Shearer taking shape
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2:54 pm, March 12th, 2012 - 45 comments
Categories: david shearer, labour, leadership -
Tags: david shearer
It’s been encouraging seeing a bit more of David Shearer recently. His leadership is slowly taking shape.
His proposed bill on foreign ownership, putting in place a stricter test on benefits to NZ, will be very popular – “Shearer’s law would close door on most foreign buys“.
Although I think he waited too long to show his support, it was good to see him marching with the Auckland port workers on Saturday – “Noisy march gives heart to wharfies“.
He put in a reasonable performance on Q&A on Sunday – “Good first outing for Shearer” – Tim Watkin writes that “Labour MPs will feel happier than they have for some time after David Shearer’s performance…”. (Transcript here.)
His consistent line that he doesn’t want to get involved in the usual bickering and partisanship (“rival tribes playing gotcha”) will be going over well with the public – “Shearer not buying into ‘gotcha’ politics“. Indeed in some polls he debuted higher than Phil Goff reached in the preferred PM stakes.
Shearer is soon to give a series of speeches setting out his vision for NZ. I’ll be listening.
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- Minister of Finance reheats austerity politicsThis morning’s pre-Budget speech from the Minister of Finance offered no “meaningful” news on the Government’s trickle-down economics based plans. ...3 weeks ago
- A win for Wellington – Greens welcome more housingThe Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Backtrack on school lunches a win for Kiwi kidsDavid Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Hon Willie Jackson to debate at the Prestigious Oxford UnionHon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...3 weeks ago
- Major investment in teacher supply through Budget 24
Over the next four years, Budget 24 will support the training and recruitment of 1,500 teachers into the workforce, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today. “To raise achievement and develop a world leading education system we’re investing nearly $53 million over four years to attract, train and retain our valued ...22 hours ago - Joint statement on the New Zealand – Cook Islands Joint Ministerial Forum – 20241. New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters; Minister of Health and Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Dr Shane Reti; and Minister for Climate Change Hon Simon Watts hosted Cook Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Hon Tingika Elikana and Minister of Health Hon Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown on 24 May ...2 days ago
- Middle East, Africa deployments extendedThe Government has approved two-year extensions for four New Zealand Defence Force deployments to the Middle East and Africa, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today. “These deployments are long-standing New Zealand commitments, which reflect our ongoing interest in promoting peace and stability, and making active ...3 days ago
- Climate Change Commission Chair to retireThe Climate Change Commission Chair, Dr Rod Carr, has confirmed his plans to retire at the end of his term later this year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Prior to the election, Dr Carr advised me he would be retiring when his term concluded. Dr Rod Carr has led ...3 days ago
- Inaugural Board of Integrity Sport & Recreation Commission announcedNine highly respected experts have been appointed to the inaugural board of the new Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission is a new independent Crown entity which was established under the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act last year, ...3 days ago
- A balanced Foreign Affairs budgetForeign Minister Winston Peters confirmed today that Vote Foreign Affairs in Budget 2024 will balance two crucial priorities of the Coalition Government. While Budget 2024 reflects the constrained fiscal environment, the Government also recognises the critical role MFAT plays in keeping New Zealanders safe and prosperous. “Consistent with ...3 days ago
- New social housing places to support families into homesNew social housing funding in Budget 2024 will ensure the Government can continue supporting more families into warm, dry homes from July 2025, Housing Ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka say. “Earlier this week I was proud to announce that Budget 2024 allocates $140 million to fund 1,500 new social ...3 days ago
- New Zealand’s minerals futureIntroduction Today, we are sharing a red-letter occasion. A Blackball event on hallowed ground. Today we underscore the importance of our mineral estate. A reminder that our natural resource sector has much to offer. Such a contribution will not come to pass without investment. However, more than money is needed. ...3 days ago
- Government sets out vision for minerals futureIncreasing national and regional prosperity, providing the minerals needed for new technology and the clean energy transition, and doubling the value of minerals exports are the bold aims of the Government’s vision for the minerals sector. Resources Minister Shane Jones today launched a draft strategy for the minerals sector in ...3 days ago
- Government progresses Māori wards legislationThe coalition Government’s legislation to restore the rights of communities to determine whether to introduce Māori wards has passed its first reading in Parliament, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. “Divisive changes introduced by the previous government denied local communities the ability to determine whether to establish Māori wards.” The ...4 days ago
- First RMA amendment Bill introduced to ParliamentThe coalition Government has today introduced legislation to slash the tangle of red and green tape throttling some of New Zealand’s key sectors, including farming, mining and other primary industries. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says the Government is committed to unlocking development and investment while ensuring the environment is ...4 days ago
- Government welcomes EPA decisionThe decision by Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the continued use of hydrogen cyanamide, known as Hi-Cane, has been welcomed by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. “The EPA decision introduces appropriate environmental safeguards which will allow kiwifruit and other growers to use Hi-Cane responsibly,” Ms ...4 days ago
- Speech to Employers and Manufacturers Association: Relief for today, hope for tomorrowKia ora, Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou kātoa Tāmaki Herenga Waka, Tāmaki Herenga tangata Ngā mihi ki ngā mana whenua o tēnei rohe Ngāti Whātua ō Ōrākei me nga iwi kātoa kua tae mai. Mauriora. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the EMA for hosting this event. Let me acknowledge ...4 days ago
- Government invests in 1,500 more social homesThe coalition Government is investing in social housing for New Zealanders who are most in need of a warm dry home, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. Budget 2024 will allocate $140 million in new funding for 1,500 new social housing places to be provided by Community Housing Providers (CHPs), not ...5 days ago
- $24 million boost for Gumboot FridayThousands more young New Zealanders will have better access to mental health services as the Government delivers on its commitment to fund the Gumboot Friday initiative, says Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey. “Budget 2024 will provide $24 million over four years to contract the ...5 days ago
- Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill passes first readingThe Coalition Government’s Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, which will improve tenancy laws and help increase the supply of rental properties, has passed its first reading in Parliament says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The Bill proposes much-needed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 that will remove barriers to increasing private ...5 days ago
- Montecassino Commemorative Address, Cassino War CemeteryStanding here in Cassino War Cemetery, among the graves looking up at the beautiful Abbey of Montecassino, it is hard to imagine the utter devastation left behind by the battles which ended here in May 1944. Hundreds of thousands of shells and bombs of every description left nothing but piled ...5 days ago
- First Reading – Repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989I present a legislative statement on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill Mr. Speaker, I move that the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Social Services and Community Committee to consider the Bill. Thank you, Mr. ...5 days ago
- First reading of 7AA’s repeal: progress for childrenThe Bill to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has had its first reading in Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the care and safety of children in care, says Minister for Children Karen Chhour. “When I became the Minister for Children, I made ...5 days ago
- China Business Summit 2024Kia ora koutou, good morning, and zao shang hao. Thank you Fran for the opportunity to speak at the 2024 China Business Summit – it’s great to be here today. I’d also like to acknowledge: Simon Bridges - CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. His Excellency Ambassador - Wang ...6 days ago
- Assisted depatures from New CaledoniaForeign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing ...6 days ago
- Assisted departures from New CaledoniaForeign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing them ...6 days ago
- Government to rollout roadside drug testingThe Coalition Government will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In ...6 days ago
- Minister responds to review of Kāinga OraThe Government has announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “Kāinga Ora is a large and important Crown entity, with assets of $45 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It ...7 days ago
- Pseudoephedrine back on shelvesAssociate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased that Pseudoephedrine can now be purchased by the general public to protect them from winter illness, after the coalition government worked swiftly to change the law and oversaw a fast approval process by Medsafe. “Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their ...7 days ago
- New Zealand-China Business SummitTēnā koutou katoa. Da jia hao. Good morning everyone. Prime Minister Luxon, your excellency, a great friend of New Zealand and my friend Ambassador Wang, Mayor of what he tells me is the best city in New Zealand, Wayne Brown, the highly respected Fran O’Sullivan, Champion of the Auckland business ...7 days ago
- New measures to protect powerlines from treesEnergy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...1 week ago
- Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani win top Māori dairy farming awardWairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...1 week ago
- DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...1 week ago
- District Court Judges appointedAttorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...1 week ago
- Unions should put learning ahead of ideologyAssociate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...1 week ago
- Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMACommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...1 week ago
- Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguardSurf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...1 week ago
- New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationshipNew Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New CaledoniaNew Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of StatePrime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...2 weeks ago
- Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card fundingTransport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...2 weeks ago
- Further sanctions against RussiaForeign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...2 weeks ago
- One year on from Loafers LodgeA year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...2 weeks ago
- Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business ChamberKa nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...2 weeks ago
- Finance Minister promises Budget Day transparency on public sector cuts
Exactly how the Government’s public sector savings target has been met will be revealed when the Finance Minister releases this year’s Budget The post Finance Minister promises Budget Day transparency on public sector cuts appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 hour ago - US bird flu outbreak, not Australian cases, main concern for NZThe introduction of the virus to Antarctica and its mutation to spread between mammals in the United States has researchers worried about an outbreak in New Zealand The post US bird flu outbreak, not Australian cases, main concern for NZ appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 hour ago
- Is our investment in defence value for money?Opinion: All up, defence cost us more than $6.7 billion in 2023/24. There were 14,996 people working for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) at June 2023, while others dealt with procurement and policy in the non-military wing, the Ministry of Defence. Why does our small, remote country have such ...1 hour ago
- RMA reform targets coal mines on protected landThe first wave of RMA reforms focuses on freshwater policy, easing regulations on farmers and previously prohibited coal mines The post RMA reform targets coal mines on protected land appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 hour ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 27 MayLoading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 27 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 hour ago
- ‘You have your own battlefield, your father has his’The Olympics have a way of bringing into focus the world as it is right now. Each Games gifts us a snapshot of world history in the making. At Tokyo 2020 we witnessed mask-wearing athletes flanked by empty stands. In the 90s we grappled with new country names like Kazakhstan ...1 hour ago
- Daily crossword, Monday 27 MayThe post Daily crossword, Monday 27 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 hour ago
- New name, old gangs, same policingPolice are returning to crime-fighting ways of old in their fight against gangs, as technology becomes harder to hack, experts in New Zealand’s criminal underworld say. In light of the recent police announcement on national and local gang units, today’s episode of The Detail looks at how police and governments ...1 hour ago
- Govt targets a board asleep at the wheelComment: Overshadowed in the highly critical report by Sir Bill English and his team into Kāinga Ora’s finances, debt and performance was a rare public defenestration of the public housing agency’s board of directors. The review’s findings painted a board asleep at the wheel as billions of public money was ...1 hour ago
- Reserve Bank’s rough news for exports goalThe Reserve Bank’s monetary policy statement contains some bad news for the Government’s goal of doubling export value The post Reserve Bank’s rough news for exports goal appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 hour ago
- Palestine protesters condemn Google, demand NZ action over Gaza genocide
Asia Pacific Report Pro-Palestinian protesters today condemned Google for sacking protesting staff and demanded that the New Zealand government immediately “cut ties with Israeli genocide”. Wearing Google logo masks and holding placards saying “Google complicit in genocide” and “Google drop Project Nimbus”, the protesters were targeting the global tech company ...4 hours ago - Reiki on a guinea pig and whatnot: Our first reactions to Married at First Sight NZ
Fresh off the back of episode one of Married at First Sight NZ’s new season, Alex Casey and Tara Ward fire up the chat to dissect what the hell we all just watched. Alex Casey: Tara, are you still screaming? I’m screaming. Tara Ward: I started screaming the moment I ...10 hours ago - Reiki on a guinea pig and whatnot: Our first reactions to Married at First Sight NZFresh off the back of episode one of Married at First Sight NZ’s new season, Alex Casey and Tara Ward fire up the chat to dissect what the hell we all just watched. Alex Casey: Tara, are you still screaming? I’m screaming. Tara Ward: I started screaming the moment I ...10 hours ago
- Top economists give budget modest rating and doubt inflation will fall as plannedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND Asked to grade Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ third budget on his own criteria of delivering on “inflation in the near term and then growth ...10 hours ago
- Top economists take a modest view of the budget, and doubt inflation will fall as plannedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND Asked to grade Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ third budget on his own criteria of delivering on “inflation in the near term and then growth ...11 hours ago
- West Papua independence group slams French ‘modern-day colonialism’Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan independence group has condemned French “modern-day colonialism in action” in Kanaky New Caledonia and urged indigenous leaders to “fight on”. In a statement to the Kanak pro-independence leadership, exiled United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) president Benny Wenda said the proposed electoral changes ...13 hours ago
- $53m extra for teacher training, recruitment, Education Minister Erica Stanford announces
The investment is designed to address teacher shortages, and moving training into the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. ...14 hours ago - Hunger Striker Destroys Christopher Luxon’s Defense Of Gaza Action
“The situation in Gaza is desperate,” Will Alexander said. “It’s obvious to everyone that if Christopher Luxon truly cared, our government could do a lot more.” ...17 hours ago - Parliament's election inquiry told blame lies in outdated lawsParliament begins its election inquiry with a double-header and finds that blame is something of a boomerang. ...17 hours ago
- ANALYSIS: By Nicole George, The University of Queensland New Caledonia’s capital city, Nouméa, has endured widespread violent rioting over the past three days. This crisis intensified rapidly, taking local authorities by surprise. Peaceful protests had been occurring across the country in the preceding weeks as the French National Assembly in ...18 hours ago
- The Fiji Times: Public outcry over Fijians’ MPs pay riseEDITORIAL: By Fred Wesley, editor-in-chief of The Fiji Times So 40 Fiji members of Parliament voted in favour of the Special Committee on Emoluments Report on the review of MPs’ salaries, allowances and benefits in Parliament on Friday. Now that’s not going down well with the masses, with many venting ...19 hours ago
- NZ spent $113m helping build and use US military satellitesThe money includes $15m towards sending up two new, much more powerful satellites. ...24 hours ago
- An Ode to .. Chris BishopFirst Hovel Grant Bishop Chris ventured out of the High Keep For his annual tour of the slums of the Holey Land. His litter bearers held his palanquin high Above the muck strewn and dilapidated alleys Of the Capital. The menials and peons swarmed around And pleaded for Alms from ...1 day ago
- A way forward for New CaledoniaOpinion: Following France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Caledonia on Thursday, attention has turned to the country’s political future beyond the ongoing crisis. The uprising, which began on May 14, has demonstrated the capacity and determination of those involved to shut down the country and to inflict extensive economic ...1 day ago
- Open letter from Kanaky: Things are really bad, we need to speed up decolonisationAsia Pacific Report By a Kanak from Aotearoa New Zealand in Kanaky I’ve been trying to feel cool and nice on this beautiful sunny day in Kanaky. But it has already been spoiled by President Emmanuel Macron’s flashy day-long visit on Thursday. Currently special French military forces are trying to ...1 day ago
- PNG landslide: Survivors of highlands disaster desperately seeking helpRNZ Pacific The survivors of a massive landslide in a remote village in Papua New Guinea’s highlands are still waiting for official help, more than 24 hours after the disaster. Hundreds are feared dead in Yambali village in Enga province after the landslide bulldozed homes and buried families alive early ...1 day ago
- Local officials fear fate of 300 missing people in remote PNG landslideBy Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby The United States has said it is “ready to lend a helping hand” to the people of Mulitaka, Enga province, after a devasting landslide swallowed an entire village in Papua New Guinea’s highlands yesterday. US President Joe Biden and his wife said in a ...2 days ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Bragg flags a coalition would use ‘coercion’ of the state...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Housing remains one of Australia’s most pressing issues in both state and federal politics. The RBA keeping rates up and high mortgage repayments have left many Australians struggling. For those Australians who don’t own a ...2 days ago
- Ours Not Mines Blasts Draft Minerals Plan Saying It Highlights The Current Government Lacks Economic...This plan lacks any thought on how to drive New Zealand forward. Giving away rare minerals owned by every New Zealander for a measly return of 2.1% to the crown last year is simply ludicrous. ...2 days ago
- Forest and Bird leader shut out of Shane Jones meeting by policeA West Coast conservation leader is lodging a complaint with Police after an officer barred her from a public meeting in Blackball, called by Resources Minister Shane Jones. The NZ First politician was in the historic coal-mining town on Thursday to launch the Government’s new draft minerals strategy, promising to ...2 days ago
- The Weekend: Working through life regrets in real timeEditor Madeleine Chapman meets an old rival and wonders what could’ve been. Mōrena and welcome to The Weekend, where dreams and regrets have time and space to flower. What’s the thing in your life that you wish you had given more energy to? It could be a relationship, an exam, ...2 days ago
- What it takes to be an Olympian and why you don’t have itThis year, Tori Peeters will compete at the Paris Olympics in the javelin. Ten years ago, Madeleine Chapman thought she might be in the same position. She talks to Peeters about what it takes to go all the way and mulls her own life decisions in the process. No New ...2 days ago
- ‘I was absolutely devastated’: Sara Wiseman on the moment she nearly quit actingThe star of High Country talks Tinkerbell, her love for Hawkeye Pierce and why a 98-year-old environmentalist is the most stylish man on television. Sara Wiseman has been a fixture on New Zealand television screens for nearly three decades. First appearing in Hercules and Xena Warrior Princess during the mid ...2 days ago
- At home with Brett and Angel, Married at First Sight NZ’s ‘fairytale’ coupleAlex Casey takes a trip to Lincoln to visit the only couple from the first season of Married at First Sight NZ that’s still together. To cross the threshold into Brett and Angel’s marital abode is to be greeted with a welcome that sums up the MAFSNZ season one golden ...2 days ago
- ‘There’s no better song to drink coffee to’: Troy Kingi’s perfect weekend playlistIn a new weekly interview series, we ask a different local artist to curate their dream weekend soundtrack. First up: Troy Kingi. Troy Kingi is a man on a well-documented mission to make 10 albums, in 10 genres, over 10 years. But finding himself creatively blocked while making his eighth ...2 days ago
- In the place I grew up, I am always lostReflections on a childhood split across Hong Kong and Auckland. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. I arrive in Hong Kong with my mother in the middle of summer. t’s not a good time to travel here, she tells me. It’s June. We’re ...2 days ago
- Palestine protesters call for Gaza press ‘solidarity’ at NZ media awardsPacific Media Watch Pro-Palestinian protesters dressed in blue “press” vests tonight staged a vigil calling on New Zealand journalists to show solidarity with the media of Gaza who have suffered the highest death toll in any war. They staged the vigil at the Viaduct venue of NZ’s annual Voyager Media ...2 days ago
- Behind job cuts are people, and they’re hurtingOpinion: Outside my house, the autumn breeze blows crisp leaves off trees and leaks through the gap in my ranchslider while I slump on my couch listening to our CEO announcing our restructure. With many ums and ahs, he reads his script, talking of “prioritisation,” “working differently,” and “reconceiving the ...2 days ago
- Taiwan’s democratic challenge to ChinaJust days after Taiwan’s new president called on China to stop making threats, Beijing has launched “punishment” military drills around the island. Everyone was watching to see what China’s reaction to the swearing in of President William Lai Ching-te would be. On Thursday night we found out. China had already ...2 days ago
- Short story: The End Was Wide Open, by James PasleyFor the past six weeks Annie has been sleeping with a teacher named Patrick Drury. Twice he has tried to call it an affair. Twice she has considered correcting him. But she likes how he looks when he says it. She likes that he’s older than her. That he’s recently ...2 days ago
- The Secret Diary of .. Fast-Track JonesMONDAY Fast-Track Jones stood in the shade beneath an awning of a train station and waited for the 3:10 to Blackball. He narrowed his eyes and studied the view. A water tower. A windmill. A cattle fence. All else was empty land. Locomotive smoke rose over the horizon. The 3:10 ...2 days ago
- Newsroom wins two leading honours at national journalism awardsA groundbreaking investigative podcast into the death of Gore three-year-old Lachie Jones has won Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner two notable awards at the Voyager Media Awards. Their in-depth reporting and nine-part first season of The Boy in the Water, which led to the case being reopened twice and preceded ...2 days ago
- Hundreds feared dead after huge landslide in Papua New GuineaBy Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Scores of people have died in a huge landslide which has struck a remote village in the Papua New Guinean highlands. The landslide reportedly hit Yambali village in Enga Province, about 600 km north-west of Port Moresby. The landslip has buried homes and ...2 days ago
- Government extends Defence Force deployments to Middle East and AfricaThe extended deployments include supporting UN efforts on contested Israel and Arab country borders. ...2 days ago
- As COVID cases rise again, what do I need to know about the new FLiRT variants?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lara Herrero, Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, Griffith University Red-Diamond/Shutterstock We’ve now been living with COVID for well over four years. Although there’s still much to learn about SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) at least one thing seems ...2 days ago
- Why a new ruling on the law of the sea and climate change matters for Australia and especially our i...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clive Schofield, Professor, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has found countries are obliged to protect the oceans from climate change impacts under the law of the ...2 days ago
- The government’s cash splash aims to kickstart Australia’s battery industry. Has it flipped the ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glen Thomas Currie, Energy Systems Program Impact Manager, Climateworks, Monash University, Monash University Basilico Studio Stock, Shutterstock Australia has a new National Battery Strategy, unveiled this week as a key part of the government’s Future Made in Australia agenda. The vision ...2 days ago
- Heavy water: how melting ice sheets and pumped groundwater can lower local sea levels – and boost...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca McGirr, Postdoctoral research fellow, Australian National University Bernhard Staehli/Shutterstock Imagine you’re standing near the edge of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, gazing out over the ocean, when the ice near you starts to melt very rapidly. A surge of meltwater flows ...2 days ago
- The Week in Politics: Willis sails against strong headwindsThe Finance Minister prepares to present one of the most difficult budgets, National MP David MacLeod gets himself into trouble and the First Home Buyers Grant is scrapped. ...3 days ago
- Paul Henry To Address New Zealanders At ACT RallyACT's 2024 rally, Change Makers, will take place at Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre at 12:30pm on 9 June. ...3 days ago
- Regional Development and Resources Minister's mine visits not publicisedShane Jones visited two mines on Thursday without revealing it until afterwards - then had a private lunch with mining industry representatives. ...3 days ago
- Iranian Solidarity Group New Zealand's Meeting With NZ Minister For Foreign Affairs Rt. Hon. Wi...The Iranian Solidarity Group NZ met with Minister For Foreign Affairs Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, urging the NZ government to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (the IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. The group continues to advocate for justice ...3 days ago
- 105 Silenced Journalists Of Gaza Honoured Outside Voyager Media AwardsOn 24th May, 6pm, Palestinian journalists covering Gaza will be honoured in a silent and visually impactful vigil outside Shed 10, 89 Quay Street, Auckland, where the Voyager Media Awards are being held. ...3 days ago
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Maybe you should be writing his speeches for him, r0b!
Me? (Yeah I always kinda saw myself as a Sam Seaborn type!) Nah – only if I can write the policy to underpin the speeches, and I’d need to know a lot more than I do to do that. Think I’d better stick to blogging toad…
I thought his Q+A interview was ok and I certainly support his no gotcha politics, but that positive stance hasn’t been adopted by many of his troops.
It looks like there have been significant stuffups on the draughting of the foreign ownership bill, plus Shearer doesn’t seem convincing talking about it as if he has been told (by those doing dubious homework) rather than he believes. This was a problem Goff often had.
He’s got a way to go to look confident and convincing, that will be helped if he gets far better support from Labour MPs and support staff. Toad could be on the right track with his suggestion.
Each time I have heard him on the radio he has been slaughtered by the interviewer. He seems to lack a lot of self-confidence, and allows the interviewer to run rough-shod over him. Each time I have heard him interviewed, I have cringed in embarrassment for him, and I don’t even support him.
Are you going to be ok?
After I’ve seen my counselor. 🙂
Good thing he’s not running for NZs got talent then… Oh that’s right, nmind.
But I think there will be less of this pop-government going forward (well I hope so). As people get fed up they’ll start to value substance more over snack sized media bites.
> “His consistent line that he doesn’t want to get involved in the usual bickering and partisanship (“rival tribes playing gotcha”) will be going over well with the public”
Yet we often love bullies like Muldoon or single minded types like Peters and Clark over ‘nice guys’ (present PM excepted). I wonder if a tough minded contrast would be more popular in the leader beauty contest stakes than more of the same Mr Nice Guy. I think he needs to harden up and really focus on being on message. Hosking gave him the run around and he seems easily led down side issues in interviews – he did pull it back a bit, but not hugely convincingly IMO as he left some hanging unanswered questions.
I agree with you. I think he is a genuinely nice guy, and someone I could easily have a beer with. But maybe he is just too nice, and doesn’t have enough mongrel in him for politics. Time will tell, but perhaps he is the Jim McLay of the Labour party.
I suspect he is acting on too much advice and direction, and not all of it good. I still give him a chance of rising to the job but he needs to be strong within the party before he will appear strong in the public glare. The sparse support usually on offer for him here suggests he’s got a lot to do.
I would have thought a comparison with Bill Rowling would be more apt, TS. Jim ‘Wendy’ McLay was only ever a stop gap while the Nats figured out how to move forward after Muldoon, whereas Rowling lead the party for a number of years (and would have been elected PM at least twice if we had MMP back in the seventies).
I think some here might suggest Shearer is a stopgap…for the other David 😉
Parker?
You mean Grant Robertson. He’s the one putting his numbers together.
Maybe, but I can’t see mainstream nz going for a gay prime minister at this time!
Hmm, ain’t it a pity that everyone that has read that Bill on Foreign Ownership (can’t call it by name – which one?) concludes it’s both poorly thought out and drafted.
Seems to me that thus far Shearer is unfortunately all light, no heat. And jesus christ get that the man a speech coach. JK mangles the language, sure, but at least every second words isn’t UMMMM.
But clap away, Rob.
The Foreign Ownership bill reminds me of the Super bill announced during the election, Labour seemed to think it was smart and would be popular but soon had to go into damage control when it was pointed out it would impact badly on manual workers and those with illnesses.
Too much poll or focus group, not enough common sense or care, then and now by the look of things.
Its been a long long while since Labour was the party of the working class, by the working class, for the working class.
It’s been a long time since there has been a “working class” in the conventional sense, full stop.
Yeah i guess you can’t count the massive numbers of unemployed and under-employed people.
There are only two classes, mate. Working class and parasites who live off them.
Interviewer Shane Taurima was superb, but Shearer’s performance on Q+A was appalling, which is probably why it was praised by Paul Holmes and Michelle Boag (who said he obviously wasn’t listening to Labour’s mongrels – ie. the leftwing of the party).
Please, for anyone who hasn’t seen it I strongly encourage you to look at it yourself before you believe the spin that it was anything other than shit.
http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/david-shearer-interview-video-4770657
He was dithery and evasive, especially when it came to welfare. It was one vaucuous, meaningless platitude after another free of any substantive statements (except that sold SOEs will not be re-nationalised).
Shane Taurima was not superb, he seemed more like a one-eyed bully. As for Boag and Holmes, why are those people on TV? Two wax puppets spouting inanities.
Shearer was pretty good and coped pretty well with Taurima’s harrying.
Shearer is hopeless. He was horrid at the march on Saturday, completely shown up by new Green MP Denise Roche, who spoke brilliantly and from the heart.
I have yet to see a Shearer performance that looks like he is passionate and again, speaking from the heart. Everything he says, it is as though he does not believe it at all.
Labour gets it ass back in the Left and away from the center. As a moderate member of the party I didn’t think I would ever really say that. 8 months to go … and counting.
It was great to see David Shearer speak at the march as I have been increasingly been despairing of the new leadership. But like you I felt his speech lack fire especially in face of the broader threat to working people POAL’s move present (this should be grist for the mill for a Labour leader). To be generous he was lucky not have a more seasoned Green MP follow him. However had Phil Goff or David Cunliffe been speaking as leader I suspect we wouldn’t be commenting in this vein…
David Cunliffe just needs to look on and wait – but will he decide to hang around for that long.I hope so, Grant Robertson may be good in the house but nz won’t accept a gay prime minister in 2014! Cunliffe has way more experience, so much knowledge re financial matters and comes across so well on tv, he has the courage of his convictions and it shows!
One thing I find fascinating though is inspite of his lack of personal PR expertness (ala key) the guy has achieved a lot inspite of not having that level of PR polish. He must have got to where he is today by results and not mere talk and showponyship.
Personally I’d rather have a not as flashy guy that has done awesome things, than a very PR polished done so so things guy as leader of my country.
I thought Shearer looked weak and very indecisive on Q and A, he did precisely nothing to allay my concerns about where he intends to take the Party.
What concerns would they be sprout? You aren’t a Labour supporter, so I guess your major area of concern would be that Shearer gets too popular and gets to lead a progressive Government. That’d be a bummer, eh?
i’ve been a member and donor of cash and many many volunteer hours for the NZLP for the last 10 years – ask lprent for verification of that if you need to – you haven’t got the faintest idea about my history in the NZLP so maybe you should stick to talking about what you know. but i’m sure you won’t let facts get in the way of your prejudices.
my concern is that we’ll see another 1984 hijacking of the party that sees it adopting another wave of neo-liberal policies. that is, if shearer can actually lead labour to victory – haven’t seen much evidence of that so far
[lprent: Yep. Sprout has been stalwart and active for a long long time. ]
My low opinion of you is based on your low opinion of Labour, sprout. I don’t know you, obviously. All I can do is go on your comments here. You’ve been relentlessly negative about the party, the leadership, the policies and the other day you acknowledged voting Green. So excuse me if you looked like a concern troll in your comment above and I replied as if you were exactly that.
If you want evidence of Shearer’s ability to lead Labour to victory, I’ve got two words for you: Roy fucken Morgan. 4 polls in a row suggest you’re the one with the fact/prejudice difficulties. Unlike you, I went through the eighties and this current iteration of the Labour party is nothing like the Douglas version. Not even close.
You’re not counting the fact that National’s downward trend started under Goff and that part of it may simply be due to John Key obviously no longer giving a toss (about anything)?
I went through the eighties and this current iteration of the Labour party is nothing like the Douglas version. Not even close.
Yes. I was around for much of the eighties and knew the key players reasonably well. Te Reo Putake is right. No comparison whatsoever… not even a glimmer.
+1 Sprouty!
If you want to be a cheerleader you go right ahead, but mindlessly clapping because Shearer improved from an abysmal performance to a merely embarrassing one isn’t going to help me sleep at night. His growth in the polls is a reflection of Key’s unpopularity, not because Shearer has done anything to increase his popularity. Unlike you I’m not interested in winning for winning’s sake if it means we support a party that dogwhistles about beneficiaries and dodges around supporting striking workers.
You are welcome to trot off and write the mindless Labour echo chamber blog you seem so keen on. Meanwhile this one represents all sorts of leftwing voices. Those that are current Labour activists, those that are tempted by Mana or already support the Greens and those that worked their arses off for the Labour party and feel thoroughly fucked off at the last four years.
The quality of your analysis of my comments is highlighted with your assertion I acknowledged voting green. Zero points for reading comprehension – looking forward to you substantiating that one.
Perhaps you should consider yet another name change to Te reo o te kūare?
Hey, Sprout, I can’t be bothered going back in time to find the comment that in which I thought you said you had voted Green in the past and would consider doing it again. I’ll take your word that I’ve got that wrong. That doesn’t make me ignorant, just incorrect about one aspect of your political activity.
That still leaves you as someone that prefers a Tory government to a version of Labour you don’t like, but doesn’t actually exist.
Yes I agree. When they picked Shearer over Cunliffe, I figured that’s it, a rudderless ship, and judging on what I have seen, it’s going to take either a miracle, or a leadership change. Everyone keeps on say wait he’s just finding his feet, the pity is that he is standing in 7 foot of water and he can’t swim. And it seems that with all the leaks going on there could be a way better showing in the chamber as well. I have been somewhat underwhelmed by what I have been watching from the Labour benches.
Funny ol world innit, I generally agree with you Sprout, but having just watched Shearer for the first time since the election I thought he was superb. No specific worries on policy, the port issue explanation rock solid and most importantly, rings true as a genuine person. Key’s character act in real life.
Proof’s in the pudding of course, guess we’ll taste a bit of real custard later this week. I’m picking a beautiful Morgan coming.
I think Shearer did very well in that interview. What we didn’t see was the ‘dog eat dog’ approach.
What we are seeing is someone who is quietly building his position, creating a vision, developing a team and showing that there is actually an alternative to the slash and burn nonprogramme of the current govt.
Having watched that Q&A interview, I was a bit annoyed at how he took credit for the Labour reorganisation (which was instigated before he even became leader) and the caucus reshuffle (almost certainly masterminded largely by someone else because he hasn’t been around long enough to even know who was doing what job in the first place).
His speaking style hasn’t improved, and all the stumbles just make him sound unconvincing, even when he is talking about something he presumably is passionate about.
I hope there are some concrete plans laid out in his upcoming speeches. I want to know what Labour stands for under his watch, not some more vague waffle about creativity and innovation. I think by now we have all well and truly got the point that Shearer is excited about science and technology and believes that intellectual property is the way forward for NZ.
That’s not exactly a ballot box blockbuster and it’s about time we heard about some of his other ideas.
i posted a review of that q&a in the open mike thread on sunday..
..where i detailed my concerns about that appearance..
..and what it said about the direction shearer wants to go..
..(think pagani-centreist…more than john a. lee…and you will be close..)
..and i hafta ask those that are praising shearers’ performance there..
..what the hell were you smoking..?
..if you thought that was ‘good’..?
..and you weren’t at all concerned about the kisses of death from the rightwing trouts present..?
phil-at-whoar.
And now Shearer has stuffed up with his bill! Wonder who was helping him with it? National will capitalise on that! Thank goodness Parliament isn’t sitting this week! Cunliffe is looking more and more like a leader with every passing day!
Shearer shaping up? I must have blinked. Labour would be invisible right now if it wasn’t for the experienced old guard Labour MPs rattling sabres on diverse issues.
Nothing but negative comments about Shearer’s performance at Dim Post
http://dimpost.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/is-vague-better-than-glib/
Tumeke was also unimpressed
http://tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/qa-review.html
I think the issue here is that David’s advice pool is far too shallow and has Pagani dominating it. I hope to Christ that what I have heard of Pagani’s dog whistle speech about to be launched won’t happen, and I’ve done about all I can to point out to people who should know better that walking this path would be disastrous for Labour, but I fear wiser counsel has gone unheeded.
God knows why Pagani has been allowed so much influence.