There seems to be an obsession with New Zealand journo-activists to paint Ardern lipstick on a Labour pig, but media here haven’t had a Trump type reality check yet.
A fascinating read about billionaire funded data analysis being used for mass manipulation in the US (and also used to help Farage with Brexit):
With links to Donald Trump, Steve Bannon and Nigel Farage, the rightwing US computer scientist is at the heart of a multimillion-dollar propaganda network
A long read but there’s a lot of recognisable things in there. Could this happen in New Zealand?
“President Donald Trump slammed the American military Monday, complaining the U.S. doesn’t “fight to win.”
“Win. We have to win. We have to start winning wars again,” Trump said. “I have to say, when I was young, in high school and college, everybody used to say that we never lost a war. ‘We never lost a war.’ You remember.”
“And now we never win a war,” Trump added. “We never win. And we don’t fight to win.””
interesting when considered against the potential false flag ops used to start wars – and sometimes they aren’t false flags
“On this day in 1933, a young Dutch bricklayer and council communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, in protest at the Nazi government, set fire to the German parliament building, the Reichstag. He had been disillusioned by the lack of resistance to the fascists, and hoped his exemplary act would spark the German working class to rebel. Unfortunately this would not be the case, and the Nazis used it as an excuse to repress communists and consolidate their power. Even today many people erroneously believe the Reichstag fire to be a “false flag” attack, as opposed to what it was: a heroic but tragically unsuccessful individual act of resistance to fascism. “
“Prime Minister Bill English has downplayed a surge in demand for emergency housing grants, saying the government support is “ flushing out ” Kiwis in need of help.”
“Moving forward Auckland Transport – where’s the transparency with SUB-CONTRACTED contract$?”
“I am pleased to see that Auckland Transport (AT) are going to release details of ‘all its contracts publicly'”, says anti-corruption campaigner Penny Bright.
“However, the reason why I made a formal complaint to the Serious Fraud Office ((SFO), on 22 February 2017, was because Chair of Auckland Transport’s Board, Dr Lester Levy, had stated in a letter to me, dated 21 February 2017 that Auckland Transport were NOT going to release the details of Auckland Transport ‘sub-contracted’ contracts.
“Dear Ms Bright
Release of contract information
Thank you again for your presentation to the Board of Auckland transport on
16 February 2017,
I am following on from that and your email correspondence of 17 February.
As you noted in your presentation, Auckland Transport already publicly releases details of awarded contracts with a value of over $50,000. That information includes the contract number, a brief description of the contract, the supplier, the value of the contract, when it was created and the appointment method.
Moving forward, subject to any confidentiality obligations, Auckland Transport intends to extend this practice of public notification to all awarded contracts (that is irrespective of dollar value).
Auckland Transport also intends to notify all potential parties that we contract within the future that the information provided in the paragraph above will be publicly notified.
This practice will not include sub-contracts because, as I am sure you will appreciate, Auckland Transport does not normally hold information relating to contracts to which it is not a party.
(My bolding)
………
Dr Lester Levy
Chairman
Auckland Transport”
______________________________
“Given that, as I understand it, basically ALL of Auckland Transport’s ‘operational works’ are
sub-contracted, in my considered opinion, it is essential that the same transparency should be available for public scrutiny, with ALL sub-contracted contracts – once awarded.”
“Having spent days carefully studying the ‘Reasons for the Verdict of Fitzgerald J’ in the unprecedented bribery and corruption case involving former senior Auckland Transport Manager Murray Noone,
in my view, there are potentially two layers of corruption involved, when public services are contracted out to private sector consultants and contractors:
PUBLIC to PRIVATE corruption – where a corrupt ‘public official’ helps award a big contract to a big private contractor.
PRIVATE to PRIVATE corruption – where a corrupt private contractor awards ‘sub-contracts’.”
“It is my understanding that decent, ethical companies involved in sub-contracting, do not have a problem with transparency equally applying to their contracts.”
“I look forward to Auckland Transport confirming at the earliest opportunity, that the releasing details of ‘all its contracts publicly’ – is going to equally apply to all those ‘sub-contracted/.”
Monday, 27 February 2017, 12:40 pm
Press Release: Auckland Transport
Auckland Transport media release
27 February 2017
Auckland Transport opens the books
Auckland Transport will be releasing details of all its contracts publicly. Since it was established in 2010, AT routinely published on its website, the details of all contracts valued over $50,000.
That threshold has now been dropped to zero.
AT Chairman, Dr Lester Levy, says that as a publicly funded body, the organisation wants to be as transparent and accountable as possible.
“There is a small extra administrative burden in releasing this sort of information, but we feel that it’s worth it to allow more open scrutiny of our activities,” he says.
“This demonstrates a clear commitment to being open and accountable to the public at large.”
Dr Levy says the nature of some of AT’s activities, such as property negotiations, means that sometimes information is commercially sensitive and involves third party businesses or individuals.
“In those cases, and to protect the interests of ratepayers and taxpayers, they are dealt with confidentially but when the reason for that confidentiality no longer exists, the material is routinely released (and published on AT’s website).”
I wonder if we will see a dedicated TS thread on this like the last (favorable to the left) CM poll.
[lprent: Ah another dickhead troll. Quotes without clearly showing that it is a quote, and does it without a link so I deleted the unattributed quote (it is in the link I provided).
If there is a dedicated post depends on an author thinking that it is of interest. We generally don’t waste that many posts to polls. Usually every few months.
But we don’t take kindly to people trying to tell us what we should write about. In fact it is in the policy as a self-martyrdom offense. So what to do… Oh I know 😈
Banned for 6 weeks – which is roughly when I figure an authors is likely to put up a post on a poll. You should have enough patience for that right? ]
“This latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll on voting intention was conducted by telephone – both landline and mobile telephone – with a NZ wide cross-section of 852 electors between January 30 – February 12, 2017.”
As well Roy Morgan released the findings of another poll…
Cinny
The link is very interesting.
Only 26% of the people who thought housing was a problem are National voters, so it would seem National have a lot to gain and very little to lose by doing some work on this front.
Lab/Green however are preaching to the choir.
My rolling average of the last 4 Roy Morgan’s (because it jumps around, but I used to average 5):
Lab/Gr/NZF 47.9
Nats 47.1
Nats/ACT/MP 49.5
It’s not fantastic, but as Bill English seems to be saying 2 daft things before breakfast (and Andrew Little was good on Morning Report this AM) Bill’s honeymoon is surely over.
Agreed Wayne. I was confident when Key was there that Winston hated him so much that he would go with Labour. Not so sure now, though silly reports like that right-wing report on the regions that came out today are likely to push Winston towards Labour.
I could see that happening, the greens have been happy to sit outside of cabinet in the past. They will be so happy with the opportunity to ‘change the government’ they will let Labour walk all over them…again
I think relying on Roy Morgan for anything other than outhouse loo paper is a recipe for a cyclical loop of dashed hope.
Almost like being a Warrior’s supporter.
The one thing we don’t see in any poll is any sign of Labour breaking out of their 25-30% bracket, or the Greens 10-13% slot.
The Polls have been consistent in relation to these two factors for several years. There was some hope on the left that traction could be gained when Key decided to leave but even that has proved to have had a negligible effect.
I suspect that these two factors are behind the current vapid rumblings in the media pushing for Ardern to replace King as deputy of Labour to try and get some upward traction in Labour’s poll results.
This carries risk of a backlash especially if (as it appears) Annette King has decided that she isn’t going to get the DCM note simply because members of the fickle msm have decided that she is too old for the job.
The question I have is, who benefits? I don’t see Ardern as being behind this smear campaign – it is too obvious and too crudely done to be her; someone else is pushing it and I would like to know who.
Waste time on a conspiracy theory in an election year? Knock yourself out. I think you’ll find most New Zealanders care more about housing and swimming, though.
Tracy Watkins is a Nat fan, Rightly or Wrongly, and this is a Nat attack on Little and King. King is good at pushing Nat buttons – especially in the House – and they don’t like it. They want her out of the way. Which indicates to me that she’s being very successful at getting under their collective skin, and Little needs to keep her in that position (deputy leader) for the duration of the campaign.
Unless Ardern is completely useless , they should put her in as dp ,it really is only a smile and wave role from what i can see, Give King what she wants to keep her happy
Precisely Jenny Kirk. Anyone who has spent time watching QT in the House knows how brilliantly Annette King performs. You can see by the looks on their faces that her ‘victims’ are scared of her. Occasionally they get in a smart response but its not a common occurrence. Add to that her unmatched political knowledge and experience, its no wonder the Nat’s media fan club are doing their darndest to create a popular surge to replace her with Ardern. The TS commenters who are falling for it need to step back and reassess the situation. It’s all the Nat toadies in the media -or on the fringe of it – who are pushing this meme.
Jacinda’s a future leader or deputy leader, but her time is a little way off yet.
Btw, Matthew Hooton was full on about Ardern becoming deputy leader yesterday on the Mon. morn. RNZ political spot. And when Hooton is full on rooting for some one in Labour… you know something is not right!
Yep – you’ve said it, Anne. The nasty Nats are pushing Jacinda hard (must be a bit embarrassing for her) – in the hope of destabilising Labour. Its a very blatant trick.
That’s how I see it, too.
When I saw Tracy Watwat pushing to get rid of Annette King today, it was obviously more of her “What would be best for the Nats” trolling. And they have got the Hooton broadcasting on the same theme? Has the strategy has been sent from Crosby Textor?
King has the savvy, and the following. She’ll know when it’s time to go.
And it’s not now.
Jacinta’s day will come. Good things take time, as they say in cheesemaking circles!
How loaded is that law, an attack group would not have a limit on spending for such, but the political party they are attack does. That’s bullshit.
“Although private individuals and groups now are free to use TV and radio to attack parties or candidates, those parties and candidates still are limited to responding using the taxpayer-funded allocation given to them in the weeks before each election.”
Excuse my naivety but for example would that mean that perhaps after an ad condemning a political party there would be a little disclosure message saying… ‘blah’ political party disputes these accusations… or words to that effect.
Or does it mean that they have to make their own ad to have right of reply?
For those interested in the train wreck called Brexit.
Major warns May of fickle allies who want EU ‘total divorce’
Former prime minister says Britain made ‘historic mistake’ with vote to leave
John Major, the former Conservative prime minister, has urged Theresa May to face down Tory Eurosceptics during the Brexit negotiations, warning that they are fickle friends who want a damaging “total divorce” from the EU. Sir John, who angrily labelled his own Eurosceptic cabinet critics of the 1990s “bastards”, urged Mrs May to have the courage to pursue a course of Brexit that maintained Britain’s close trading and diplomatic ties with Europe. “At some time she will have to face down those who favour total disengagement and who have never accepted our role within Europe,” he said in a speech at Chatham House on Monday evening. “For some, a total divorce has been a decades-long ambition. I believe they are utterly wrong. “And although today they may be allies of the prime minister, the risk is that tomorrow they may not.” In his first public comments since last June’s Brexit vote, Sir John said that Britain had made a “historic mistake” in voting to leave the EU and that the public had been led to expect a future outside the bloc that was “unreal and over-optimistic”. His speech made thinly veiled criticisms of the tone of Mrs May’s government on Brexit. “Obstacles are brushed aside as of no consequence, whilst opportunities are inflated beyond any reasonable expectation of delivery.” Jacob Rees-Mogg, one of the new generation of Eurosceptic Tory MPs, claimed that Sir John’s own European policy was a disaster and he was being “classically condescending” in claiming voters had made a mistake in voting for Brexit.
Sir John’s comments follow a speech by Tony Blair, the former Labour prime minister, who this month urged pro-Remain voters to “rise up” to challenge the kind of clean break with the EU being pursued by Mrs May.
Both former prime ministers are frustrated that the Commons and Lords are expected to pass legislation allowing Mrs May to start the Brexit process without significant restraints on her negotiating position.
Sir John claimed that pro-Europeans were being bullied into silence. “It’s not arrogant or brazen or elitist or remotely delusional to express concern about our future after Brexit,” he said. “Shouting down their legitimate comment is against all our traditions of tolerance. It does nothing to inform and everything to demean — and it is time it was stopped.”
Brexit would weaken Britain’s standing in the world and the vote to leave had done the EU “great harm”, strengthening populist movements elsewhere in Europe, he added. Sir John also warned ministers and backbench MPs to moderate their language as Mrs May prepares to activate Article 50 next month.
“Behind the diplomatic civilities the atmosphere is already sour,” he said. “A little more charm and a lot less cheap rhetoric would do much to protect the UK’s interests.”
A Number 10 official said: “The government is determined to make a success of our departure from the European Union and to move beyond the language of ‘Leave and Remain’ to unite our country.”
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2017. All rights reserve
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During Waitangi this year the Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka caucus announced their priority for an independent Māori Health Authority. We have heard the call from Tangata Whenua wanting any authority to be independent, and properly resourced. ...
The Greens welcome $6.6 million from the Government’s $455 million programme to increase access to mental health and addiction services for our Pasifika communities in Auckland and Wellington. ...
The Green Party is putting a Member’s Bill into the ballot today which will be a significant step towards overhauling the Social Security Act by embedding a tikanga Māori framework into the welfare system. ...
The Green Party have reaffirmed their strong commitment to the union movement in Aotearoa New Zealand by renewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with E Tū. ...
Soon, more kids in Aotearoa will have access to the in-school mental health support that has boosted the resilience of tamariki and whānau in Canterbury. ...
The Green Party supports the open letter released today by a cross-sector coalition calling for the Government to treat all drug use as a health issue, to repeal and replace the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. ...
Small businesses are not only the heart of our economy – they’re also the heart of our communities. They provide important goods and services, as well as great employment opportunities. They know and love their locals. And after a tough year, they need our support! ...
Green Party spokesperson for Pacific Peoples Teanau Tuiono MP, supports the demand from Pasifika communities fighting for climate action as their homelands are more at risk in the Pacific region. ...
The Green Party supports the six demands for climate action put forward by School Strike for Climate NZ, who are striking across the country today. ...
The Ministry of Justice Māori victimisation report, released today, reinforces what we already know about the impact of systemic racism in Aotearoa and that urgent action is needed. ...
Ricardo Menéndez March’s Members Bill to ensure that disabled New Zealanders do not face discrimination for having a disability assist dog was today pulled from the biscuit tin to be debated in Parliament. ...
New Zealand will open a new Trade Commission in Fiji later this year, Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor has announced. “Fiji is New Zealand’s largest trading partner in the Pacific region”, Damien O’Connor said. “Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, annual two-way trade between New Zealand and Fiji was ...
HON ANDREW LITTLE SPEECH Morena tātau katoa. Tēnā tātau kua karahuihui mai nei i tēnei ata, Ki te whakarewa te rautaki hauora matua o Aotearoa, Kia hua ko te oranga pai o te motu. Tena tatau katoa. INTRODUCTION Welcome. Today, I am laying out for you a plan to ...
All DHBs will be replaced by one national organisation, Health New Zealand A new Māori Health Authority will have the power to commission health services, monitor the state of Māori health and develop policy New Public Health Agency will be created Strengthened Ministry of Health will monitor performance and advise ...
We talk a lot about being a transformational Government. Some imagine this statement means big infrastructure builds, massive policy commitments all leading up to a single grand reveal. But this is what I see as transformation. Something quite simply and yet so very complex. Māori feeling comfortable and able to ...
On Wednesday morning, Minister of Health Andrew Little and Associate Minister of Health (Māori) Peeni Henare are announcing major health reforms. You can watch the announcement live here from 8am Wednesday. ...
New research into the probability of an Alpine Fault rupture reinforces the importance of taking action to plan and prepare for earthquakes, Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi says. Research published by Dr Jamie Howarth of Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington today, shows there is a ...
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Peeni Henare today announced that New Zealand is deploying a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft in support of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea. The Resolutions, adopted unanimously by the UNSC between 2006 and 2017, ...
The Transmission Gully Interim Review has found serious flaws at the planning stage of the project, undermining the successful completion of the four-lane motor north of Wellington Infrastructure Minister Grant Robertson and Transport Minister Michael Wood said. Grant Robertson said the review found the public-private partnership (PPP) established under the ...
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today that Australian Foreign Minister Hon Marise Payne will visit Aotearoa New Zealand for the first face-to-face Foreign Ministers’ Consulations since the COVID-19 pandemic began. “Australia is New Zealand’s closest and most important international partner. I’m very pleased to be able to welcome Hon Marise ...
Hundreds more families who were separated by the border closure will be reunited under new border exceptions announced today, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said. “The Government closed the border to everyone but New Zealand citizens and residents, in order to keep COVID-19 out, keep our economy open and keep New ...
Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Foreign Minister 8.30am, 19 April 2021 [CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY] Speech to the NZCC Korihi Pō, Korihi Ao E rongo e turia no Matahau Nō Tū te winiwini, Nō Tū te wanawana Tū Hikitia rā, Tū Hapainga mai Ki te Whai Ao, Ki te Ao Mārama Tihei Mauri ...
The Government is supporting a new project with all-wool New Zealand carpet company, Bremworth, which has its sights on developing more sustainable all-wool carpets and rugs, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced. The Ministry for Primary Industries is contributing $1.9 million towards Bremworth’s $4.9 million sustainability project through its Sustainable Food ...
New Zealand is providing further support to Timor-Leste following severe flooding and the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “Our thoughts are with the people of Timor-Leste who have been impacted by the severe flooding and landslides at a time when the country is ...
A ceremony has been held today in Gisborne where the unclaimed medals of 28 (Māori) Battalion C Company soldiers were presented to their families. After the Second World War, returning service personnel needed to apply for their medals and then they would be posted out to them. While most medals ...
The Government is committed to increasing the number of mothers who breastfeed for longer to give babies born in New Zealand the best start in life. The Ministry of Health recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six month but only about 20 percent of children at this ...
New Zealand has today added its voice to the international condemnation of the malicious compromise and exploitation of the SolarWinds Orion platform. The Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau, Andrew Little, says that New Zealand's international partners have analysed the compromise of the SolarWinds Orion platform and attributed ...
An expert consenting panel has approved the Queenstown Arterials Project, which will significantly improve transport links and reduce congestion for locals and visitors in the tourism hotspot. Environment Minister David Parker welcomed the approval for the project that will construct, operate and maintain a new urban road around Queenstown’s town ...
Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash says a landmark deal has been agreed with Amazon for The Lord of the Rings TV series, currently being filmed in New Zealand. Mr Nash says the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) secures multi-year economic and tourism benefits to New Zealand, outside the screen ...
The Government welcomes the findings from a rapid review into the health system response to lead contamination in Waikouaiti’s drinking water supply. Sample results from the town’s drinking-water supply showed intermittent spikes in lead levels above the maximum acceptable value. The source of the contamination is still under investigation by ...
Transport Minister Michael Wood today marked the start of construction on the New Zealand Upgrade Programme’s Papakura to Drury South project on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, which will create hundreds of jobs and support Auckland’s economic recovery. The SH1 Papakura to Drury South project will give more transport choices by providing ...
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karanga maha o te wa, tēnā koutou, tēna koutou, tēna tātou katoa. Ki ngā mana whenua, ko Ngāi Tahu, ko Waitaha, ko Kāti Māmoe anō nei aku mihi ki a koutou. Nōku te hōnore kia haere mai ki te ...
Transport Minister Michael Wood today marked the completion of upgrades to State Highway 20B which will give Aucklanders quick electric bus trips to and from the airport. The State Highway 20B Early Improvements project has added new lanes in each direction between Pukaki Creek Bridge and SH20 for buses and ...
The Government is putting in place a review of the work being done on animal welfare and safety in the greyhound racing industry, Grant Robertson announced today. “While Greyhound Racing NZ has reported some progress in implementing the recommendations of the Hansen Report, recent incidents show the industry still has ...
The infringement fee for using a mobile phone while driving will increase from $80 to $150 from 30 April 2021 to encourage safer driving, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. Michael Wood said too many people are still picking up the phone while driving. “Police issued over 40,000 infringement notices ...
Pacific people in New Zealand will be better supported with new mental health and addiction services rolling out across the Auckland and Wellington regions, says Aupito William Sio. “One size does not fit all when it comes to supporting the mental wellbeing of our Pacific peoples. We need a by ...
New measures are being proposed to accelerate progress towards becoming a smokefree nation by 2025, Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced. “Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke kills around 12 people a day in New Zealand. Recent data tells us New Zealand’s smoking rates continue to decrease, but ...
More children will be able to access mental wellbeing support with the Government expansion of Mana Ake services to five new District Health Board areas, Health Minister Andrew Little says. The Health Minister made the announcement while visiting Homai School in Counties Manukau alongside Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate ...
The Government’s COVID-19 response has meant a record number of people moved off a Benefit and into employment in the March Quarter, with 32,880 moving into work in the first three months of 2021. “More people moved into work last quarter than any time since the Ministry of Social Development ...
A stocktake undertaken by France and New Zealand shows significant global progress under the Christchurch Call towards its goal to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. The findings of the report released today reinforce the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach, with countries, companies and civil society working together to ...
Racing Minister Grant Robertson has announced he is appointing Elizabeth Dawson (Liz) as the Chair of the interim TAB NZ Board. Liz Dawson is an existing Board Director of the interim TAB NZ Board and Chair of the TAB NZ Board Selection Panel and will continue in her role as ...
The Government has announced that the export of livestock by sea will cease following a transition period of up to two years, said Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “At the heart of our decision is upholding New Zealand’s reputation for high standards of animal welfare. We must stay ahead of the ...
WORKSHOP ON LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS Wednesday 14 April 2021 MINISTER FOR DISARMAMENT AND ARMS CONTROL OPENING REMARKS Good morning, I am so pleased to be able to join you for part of this workshop, which I’m confident will help us along the path to developing New Zealand’s national policy on ...
For the first time, all 18 prisons in New Zealand will be invited to participate in an inter-prison kapa haka competition, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. The 2021 Hōkai Rangi Whakataetae Kapa Haka will see groups prepare and perform kapa haka for experienced judges who visit each prison and ...
The Government has introduced the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill, designed to boost New Zealand's ability to respond to a wider range of terrorist activities. The Bill strengthens New Zealand’s counter-terrorism legislation and ensures that the right legislative tools are available to intervene early and prevent harm. “This is the Government’s first ...
Coal boiler replacements at a further ten schools, saving an estimated 7,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next ten years Fossil fuel boiler replacements at Southern Institute of Technology and Taranaki DHB, saving nearly 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next ten years Projects to achieve a total ...
Attorney-General David Parker today announced the appointment of Cassie Nicholson as Chief Parliamentary Counsel for a term of five years. The Chief Parliamentary Counsel is the principal advisor and Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO). She is responsible for ensuring PCO, which drafts most of New Zealand’s legislation, provides ...
Every part of Government will need to take urgent action to bring down emissions, the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw said today in response to the recent rise in New Zealand’s greenhouse emissions. The latest annual inventory of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions shows that both gross and net ...
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark says Aotearoa New Zealand has become the first country in the world to introduce a law that requires the financial sector to disclose the impacts of climate change on their business and explain how they will manage climate-related risks and opportunities. The Financial ...
Exceptional employment practices in the primary industries have been celebrated at the Good Employer Awards, held this evening at Parliament. “Tonight’s awards provided the opportunity to celebrate and thank those employers in the food and fibres sector who have gone beyond business-as-usual in creating productive, safe, supportive, and healthy work ...
Applications are now invited from all councils for a slice of government funding aimed at improving tourism infrastructure, especially in areas under pressure given the size of their rating bases. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has already signalled that five South Island regions will be given priority to reflect that jobs ...
Yesterday’s announcement of a new Māori health authority might be a step in the right direction for tino rangatiratanga, but we’ve been promised systemic change before. Before we celebrate, let’s run a critical eye over the proposals, writes health policy expert Gabrielle Baker.For the last three years I’ve been having ...
Columnist Peter Dunne says Labour talked a big game on drug reform when it took office in 2017, but in many areas things have got worse, not better. ...
Nearly two weeks after voting, Samoans still don't know if their leader of 22 years will be ousted by his former deputy Cliff-hanger, seismic shift, historic, unprecedented. There's a lot of hyperbole surrounding the drama-filled Samoan election. It is seismic, says Dr Damon Salesa, the University of Auckland's pro vice-chancellor ...
With so little detail on what the Māori Health Authority will look like, it’s difficult to know whether those most in need of medical care will be the ones feeling the change. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Morrison government has cancelled the belt and road agreements Victoria has with China. In the first decisions under the government’s new foreign arrangements scheme allowing it to quash arrangements states, territories and public universities ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison says he hopes to focus the conversation at this week’s Biden climate summit on the question of how to achieve net-zero emissions, declaring there has been enough conversation about the timing. Ahead of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Sunday is ANZAC day – and this year it comes at a particularly important time for Australia’s military image. Last week, Scott Morrison announced Australia’s remaining troops will leave Afghanistan by September, following President Biden’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan James Enriquez, PhD Student, University of New England Tyrannosaurus rex is perhaps the most famous of all dinosaurs. It and its closest kin, a group referred to as “tyrannosaurs”, have been embedded in popular culture as powerful and mobile predators. Consider ...
A View from Afar: Midday Thursday (NZST, Wednesday 7pm US EDST) – Join this LIVE recording of this week’s podcast where Selwyn Manning and Paul Buchanan will debate: How this week, New Zealand’s minister of foreign affairs, Nanaia Mahuta, delivered a significant speech detailing how this Labour-led Government defines its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Stokes, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Deakin University In the 1840s, a series of strange books started to appear in Copenhagen. The books were credited to outlandish pseudonyms: Victor Eremita (“victorious hermit”), Hilarious Bookbinder, Vigilius Haufniensis (“the watcher in the marketplace”), and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of South Australia A drink with your breakfast, lunch or dinner can make your meal more enjoyable. But have you considered whether your drink of choice may affect the way your body ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pi-Shen Seet, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Edith Cowan University Prime Minister Scott Morrison has highlighted workforce skills as the “single biggest challenge facing the Australian economy” in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Employer surveys also show it’s a top concern. Adding ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Corbould, Associate Professor, Contemporary Histories Research Group, Deakin University The unprecedented conviction of police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder and manslaughter of George Floyd is testament to the hard work of Black Lives Matter organisers and protesters. It might seem ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ana Manero, Research Fellow, Australian National University Recent flooding in the Sydney Basin pushed thousands from their homes and left others facing enormous insurance costs. These events show how traumatic and costly it can be to live in areas vulnerable to disaster. ...
The NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) supports the Government’s targeted approach to primary and community healthcare announced today by the Minister of Health, Hon. Andrew Little, in response to the Health and Disability System Review. “The majority ...
ProCare, New Zealand’s largest network of independent general practices, welcomes the Government’s Health reforms acknowledging they have the potential to significantly transform the future of healthcare to achieve a less complicated and fairer system ...
The EMA says if the goals of the health reforms announced today are realised, productivity will increase as people will have a better base level of wellness which will enable them to work. Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says the consistency of access to and ...
Pacific Media Watch newsdesk Fiji has dropped three places in the latest Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index and been condemned for its treatment of “overly critical” journalists who are often subjected to intimidation or even imprisonment. The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog has criticised many governments in the ...
This morning the Government announced a proposal for a suite of changes to the composition of the New Zealand Health Sector These changes are an extension of those announced in June 2020, and look at the reformation of a health system which includes: - A ...
In a set of sweeping health reforms announced today, district health boards will be abolished and a new Māori Health Authority will be established. Here, doctors and experts react to news of the biggest change to the health system in a generation. David Galler, intensive care specialist at Middlemore Hospital ...
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is consulting on outstanding aspects of the upcoming regime governing conduct in the financial sector. “We are consulting on regulations covering matters such as requirements for claims handling ...
Reporters Without Borders The Asia-Pacific region’s authoritarian regimes have used the covid-19 pandemic to perfect their methods of totalitarian control of information, while the “dictatorial democracies” have used it as a pretext for imposing especially repressive legislation with provisions combining propaganda and suppression of dissent. The behaviour of the region’s ...
Announcements today by the Government on the first steps towards a major restructure of the health and disability system have been broadly welcomed by the Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero. Minister of Health Andrew Little outlined plans ...
Government procurement practices should not be skewed towards political targets, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union in response to new calls for indigenous procurement policies . Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “Government procurement should ...
An essay published by The Spinoff Ātea editor Leonie Hayden on the new drama series Vegas, and Māori representation on screen, prompted an overwhelming response from Māori working in the sector. Here, the Vegas co-creator, writer, showrunner and executive producer Michael Bennett (Te Arawa) defends the series and his authorship ...
Although global trading patterns are still recovering from the Covid pandemic, the positive outcome for New Zealand is that it has strengthened demand for the kind of foodstuffs we produce. In particular the dairy trade is booming and though the current production season is beginning to tail off, Fonterra’s latest ...
Health, health and health were the subjects of three ministerial posts – two of them were speeches – on the Beehive website this morning. They spell out the government’s plans for comprehensively overhauling the country’s health system. They also step up the pace in the government’s perturbing programme of creating ...
Covid-19 has created both challenges and opportunities for small businesses – that’s why online business advice platform Manaaki has partnered with Kiwibank to offer mentorship and grants for SMEs.If there’s one element that has linked every small business across New Zealand (and much of the world) over the past year, ...
Actor, protestor and overall blimmin’ legend, Rawiri Paratene is about to retire from the stage. Sam Brooks spoke to him as he prepares to say goodbye. Before our interview, Rawiri Paratene ONZM (Ngā Puhi, Te Rarawa) said, through a publicist, that he would be a better interviewee if I brought ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Walker, Vice-chancellor’s fellow, La Trobe University Chinese President Xi Jinping’s muscular speech to the Boao Forum Asia annual conference was clearly designed to send a signal to the United States that China regarded the change of administration as an opportunity for ...
General Practice New Zealand (GPNZ) has welcomed today’s announcement of major reforms designed to create a more equitable and fit for purpose national health system. GPNZ Chair and Karori GP Dr Jeff Lowe said: ‘There are no surprises in the overall ...
The New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) has welcomed the health sector reforms announced today by Minister of Health Andrew Little, and the bold systemic and legislative changes they involve. NZMA Chair Dr Kate Baddock said “the announcements are what ...
E tū, one of the largest unions for DHB-employed and contracted health workers, aged care, community, and disability support service workers, welcomes the Government’s announcement to reform and centralise health services to achieve consistency in conditions ...
The union representing ambulance officers has called on the Government to include national ambulance services under the newly-announced Health NZ to ensure the service is fully-funded and free to all. "We strongly support the proposed changes to ...
The Veils singer talks us through his first big onstage disaster, first musical hero and more in our new video and podcast interview series.The list of past winners of the Smokefree Rockquest is stacked with the familiar names of artists who’ve since gone on to enjoy successful music careers. One ...
The Council of Trade Unions is concerned that today's consumer price index (CPI) data shows that for the poorest New Zealanders the cost of living continues to rise well ahead of the official headline increase rate of 1.5%. CTU Economist Craig Renney ...
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Toi Mata Hauora says the Government has chosen a bold path of health reform, but increased health funding and investment must sit alongside. The Health Minister Andrew Little has announced a generational ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas Steyn, Research assistant, University of Auckland With the opening of a quarantine-free travel corridor between New Zealand and Australia this week, it’s easy to forget COVID-19 is still spreading globally, faster than ever, with more than three million deaths recorded worldwide. ...
Australia Week: With the trans-Tasman travel bubble finally open, no one would blame you for jumping on a plane straight to the outback. But if airfares aren’t in your budget, here’s how to do a tour of Australia, New Zealand.To mark the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble, The Spinoff is ...
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty of the second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter of George Floyd this morning, New Zealand time. Chauvin stands to spend up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, up to 25 years for third-degree murder and up to 10 years ...
Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu is encouraged by this morning’s announcement of major reforms to the healthcare system, including the establishment of a long-awaited Māori Health Authority, and calls for Government to look to Whānau Ora as a model. ...
District health boards will be abolished, and a new Māori Health Authority will be established, in a set of sweeping health system reforms announced by the government today. Alex Braae explains what it’s all about. What’s all this then?A massive new level of centralisation is coming to the health system, after ...
The Council of Trade Unions is broadly supportive of the bold reforms to our health sector as announced today. "What will be imperative is the inclusion of working peoples voices and perspectives though this period of upheaval and change," ...
Amalgamation of DHBs is necessary, but going from 20 DHBs to just one authority takes centralisation too far, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union . The Union ’s 2019 report Productivity in the Health Sector: Issues and Pressures argued in ...
In what is described as a big win for New Zealand health research the Productivity Commission’s latest report recommends that “the Government should use its intended major health system reform to improve the mandate, funding and incentives for DHBs ...
National Urban Māori Authority chair Lady Tureiti Moxon and CEO John Tamihere have applauded Health Minister Andrew Little for having the courage to finally set Māori health on a long overdue road to recovery. This morning’s announcement that a stand-alone ...
Because Covid denial and medical misinformation are rife at wellness festivals, the upcoming NZ Spirit Festival, featuring Rachel Hunter, had help from anti-conspiracy campaigners to send a clear message to its presenters. Anke Richter explains.This autumn equinox, Earth Beat – “Aotearoa’s most innovative and earth-friendly music and arts festival” – ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Click here to subscribe to Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup and New Zealand Politics Daily. Today’s contentIhumātao unlawful government spend Henry Cooke (Stuff): Auditor-General rules the $29.9m the Government used to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Mintrom, Professor, Monash University On Monday, Scott Morrison announced a royal commission into veteran suicides — the fourth royal commission set up under his prime ministership. But while Morrison says he hopes this will be a “healing process” and it comes ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Ho, Senior Lecturer and clinical academic gastroenterologist, Western Sydney University On Monday, Victorian health authorities released figures showing they’d received 389 reports of “gastro” outbreaks so far in 2021. The health department said this was four times higher than the average. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pauline Lenancker, Research scientist, James Cook University The invasive ant world is a competitive one, rife with territorial battles and colony raids. And yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes), one of the world’s worst invasive species, have an especially interesting trait: they’re the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Romain Fathi, Senior Lecturer, History, Flinders University The number of Australians attending Anzac Day dawn services has fallen by about 70% between 2015 — the centenary of the Anzacs’ landing at Gallipoli — and 2019. Last year, Anzac Day dawn services were ...
The Government will consolidate all 20 District Health Boards into a single, national health service and create a new Māori Health Authority with commissioning powers, Marc Daalder reports New Zealand will have a single government organisation running its hospitals and other health services, similar to the United Kingdom's National Health ...
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for April 21, bringing you the latest news updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz8.00am: New Covid-19 case is UK variant, linked to recent arrivalGenomic testing has confirmed a direct link between the latest case of Covid-19 – a worker at Auckland ...
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Transmission Gully puts unrealistic PPPs on notice, new Covid case in the community, and major health reform announcements coming this morning.A scathing review has outlined how the budget blew out for major Wellington road Transmission Gully. As Stuff’s Thomas Coughlan reports, the contract ...
Distressing revelations about life in emergency housing continue to emerge, including a woman being punched unconscious by another motel resident, putting her in hospital. ...
Aotearoa Solidarity Aotearoa NZ will be joined by members of the public and the peace community in gathering outside the Chinese Consulate in Auckland, to protest the persecution of Uyghurs, on Wednesday 21st April, from 4:45 pm to 6 pm. ...
The blown out cost of Transmission Gully is pushing up over $3.5 billion, and it's still not complete. Commuters and truckies could now be driving 27km down Transmission Gully into Wellington this morning, if it weren’t for fundamental flaws in tendering out the project. But after the publication of an uncompromising project ...
As pioneering Kiwi trampolinist Maddie Davidson endures an agonising wait to make the Tokyo Olympics, she's learning new tricks - including the unusual Half Triffus. It’s rare to see a basketballer who isn’t tall, or a sprinter who isn’t muscular. But surprisingly, trampolinists come in all shapes and sizes, according to ...
A new report offers counter-narratives to deploy against New Zealand's far right, Marc Daalder reports A European Union-funded study has praised Jacinda Ardern's response to the March 15 terror attack and offered suggestions for how New Zealand can counter far-right narratives in the future. The report surveyed 12 far-right groups, ...
Bruce Ansley on a publication which seeks to educate journalists on firearms In March 1961 Keith Holyoake’s National government demanded that all 20-year-old men enter a lottery. Their birthday dates would go into a barrel and if their names were drawn, why, they’d score three years in the army, off ...
With Joe Biden in office, a serious plan to combat climate change is finally in sight — but the clock is ticking, and there is no more room for error, writes Jeff Goodell for Rolling Stone magazine The Earth’s climate has always been a work in progress. In the 4.5 ...
Electric vehicles are much hyped but bring their own problems when it comes to cutting carbon emissions, writes Victoria University of Wellington’s Ralph Chapman One of the authors of a recent paper comparing the costs and emissions of electric and petrol-powered cars in Aotearoa New Zealand, Associate Professor Ralph Chapman, says ...
New Zealand needs to change its approach to housing completely, and treat it as a public right, like health and education, property developer Mark Todd tells Eleanor Black Mark Todd doesn’t want to talk about the housing crisis, although that’s ostensibly what we met to discuss. Topics of greater interest ...
The key to vibrant and sustainable cities is mixed-use development in main activity centres, yet New Zealand has taken the path towards American suburbia. Urban systems expert Dr Tom Logan calls for an integrated response to the climate and housing crises which could rejuvenate our downtowns. The news often covers the housing ...
There seems to be an obsession with New Zealand journo-activists to paint Ardern lipstick on a Labour pig, but media here haven’t had a Trump type reality check yet.
A fascinating read about billionaire funded data analysis being used for mass manipulation in the US (and also used to help Farage with Brexit):
Robert Mercer: the big data billionaire waging war on mainstream media
A long read but there’s a lot of recognisable things in there. Could this happen in New Zealand?
They want her in for the clickbait, plus they could probe her private life. Andy’s too boring.
will trump lose support from this shit?
http://theweek.com/speedreads/682636/trump-laments-that-american-soldiers-no-longer-fight-win
interesting when considered against the potential false flag ops used to start wars – and sometimes they aren’t false flags
https://libcom.org/library/reichstag-fire-dutch-communism
“Prime Minister Bill English has downplayed a surge in demand for emergency housing grants, saying the government support is “ flushing out ” Kiwis in need of help.”
English is beginning to remind me of Muldoon with his behaviour. Am wondering if he has a drinking problem.
That invites a response: “At least Muldoon had drink as an excuse, what’s Bill’s excuse?”
That’s a really good question Repateet
WHEN WILL AUCKLAND TRANSPORT (AT) ‘OPEN THE BOOKS’ WITH SUB-CONTRACTED CONTRACTS?
27 February 2017
Press Release: ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’ Penny Bright
“Moving forward Auckland Transport – where’s the transparency with SUB-CONTRACTED contract$?”
“I am pleased to see that Auckland Transport (AT) are going to release details of ‘all its contracts publicly'”, says anti-corruption campaigner Penny Bright.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1702/S00880/auckland-transport-opens-the-books.htm
“However, the reason why I made a formal complaint to the Serious Fraud Office ((SFO), on 22 February 2017, was because Chair of Auckland Transport’s Board, Dr Lester Levy, had stated in a letter to me, dated 21 February 2017 that Auckland Transport were NOT going to release the details of Auckland Transport ‘sub-contracted’ contracts.
“Dear Ms Bright
Release of contract information
Thank you again for your presentation to the Board of Auckland transport on
16 February 2017,
I am following on from that and your email correspondence of 17 February.
As you noted in your presentation, Auckland Transport already publicly releases details of awarded contracts with a value of over $50,000. That information includes the contract number, a brief description of the contract, the supplier, the value of the contract, when it was created and the appointment method.
Moving forward, subject to any confidentiality obligations, Auckland Transport intends to extend this practice of public notification to all awarded contracts (that is irrespective of dollar value).
Auckland Transport also intends to notify all potential parties that we contract within the future that the information provided in the paragraph above will be publicly notified.
This practice will not include sub-contracts because, as I am sure you will appreciate, Auckland Transport does not normally hold information relating to contracts to which it is not a party.
(My bolding)
………
Dr Lester Levy
Chairman
Auckland Transport”
______________________________
“Given that, as I understand it, basically ALL of Auckland Transport’s ‘operational works’ are
sub-contracted, in my considered opinion, it is essential that the same transparency should be available for public scrutiny, with ALL sub-contracted contracts – once awarded.”
“Having spent days carefully studying the ‘Reasons for the Verdict of Fitzgerald J’ in the unprecedented bribery and corruption case involving former senior Auckland Transport Manager Murray Noone,
https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/cases/r-v-borlase-reasons/@@images/fileDecision
in my view, there are potentially two layers of corruption involved, when public services are contracted out to private sector consultants and contractors:
PUBLIC to PRIVATE corruption – where a corrupt ‘public official’ helps award a big contract to a big private contractor.
PRIVATE to PRIVATE corruption – where a corrupt private contractor awards ‘sub-contracts’.”
“It is my understanding that decent, ethical companies involved in sub-contracting, do not have a problem with transparency equally applying to their contracts.”
“I look forward to Auckland Transport confirming at the earliest opportunity, that the releasing details of ‘all its contracts publicly’ – is going to equally apply to all those ‘sub-contracted/.”
Penny Bright
……
‘Anti-privatisation / anti-corruption campaigner’.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1702/S00880/auckland-transport-opens-the-books.htm
Auckland Transport opens the books
Monday, 27 February 2017, 12:40 pm
Press Release: Auckland Transport
Auckland Transport media release
27 February 2017
Auckland Transport opens the books
Auckland Transport will be releasing details of all its contracts publicly. Since it was established in 2010, AT routinely published on its website, the details of all contracts valued over $50,000.
That threshold has now been dropped to zero.
AT Chairman, Dr Lester Levy, says that as a publicly funded body, the organisation wants to be as transparent and accountable as possible.
“There is a small extra administrative burden in releasing this sort of information, but we feel that it’s worth it to allow more open scrutiny of our activities,” he says.
“This demonstrates a clear commitment to being open and accountable to the public at large.”
Dr Levy says the nature of some of AT’s activities, such as property negotiations, means that sometimes information is commercially sensitive and involves third party businesses or individuals.
“In those cases, and to protect the interests of ratepayers and taxpayers, they are dealt with confidentially but when the reason for that confidentiality no longer exists, the material is routinely released (and published on AT’s website).”
See details of recent contracts below.
https://at.govt.nz/about-us/procurement/awarded-contracts/
ENDS
Latest Roy Morgan is out:
[deleted]
I wonder if we will see a dedicated TS thread on this like the last (favorable to the left) CM poll.
[lprent: Ah another dickhead troll. Quotes without clearly showing that it is a quote, and does it without a link so I deleted the unattributed quote (it is in the link I provided).
If there is a dedicated post depends on an author thinking that it is of interest. We generally don’t waste that many posts to polls. Usually every few months.
But we don’t take kindly to people trying to tell us what we should write about. In fact it is in the policy as a self-martyrdom offense. So what to do… Oh I know 😈
Banned for 6 weeks – which is roughly when I figure an authors is likely to put up a post on a poll. You should have enough patience for that right? ]
When was the poll done please?
Just answered my own question 😀
“This latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll on voting intention was conducted by telephone – both landline and mobile telephone – with a NZ wide cross-section of 852 electors between January 30 – February 12, 2017.”
As well Roy Morgan released the findings of another poll…
“A recent Roy Morgan survey on the ‘Most Important Problems facing New Zealand’ showed Government/ Public Policy/ Housing issues 41% (up 1% since October 2016) are clearly the most important set of problems facing New Zealand according to a representative cross-sample of 1,000 New Zealanders interviewed in January 2017.”
Gosh that link and the RM survey on that issue is interesting.
Cinny
The link is very interesting.
Only 26% of the people who thought housing was a problem are National voters, so it would seem National have a lot to gain and very little to lose by doing some work on this front.
Lab/Green however are preaching to the choir.
My rolling average of the last 4 Roy Morgan’s (because it jumps around, but I used to average 5):
Lab/Gr/NZF 47.9
Nats 47.1
Nats/ACT/MP 49.5
It’s not fantastic, but as Bill English seems to be saying 2 daft things before breakfast (and Andrew Little was good on Morning Report this AM) Bill’s honeymoon is surely over.
I would not put NZF as automatically with Lab/Gr as you have done.
NZF can go both ways. In fact with Nat at 47, it will be very tempting for NZF to go Nat/NZF for a clear majority govt.
Agreed Wayne. I was confident when Key was there that Winston hated him so much that he would go with Labour. Not so sure now, though silly reports like that right-wing report on the regions that came out today are likely to push Winston towards Labour.
Not as third choice behind the greens he won’t
No but I do have a theory he might go with Labour on condition the Greens are kept out of the cabinet.
For instance if the election ended up Lab/Gr bloc 46% Nats 43% NZF 9%
I could see that happening, the greens have been happy to sit outside of cabinet in the past. They will be so happy with the opportunity to ‘change the government’ they will let Labour walk all over them…again
@Bob
They would have no option. I vote Green.
I’d love for NZF to go with national, I think that would be their death knell.
A slow ringing, till Winston realises it’s all gone.
Smile 🙂
National 48.0% (+2.0%)
Labour 26.0% (-1.0%)
Green 13.0% (+0.5%)
Projected Seats
National 59
Labour 32
Green 16
ACT 1
Maori 2
United Future 1
NZ First 10
Total 121
I think relying on Roy Morgan for anything other than outhouse loo paper is a recipe for a cyclical loop of dashed hope.
Almost like being a Warrior’s supporter.
The one thing we don’t see in any poll is any sign of Labour breaking out of their 25-30% bracket, or the Greens 10-13% slot.
The Polls have been consistent in relation to these two factors for several years. There was some hope on the left that traction could be gained when Key decided to leave but even that has proved to have had a negligible effect.
I suspect that these two factors are behind the current vapid rumblings in the media pushing for Ardern to replace King as deputy of Labour to try and get some upward traction in Labour’s poll results.
This carries risk of a backlash especially if (as it appears) Annette King has decided that she isn’t going to get the DCM note simply because members of the fickle msm have decided that she is too old for the job.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/89850453/labour-wont-win-a-change-election-by-looking-the-same
The question I have is, who benefits? I don’t see Ardern as being behind this smear campaign – it is too obvious and too crudely done to be her; someone else is pushing it and I would like to know who.
Waste time on a conspiracy theory in an election year? Knock yourself out. I think you’ll find most New Zealanders care more about housing and swimming, though.
Tracy Watkins is a Nat fan, Rightly or Wrongly, and this is a Nat attack on Little and King. King is good at pushing Nat buttons – especially in the House – and they don’t like it. They want her out of the way. Which indicates to me that she’s being very successful at getting under their collective skin, and Little needs to keep her in that position (deputy leader) for the duration of the campaign.
Unless Ardern is completely useless , they should put her in as dp ,it really is only a smile and wave role from what i can see, Give King what she wants to keep her happy
Precisely Jenny Kirk. Anyone who has spent time watching QT in the House knows how brilliantly Annette King performs. You can see by the looks on their faces that her ‘victims’ are scared of her. Occasionally they get in a smart response but its not a common occurrence. Add to that her unmatched political knowledge and experience, its no wonder the Nat’s media fan club are doing their darndest to create a popular surge to replace her with Ardern. The TS commenters who are falling for it need to step back and reassess the situation. It’s all the Nat toadies in the media -or on the fringe of it – who are pushing this meme.
Jacinda’s a future leader or deputy leader, but her time is a little way off yet.
+100% , Anne
Btw, Matthew Hooton was full on about Ardern becoming deputy leader yesterday on the Mon. morn. RNZ political spot. And when Hooton is full on rooting for some one in Labour… you know something is not right!
Yep – you’ve said it, Anne. The nasty Nats are pushing Jacinda hard (must be a bit embarrassing for her) – in the hope of destabilising Labour. Its a very blatant trick.
That’s how I see it, too.
When I saw Tracy Watwat pushing to get rid of Annette King today, it was obviously more of her “What would be best for the Nats” trolling. And they have got the Hooton broadcasting on the same theme? Has the strategy has been sent from Crosby Textor?
King has the savvy, and the following. She’ll know when it’s time to go.
And it’s not now.
Jacinta’s day will come. Good things take time, as they say in cheesemaking circles!
Pucky? MushintheMiddle?
Open slather for election-year ‘attack ads’ by individuals and well-funded pressure groups
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/89849345/andrew-geddis-open-slather-for-electionyear-attack-ads-by-individuals-and-wellfunded-pressure-groups
No doubt the right will have a number of well off individuals and pressure groups preparing to strike.
Are the left prepared to counter this?
I’ve got my own cunning plan 😀 It’s seriously good, will share once executed, thanks youtube
It’s not aimed at any political party, am not a member of any, it’s about an individual who is and has seriously let our nation down.
It’s not an attack plan, it’s a sharing information plan, delivery needs to be optimal for social engineering purposes.
How loaded is that law, an attack group would not have a limit on spending for such, but the political party they are attack does. That’s bullshit.
“Although private individuals and groups now are free to use TV and radio to attack parties or candidates, those parties and candidates still are limited to responding using the taxpayer-funded allocation given to them in the weeks before each election.”
Excuse my naivety but for example would that mean that perhaps after an ad condemning a political party there would be a little disclosure message saying… ‘blah’ political party disputes these accusations… or words to that effect.
Or does it mean that they have to make their own ad to have right of reply?
They will also be able to respond through news media, press releases and blogs.
And good riddance to truck driving as a career:
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/02/when-robots-take-bad-jobs/517953/
I doubt it’ll stop at truck driving.
The noise will drive any human space-sharers nuts.
For those interested in the train wreck called Brexit.
Major warns May of fickle allies who want EU ‘total divorce’
Former prime minister says Britain made ‘historic mistake’ with vote to leave
John Major, the former Conservative prime minister, has urged Theresa May to face down Tory Eurosceptics during the Brexit negotiations, warning that they are fickle friends who want a damaging “total divorce” from the EU. Sir John, who angrily labelled his own Eurosceptic cabinet critics of the 1990s “bastards”, urged Mrs May to have the courage to pursue a course of Brexit that maintained Britain’s close trading and diplomatic ties with Europe. “At some time she will have to face down those who favour total disengagement and who have never accepted our role within Europe,” he said in a speech at Chatham House on Monday evening. “For some, a total divorce has been a decades-long ambition. I believe they are utterly wrong. “And although today they may be allies of the prime minister, the risk is that tomorrow they may not.” In his first public comments since last June’s Brexit vote, Sir John said that Britain had made a “historic mistake” in voting to leave the EU and that the public had been led to expect a future outside the bloc that was “unreal and over-optimistic”. His speech made thinly veiled criticisms of the tone of Mrs May’s government on Brexit. “Obstacles are brushed aside as of no consequence, whilst opportunities are inflated beyond any reasonable expectation of delivery.” Jacob Rees-Mogg, one of the new generation of Eurosceptic Tory MPs, claimed that Sir John’s own European policy was a disaster and he was being “classically condescending” in claiming voters had made a mistake in voting for Brexit.
Sir John’s comments follow a speech by Tony Blair, the former Labour prime minister, who this month urged pro-Remain voters to “rise up” to challenge the kind of clean break with the EU being pursued by Mrs May.
Both former prime ministers are frustrated that the Commons and Lords are expected to pass legislation allowing Mrs May to start the Brexit process without significant restraints on her negotiating position.
Sir John claimed that pro-Europeans were being bullied into silence. “It’s not arrogant or brazen or elitist or remotely delusional to express concern about our future after Brexit,” he said. “Shouting down their legitimate comment is against all our traditions of tolerance. It does nothing to inform and everything to demean — and it is time it was stopped.”
Brexit would weaken Britain’s standing in the world and the vote to leave had done the EU “great harm”, strengthening populist movements elsewhere in Europe, he added. Sir John also warned ministers and backbench MPs to moderate their language as Mrs May prepares to activate Article 50 next month.
“Behind the diplomatic civilities the atmosphere is already sour,” he said. “A little more charm and a lot less cheap rhetoric would do much to protect the UK’s interests.”
A Number 10 official said: “The government is determined to make a success of our departure from the European Union and to move beyond the language of ‘Leave and Remain’ to unite our country.”
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2017. All rights reserve
Great cartoon in the herald today.
a link is always a good idea
Nothing to see here, move along…
Senator Bernie Sanders and Bill Nye Talk Climate Change.
Very cool.
So there was this carnival in Germany…
Clever art work there joe90. They seem to be excited about something or body.