Salmond on the new political era

Written By: - Date published: 9:31 am, September 6th, 2017 - 62 comments
Categories: jacinda ardern - Tags: , , ,

On Newsroom Dame Anne Salmond writes:

Dame Anne Salmond: It’s the end of an era

In New Zealand at present, a seismic shift is under way. Despite all the hype, this election is not really a contest between left and right. Instead, the tectonic plates between the generations are shifting.

Since the 1980s, New Zealanders have been gripped by neo-liberal doctrines. Here, life is understood as a competitive struggle among individuals. In this Darwinian contest, each seeks to minimise their costs and maximise their benefits, with individual success as the ultimate goal.

After more than thirty years of this kind of hyper-individualism, however, a young, smart generation is stepping up, who think very differently.

They focus on the long term future, and the quality of our relations with each other and the planet – Gen Zero on climate change, for instance; Marnie Prickett and Lan Pham in the debate over freshwater; Max Harris with his book The New Zealand Project; David Hall and his Policy Observatory website; or Dan Hikuroa on our relations with the ocean, among others.

These millennials are astute and free-thinking, with a refreshing optimism and generosity of spirit. Jacinda Ardern is one of this new breed of Kiwis. They make the neo-liberal die-hards seem moribund, stuck in an ideological morass.

‘Jacindamania’ is not just about an individual politician, however caring and attractive. It marks a changing of the guard between generations, and a time to try out new ideas.

Well worth reading the whole piece on Newsroom.

62 comments on “Salmond on the new political era ”

  1. JanM 1

    Reading this article yesterday by this brilliant woman lifted my spirits enormously. Wow!

  2. gsays 2

    For me, this change was articulated by Jacinda a couple of times in the recent leaders debate.
    Early in the piece, the PM was droning on and on, Gower went to stop him and miss adern waved a hand dismissively and said something along the lines of “let him talk”.
    Later when asked what she brought to the table, as quick as a flash she answered “generational change and a vision for new Zealand” (my recall of what was said).

    The times are a changing.

    • When the individuals of a nation compete amongst themselves with no hope for better lives it inevitably results in the collapse of that nation.

      Capitalism with the inequality and the competition that it engenders simply destroys societies.

      This is something we’ve learned before hence the bans in all major religions on greed and usury. We’re having to learn it again because there’s always some people who think that they’re better than others and who will lead society down this path to destruction.

  3. AB 4

    “Things thought too long can be no longer thought” (Yeats)

  4. Strategos 5

    Bill was Rogers assistant in the old days. It may be premature to call it a rejection of the Rogernomes.

  5. tracey 6

    I hope the changing of the guard at the head of Labour heralds all of this. I am not kidding myself that those who have most benefitted from the last 40 years will slink away. Maybe to regroup and come again but nit gone for good.

    I suspect that will be her biggest hurdle, including from some with her own party.

    Thanks Prof Salmond for your wisdom. Again.

    • I am not kidding myself that those who have most benefitted from the last 40 years will slink away.

      Yep. This thread addresses that point:

      It’s all one big dynamic. Older people getting rich—unprecedentedly rich—by dismissing their obligations to society & young people’s future.

      Of course, it’s not just the old people getting rich but they are the ones that ushered in the Greed is Good paradigm that’s destroying our society.

      EDIT:

      Faced with that crisis, we hear the chorus of profitable inaction: gradualism, incrementalism and a “realism” that ignores physical reality.

  6. mike 7

    I desperately hope that Professor Salmond is right in sensing the seismic shift in generations that will sweep away the fatuous and destructive greed of neo-liberalism. It’s been a long time coming. Being a baby boomer has, over these years, become an embarrassing burden. Especially when we remember the promise and excitement of our political beliefs when we were the young people waiting for a seismic shift. When it came, our whole value system was hijacked by a group amongst us few realised was even there. As we focussed on peace and extending the great benefits New Deal politics had given us, our idealism blinded us to those who saw our pursuit of individual freedom as an opportunity to screw others, and our laziness in formulating new structures an easy beat. What we got in the end was a dictatorship. A dictatorship of salesmen, which grew into one of corporatisation and advertising. Its more recent focus on hatred for education and rational thought is the perfect corollary for a business dictatorship, in that the pursuit of profit at all costs requires base cunning, not study or reason. Inquiry tends to shine light into corners corporates would rather not have exposed. Salman Rushdie has recently pointed to the stupidity of, ‘this idea that the elite is now the educated class, rather than the wealthy class. So you’ve got a government with more billionaires in it than ever in history, but we’re the elite – journalists and college professors and novelists, not the ones with private planes and beach front properties in the Bahamas. It’s a weird time.”
    Many baby boomers have been hankering for the seismic shift Professor Salmond senses. After thirty years in purgatory I think we hanker for the shift even more than we did for our own. At least this time it seems we have a generation that’s prepared to work hard to achieve it.

    • JanM 7.1

      Very well said, Mike – I do hope the shift is successful. When you can see the possible end in sight, you begin to realise how much grief you have suppressed for so long. Hopefully, this time, we will be more aware of the ‘spoilers’ within

    • Strategos 7.2

      +1

  7. Bill 8

    Yup. There’s a sea-change underway throughout swathes of ‘the western’ world and the so-called “Washington Consensus” is looking shaky.

    But pretenders are attempting to ride that sea-change – Macron and Trudeau come to mind.

    So where’s Jacinda’s NZ Labour Party positioned? Is it more alongside Trudeau and Macron than it is it in step with Corbyn and Sanders?

    If the tone of press coverage can give any indication (and I think it acts as a reasonable barometer), then we’d have to conclude that Jacinda and NZ Labour are not the alternative to Liberalism many seem to hope for.

    Or there’s the observation that doing “better” (NZ Labour aspiration) is not doing differently. Just saying.

    • Pat 8.1

      you would appear to have company in your musings

      http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2017/09/jacindas-biggest-challenge-redefining.html

      ….time will tell, but one thing is for sure we do not need 3 more years of what we’ve had

      • Bill 8.1.1

        NZ is going to get another three years of Liberal governance led up by either National or NZ Labour. It would be preferable in my book to have that government led by NZ Labour.

        But seeing as how I’m no fan of Liberalism (never have been) I’ll be voting for a party that will hopefully have the wherewithal to make their tenure uncomfortable.

        Essentially, the beginning of end for Liberalism in NZ (if it’s to begin) commences after 23rd September, and it doesn’t unfold within the Beehive.

        • Pat 8.1.1.1

          if the end of (neo) Liberalism is to unfold then ultimately the Beehive will be involved

        • Incognito 8.1.1.2

          I reckon that the Beehive will be one of the last bastions of and possibly one of the last battlegrounds against (neo)liberalism. The Establishment will resist and fight back and retrench behind the last walls of its power. Never forget that the political system not only made it possible for (neo)liberalism to take hold and ‘flourish’ but also that (neo)liberalism in turn changed the political system to suit its ideological pursuits. In other words, the two are near-inseparable, inoperable and possibly incurable.

  8. Economic growth and progress is about serving your people.

    Actually, the economy is about ensuring that everyone has a good living standard, that no one is in poverty and that we live within the sustainable limits set by the environment.

    That pretty much rules out economic growth and rich people. Economic development on the other hand is a must have.

  9. Ad 10

    Stop looking for a thesis when you should just read what’s on the packet.

    You’ll get housing reform, transport reform, water reform, tax reform, labour reform, tertiary education reform, and health reform.
    Its no mystery. It’s published policy.

    There are no super-brains in her senior ranks. No hidden agendas either.

    Bowalley Road is mired in sickly nostalgia and hasn’t delivered anything except apocalyptic binge-purge cycles for a decade.

    If she makes it, it will be her way, with no mechanistic ideology, just well-forecast policy.

    • Pat 10.1

      assume thats aimed at me as i posted the Bowalley link….
      “You’ll get housing reform, transport reform, water reform, tax reform, labour reform, tertiary education reform, and health reform.
      Its no mystery. It’s published policy.

      agreed

      ‘There are no super-brains in her senior ranks. No hidden agendas either.”

      agree and disagree….the consequences of the agenda are deliberately withheld…and I’m comfortable with that.

      “Bowalley Road is mired in sickly nostalgia and hasn’t delivered anything except apocalyptic binge-purge cycles for a decade”

      largely disagree, CT would appear a fan of Keynesian theory (as am I to a degree).however his understanding 0f history and his intimate knowledge of the period of change in our recent past is invaluable when he writes his provocative articles

      “If she makes it, it will be her way, with no mechanistic ideology, just well-forecast policy.”

      largely agree, expect JA will indeed have a great personal influence over the direction any Labour led government takes , and on current outline that can only be for the better

  10. I am loving the generational change happening. I want the gnats out. Labour under JA is saying some really good things. I see the Greens doing well too. Overall it is all going really well. Let’s keep focused on the goals and keep working hard to get the gnats out.

  11. eco Maori/kiwi 12

    Yes another great lady joining in our fight for a change in the systems of New Zealand and the world. New Zealand is a world leader in changing systems for the better of the oppressed .

  12. Wayne 13

    Nothing Jacinda has said signals an end to neoliberalism if by that it means the basic structure of the economic system.
    More like Helen Clark, mark 2 but with a much less strict school marm aspect. And of course the interests and perspectives of a new generation.
    Justin Trudeau and President Marcon for instance have not embarked on whole economic change. To the extent Marcon has it is for a more market approach.

    • DSpare 13.1

      Wayne

      like Helen Clark, mark 2 but with… the interests and perspectives of a new generation.

      So; completely unlike Helen Clark, in other words (unless you mean that she they are both female leaders of Labour – in which case English is the same as Muldoon). As for; “strict school marm aspect”, I know it’s been said that; “the past is another country”, but I didn’t think that was what you were meaning when you said you were travelling overseas. How was the 19th century?

      Regarding; “an end to neoliberalism”, this is a voice your might be more likely to pay attention to:

      Bolger says neoliberal economic policies have absolutely failed. It’s not uncommon to hear that now; even the IMF says so… “”They have failed to produce economic growth and what growth there has been has gone to the few at the top,” Bolger says, not of his own policies specifically but of neoliberalism the world over.

      He laments the levels of inequality and concludes “that model needs to change.”

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/91769882/The-9th-floor-Jim-Bolger-says-neoliberalism-has-failed-NZ-and-its-time-to-give-unions-the-power-back

      • WILD KATIPO 13.1.1

        I want to know if the surf was great on his holiday in Afghanistan.

        They say the desert makes great mirages.

        Just as reliable as ‘ Waynes’ neo liberalism.

    • Andre 13.2

      “Neoliberalism (neo-liberalism)[1] refers primarily to the 20th-century resurgence of 19th-century ideas associated with laissez-faire economic liberalism.[2]:7 These include economic liberalization policies such as privatization, fiscal austerity, deregulation, free trade,[3] and reductions in government spending in order to increase the role of the private sector in the economy and society” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoliberalism

      As Ad notes upthread, under Jacinda’s leadership we would be likely to get “housing reform, transport reform, water reform, tax reform, labour reform, tertiary education reform, and health reform”. But those reforms appear unlikely to increase privatization, fiscal austerity, deregulation etc, quite the opposite is more likely. So no, not neo-liberal. But not a revolution away from the mixed public-private economy we have now, either. It’ll be liberal, particularly socially liberal, but not neo-liberal.

      • tracey 13.2.1

        I certainly hope so. Of course the devil is always in definitions of things, such as, “reform”.

    • Stuart Munro 13.3

      Helen, for all her neo-liberalism, was still infinitely better than your vile kleptocracy Wayne. I just hope Jacinda has big enough teeth to savage the ministers who indulged in corruption.

      • That would be nice to see. Can’t happen though unless there’s already laws to bring them to justice.

        Of course, the big one would be the new government putting in place effective measures against corruption.

        • Stuart Munro 13.3.1.1

          We have laws on the books now quite adequate to punish the kind of frank corruption that has become commonplace under this failed administration – given the political will.

        • eco Maori/kiwi 13.3.1.2

          Draco T Bastard +100

      • Patricia Bremner 13.3.2

        Stuart, Jacinda has shown a deft ability to deal with problems as they appear.

        She has called as she sees it. So far I give her 3 out of 4. She could have handled the situation with Metiria with more generosity imo.

        She is a large picture player, so views problems from that perspective.
        “How does this effect the goal???”

        Her aims are lofty and indicate value stances, not wealth to be made.

        • Stuart Munro 13.3.2.1

          Yes – if she lives up to what seem to be her intentions she’ll do rather well.

          But in constitutional terms a rigorous scrutiny of the peculations of the outgoing kleptocracy is rather important – not merely in terms of contemporary justice, but to consolidate a precedent of less corrupt administrations for the future.

    • tracey 13.4

      “school marm”
      Still something of the sexist/misogynist ay Wayne.

  13. Richard Christie 14

    Dame Salmond seems to be writing with the misconception that Labour’s economic positioning is not essentially neoliberal.

    • tracey 14.1

      I think she writes from Hope Richard…

    • Pat 14.2

      if Labour are to greatly increase state/socail housing and implement a government run and funded affordable home programme (as stated) then that is a fundamental step away from the small government/market led ideology of neoliberalism…it cannot help but be the first step in unwinding 30 years of misconception.

      • McFlock 14.2.1

        that’s the thing that really bites my balls about the “Labour are neoliberal” argument: they want Labour to break in 100 days social and cultural attitudes that took decades to construct.

        If you promise unicorns to a population that expects to be lied to, they’re even less likely to believe you.

        • Stuart Munro 14.2.1.1

          I think many people would be quite satisfied with a change as rapid as that under Roger Douglas. Less even, as long as the direction and intention were unmistakeable.

          • McFlock 14.2.1.1.1

            Even if “many” equalled “most”, that’s the rub, ain’t it. How do you persuade people your direction and intentions are unmistakeable in an environment of chronic mistrust?

            • Stuart Munro 14.2.1.1.1.1

              I think a few good faith departures from the status quo would establish some credibility with those who are looking for more.

              We’re not really seeing the signals I’d expect if Labour were truly moving away from neoliberalism. Things like accommodating a few left voices (Hone springs to mind), or going some way to endorsing Metiria’s anti-poverty concerns.

              In this instance my use of ‘many’ referred to readers here, some of whom have indicated they want more from Jacinda than a makeover for Labour and to be rid of the rump of Key’s kleptocracy.

              That said, the things she said in the debate about housing being a right seem to indicate a thaw in Labour’s position. It’s just that things have got pretty bad, so that I at least hope that is a first step of many, rather than being all we’re going to see.

              • McFlock

                The key to keeping the momentum going is in their coalition partner. Greens will push them left, NZ1 will push back on some things.

                For me, it’s not about trust or credibility. It’s simply that Labour are better than national, and a non-national government needs Labour. Everything else is secondary to that – without a change in government, things will keep getting worse.

                How significant that change in government becomes is down to what pressure the governing parties are under to stick to their campaign rhetoric. The biggest pressure comes from their coalition partners.

                Remember, some of the best and longest-lasting policies from Lab5 came from their coalition partners or private members’ bills.

                • Richard Christie

                  they want Labour to break in 100 days social and cultural attitudes that took decades to construct.

                  100 days? Aww c’mon,

                  It’s been almost 30 years since the the fourth Labour Govt. There has been been ample time to signal any sincere turnaround in economic position. The sad truth is that Labour’s stance over that period has been a factor in embedding those neoliberal attitudes.

                  • McFlock

                    Well they weren’t going to wake up in 1991 and reverse course immediately, were they?

                    They’ve been changing over the last few elections. You might not have noticed. Now Labour’s well on course for change, the country will follow at its own pace.

    • Patricia Bremner 14.3

      When you consider the first policy was to discuss “conditions of work”, perhaps she is looking at the signals of change.

  14. Ad 15

    At 71 anything under 50 looks like generational change.

  15. Macro 16

    Frankly continued economic growth, in a finite world, is a scientific falsehood. When is Labour going to admit this?
    What is needed is not Economic growth – but achieving prosperity without growth, and that is actually not all that difficult – but some will have to give up a little to allow it to happen (and that is the difficult bit).

    • What is needed is not Economic growth – but achieving prosperity without growth, and that is actually not all that difficult – but some will have to give up a little to allow it to happen (and that is the difficult bit).

      QFT

      What we need is economic development – increasing diversity that caters to the local market and minimises international trade. It’s unlikely that we’ll see that though as Labour has been focussed upon trade for it’s entire being as the be all, end all of increased prosperity. This is why we have a national focus on farming despite the fact that agriculture only employs ~7% of the population and is the primary reason for the declining state of our enivironment.

    • Siobhan 16.2

      +1
      While we are at it, I personally am not going to vote for anyone who says we need ‘increased productivity’ to get wage growth. Productivity has been growing for…yonks. And sure, its a numbers game, with more people working more hours. And I realise that GDP per hour worked is stagnant….
      However most people who I talk to, orchard workers, supermarket workers, engineers of all types, teachers etc ALL talk about being expected to do more work as individuals, and that their workplaces are producing more with less staff.
      So whatever’s wrong..its nothing to do with the workers.
      Our wages are supposedly not growing due to productivity issues…yet ‘the economy’ and shareholder profits seem to be wonderfully ‘productive’.
      Without starting a debate about Venezuela…how about a “Law for the Control of Fair Costs, Prices and Profits” in NZ.

      https://www.reuters.com/article/sweden-welfare-profit/rpt-swedish-profit-cap-on-private-welfare-companies-to-be-put-before-parliament-idUSL8N1LK0RU

    • Patricia Bremner 16.3

      Jacinda made a statement that “Climate change” is her generation’s “Nuclear free ” moment.

      If all policy is through that basis, change is coming. Huge change.

      • Macro 16.3.1

        And yet Patricia Labour publishes Election adds like the one at the top of this Post saying:
        “Economic Growth and Progress is about Serving our People”
        which clearly shows they are still in lifting the boats by growing the economy ideology.

    • eco Maori/kiwi 16.4

      Macro we will have to give up the money sham and some people will lose all there power man there will be a lot of tears .

      • Macro 16.4.1

        Yeah I know! But there is a good book on the subject “Prosperity without Growth” By Tim Jackson which is worth a read.
        and
        “What is the Economy for anyway?” also excellent.

  16. Well , I’ve railed against neo liberalism frequently , – as a lot of people here and elsewhere have , – seems it just might be possible soon to finally be able to take a rest from that soon.

    Thirty three years of taking shit from fuckers like that is a long time to contain simmering anger.

    And watching thirty three years of their bullshit justifying of themselves and their greed by pouring salt in the wound of every worker each time they opened their filthy lying sewers they call their mouths on every TV and radio interview.

    Being a manual labourer / semi skilled tradie most of my life during that whole era , – I only know too bloody well what it was like , – for me and thousands of others , – and their ( usually young ) family’s.

    I knew what a pack of shitheaded pricks WINZ could be , – depending on who you happened to get on the day.

    Not only would I like to see a move away from neo liberalism , – but a working group set up to establish parameters definitive of neo liberalism, as an ideology , as a philosophy and as an economic theory. And that also includes recent historic economic theory’s as far back as the 19th century such as that expounded and promulgated by the likes of Friedrich Hayek among others. I would like to see that once defined , – measures were then taken to make certain practices illegal , and reinforced by regulatory practice.

    Think that too difficult?

    One has to look no further than the social democratic practices and Keynesianism practiced by New Zealand post 1945 – 1984. The most prosperous and egalitarian era of this country’s history.

    It would be possibly too much to ask for retrospective justice in regards to treason charges by manner of theft of a nations assets and the selling off of those assets at ridiculous prices via inside trading , – however , – there is enough out in the community today that would be baying for some sort of restorative justice met out to those who originally / currently plundered ( 1984 – present ) and ransacked , – and indirectly – caused the deaths of thousands due to their treasonous , anti community , individualistic self centered philosophy of neo liberalism and relegated hundreds of thousands of others to a life of near poverty. Let alone being responsible for the attempted weakening of our social democracy by such Free Trade Deals as the TTPA.

    New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
    http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

  17. Incognito 18

    A very good post.

    I also got seduced and sucked in and drank from the neoliberal well and it tasted good initially and I came back for more. But it became too much of good thing. It seems I am not alone in this.

    • Well don’t feel bad,… chemical manufacturers employ the same tactic when making ant poison as well so you definitely are not alone .

      798265093789058794585968588695874579857894174856472933357969857798759947598774987978947469576957685768586576058608650609809863095688765786895765865768576857698579579409049767378798784794711598779743978945989978
      ants cant be wrong.

      Until they are dead.

  18. Peter 19

    “But, here’s the thing: Campaigns — especially those for president — are rarely won and lost on “carefully thought-out policies.” They are almost always won on emotions — positive ones or negatives ones. It’s a lesson Clinton should have learned when she lost the Democratic presidential primary back in 2008.” CNN 7 September

    I believe Dame Salmond is on to it. My guess is that Ardern is doing the better job of tapping into emotions. Her slogan does just that. She has the ability to connect emotionally with a wide range of people and address the issues of the next generation.

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  • DAVID FARRAR: Luxon is absolutely right
    David Farrar writes  –  1 News reports: Christopher Luxon says he was told by some Kiwis on the campaign trail they “didn’t know” the difference between Waka Kotahi, Te Pūkenga and Te Whatu Ora. Speaking to Breakfast, the incoming prime minister said having English first on government agencies will “make sure” ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Top 10 at 10 am for Thursday, Nov 30
    There are fears that mooted changes to building consent liability could end up driving the building industry into an uninsured hole. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Thursday, November 30, including:The new Government’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on how climate change threatens cricket‘s future
    Well that didn’t last long, did it? Mere days after taking on what he called the “awesome responsibility” of being Prime Minister, M Christopher Luxon has started blaming everyone else, and complaining that he has inherited “economic vandalism on an unprecedented scale” – which is how most of us are ...
    2 days ago
  • We need to talk about Tory.
    The first I knew of the news about Tory Whanau was when a tweet came up in my feed.The sort of tweet that makes you question humanity, or at least why you bother with Twitter. Which is increasingly a cesspit of vile inhabitants who lurk spreading negativity, hate, and every ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Dangling Transport Solutions
    Cable Cars, Gondolas, Ropeways and Aerial Trams are all names for essentially the same technology and the world’s biggest maker of them are here to sell them as an public transport solution. Stuff reports: Austrian cable car company Doppelmayr has launched its case for adding aerial cable cars to New ...
    2 days ago
  • November AMA
    Hi,It’s been awhile since I’ve done an Ask-Me-Anything on here, so today’s the day. Ask anything you like in the comments section, and I’ll be checking in today and tomorrow to answer.Leave a commentNext week I’ll be giving away a bunch of these Mister Organ blu-rays for readers in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • National’s early moves adding to cost of living pressure
    The cost of living grind continues, and the economic and inflation honeymoon is over before it began. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: PM Christopher Luxon unveiled his 100 day plan yesterday with an avowed focus of reducing cost-of-living pressures, but his Government’s initial moves and promises are actually elevating ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Backwards to the future
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed that it will be back to the future on planning legislation. This will be just one of a number of moves which will see the new government go backwards as it repeals and cost-cuts its way into power. They will completely repeal one ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • New initiatives in science and technology could point the way ahead for Luxon government
    As the new government settles into the Beehive, expectations are high that it can sort out some  of  the  economic issues  confronting  New Zealand. It may take time for some new  ministers to get to grips with the range of their portfolio work and responsibilities before they can launch the  changes that  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago
  • Treaty pledge to secure funding is contentious – but is Peters being pursued by a lynch mob after ...
    TV3 political editor Jenna Lynch was among the corps of political reporters who bridled, when Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told them what he thinks of them (which is not much). She was unabashed about letting her audience know she had bridled. More usefully, she drew attention to something which ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • How long does this last?
    I have a clear memory of every election since 1969 in this plucky little nation of ours. I swear I cannot recall a single one where the question being asked repeatedly in the first week of the new government was: how long do you reckon they’ll last? And that includes all ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • National’s giveaway politics
    We already know that national plans to boost smoking rates to collect more tobacco tax so they can give huge tax-cuts to mega-landlords. But this morning that policy got even more obscene - because it turns out that the tax cut is retrospective: Residential landlords will be able to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER: Who’s driving the right-wing bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In 2023, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS:  Media knives flashing for Luxon’s government
    The fear and loathing among legacy journalists is astonishing Graham Adams writes – No one is going to die wondering how some of the nation’s most influential journalists personally view the new National-led government. It has become abundantly clear within a few days of the coalition agreements ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    3 days ago
  • Top 10 news links for Wednesday, Nov 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
    The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on hold
    Wellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • National takes over infrastructure
    Though New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them.  POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees  National MPs Chris ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – Evidence for global warming
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    4 days ago
  • Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In ...
    4 days ago
  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • National’s murderous smoking policy
    One of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under control
    New Zealand has  a chance  to  rise  again. Under the  previous  government, the  number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing  year by year. The Luxon-led government  must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising  the  pillars  of the economy. After the  mismanagement  of the outgoing government created   huge ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago
  • KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new government
    Two articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations.  He writes –    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PHILIP CRUMP:  Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadership
    The work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Black Friday
    As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...
    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    4 days ago
  • In Defense of the Media.
    Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
    Nicola Willis’ first move was ‘spilling the tea’ on what she called the ‘sobering’ state of the nation’s books, but she had better be able to back that up in the HYEFU. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • PT use up but fare increases coming
    Yesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had. That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ...
    4 days ago
  • The very opposite of social investment
    Nicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Giving Tuesday
    For the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...
    5 days ago
  • Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
    Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change: Stopping oil
    National is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...
    Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise  “informed by” head ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The stupidest of stupid reasons
    One of the threats in the National - ACT - NZ First coalition agreements was to extend the term of Parliament to four years, reducing our opportunities to throw a bad government out. The justification? Apparently, the government thinks "elections are expensive". This is the stupidest of stupid reasons for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • A website bereft of buzz
    Buzz from the Beehive The new government was being  sworn in, at time of writing , and when Point of Order checked the Beehive website for the latest ministerial statements and re-visit some of the old ones we drew a blank. We found ….  Nowt. Nothing. Zilch. Not a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • MICHAEL BASSETT: A new Ministry – at last
    Michael Bassett writes – Like most people, I was getting heartily sick of all the time being wasted over the coalition negotiations. During the first three weeks Winston grinned like a Cheshire cat, certain he’d be needed; Chris Luxon wasted time in lifting the phone to Winston ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Luxon's Breakfast.
    The Prime Minister elect had his silver fern badge on. He wore it to remind viewers he was supporting New Zealand, that was his team. Despite the fact it made him look like a concierge, or a welcomer in a Koru lounge. Anna Burns-Francis, the Breakfast presenter, asked if he ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL:  Oranga Tamariki faces major upheaval under coalition agreement
     Lindsay Mitchell writes – A hugely significant gain for ACT is somewhat camouflaged by legislative jargon. Under the heading ‘Oranga Tamariki’ ACT’s coalition agreement contains the following item:   Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 According to Oranga Tamariki:     “Section ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON:  Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record. Brian Easton writes – 1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Cathrine Dyer's guide to watching COP 28 from the bottom of a warming planet
    Is COP28 largely smoke and mirrors and a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel? Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: COP28 kicks off on November 30 and up for negotiation are issues like the role of fossil fuels in the energy transition, contributions to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Monday, Nov 27
    PM Elect Christopher Luxon was challenged this morning on whether he would sack Adrian Orr and Andrew Coster.TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am on Monday November 27, including:Signs councils are putting planning and capital spending on hold, given a lack of clear guidance ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the new government’s policies of yesteryear
    This column expands on a Werewolf column published by Scoop on Friday Routinely, Winston Peters is described as the kingmaker who gets to decide when the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded but equally important role as the ...
    5 days ago
  • The New Government’s Agreements
    Last Friday, almost six weeks after election day, National finally came to an agreement with ACT and NZ First to form a government. They also released the agreements between each party and looking through them, here are the things I thought were the most interesting (and often concerning) from the. ...
    5 days ago
  • How many smokers will die to fund the tax cuts?
    Maori and Pasifika smoking rates are already over twice the ‘all adult’ rate. Now the revenue that generates will be used to fund National’s tax cuts. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The devil is always in the detail and it emerged over the weekend from the guts of the policy agreements National ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • How the culture will change in the Beehive
    Perhaps the biggest change that will come to the Beehive as the new government settles in will be a fundamental culture change. The era of endless consultation will be over. This looks like a government that knows what it wants to do, and that means it knows what outcomes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • No More Winnie Blues.
    So what do you think of the coalition’s decision to cancel Smokefree measures intended to stop young people, including an over representation of Māori, from taking up smoking? Enabling them to use the tax revenue to give other people a tax cut?David Cormack summed it up well:It seems not only ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 19, 2023 thru Sat, Nov 25, 2023.  Story of the Week World stands on frontline of disaster at Cop28, says UN climate chief  Exclusive: Simon Stiell says leaders must ‘stop ...
    6 days ago
  • Some of it is mad, some of it is bad and some of it is clearly the work of people who are dangerous ...
    On announcement morning my mate texted:Typical of this cut-price, fake-deal government to announce itself on Black Friday.What a deal. We lose Kim Hill, we gain an empty, jargonising prime minister, a belligerent conspiracist, and a heartless Ayn Rand fanboy. One door closes, another gets slammed repeatedly in your face.It seems pretty ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • “Revolution” is the threat as the Māori Party smarts at coalition government’s Treaty directi...
    Buzz from the Beehive Having found no fresh announcements on the government’s official website, Point of Order turned today to Scoop’s Latest Parliament Headlines  for its buzz. This provided us with evidence that the Māori Party has been soured by the the coalition agreement announced yesterday by the new PM. “Soured” ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • The Good, the Bad, and the even Worse.
    Yesterday the trio that will lead our country unveiled their vision for New Zealand.Seymour looking surprisingly statesmanlike, refusing to rise to barbs about his previous comments on Winston Peters. Almost as if they had just been slapstick for the crowd.Winston was mostly focussed on settling scores with the media, making ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • When it Comes to Palestine – Free Speech is Under Threat
    Hi,Thanks for getting amongst Mister Organ on digital — thanks to you, we hit the #1 doc spot on iTunes this week. This response goes a long way to helping us break even.I feel good about that. Other things — not so much.New Zealand finally has a new government, and ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago
  • Thank you Captain Luxon. Was that a landing, or were we shot down?
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Also in More Than A FeildingFriday The unboxing And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • Cans of Worms.
    “And there’ll be no shortage of ‘events’ to test Luxon’s political skills. David Seymour wants a referendum on the Treaty. Winston wants a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Labour’s handling of the Covid crisis. Talk about cans of worms!”LAURIE AND LES were very fond of their local. It was nothing ...
    1 week ago
  • Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here’s how we can fight back
    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Misinformation is debated everywhere and has justifiably sparked concerns. It can polarise the public, reduce health-protective behaviours such as mask wearing and vaccination, and erode trust in science. Much of misinformation is spread not ...
    1 week ago
  • Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record.1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is not even an entry in Wikipedia. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • The New Government: 2023 Edition
    So New Zealand has a brand-spanking new right-wing government. Not just any new government either. A formal majority coalition, of the sort last seen in 1996-1998 (our governmental arrangements for the past quarter of a century have been varying flavours of minority coalition or single-party minority, with great emphasis ...
    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
    1 week ago
  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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