OU Vote Chat programme goes sour

Written By: - Date published: 6:33 pm, June 13th, 2014 - 17 comments
Categories: broadcasting, same old national - Tags: , , ,

So it appears the intended non-partisan deeper engagement with politicians that is the Otago University Vote Chat has been taken over by the National Party.

This is very disappointing as you expect academic independence from universities, not a partisan production.

The 3 Producers are local Nat list MP Michael Woodhouse’s Campaign Manager (James Meager), his partner and another card carrying Nat.  They were disappointed with Bryce Edwards raising Woodhouse’s involvement with National Party donor Donghua Liu.

Its independence has been so compromised that interviewer and politics academic Bryce Edwards has quit, and the NZ Herald will no longer live-stream it.

Dr Edwards this morning said “the issue is now one that the union is helping me deal with and I’m a position where I can’t give any further comment.”

From a very promising forum, we now just have a mess of National’s doing.

Very disappointing.

17 comments on “OU Vote Chat programme goes sour ”

  1. fisiani 1

    Bryce Edwards non partisan is like saying the Pope is non Catholic.
    He is an out and out Lefty. Good riddance

    • lprent 1.1

      So a interviewer asked a relevant political question that had recently been in the news which was avoided and resulted in the interviewer having to leave the programme. Your response is to attack the interviewer.

      Have you donned your brownshirt yet? (Godwin in 2 comments)

      I thought that programme sounded too good to be true.

    • mickysavage 1.2

      Geez fisi many is the time that I have had negative thoughts about Bryce. He definitely expressed his own opinion about things. He is no friend of Labour’s. But he is not Woodhouse’s campaign manager, or the campaign manager’s wife or another card carrying Nat. So his presence is much preferred.

      I take it that you think that card carrying members of the National Party should rule …

      • DS 1.2.1

        the campaign manager’s wife

        I (unfortunately) know this bunch quite well, and the two aren’t married, just in a long-term de facto relationship. Aforementioned partner used to be a significant figure in the University of Otago Labour Party before running over to the dark side.

  2. Lanthanide 2

    I wish I knew what this post was talking about.

    • Colonial Viper 2.1

      Are you familiar with the Vote Chat media events organised at Otago University? Its been compromised.

      • Lanthanide 2.1.1

        No. That was my point, I have no idea what this thing is and suddenly its compromised?

  3. swordfish 3

    Gord Blimey, Meager’s on to a hiding to nothing as a Nat/Woodhouse campaign manager in Dunedin North:

    2011 Party Vote – Dunedin North

    LAB+GREEN 57% (18 points above nationwide average)
    NAT 32% (15 points below nationwide average)

    2011 Candidate Vote – Dunedin North

    Clark (LAB) 44%
    Woodhouse (NAT) 32%
    Turei (GREEN) 20%

    Of people who Party-Voted National, 7% cast their Candidate Vote for the Greens’ Turei and 5% for Labour’s Clark. In contrast, only 2% of Labour Party-Voters cast their Candidate Vote for Woodhouse. (Interestingly, more than a third of Conservative Party voters and more than 60% of Maori Party voters gave their Candidate Vote to either Clark or Turei).

    So, Meager and co are going to pay a high reputational price here for no discernible advantage (apart, perhaps, from possible future advancement in the National Party).

    • tc 3.1

      If youve hitched up to the national bandwagon then you have already shown that you approve of selling out NZ, dislike due process and want to reward the top 1% at the expense of the 99%.

      edwards had no choice and they dont care about perception as long as the soapbox remains theirs to do as they wish like tvnz breakfast is.

    • Colonial Viper 3.2

      Volunteering for an MP is a quick way to a Parliamentary Services job either locally or based out of Wellington.

  4. I saw this show on the net a few times and although I don’t think its any secret that Bryce Edwards is a lefty I think he did a surprisingly good job.

    He was pretty objective IMHO.

    If he’s truly been fired just for asking an “unapproved” question then its just more evidence that National are as far left as Labour.

    • Sacha 4.1

      given your premise, how does reacting to an ‘unapproved’ question = ‘left’?

      • Lanthanide 4.1.1

        Redbaiter lives in another reality so it’s difficult trying to converse with him.

  5. Kiwiri 5

    At this rate, it sounds like National is the beneficiary of this repugnant incident.

    National would want the scope of the debate and general awareness in the next 98 days to be as narrow and as inane as possible to drive democratic discussions and debate further into deficit.

    The suggestion would be for the university or key people within that university, or for other universities, to do their duty and be society’s conscience and critic at this crucial time.
    Back to the drawing board and come with up another programme. Pronto.

    • Tautoko Viper 5.1

      “The suggestion would be for the university or key people within that university, or for other universities, to do their duty and be society’s conscience and critic at this crucial time.”
      Steven Joyce’s new “business-like” structure for University Councils plus insecurity of funding will mean that it will be more difficult for universities to be society’s conscience because rocking the political boat could mean a withdrawal of funding.

  6. Jrobin 6

    This incident shows National as practising a political version of match fixing. If their policies are persuasive and their candidates honest and appealing they should not need to stifle democratic debate and a critical media. Bryce Edwards is professional and fair in his journalism.

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    6 days ago
  • Affirmative Action.
    Affirmative Action was a key theme at this election, although I don’t recall anyone using those particular words during the campaign.They’re positive words, and the way the topic was talked about was anything but. It certainly wasn’t a campaign of saying that Affirmative Action was a good thing, but that, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • 100 days of something
    It was at the end of the Foxton straights, at the end of 1978, at 100km/h, that someone tried to grab me from behind on my Yamaha.They seemed to be yanking my backpack. My first thought was outrage. My second was: but how? Where have they come from? And my ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Look who’s stepped up to champion Winston
    There’s no news to be gleaned from the government’s official website today  – it contains nothing more than the message about the site being under maintenance. The time this maintenance job is taking and the costs being incurred have us musing on the government’s commitment to an assault on inflation. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • What's The Story?
    Don’t you sometimes wish they’d just tell the truth? No matter how abhorrent or ugly, just straight up tell us the truth?C’mon guys, what you’re doing is bad enough anyway, pretending you’re not is only adding insult to injury.Instead of all this bollocks about the Smokefree changes being to do ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • The longest of weeks
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Friday Under New Management Week in review, quiz style1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • Suggested sessions of EGU24 to submit abstracts to
    Like earlier this year, members from our team will be involved with next year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU). The conference will take place on premise in Vienna as well as online from April 14 to 19, 2024. The session catalog has been available since November 1 ...
    1 week ago
  • Under New Management
    1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. Under New Management 2. Which of these best describes the 100 days of action announced this week by the new government?a. Petulantb. Simplistic and wrongheaded c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • While we wait patiently, our new Minister of Education is up and going with a 100-day action plan
    Sorry to say, the government’s official website is still out of action. When Point of Order paid its daily visit, the message was the same as it has been for the past week: Site under maintenance Beehive.govt.nz is currently under maintenance. We will be back shortly. Thank you for your ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • DAVID FARRAR: Hysterical bullshit
    Radio NZ reports: Te Pāti Māori’s co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has accused the new government of “deliberate .. systemic genocide” over its policies to roll back the smokefree policy and the Māori Health Authority. The left love hysterical language. If you oppose racial quotas in laws, you are a racist. And now if you sack ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Ministers visit Hawke’s Bay to grasp recovery needs
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay. The visit reinforced the coalition Government’s commitment to support the region and better understand its ongoing requirements, Mr Mitchell says.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity
    New Zealand has joined the UK and other partners in condemning malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government, Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau Judith Collins says. The statement follows the UK’s attribution today of malicious cyber activity impacting its domestic democratic institutions and processes, as well ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Disestablishment of Te Pūkenga begins
    The Government has begun the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga as part of its 100-day plan, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds says.  “I have started putting that plan into action and have met with the chair and chief Executive of Te Pūkenga to advise them of my ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend COP28 in Dubai
    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will be leaving for Dubai today to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit, this week. Simon Watts says he will push for accelerated action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, deliver New Zealand’s national statement and connect with partner countries, private sector leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New Zealand to host 2024 Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins yesterday announced New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). “Having just returned from this year’s meeting in Nouméa, I witnessed first-hand the value of meeting with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security and defence matters. I welcome the opportunity to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Study shows need to remove distractions in class
    The Government is committed to lifting school achievement in the basics and that starts with removing distractions so young people can focus on their learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.   The 2022 PISA results released this week found that Kiwi kids ranked 5th in the world for being distracted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Minister sets expectations of Commissioner
    Today I met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to set out my expectations, which he has agreed to, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Under section 16(1) of the Policing Act 2008, the Minister can expect the Police Commissioner to deliver on the Government’s direction and priorities, as now outlined in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New Zealand needs a strong and stable ETS
    New Zealand needs a strong and stable Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that is well placed for the future, after emission units failed to sell for the fourth and final auction of the year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  At today’s auction, 15 million New Zealand units (NZUs) – each ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PISA results show urgent need to teach the basics
    With 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids.  The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Collins leaves for Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Working for Families gets cost of living boost
    Putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Post-Cabinet press conference
    Most weeks, following Cabinet, the Prime Minister holds a press conference for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. This page contains the transcripts from those press conferences, which are supplied by Hansard to the Office of the Prime Minister. It is important to note that the transcripts have not been edited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrapped
    The Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza
    New Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Condolences on passing of Henry Kissinger
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Backing our kids to learn the basics
    Every child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through trade
    I would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber.  I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, Auckland
    Good morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.  This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic Priority
    Good morning, tēnā koutou and namaskar. Many thanks, Michael, for your warm welcome. I would like to acknowledge the work of the India New Zealand Business Council in facilitating today’s event and for the Council’s broader work in supporting a coordinated approach for lifting New Zealand-India relations. I want to also ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Coalition Government unveils 100-day plan
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has laid out the Coalition Government’s plan for its first 100 days from today. “The last few years have been incredibly tough for so many New Zealanders. People have put their trust in National, ACT and NZ First to steer them towards a better, more prosperous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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