No Asset Sales Referendum results

187 comments on “No Asset Sales Referendum results ”

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1. Ad 1

   13 December 2013 at 8:30 pm

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   • Fisiani 1.1

     13 December 2013 at 11:16 pm

     Less than 30% of voters voted NO. What a waste of time and money.
     • McFlock 1.1.1

       13 December 2013 at 11:20 pm

       Votes don’t provide a mandate if the turnout is less than 100%?

       Fuckers shouldn’t have sold the assets then.
     • Pascal's bookie 1.1.2

       13 December 2013 at 11:22 pm

       So about 15% support this policy then? Jesus, that’s shit. Go #teamtiny
     • Arfamo 1.1.3

       13 December 2013 at 11:32 pm

       Stop whining. You had your chance to show your support for Shonkey. You can’t blame anyone else for the fact he has stuff-all support from (many even National) voters for his ripoff selloffs.
     • AmaKiwi 1.1.4

       13 December 2013 at 11:38 pm

       In a dictatorship, every form of citizen participation is “a waste of time and money.”
     • jcuknz 1.1.5

       14 December 2013 at 7:51 am

       And over fifty percent couldn’t be bothered … the result is better for National than at the General Election for all the huffing and puffing of the aussie
       • karol 1.1.5.1

         14 December 2013 at 8:36 am

         Not such a rosy picture for the Nats in their own electorates.

         Those who support asset sales couldn’t be bothered getting out to vote? They really must strongly support the NAct policy then!?
2. Arfamo 2

   13 December 2013 at 8:32 pm

   Now will the Government listen?

   Fingers in the ears mate.
   • weka 2.1

     13 December 2013 at 8:58 pm

     Yeah but we knew that already and it wasn’t the point 🙂
     • Rogue Trooper 2.1.1

       13 December 2013 at 9:11 pm

       yep, all about signals- semiotics- yet everybody knows that 😉 (“Still got it!” )
3. gobsmacked 3

   13 December 2013 at 8:32 pm

   Two-thirds of National‘s 2011 voters didn’t want to show support for the government’s flagship policy.

   I think Genesis has just been saved.
4. mickysavage 4

   13 December 2013 at 8:34 pm

   The Maori electorates all voted 90%+ against asset sales. The Maori Party is going to have a lot of explaining to do.
   • karol 4.1

     13 December 2013 at 8:42 pm

     Yep.

     New Lynn 72.2% – 13, 862 voted No.
     • mickysavage 4.1.1

       13 December 2013 at 8:45 pm

       I am quite chuffed by that result!
     • weka 4.1.2

       13 December 2013 at 9:10 pm

       Those Maori electorate results are awesome.

       Chch East 75.9% voted No. Heh.
     • Linz 4.1.3

       13 December 2013 at 9:40 pm

       Waitaki – safe National seat – 51.9% turnout, 65.4% no! Time to go into the worry room, Johnny Boy.
   • Draco T Bastard 4.2

     13 December 2013 at 9:41 pm

     Didn’t the Māori Party vote against asset sales?
     • mickysavage 4.2.1

       13 December 2013 at 9:48 pm

       But they are part of the Government. Subtleties do not matter.
       • Rogue Trooper 4.2.1.1

         13 December 2013 at 9:50 pm

         😀 (the devil is in the , latrine Detail).
       • AmaKiwi 4.2.1.2

         13 December 2013 at 11:48 pm

         They completely failed to represent 90% of their people. THAT is what matters.

         Either:

         1. The Maori MPs are out of touch with Maori people, or
         2. They sold their votes to stay in the cabinet.

         Another one of the Nat’s dance partners bites the dust.
     • dave 4.2.2

       13 December 2013 at 10:04 pm

       moari party were yellah they obstained pact of traitors ,torrie huggers
   • Rodel 4.3

     14 December 2013 at 11:34 am

     Mickey savage..Maori voted overwhelmingly in party votes for Labour in the last election..made no difference to Sharples and Turia
5. Rogue Trooper 5

   13 December 2013 at 8:37 pm

   “On the ‘first’ day of Christmas My True love gave to me…”
6. Rogue Trooper 6

   13 December 2013 at 8:38 pm

   Fire Away, don’t spare the horses (very enduring those equines).
7. karol 7

   13 December 2013 at 8:44 pm

   Helensville – 52% voted No.

   Nat supporters didn’t turn out.
   • Anne 7.1

     13 December 2013 at 9:19 pm

     North Shore – 52.6% voted NO.

     Nat. supporters didn’t turn out. Interesting.
8. Fiddlesticks 8

   13 December 2013 at 8:44 pm

   What a failure. Couldn’t even muster as many as the “anti smacking” referendum. Couldn’t even muster 50% of eligible voters. Waste of time. Waste of $9m dollars. How many school lunches would that buy?? How many childhood immunisations??

   Back to the crayon board.
   • Arfamo 8.1

     13 December 2013 at 8:46 pm

     Aww … fiddlesticks!
     • Rogue Trooper 8.1.1

       13 December 2013 at 9:13 pm

       absolutely love it! Fiddlestix was a ‘game’ when we were children, then some of us put away our ‘games’…
   • mickysavage 8.2

     13 December 2013 at 8:46 pm

     Oh dear. Did Cameron send you?

     The anti smacking vote was conducted at the same time as the 2008 general election.

     Must

     Try

     Harder.

     And you could buy way more school lunches if the country hadn’t spent so much money on Australian Merchant Bankers preparing for the sale.
     • gobsmacked 8.2.1

       13 December 2013 at 8:51 pm

       Hey Mickey, you keep making that mistake. It was 2009.
       • mickysavage 8.2.1.1

         13 December 2013 at 8:56 pm

         Feck right you are

         😳
     • Lanthanide 8.2.2

       13 December 2013 at 10:55 pm

       You should really know better, micky. I even replied last time to tell you that you were wrong, appears you didn’t bother to read the replies.
       • Rogue Trooper 8.2.2.1

         13 December 2013 at 10:59 pm

         approaching senility, all that salt air 😀
       • tinfoilhat 8.2.2.2

         14 December 2013 at 8:11 am

         Too much schmoozing with Len Brown tends to have that effect on people.
   • gobsmacked 8.3

     13 December 2013 at 8:49 pm

     1) How many school lunches and immunisations would have been bought by the millions spent on advertising asset sales?

     2) When was this alternative spend that you now offer, ever offered by the government?
     • gobsmacked 8.3.1

       13 December 2013 at 9:12 pm

       Hey Fiddly! I want to spend nine million on school lunches … like you promised. I want to sign the petition.

       Come on, tell us how not holding this referendum would have made that happen.
       • Rogue Trooper 8.3.1.1

         13 December 2013 at 9:30 pm

         just beautiful. Balm to the lips.
   • BM 8.4

     13 December 2013 at 8:57 pm

     You speak the truth, fiddle sticks.

     Once again the Chardonnay socialists showing a complete disregard of taxpayers money.

     The only good thing to come out of this is that Key will spend the next 11 months clubbing the left over the head with this colossal fail.

     A win, once again for the blue team
     • mickysavage 8.4.1

       13 December 2013 at 9:03 pm

       Only in BM land would getting 32% of the vote in a referendum be considered a win.
       • BM 8.4.1.1

         13 December 2013 at 9:16 pm

         432,950 said YES
         895,322 said NO

         1,742,575 said MEH, I’M NOT FUSSED.

         Only in lefty land would this be considered a success.

         I cut you guys some slack though you’re so use to getting your arses handed to you on a plate you’ve forgotten what a win looks like.

         I give you a hint there lads, this isn’t one.
         • gobsmacked 8.4.1.1.1

           13 December 2013 at 9:24 pm

           Breaking news …

           BM demands the immediate resignation of National MP Jami-Lee Ross.

           Because the last time National won a by-election (Mr Ross in Botany) the turnout was too low for the result to be accepted, a spokesman for BM explained.

           Mr Ross was unavailable for comment, as he was heading round to BM’s place with a gag and some friends.
         • North 8.4.1.1.2

           13 December 2013 at 9:25 pm

           So it’s a stiffening gingernut with a cuppa tonight is it Bowel Motion ? By way of celebration ?

           Down your legs BM.
         • Rogue Trooper 8.4.1.1.3

           13 December 2013 at 9:26 pm

           you play a good game, give you that.
         • the pigman 8.4.1.1.4

           13 December 2013 at 9:58 pm

           Haha, well the image used for this post was prescient. BM, you never fail to disappoint with your explosive fecal dribble.
   • Murray Olsen 8.5

     13 December 2013 at 9:25 pm

     Which organisation should have been given the money in order to buy school lunches? Ah, there’s no program in place. Hmmm, could have always spent it on flying a few more high stakes gamblers in first class for a Sky City convention on South Island land rezoning. I’m sure the logistics are in place for that.

     Find one instance of any mention of a government plan to provide school lunches that was postponed because of the referendum. I’ll wait. Then fuck off back to WhaleSpew and wank on about how it’s not the government’s job to buy school lunches.
   • felix 8.6

     14 December 2013 at 12:32 am

     “Waste of $9m dollars. How many school lunches would that buy?? “

     None, it’s a National govt.
     • Rogue Trooper 8.6.1

       14 December 2013 at 12:47 am

       hope that you are getting this all down 😉
   • Paul 8.7

     14 December 2013 at 12:38 am

     Waste of 9 million.
     I guess better to spend it on a billionaire ‘s boat race, right?
9. Rosie 9

   13 December 2013 at 8:46 pm

   Put that in your pipe and smoke it skonkey.
10. karol 10

    13 December 2013 at 8:52 pm

    Stuff headline: Two-thirds of voters oppose asset sales

    Lead paragraph:

    Kiwis have voted overwhelmingly against the Government’s asset sales programme, with opponents outnumbering supporters by more than two to one in a citizens-initiated referendum.
    • Arfamo 10.1

      13 December 2013 at 8:54 pm

      Herald still obviously struggling to get the right headline and narrative before carrying the result.

      Edit: They’ve woken up.
      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11172228

      67.2% against asset sales
      Voters have given the Govt’s flagship asset sales policy an emphatic thumbs down, ratcheting up pressure for the sale of Genesis Energy to be shelved.
      • karol 10.1.1

        13 December 2013 at 9:03 pm

        Yes they’ve gone with the 67.2% no vote as headline on the man page.

        But the actual article headline is “Voters vote resoundingly against asset sales in referendum”

        And the lead paragraph:

        Voters have given the Government’s flagship asset sales policy an emphatic thumbs down, ratcheting up pressure for the sale of Genesis Energy – the remaining asset in the programme – to be shelved.

        The citizens-initiated referendum (CIR) on asset sales has closed and as expected, most of those who voted opposed the partial sale of state owned power companies and Air New Zealand.
11. Fiddlesticks 11

    13 December 2013 at 8:55 pm

    Couldn’t even muster as many yes votes as those that supposedly voted for parties against assets sales in 2011. All in all, a complete failure.

    Better luck next time.
    • Arfamo 11.1

      13 December 2013 at 8:57 pm

      ?
    • McFlock 11.2

      13 December 2013 at 9:04 pm

      cheers for the thought fs, but I think the left will be pretty satisfied with a “complete failure” like this in 2014.
    • gobsmacked 11.3

      13 December 2013 at 9:06 pm

      Here’s your problem, Fiddly & BM (and bear with me here, it requires some brain cells).

      If asset sales (even “only” 49% of assets) are NOT that unpopular after all – as you claim – and if the last election was a “real” referendum on asset sales, and National won it …

      … then National should offer more asset sales at the next election, right? Yes, there are still some more to sell. Why not stick with a popular, election winning policy?

      Because now, they dare not. And THAT is a victory – for the people.
      • Anne 11.3.1

        13 December 2013 at 9:28 pm

        (and bear with me here, it requires some brain cells).

        BM will understand because he’s not devoid of brain cells (even if they need a re-tune) but Piddles… not a show.
    • Rogue Trooper 11.4

      13 December 2013 at 9:18 pm

      Lord, give us strength to tolerate the less-endowed amongst us; Stewardship over the beasts you suggested; Very wise. Thank you Lord.
12. Fiddlesticks 12

    13 December 2013 at 9:03 pm

    No votes even.
    • Arfamo 12.1

      13 December 2013 at 9:05 pm

      Too late. Shown up for the fool you are.
      • Fiddlesticks 12.1.1

        13 December 2013 at 9:18 pm

        At this point that is the appropriate thing to say to the Australian export. He tried. He failed. Time to go home.
        • McFlock 12.1.1.1

          13 December 2013 at 9:27 pm

          Awwww, pushing the “Aus-NZ” button so soon?
          It doesn’t work so much these days when tories try it.

          Most New Zealanders have more in common with most Australians than either has with their tory overlords. When more extreme buttons of the same flavour were pushed in 1914, the sentiment was expressed “a bayonet is a weapon with a worker at both ends”.

          Long story short, quite a few NZers woud prefer dunnokeyo fucked off to Hawaii before Norman goes to Aus.
        • gobsmacked 12.1.1.2

          13 December 2013 at 9:28 pm

          Should Melissa Lee go home? How about Jian Yang? The Indian guy? National’s benches are thinning out …

          Got any more xenophobia you’d like to share?
          • Rogue Trooper 12.1.1.2.1

            13 December 2013 at 9:33 pm

            Man, these also-rans are going hard out, Bless Them; least the left would not retire them to the Glue Factory.
            • Fiddlesticks 12.1.1.2.1.1

              13 December 2013 at 9:51 pm

              Some of my best friends are Australian…

              But in all seriousness. I do know a couple of Muslims.
              • Rogue Trooper …

                13 December 2013 at 9:59 pm

                well, everybody can now see what is going on, more Close To Home than PRISM; I do not even have TV and I can follow this.
          • alwyn 12.1.1.2.2

            14 December 2013 at 10:04 am

            Winston Peters to go back to Taiwan?
            Isn’t that where the Genetic studies say that Polynesians originated from?
        • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1.3

          13 December 2013 at 9:49 pm

          Ah, the Tories xenophobia coming to the fore I see.
          • Rogue Trooper 12.1.1.3.1

            13 December 2013 at 9:55 pm

            so reactive, oh , maybe that’s where the term “Reactionary” applies; still living in fear of change, well, the “cheese is moving” and the wheel is turning, they can dog-paddle until they expire.
13. Fiddlesticks 13

    13 December 2013 at 9:03 pm

    “No” votes even.
    • Arfamo 13.1

      13 December 2013 at 9:06 pm

      Still a “fool”. Maybe come back later as someone else. You’ve made a right twat of the Fiddlesticks persona.
      • Fiddlesticks 13.1.1

        13 December 2013 at 9:19 pm

        Vide supra
        • Arfamo 13.1.1.1

          13 December 2013 at 9:25 pm

          I did. You said: Couldn’t even muster as many yes votes as those that supposedly voted for parties against assets sales in 2011. All in all, a complete failure.

          The referendum question was “Do you support the Government selling up to 49% of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Solid Energy and Air New Zealand?”

          The objective was to get No votes. Your objective was to rush to post something stupid and to think about what you meant to say afterwards?
          • Fiddlesticks 13.1.1.1.1

            13 December 2013 at 9:42 pm

            I know a good fight club…
            • Arfamo 13.1.1.1.1.1

              13 December 2013 at 9:46 pm

              Knock yourself out again then. I’ll bring the aspirin.
            • Rogue Trooper 13.1.1.1.1.2

              13 December 2013 at 9:48 pm

              would have to be more stimulating than here, as opposed to merely vicarious entertainment.
14. Flip 14

    13 December 2013 at 9:04 pm

    66% of people did not vote. That is NOT a yes vote. A good democratic government would maintain the status quo (do not sell) without the support of a majority of the people. They clearly do not have any mandate for asset sales with 2/3 of people who voted opposing it. The responsible government action is to halt the sales process.
    • SPC 14.1

      13 December 2013 at 9:16 pm

      The turnout was 44% of eligible voters.
15. Simeon 15

    13 December 2013 at 9:06 pm

    29.5 of eligible voters voted “No”. End of discussion.
    • gobsmacked 15.1

      13 December 2013 at 9:09 pm

      So asset sales are popular? So should Key promise more?

      Continue discussion …
      • Rogue Trooper 15.1.1

        13 December 2013 at 9:20 pm

        um, would that be people who are motivated to vote and therefore legitimize political power 🙂
    • Pascal's bookie 15.2

      13 December 2013 at 10:06 pm

      What % voted yes?
16. sabine 16

    13 December 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Now will the Government listen?

    No.
17. SPC 17

    13 December 2013 at 9:14 pm

    Less than half those who voted National in the 2011 election were prepared to support them in this referendum.
    • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 17.1

      13 December 2013 at 11:58 pm

      SPC – Ah! This is the clearest message in the results. Cheers 🙂
18. sabine 18

    13 December 2013 at 9:15 pm

    I like how Keys supports the idea that Labour could buy those assets back. He knows that without Labour, there would be no assets he could sell. After all the Man is not into creating jobs/assets or preserving jobs/assets, he is into flogging the silver off and keeping the profit.

    How many lunches will not be bought now that the anticipated 5 – 7 b$ revenue in asset sales has been reduces to some 4 b$.
19. Pete 19

    13 December 2013 at 9:20 pm

    The only electorate that voted Yes was Epsom. Look at the margins in the Maori seats, though. This does not bode well for the Maori Party next year.
    • Rogue Trooper 19.1

      13 December 2013 at 9:21 pm

      has not looked promising for the MP for a very long time.
    • karol 19.2

      13 December 2013 at 9:22 pm

      Maybe the government should just sell Epsom to the highest overseas bidder. There’s a lot the government could do with the money!
      • McFlock 19.2.1

        13 December 2013 at 9:30 pm

        who’d take it? It’s obvious that the water supply has a serious contamination of some sort.
      • Murray Olsen 19.2.2

        13 December 2013 at 9:31 pm

        Epsom should be bulldozed and turned into an urban forest. They have shown several times that they do not want to be part of wider society. The government could then move them into state tents on the Bayswater mudflats.
        • Rogue Trooper 19.2.2.1

          13 December 2013 at 9:36 pm

          They may have something there though…’wider society’- questionable when that society is limited. Yet, even Mr Darcy came round, how could he not? sigh, “Miss Bennett”.
      • North 19.2.3

        13 December 2013 at 9:33 pm

        Best suggestion of the night !

        Then encourage the bastards to secede !
    • Macro 19.3

      14 December 2013 at 1:48 pm

      “The only electorate that voted Yes was Epsom” –

      Probably because there are the thieving bastards who received the stolen property,and want to legitimise their “purchase”. That electorate has a lot to answer for, and will in due course.
20. irascible 20

    13 December 2013 at 9:28 pm

    Interestingly the only two electorates in favour of asset stripping were Tamaki & Epsom… does that tell us anything about who Key panders to?
21. BM 21

    13 December 2013 at 9:29 pm

    It was a stunt.
    The who thing was initiated by the greens, it was a total abuse of the citizen initiated referendum system.
    Only the blind and delusional couldn’t see what this was all about

    Edit: The post I was replying to seems to have disappeared into the ether.
    • North 21.1

      13 December 2013 at 9:34 pm

      From whence you came strangely.
    • Arfamo 21.2

      13 December 2013 at 9:37 pm

      Bugger. Sorry about that. My aim was off. It was yours I was trying to zap. Serves me right for getting a wand from the $2 shop.
    • kitten 21.3

      13 December 2013 at 9:42 pm

      um, no it wasn’t. The promoters were Grey Power, the Green Party, the Council of Trade Unions, the Labour Party, New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations, and Greenpeace.
22. Delia 22

    13 December 2013 at 9:30 pm

    National people feeling so jaded with their party, they could not even get out and vote. Maybe just maybe, they never wanted asset sales either. It has all been Bill and John’s fantasy or is that nightmare?
23. veutoviper 23

    13 December 2013 at 9:36 pm

    I just did a very quick look at the electorates where the turnout was over 50% – and some interesting results as most of these are currently National party seats.

    Coromandel (N) 52.2% turnout – 63.9% No
    Dunedin South (L) 53.6% turnout – 76.5% No
    Napier (N) 51,3% turnout – 66.7% No
    Nelson (N) 51.4% turnout – 71.3% No
    Northland (N) 50.5% turnout – 66.1% No
    Otaki (N) 54% turnout – 66.7% No
    Wairarapa (N) 50.3% turnout – 65.3% No
    Waitaki (N) 51.9% turnout – 65.4% No
    West Coast Tasman (L) 52.5% turnout – 72.3% No

    And Ohariu (Dunne UF) had a 49.1% turnout with 64.6% No vote.
    • Rogue Trooper 23.1

      13 December 2013 at 9:38 pm

      Excellent, the full moon is approaching.
    • Anne 23.2

      13 December 2013 at 9:43 pm

      And bear in mind the total turnout percentage and the total NO percentage are going to increase. Latest votes received still to be counted.
    • ScottGN 23.3

      13 December 2013 at 10:16 pm

      The really interesting seats here are Napier, Otaki, Wairarapa and Waitaki. If Labour is to make a comeback in the provinces this is where it will happen and all these seats have been Labour leaning in the not-too-distant past. Well done Dunedin South, good turnout and a great NO vote.
      • veutoviper 23.3.1

        13 December 2013 at 10:46 pm

        I agree re the really interesting seats in the provinces. But I also found the Nelson results fascinating considering Nick Smith’s longevity in the seat. A 71.3% No vote on a more than 50% turnout should be sending Smith a clear message.

        Some other longstanding National seats with less than 50% turnout also had No votes over the countrywide average, but too tired tonight to identify them but will relook at these tomorrow.
24. Flip 24

    13 December 2013 at 9:37 pm

    “John Key has said that his Govt will give little attention to the result of the referendum, describing it as political stunt by Labour and the Greens.” NZ Herald

    As a voter I resent the implication that I am part of a ‘political stunt’. This comment indicates the PM has no respect for democracy or the people of NZ.
    • Rogue Trooper 24.1

      13 December 2013 at 9:44 pm

      The Technological Society ‘ the end of ‘democracy’. ( “Life Jim, yet not as we knew it”; not for the technocrati and the self-sabotaging fools like Ede and Cameron (though I still respect what Cameron has ‘achieved’, it is the ‘recognition’ that appears to be his weakness.)
    • ianmac 24.2

      13 December 2013 at 9:45 pm

      “John Key has said that his Govt will give little attention to the result of the referendum…”
      Flip. That in itself is insulting and arrogant! So even those who voted YES should feel insulted but the rest of us who voted NO are even more aggrieved that the PM of New Zealand should be so dismissive of so many ordinary New Zealanders.
      What a cheek Key has. A Cheeky Narky?
      (2nd go at writing this. First vanished.)
    • Draco T Bastard 24.3

      13 December 2013 at 10:04 pm

      This comment indicates the PM has no respect for democracy or the people of NZ.

      That pretty much comes with being a Tory. They actually hate democracy and think that they should rule without the consent of the governed.
      • Rogue Trooper 24.3.1

        13 December 2013 at 10:06 pm

        ah, the ‘Crown’.
      • AmaKiwi 24.3.2

        14 December 2013 at 8:55 am

        Draco: ” This comment indicates the PM has no respect for democracy or the people of NZ.

        “That pretty much comes with being a Tory. They actually hate democracy and think that they should rule without the consent of the governed.”

        So do Labour MPs. Every top Labour MP I have questioned abhors binding referendums.
        • Colonial Viper 24.3.2.1

          14 December 2013 at 10:25 am

          A lot of Labour MPs really do not like being bound by the voice (votes) of the membership either.
    • Macro 24.4

      14 December 2013 at 1:59 pm

      When Blinglish calls us all “punters” – it should tell us all just how little regard this shower hold the voters.. the feeling is mutual.
25. Brett Dale 25

    13 December 2013 at 9:40 pm

    How disappointing for Labour and Greens, less than 50% turnout, and despite a huge one sided campaign. 400 thousand still voted yes.
    • Arfamo 25.1

      13 December 2013 at 9:44 pm

      Yup. How disappointing for National. Less than 50% turnout and despite Shonkey’s claims to have a clear mandate only 400,000 backed him up.
      • Anne 25.1.1

        13 December 2013 at 9:59 pm

        David Cunliffe on result.

        http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/david-cunliffe-assets-referendum-video-5777489

        Good one David.
        • Arfamo 25.1.1.1

          13 December 2013 at 10:03 pm

          +1
        • Draco T Bastard 25.1.1.2

          13 December 2013 at 10:14 pm

          God, I hate the TVNZ website: No, TVNZ, I don’t want it to automatically go on to the next bloody item.
        • Lanthanide 25.1.1.3

          13 December 2013 at 11:02 pm

          Bit stumbly.
          • karol 25.1.1.3.1

            14 December 2013 at 8:42 am

            Stumbly editing.
    • ianmac 25.2

      13 December 2013 at 9:46 pm

      And even in National seats there were majorities who were NO. Must be a bit worrying Brett?
      • ScottGN 25.2.1

        13 December 2013 at 9:58 pm

        I’m pleased to say that in my electorate Clutha-Southland, sometimes called the most conservative constituency in the country and which has always returned Bill English with a huge majority, turnout was a bit higher than the national average and the NO vote won a convincing 61.6%
        • Rogue Trooper 25.2.1.1

          13 December 2013 at 10:03 pm

          just Wow!
        • Colonial Viper 25.2.1.2

          14 December 2013 at 9:57 am

          Conservative blue heartland, including Waitaki electorate, HATE asset sales. Both them and Clutha-Southland have a lot of hydro generation in their electorates that they are very proud of, which is not incidental.

          In other words – asset sales is the National Party serving their neoliberal/corporate wing, not their traditional conservative backers.
      • Brett Dale 25.2.2

        13 December 2013 at 10:25 pm

        Ianmac

        People who were for it, just didnt bother voting, this was always a tax payer funded thing for labour and greens, they will be gutted.

        If it was a 80% voter turn out with 85% people voting No, then national may be worried, but this, yeppers, Prime Minister Key wont batter an eyelid.
        • Arfamo 25.2.2.1

          13 December 2013 at 10:28 pm

          Who in their right mind would batter their own eyelid Brett? People who were for the sales had the same opportunity to show their support. They didn’t. He doesn’t have a mandate.
          • alwyn 25.2.2.1.1

            14 December 2013 at 10:15 am

            My, you have a very short memory Arfamo.
            Just a few days ago, on the 10th December in fact, you said, when someone claimed that John Key didn’t have a mandate because he didn’t have more than 50% of the eligible voters in the election.
            You said “What stops me from agreeing with you is that 30% of the electors didn’t vote at all and National was elected by a minority of eligible voters. So no, I don’t see that they did have a mandate”.
            Now you aren’t willing to accept the view that the Green and Labour parties don’t have any mandate to stop the asset sales on the grounds that they didn’t get more than 50% of the eligible voters following their line.
            Consistency isn’t your strong suit is it?
            I am at least consistent in that I do think that National did have a mandate for their policies in the election and also that the voting population do seem to have shown disapproval in this referendum. The only thing that surprised me was how low the vote was for the NO option.
            • Arfamo 25.2.2.1.1.1

              14 December 2013 at 10:33 am

              I am at least consistent in that I do think that National did have a mandate for their policies in the election and also that the voting population do seem to have shown disapproval in this referendum.

              As I’ve explained before, I don’t buy into your limited paradigm. And the only consistency I can see in your view above is that it doesn’t seem to make sense.

              The election was not just about asset sales. You know it. Online news polls and commentators have consistently revealed there is more opposition than support for asset sales. Those polls frequently go against some “left wing” issues and proposals, so there’s no reason to suppose they’re only replied to by “lefties”.

              This referendum is only an “indication” of the views of voters, I accept that, but, let’s face it, so do the Nats and while they say they’re “not bovvered”, they freaking are – like you are. Go back to sleep.
              • alwyn …

                14 December 2013 at 12:00 pm

                But if I was sleeping I wouldn’t be able to read your contributions, some of which I can only describe as wonderful.
                The image you offered the other day, of Winston Peters approaching the Labour and National leaders to discuss coalition options and them both holding up big NO signs, was a truly hilarious one.
                • Arfamo …

                  14 December 2013 at 12:40 pm

                  🙂 Ok, I like you a little bit just at the moment.
        • Rogue Trooper 25.2.2.2

          13 December 2013 at 10:31 pm

          you merely play the tool Brett?
        • gobsmacked 25.2.2.3

          13 December 2013 at 10:36 pm

          And yet tomorrow, Brett, we’ll be back to …

          “Stuff Online poll says 67% support death penalty!”

          I don’t mind people dismissing the views of hundreds of thousands of voters, as long as they swear never again to claim any meaning whatsoever in a few hundred random clicks.
26. Ake ake ake 26

    13 December 2013 at 9:51 pm

    John Key’s latest comment demonstrates a serious disconnect with an overwhelming majority of those who voted.
27. freedom 27

    13 December 2013 at 10:02 pm

    Did anyone happen to grab a screenshot of Stuff’s article from earlier today where Key was quoted as saying it was up to the opposition to put their concerns into action and now “do the decent thing” and state that they would buy back the Assets?

    I only ask because the bookmark I had for that article now goes to a completely different article, namely the “Two Thirds of voters” article. (yes I am really wishing I had listened to instinct and grabbed the screenshot)
    • Rogue Trooper 27.1

      13 December 2013 at 10:05 pm

      ‘they’ sure are sneaky.
    • Arfamo 27.2

      13 December 2013 at 10:07 pm

      No. But will this do instead?

      http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbpol/607449732-key-challenges-labour-over-asset-sales
      • freedom 27.2.1

        13 December 2013 at 10:31 pm

        thanks folks, but the Stuff article had quotations marks around four little words and those four little words should not be overlooked.

        I only bring it up as the comment attributed to the PM is not at all insignificant, which is why i suspect it was dissappeared. The PM saying the opposition should “do the decent thing” and buy back the assets is not what this government would want voters hearing. It should however be included into as many questions as possible to the government.

        What was it The Doctor said to Harriet Jones’s aide
        “don’t you think [she] looks tired”
        • Arfamo 27.2.1.1

          13 December 2013 at 10:36 pm

          I don’t think there’s a lot of mileage in that “do the decent thing” quote for the Oppos freedom. In the context used it simply means if you say you’re opposed to the sales surely the decent thing is to say you’ll buy them back. It’s just Key trying to set the trap.
          • Lanthanide 27.2.1.1.1

            13 December 2013 at 11:05 pm

            Hmm, I’m not so sure.

            There could be mileage in it, if it were managed well.

            “Key says “the decent thing” is to buy back the power assets he sold!”.
            • Arfamo 27.2.1.1.1.1

              13 December 2013 at 11:08 pm

              True, but how long can you play that game when everyone knows that’s not what Shonkey believes. It would quickly lose its value for anything except to remind people what a kindergarten Parliament is. Overdone, it would actually generate a negative perception of someone playing silly games. And the PM can quickly retort that Cunners is on video saying he “reverses” the right to buy them back. Fuxake.
              • alwyn …

                14 December 2013 at 10:21 am

                My grandchildren, at least the ones who attend kindergarten, have asked me to demand that you remove immediately this slur on their character.
                They claim, and having seen both groups I agree with them, that kindergarten attendees are much, much better behaved than Parliamentarians.
                I suggest you do so immediately or watch out very carefully for any pre-schooler approaching you. They can bite you know.
        • Rogue Trooper 27.2.1.2

          13 December 2013 at 10:40 pm

          the ‘Ninth Doctor’ acknowledged his origins and did some [un] paid gardening before the slitheen.
        • karol 27.2.1.3

          14 December 2013 at 8:59 am

          The government’s press release late last night, from Bill English, has stated the same thing, but with a qualification:

          “If Labour and the Greens would rather have full State control of the companies and higher public debt, they should promise to borrow $4 billion to buy back Mighty River Power, Meridian Energy and Air New Zealand.

          “If they do not then their referendum was nothing more than a costly stunt.

          And the Stuff article now has a similar statement from Bill English:

          English said the almost $4b raised from the partial sales of Meridian and Mighty River Power would be spent on public assets that would otherwise require borrowing.

          “Quite simply, we now have $4 billion less debt than we would otherwise have had,” English said.

          “If Labour and the Greens would rather have full State control of the companies and higher public debt, they should promise to borrow $4 billion to buy back Mighty River Power, Meridian Energy and Air New Zealand. If they do not then their referendum was nothing more than a costly stunt.”

          Key has said often enough in the past that Labour should commit to buying back state assets. Here for instance, last month.

          And many times in the House. But now English has been tasked with the line linking a buy back to increased borrowing.

          But even Tracy Watkins and Vernon Small are not convinced by Key’s lines. In the year in review on Stuff today:

          ASSET SALES

          National always knew its asset sales programme would be unpopular, but it has turned out to be ill-fated as well, although ministers are still bravely labelling it a success.

          The Government campaigned on the plan at the last election and claimed a mandate to press ahead. The anti-asset sales referendum delivered the expected ”no” vote but that was the least of the Government’s troubles.

          First coal producer Solid Energy fell over and then off the list of partial privatisation.

          A disappointing number of new retail investors took up the offer of Mighty River Power shares, while the Labour-Green single power buyer policy depressed energy company share prices, as did the threat by Meridian’s biggest customer, the Bluff aluminium smelter, to close down.

          That prompted Finance Minister Bill English to fork out a $30m subsidy to keep it open in the interim.

          Meridian’s share price joined MRP ”underwater” below issue price and the number of mum and dad investors was even more disappointing than in MRP.

          The selldown of Air New Zealand shares was arguably the bright spot, although its shares quickly sagged below issue price, adding to general disappointment among investors in the programme.

          At year’s end there was a question mark over whether the final offering, genesis Energy, would go ahead despite continued upbeat comments from Mr English and other ministers.

          However there were clear signs National will not repeat the exercise by promising more asset sales in next year’s election campaign.
          • Colonial Viper 27.2.1.3.1

            14 December 2013 at 10:01 am

            “If Labour and the Greens would rather have full State control of the companies and higher public debt, they should promise to borrow $4 billion to buy back Mighty River Power, Meridian Energy and Air New Zealand.

            So Mr English, why would you sell assets returning to tax payers over 15% pa, to avoid debt which costs just 3.5% pa?
          • Rogue Trooper 27.2.1.3.2

            14 December 2013 at 1:57 pm

            a privilege to ride the trail with you karol. These matters beg for vigilance and analys es
      • Rogue Trooper 27.2.2

        13 December 2013 at 10:37 pm

        “This web-page not available now”. 😎
28. Fiddlesticks 28

    13 December 2013 at 10:11 pm

    David Cunliffe – “We reverse the right to buyback these assets” – Freudian slip?

    http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/new-zealanders-have-spoken-labour-video-5777489
    • gobsmacked 28.1

      13 December 2013 at 10:15 pm

      Have you found those school lunches yet?

      I’m sure you’ve been Googling frantically, so you must have found this fantastic promise from National. Where is it?
    • Arfamo 28.2

      13 December 2013 at 10:20 pm

      Great pic Stuff.co used for their front page headline

      http://static2.stuff.co.nz/1386920307/761/9516761.jpg
      • North 28.2.1

        14 December 2013 at 8:50 am

        Ooh the malevolence !
    • North 28.3

      14 December 2013 at 8:40 am

      “………reverse the right” – that all you got FiddleDick ?
    • Rodel 28.4

      14 December 2013 at 12:03 pm

      Fiddlesticks ‘Freudian slip?’
      Nothing Freudian about it …a linguistic slip yes.(reverse instead of reserve). So what? but nice try.
29. Blue 29

    13 December 2013 at 10:24 pm

    Very interesting. If we take the total number of votes cast in the 2011 election (2,257,336) and use this as the total ‘voting population’ as it were:

    A total of 1,333,402 votes were cast in the referendum (59% of the 2011 general election turnout).

    432,950 voted Yes in the referendum (19.18%)
    895,332 voted No in the referendum (39.66%)
    4,068 informal votes (0.18%)
    1,062 invalid votes (0.047%)
    923,924 did not vote (40.93%)

    In the 2011 election, 1,127,950 votes (49.97%) were cast for parties that either wanted to sell assets (National and Act) or could reasonably be presumed to roll over and do whatever National told them (United Future and the Maori Party).

    But only 19% of voters actively wanted asset sales.

    1,129,386 votes in 2011 went to parties that opposed asset sales (50.03% of the vote). Now the referendum has shown that 59% of voters consider asset sales an important issue, and there is overwhelming opposition to them, with nearly 70% No vote amongst those who voted.

    That mandate’s looking a bit sick.
    • Rogue Trooper 29.1

      13 December 2013 at 10:29 pm

      Very Interesting analysis indeed; let us observe the way the Weekend Presses incline. Gravitas , gotta get used to it.
30. Pascal's bookie 30

    13 December 2013 at 11:14 pm

    This is worth a look:

    http://polity.co.nz/content/least-225000-nats-said-no-asset-sales

    You can quibble about the numbers, but not enough ot change the point I would think.

    Loads of swing voters who voted Nat last time voted no. So when you read Key et al mocking no voters, he’s calling them suckers for voting for him in 11
    • North 30.1

      14 December 2013 at 8:29 am

      Great to see ShonKey Python’s dead eyes and irritated demeanour – “Fuck off New Zealand we’re NOT listening and we WON’T listen……..what you gonna do about it……..Huh ?”

      Hubris: excessive pride or presumption……..leading to nemesis.
31. karol 31

    14 December 2013 at 9:08 am

    I see the hard copies of both the NZ Herald & The Dom Post have ignored the referendum – going with front page stuff on Len Brown instead.

    Interesting that the Brown inquiry was released about the same time as the referendum results were due out.

    No, wait. Dom post has a small article on it on the bottom of page 2. Len Brown on front page.

    NZ herald front page is more on a house that appeared on someone’s vacant property.
    • BM 31.1

      14 December 2013 at 9:34 am

      The referendum, it’s yesterdays news.
      The house story is much more interesting
    • Paul 31.2

      14 December 2013 at 9:50 am

      Says so much about the corporate media.
      The owners of those papers have masters to serve.
    • Rodel 31.3

      14 December 2013 at 11:51 am

      ChCh Press buried it on page 3. Page 1 has stories about Jetstar and Gerry Brownlee’s Christmas card..Jeez!
32. chris73 32

    14 December 2013 at 9:45 am

    To put it into perspective:

    2009 CIR to repeal smacking law changes had 1,470,755 votes jn favour
    1999 CIR to reduce the number of MPs to 99 had 1,678,054 votes in favour
    1999 CIR for tougher sentencing for criminals had 1,886,705 votes in favour
    • gobsmacked 32.1

      14 December 2013 at 9:50 am

      Michael from Whale Oil would like you to stop plagiarising, and acknowledge your source in future. It’s honesty 101, Chris.
      • chris73 32.1.1

        14 December 2013 at 9:57 am

        Nice attempt at diversion there gobsmacked
    • Colonial Viper 32.2

      14 December 2013 at 9:55 am

      I hope National completely disregards the 67% no asset sales result against them, and displays their arrogance yet again to the voting public.
      • chris73 32.2.1

        14 December 2013 at 10:01 am

        Just be glad the left got a 9 million advertising campaign for free and thats what it was all about really

        and fair play to the left because they got away with it and its taking the heat of two minute len and Daljit Singh
        • Colonial Viper 32.2.1.1

          15 December 2013 at 6:08 pm

          Don’t forget Banksy
    • karol 32.3

      14 December 2013 at 9:59 am

      Time NZ changed. The public looks to be more fired up by punitive measures to get tough on criminals, and beat their children. Something sick in the body politic.

      The MMP vote happened at the same time as a general election – people are more likely to vote then than for a postal vote outside the usual election period.

      The Nats, then, must be really happy that in all but 2 Nat electorates, most voters were motivated to vote against asset sales than for them.

      They must be really excited about next year’s election.
      • chris73 32.3.1

        14 December 2013 at 10:04 am

        Well for one thing Nationals getting rid of its deadwood, hows Labour doing?
        • alwyn 32.3.1.1

          14 December 2013 at 10:26 am

          Labour has no deadwood. They are all totally brilliant people and should feel truly honoured that they are willing to sacrifice their lives in serving you so wonderfully.
          Bow down before them and worship the ground above which they levitate themselves.
          • Rogue Trooper 32.3.1.1.1

            14 December 2013 at 12:48 pm

            well, that might be a little incredulous
        • Tracey 32.3.1.2

          15 December 2013 at 6:18 pm

          so, are they not really resigning but have been pushed? How do you know? I am surprised it has taken katrina shanks this long to bugger off after their appalling treatment of her in favour of the Coiff
          • Arfamo 32.3.1.2.1

            15 December 2013 at 6:20 pm

            No matter how big a wally you are, you don’t throw away an MPs salary and perks until you have another well-paid job lined up.
            • Colonial Viper 32.3.1.2.1.1

              15 December 2013 at 6:28 pm

              Lined up, or lined up for you, with a friendly nudge to move on.
              • Arfamo …

                15 December 2013 at 8:07 pm

                Doesn’t really matter, either way the equation produces the same result. As a potential political high-flyer she had the aerodynamic characteristics of a streamlined brick.
    • felix 32.4

      15 December 2013 at 7:13 pm

      Hi chris, why didn’t you post the full comment as posted at failoil

      Some perspective:

      2009 CIR to repeal smacking law changes had 1,470,755 votes jn favour
      1999 CIR to reduce the number of MPs to 99 had 1,678,054 votes in favour
      1999 CIR for tougher sentencing for criminals had 1,886,705 votes in favour

      Given the CIRs that the Greens and Labour don’t support have far more support than their one, will they be changing policy to reflect popular support?

      Is it because you realised that on this site you’d be exposed as a moron for suggesting that if you support any popular position you must support all popular positions?
33. Colonial Viper 33

    14 December 2013 at 10:30 am

    Awesome charts of the Referendum results by electorate. Kudos to whoever did these/posted them.

    One issue: the strongest “NO” voting electorates were often the ones with terrible turnout.

    http://imgur.com/a/qn7Pg#0
34. captain hook 34

    14 December 2013 at 12:25 pm

    the right whingers are going flat out today.
    whenever they get a serve they just roll out a whole tirade of diversionary dictats to confuse people.
    they never will stick to the issues because they know that they are the biggest pack of liars and users the world has ever seen to date.
    referendumns, rebstocking and paying off people with money instead of justice is their stock in trade.
35. Tanz 35

    14 December 2013 at 9:38 pm

    What is the poiint. The assets have been sold and Key is laughing at all of us. The merchant banker is still the merchant banker.
    • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 35.1

      15 December 2013 at 6:07 pm

      @ Tanz you give Key too much credit here

      Key doesn’t take time to consider us at all not even in order to laugh at us.

      There is always a point in engaging in a democratic process.
36. tricledrown 36

    15 December 2013 at 12:25 pm

    Death by a thousand cuts
    More teflon has gone.
    The emporers new clothes are slowly but surely dissapearing.
    • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 36.1

      15 December 2013 at 6:09 pm

      +1 Tricledrown
37. Crunchtime 37

    16 December 2013 at 11:52 am

    Results aren’t final until 17th when the last of postal votes arrive.

    So far, we’ve got pretty close to the same number of people voting NO to asset sales as voted for National in the last election.

    And this turnout is too low to matter according to Key and Collins. Obviously then, the turnout in the last General Election was too low to matter.
    • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 37.1

      16 December 2013 at 12:02 pm

      Isn’t it more that the people are too lowly to heed regardless of what the turnout is? [apart from of course when the people vote them into their jobs – that is alright – ahem]

Links to post

1. Referendum results – The Standard | Research Material: posted on 13 December 2013 at 10:19 pm
2. David Cunliffe's first hundred days - The Standard: posted on 23 December 2013 at 8:00 am

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