginette McDonald stood on the stage of Auckland’s St James Theatre and directly addressed Queen Elizabeth II. It was a ...
An essay by Lily Duval from the just-released anthology Otherhood: Essays on being childless, childfree and child adjacent.I was 22 when my friend Alice gave birth in the living room of our pokey Addington flat. She laboured in the blow-up pool for hours. Garish fish swam along the inflated ...
Ella Borrie on the best books about motherhood she’s come across so far. Over the past few years I’ve been drawn to books about motherhood. I’m fascinated by the joys and horrors of becoming a parent. The question of children also feels more pressing than it used to. It’s like ...
Out of gift ideas for mum? You can’t go wrong with a bottle of toilet cleaner and a new squeegee. Emily Writes is the writer and editor of Emily Writes Weekly. This week marks five years since I published a post on The Spinoff about Mother’s Day marketing titled ‘A ...
My husband is posted overseas for 12 months and I’m armed with an expensive, newfangled vibrator. Will I miss him? The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.A few days after my husband leaves, a new sex toy arrives at the front door. Nestled ...
Jaimie Baird’s new book Here Today Gone Tomorrow is a record of four decades of graffiti and street art in Wellington, told through more than 1,200 photographs. He spoke with Joel MacManus about what inspired the book. How did you first get interested in photographing street art? I remember ...
Editor Madeleine Chapman looks back at a busy week where food of all political leanings dominated. Sometimes you’re just going about your week thinking you’ve got a good handle on what might be coming as far as news topics and then someone (usually a politician) says something so ridiculous that ...
In a week of cold rain and frost, the climate in courtroom four upstairs at the Invercargill courthouse was simmering with restrained indignation. At times it felt like the famous Mexican standoff scene from Reservoir Dogs, or, as someone watching the proceedings described it, there was so much throwing of ...
A banner notification alerts me to the fact that I’ve received an Instagram message from @felicity.loves. She always comments on my posts. I shouldn’t have opened the message, but clicked on the notification before rationalising this. OMG! Are you in Wellys? X I debate not replying, but Instagram will inform ...
In Melbourne’s hardscrabble western suburbs where AFL – Aussie rules football – is a state religion, Callum Donaldson has been quietly grafting away, four months into an odyssey that he hopes will take him to another promised land: the NRL. It was a solid 2023 for the softly spoken 20-year-old ...
Pacific Media Watch Television New Zealand Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities in a ceremony at Government House, reports 1News. She has been the Pacific correspondent for 1News since 2002, breaking many ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Tuesday’s budget will respond to the deepening public agitation over Australia’s housing shortages by pouring new money into crisis accommodation for women and children, social housing and infrastructure. A specially-convened national cabinet late Friday ticked ...
By Kaneta Naimatu in Suva Journalists in the Pacific region play an important role as the “eyes and ears on the ground” when it comes to reporting the climate crisis, says the European Union’s Pacific Ambassador Barbara Plinkert. Speaking at The University of the South Pacific (USP) on World Press ...
Aldora Itunu is back in the Black Ferns squad after a three-year absence. The last of her 24 internationals was an underwhelming loss to France (7-29) in Castres to conclude the disastrous 2021 Northern Tour. The powerhouse prop won a Rugby World Cup in 2017 and thought she was done. ...
The fight to control major transport policy and projects in Auckland has burst into the open again, with councillors rejecting Mayor Wayne Brown’s latest attempt to steer things more under his influence. Councillors from the left and right broke ranks on the mayor’s bid to control Auckland Transport more directly ...
Exhausted by the general election campaign, horrified by the twilight zone of coalition negotiations, distracted by the silly season and waiting for the honeymoon to begin, Raw Politics has been in hibernation since October. From today, we’re back. Our weekly political video show and podcast returns for ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Authorities in the small town of Boulouparis have commemorated Armistice Day on May 8 with a new memorial honouring New Zealand soldiers who were stationed in New Caledonia during World War II. The ceremony took place in the township on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Dehm, Senior lecturer, international migration and refugee law, University of Technology Sydney The High Court unanimously ruled today that the Australian government can keep asylum seekers in immigration detention indefinitely in cases where they do not “voluntarily” cooperate with their own ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Munro, Lecturer, Creative Industries and Digital Media, University of South Australia Twenty-four hours after the release of Macklemore’s pro-Palestine protest song Hind’s Hall on social media on May 7, the video had already notched up over 24 million views. In ...
Failing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...
Failing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...
350 Aotearoa is calling the Environment Select Committee’s decision to allow oral submissions from just 40% of individual, unique submitters who asked to speak to the committee ‘a disgraceful blight to democracy’. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Helal, Assistant Dean (Sustainability), The University of Melbourne Dubai skylineAleksandarPasaric/Pexels Since ancient times, people have built structures that reach for the skies – from the steep spires of medieval towers to the grand domes of ancient cathedrals and mosques. Today ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Musole, PhD Law Student, University of New England Girts Ragelis/ShutterstockRecent trends show Australians are increasingly buying wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. These electronics track our body movements or vital signs to provide data throughout the day, with ...
Papua New Guinea experienced a significant earthquake on 24 March in East Sepik and there has also been recent flooding there and in surrounding provinces. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yousuf Mohammed, Dermatology researcher, The University of Queensland Maridav/Shutterstock You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles. Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your ...
The Environment Select Committee has just announced that 60 percent of individuals who asked to speak at the hearings will not be heard. This equates to almost 700 people who made individual submissions and more than 1000 more who made a form submission. ...
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is performing Swan Lake around the country. What kind of dream does the ballet sell?Before going to see the Royal New Zealand Ballet perform Swan Lake, I had about as much familiarity with the plot of this ballet as could be expected from having ...
A new poem by Auckland poet Eamonn Tee. High Tide at Local Maxima It is only going to get worse. The streams will be narrow and fickle. The week will bend and buckle like a pot-bellied waist. You will make it to the weekend with one ...
The New Zealand entrepreneur behind beauty business Ethique is gearing up to launch a new eco-venture. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Our thirst for a tasty bevvy is insatiable, but it comes with a hefty plastic price for the planet: 580 billion ...
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 James by Percival Everett (Mantle, $38) A retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from ...
By Kamna Kumar in Suva Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna stressed the importance of media freedom and its link to the climate and environmental crisis at the 2024 World Press Freedom Day event organised by the University of the South Pacific’s journalism programme. Under the theme “A Planet for ...
Tara Ward previews a new local TV series offering alternative visions of motherhood. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. A woman is clambering up the side of her two-story house, clinging desperately to a drainpipe. Nearby, her child is perched on the ...
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is supportive of the cross-party approach to climate adaptation announced by the Minister of Climate Change today. ...
The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) welcome today’s announcement from Government around a bipartisan inquiry into an enduring climate adaptation framework for New Zealand. ...
The Free Speech Union welcomes the decision by the Department of Internal Affairs, and Minister Brooke Van Velden, to abandon proposals to further regulate online speech. ...
Its new building in Wellington will not be nearly big enough for all its records, and it has also run out of money to build its new storage facility in Levin. ...
BusinessNZ is congratulating the Minister of Climate Change for his work in achieving cross-party consensus for a way forward on climate adaptation. ...
Recent research reveals the repeal of smokefree measures is not only bad for our health, but also the economy. The Government has repealed various smokefree measures to ensure it keeps collecting $1.2 billion a year in tobacco taxes, in order to pay for tax cuts already being delivered to ...
The club’s surprisingly good season is built on the desire to prove a random A-League YouTuber wrong… and a few other factors.“There’s no way that Wellington Phoenix play finals this year. I can’t see it happening at all.” Those are the words of Lachlan Raeside, an Australian football content ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By César Albarrán-Torres, Senior Lecturer, Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology Apple TV+ As one of billions of bilingual individuals in the world, it disappoints me when a film or TV show with characters of a non-English-speaking background is ...
The under-utilised course is a waste of space, and with a little political will, it could be turned into something better. For the duration of her stay in Wellington, my long-suffering cousin listened to me rant about golf courses. They’re bad for the environment: water intensive and pesticide heavy. They ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab, Podcast at MissPerceived, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows US fertility rates dropped 2% in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Corderoy, Medical doctor and PhD candidate studying involuntary psychiatric treatment, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney shop_py/Shutterstock Picture two people, both suffering from a serious mental illness requiring hospital admission. One was born in Australia, the other in Asia. Hopefully, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Treby, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT University P.j.Hickox, Shutterstock Peatlands store more carbon per square metre than any other ecosystem on Earth. These waterlogged, mossy bogs beat even dense rainforests for their ability to act as carbon reservoirs. Under the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Goss, Adjunct Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra Government spending on health has been growing so rapidly that a decade ago the then health minister Peter Dutton called it “unmanageable” and “unsustainable”. Health spending grew in real terms by ...
New Zealand's largest electricity distributor is warning the country to hurry up with controls around charging electric vehicles or face unnecessary bills running into the billions. ...
New Zealanders have been asked to conserve energy this morning to combat a possible electricity shortfall, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A call to conserve power New Zealand is facing a possible electricity shortfall, with people up ...
Writer Rebecca K Reilly breaks down the national book awards. What are the Ockhams?The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are our annual national awards for books published for adults, and have existed in this form since 2016. There are four categories: Fiction, Poetry, General Non-fiction and Illustrated Non-fiction. There ...
Wellington City Council should keep its 34% ownership share in Wellington International Airport, argue Unions Wellington spokespeople Finn Cordwell and Ashok Jacob. Insanity, as the saying goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Wellington City Council (WCC) is yet again proposing to dispose ...
Our, and IMO, NZ's enemy… are being hugely funded by our enemies.
Very similar to when MMP was first promulgated….the uber rich were very vocal against, and put huge resource into stopping it.
To me, we must get all who dont want NActfrst in "power", to vote..and get like minds to vote.
For NZ's Future.
The donation figures tell the story, the parasite class are terrified of a wealth tax–“it burnses usss…” but seem to have enough loot sloshing around to fund Natzos/Act/NZ First in the 2023 election campaign, for rather obvious reasons.
Even Chris Hipkins tried referring in a veiled way to capital flight when questioned on TVNZ last night on a wealth tax and free dental that have increasing support–up to 70%–from all sides of the political spectrum.
The Greens and TPM are fronting up well now, and NZ Labour needs to join them in informing voters what they are in for. If NACTfirst as PsyclingLeft succinctly puts it, attain office, working class people are going to lose a lot more than free prescriptions.
I am pleased Labour's last call to members has passed the goal set, and shows members and the public are beginning to recognise what is at stake. Most raised in six years. $413 000 in 4 days. $5 to $5000 put up by members, doubled by supporters. So we are growing a fighting fund which is open to further donations.
We should stop "buying into" National's "They have done nothing", and list the real meaningful gains for people. There are many. Start lauding the progress made in spite of the opposition, who have already "walked back" support they offered formerly.
The constant comparison of Aotearoa NZ with Aussie.
They have assets we don't, but they also have some huge issues with collapsing big businesses, growing unemployment, falling house prices, wilder weather, and wild fires are already a worry with the change in weather patterns. Plus pests at higher levels. Pest plagues actually.
I have family in three states. They have family renting and paying in excess of $700+ a week for houses. Granted pay levels are better, but not that much better as at one point a cauliflower was $13.00
They are now entering the "contracted/part time" unprotected work in many places, as businesses shed staff and then take people on in a temporary way.
If you are injured at work, you have to rely on insurances to help you.
They do have more sunshine hours, but more roads showing flood signs 2meters+.
We are more community minded, and admire Ed Hillary for his humanitarian work in Nepal, rather than the glitz of New York, a place many Australians aspire to visit.
My grand niece was shocked at the rows of tents housing homeless in New York city. Dislocation and hardship caused by covid is everywhere. A huge change from her prior visit a few years previously.
We are told this is a disorganised bad government. Really? They have managed six+ major crises while bringing forward changes.
Not at the speed we had hoped, and at greater debt levels than we hoped, but they have kept employment high, tried to improve work conditions and pay, provide the services in a world competing for skilled people.
In a pandemic which has now settled to infecting 4 to 5 thousand each week and hospitalising 200 odd and killing 12 to 20 we complain about the "inefficiency" of our hospital systems, as we have longer waits for other procedures and treatments.
Our systems strained but never broke under the load. We have been fortunate, but to hear National and a few of our own you could be led to believe it is "all bad"
Come on the Left, donate and believe we can do even better, because becoming despondent means they win as our voters fail to get out and vote. What we want fixed won’t be fixed by National and Act.
Excellent comment, Patricia. Hubby and I have a monthly automatic payment set up to donate to Labour, but we have scraped up an extra $100 following the email from Helen Clark and I'm delighted the plea for funds has brought in some much needed funding for the campaign – heaven only knows it is sorely needed. In the immortal words of Fred Dagg – 'we don't know how lucky we are', which reminds me of the campaign when Bill Rowling was running for PM – there was a TV advert where he ran into Fred Dagg, they had a short conversation and if I recall, Fred finished up with those words. Sadly – Rob's mob won the day.
Thanks Jilly Bee and Hubby.
Sometimes I wonder if I am shouting at the moon! But like you I donate fortnightly, and because I have a modest pension from 21 years of saving ( GSF )
I am able to give fortnightly, and Norm agreed twice to $500 gifts for their funds. I am awaiting a board in front of our place, but guess Hayden got busy.
The money that Paula Bennett has raised for National is so over the top, it is like they are trying to buy the election.
If we don't win we still need a strong opposition, but by working together we may pull this off. Every dollar counts.
Thank you for your kind words. Let us hope our PM's daughter is out of hospital soon and he can campaign.
And therein lies a major problem – one that I have banged on about for years:
Labour over-estimates the ability of the public in general to see through the sycophantic NActoids who suck up to the big money boys and girls at the expense of the rest of us. Add to that a noisy, dishonest bunch of tabloid journos who are more than happy to enable them because they know some of the spoils will trickle down to them by way of perks and positions.
Labour are way too timid when it comes to stepping up and calling them out at every opportunity. That includes the tabloid rats. Too late now. The government of chaos meme is fully entrenched.
Being nice and kind does not cut it in a political climate like we have now. The old truism 'fight fire with fire' is as true today as it ever was.
PS. Anyone who was part of the political scene in the Muldoon days will know what I am talking about. He rode roughshod over his 'enemies' and few had the guts to stand up to him. He brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy and paved the way for neo-liberalism.
Was thinking just yesterday what my retirement might have looked like if the super scheme he killed off would have looked like after 35 years of working life so far.
The government put a loaded gun to it's head when during the pandemic it did the most unforgiveable thing in contemporary neoliberal capitalism – it briefly prioritised the public good over private profit and became hugely popular as a result. Such contagion of the proper order of things had to be stopped, and all it took after that was for big money to come along and pull the trigger.
Agree AB, for a glorious few months Public Health was put ahead of Capital accumulation. In retrospect also Robbo should have ensured COVID payments were made direct via IRD rather than through employers, but hey, too late now.
What's Labour's excuse for no CGT?
The so called transformational Govt's deeds did not match their words.
When people are looking for meat and potato policy,they come up with no GST on fresh/frozen fruit and veges and restricting vape shops to 600!
Underwhelming strategy and a squandering of political capital that has defeat staring them in the face.
The Capt and his call is sinking beneath the deep,blue …sea.
That call was earlier made by Ardern.
They worked around that by having he bright-line test going to 5, then 10 years and the end of mortgage cost deduction against rent income for existing property. This to incentivise sale of rental property and to collect some bright-line test CG tax revenue – and move the landlord capital into new builds to increase supply.
That issue had moved onto either an estate tax or a wealth tax (2/3rd of nations have an estate tax and some have a CG that includes the family homes of the wealthy elite).
You can always vote Green.
https://thestandard.org.nz/fifteen-green-mps-or-more/
There is now no combination of Parliament that will support a Capital Gains Tax.
Time to let it go.
Agree. if we need new or different targetted taxes we need to be thinking of taxes other than a weath tax or CGT.
Land tax is simplest albeit still requiring some nuance.
Yes indeed, also death duties could be renovated into something that will work better. I think part of the reason it fell into disfavour in the past was that the levels were not regularly reviewed.
I personally think all but say very small estates under say $5000 (might be too low) could be caught, then a low percentage or several flat rates until it got to levels such as the Labour Government was thinking of using in its wealth tax ideas.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2023-chris-hipkins-confirms-he-killed-wealth-tax-capital-gains-tax-in-budget/LZNZMSBEBNEQFHUSJKP4637TIA/
https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2023-07/b23-tax-4796987.pdf
Because everyone knows the Greens will just roll over and do what the blue-reds say?
Shaw has said clearly that the cross benches are an option this election and that Labour can't take the Greens' support for granted.
Dead right, they gambled on luxon's buffoonery to see them through so decided holding the line was the best bet after realising the surprising level of support Hipkins had after Ardern's departure. What they didn't gamble on were ministers getting up-ended following the handy work of the right's black ops, which made quick work of their strategy to sit tight and has made them look like not only a shell of a party with no policies, but a shell of a party with stupid policies. The rest will be history…
The latest coverage (Newshub, Herald and now Stuff) on the new visa for migrant workers.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/132784074/the-system-is-f-immigration-staff-say-bosses-knew-visa-system-didnt-work-and-ignored-it
Origin
New Minister Wood July 2022 (Faafoi retired in June)
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/applications-now-open-new-work-visa-holders-offshore
Policy declared May 2022
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/fully-open-border-and-immigration-changes-speed-economic-growth
Nat MP Woodhouse denies….
Earlier..
They, Nats, may have wanted to clear the lists of the last of the types of creeps like those who made Hon Clare Curran's political life a misery.
Michael Woodhouse presents a divisive figure and thinking Nats, and there are some, probably thought someone like MW was no longer wanted on the journey.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/ex-national-mp-apologises-for-savage-attacks-on-outgoing-labour-mp-clare-curran.html
Something about that guy always gave me the creeps, glad he's going.
I think it's more that he's been a list-only MP since 2008, and had several ministerial portfolios (Immigration, Police, etc.) without exactly setting the world on fire – either in Government or in Opposition.
I expect that there was a feeling that it was time for him to move on, and leave the more winnable list places to new talent.
However, if that was the case, I don't feel that it was handled at all well by the National Party and leadership. An honest conversation over his chances of Ministerial roles (should National/ACT win the election), giving him the chance to bow out gracefully – would have been a far better outcome for everyone concerned.
Yes there is alot to be said for good manners and kindness and thinking of the feelings of others. I was deeply affected by seeing how hurt a health sector board chair was when he got no letter of thanks let alone one that said he was not going to be re-appointed. His appointment was thought by the Nats to be a political appointment, it wasn't, and that was the rationale apparently for no reappointment and no letter of thanks.
Good manners and thanks costs nothing.
They need to try harder. Chris Bishop Tobacco and Barbara Kuriger who used her position to try to influence a court case against her son for animal cruelty.
On yer bike moran:
"Elaine Naidu Franz, who was ACT's candidate for Rangitata and ranked 29th on its list, resigned after 1 News questioned ACT about her comments comparing vaccine mandates to Nazi concentration camps."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300955677/nz-election-2023-live-act-candidate-quits-after-comparing-vaccine-mandates-to-concentration-camps
It took no time at all to discover what ACT candidates really believe, once they came under scrutiny.
Unfortunately, the free ride for Seymour's followers has gone on far too long, with the media finally waking up only weeks from an election. It was always obvious who ACT were attracting from the fringes.
The extraordinary lack of curiosity about the alternative government has been worse than in any previous MMP election campaign. Vote "Other" but don't ask who they are and what they stand for. And if Labour/Greens point this out … they are called "negative"!
It's a weird way for a democracy to function. Don't ask, don't tell.
Sssssh Labour is the stupidest, stupidest, dumbest thicky thicky Blackadder!
Oh well any nutter candidates that ACT kick out will likely find open arms in New Zealand First.
Creating news for mainstream media to report.
A Curia-Taxpayers Union electorate poll, then the Taxpayer Union hosts a candidates debate. With The Platform (Wright family) show hosts as MC and debate moderator.
It could have been worse, with ZB show hosts and Cameron Slater there (with Simon Lusk and Jason Ede) I suppose.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300955583/national-leads-polling-in-bellwether-napier-but-23-per-cent-of-voters-undecided
It surprises me with not many people posting this close to the election looks like the left are giving up.
No Tricledrown, the young are working out door knocking fund raising putting up signs.
We're now up to 3 ACT candidates who have either been dumped or had to apologise for their recent past. That's in just one day, who's next?
It's not an investigation by Woodward and Bernstein. These people have been caught simply by looking at the internet. David Seymour has only one job – to be in charge of his party. So let's get him to run a Ministry, he won't make any mistakes at all.
I some how doubt you could rely on that……there are ever so many more people in a Ministry he could blame.
But seriously, he must be about the worst at the sustained bad mouthing of the entire Public Service over his entire time in Parliament and it will take some big boy pants wearing to be able to make a transition to being a Minister should this horrible prospect arise.
Who ever said that the Labour Government couldn't get anything done?
At the last moment they introduced 286 pages of amendments to a 300 page ill and then whipped them through the house. Apart from the Minister answering questions during the Committee stages the only contribution from the Government appears to have been regular contributions from the Junior whip wanting to put the question so that all debate could be stopped.
The Bill was the Water Services Legislation. What a bloody shambles. Even the Green and Maori Parties seem to be embarrassed. They didn't contribute to the debate but they at least voted against the bulldozing going on.
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20230822_20230823_02
Maybe KN can have another go.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/300439606/three-waters-an-idiots-guide-to-the-massive-water-fight
Well the first couple of lines were accurate.
The reporter's Editor thought he was an idiot and so he proved to be. Meanwhile, are you impressed with Chippies’ demonstration of what he thinks is a preferable alternative to Democracy?
Classless misunderstanding of the term “idiots guide” – maybe he needed to dumb it down a tad further … to reach all of the target audience.
When someone starts a story with the following statement I know exactly what he is saying, and what he suggests the Editor meant.
"When the editor asked for an Idiot’s Guide to Three Waters I suspected nothing, naively. “You’d be perfect,” she said, with what might have been a smirk."
This article is paywalled I'm afraid but the headline says it all really. The story says billion, not pc by the way.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/government-expected-to-borrow-35pc-more-than-planned-eight-months-ago/VNDWOLXR6VD7DPFHJW7A3LATPQ/
Who is willing to step up and explain what a fantastic Finance Minister Robbo has been? A $35 billion dollar mistake (or hole if you prefer). What is a word for a very, very, very big hole? Whatever it is it is what Labour are leaving New Zealand in.
This is even more spectacular than the stinking mess Palmer and Clark left us in when they got the boot.
Moore led Labour into the 1990 election.
Afterward Richardson slashed benefits – crisis crisis. Then removed estate tax – what crisis …
Clark led Labour into the 2008 election.
Afterward National said they could not afford their promised tax cuts without increasing GST, so they increased GST.
"Moore led Labour into the 1990 election."
Yes technically true. He was Prime Minister for 60 days and saved them a fair number of seats. Gosh, Labour could help their cause by dumping Hipkins tomorrow and they might save some of their MPs.
Let's face it. Labour left the country in the shit in 1990. The did just the same thing in 2008 and are leaving an even worse situation this year.
Nationals cutting the prescriptions for free or for several million New Zealanders or 1,000 people get very expensive treatment just like John Key did in the 2008 election but by 2017 Keys National Government cut healthfunding by more than 20% to give tax cuts to the rich.Nationals tough on Crime same story National under Key cut police numbers by 20% plus for tax cuts for the wealthy.National can't help themselves conning enough poor people so they can make the already rich richer hoarding property money and resources.Dickensian days are here to stay.National put just enough on the table to tug the heart strings.while free prescriptions help millions tens of thousands avoiding complications over loading hospitals getting their medications.
"National under Key cut police numbers by 20%"
That statement is total rubbish. The Police numbers did not drop during the time that Key was PM. You are simply making that statement up.
Here are the police numbers each year for the bulk of Key's time as PM. It is on page 125 of this document.
https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/annual-report-2016-2017.pdf
"Lies, damned lies, and statistics"
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/nz-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-says-police-numbers-declined-under-nationals-leader/
There are many things that Tricledrown could have said that would have been correct. He could have said that Gang numbers had risen markedly during the Ardern/Hipkins led Government for example.
What he did say was that "National under Key cut police numbers by 20%".
That statement was, as I showed, simply not true. Trying to demonstrate that some other statement that he might have said, but didn't, could have been true doesn't somehow miraculously make this false statement true.