The first hustings
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- Date published:
8:29 am, October 23rd, 2014 - 128 comments
Categories: Andrew Little, david parker, grant robertson, labour, leadership, Nanaia Mahuta -
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I wasn’t at the first of the hustings meetings – I’m waiting for the show to come down south – but after talking with members who were there it sounds like Andrew Little made the biggest splash despite being on Grant Robertson’s home turf.
I’m on the record as favouring him but, like others, I was concerned he could be wooden sometimes. Turns out that last night he showed he’s both passionate and funny. With Paddy Gower making it clear he thought Little owned it.
And Tracey Watkins noted:
My thoughts are that Andrew Little gave the strongest speech, because he spoke the language that party faithful wanted to hear. His anger about the party “faffing and flailing” clearly struck a chord with the delegates in the hall. But Robertson was also strong. The big question for delegates to answer I guess is whether Little’s obvious appeal to the faithful will translate into broader support across the electorate. Or would Robertson do that job better? It’s a big call.
And Radio Live’s Jessica Williams described him as charismatic. That’ll surprise some people but I saw him speak to a mass rally in Christchurch in 2008 and it’s exactly what I walked away thinking.
I’ve never doubted that Little is the man to rebuild the Labour party into a campaigning and winning organisation and his claim he’s the one to “fix the machine” is spot on (and I’m sure there’s an engineers’ union joke in that somewhere), but it’s good to know he’s also got what it takes to front with the members and with the media.
It’s also worth taking a look at his email to members. There’s plenty in there I think should be taken on board by whoever wins:
Labour is the party that was built by working Kiwis for working Kiwis. We are still that party.
But we have to get our house in order. Because if we don’t then all we have is a bunch of good intentions gone to waste.
We need to fix the machine. We need to bring the pieces of the Labour movement back together and focus them on winning government and making changes we need to to build a fair society.
It’s a big task but it’s one we need to address one step at a time. First we need a caucus that communicates effectively within itself and with focus. Getting to that point will be the first job for the new Leader. Then the Leader and caucus need to reach out to the party and ensure they work well within themselves. Then we need to work alongside our affiliates.
We must find a common cause, within the movement, and with the many, many New Zealanders who want something better for themselves and for their families.
If we don’t find common cause as a movement we will never earn the trust of New Zealanders.
I can do this. I have done this before.
When I became the leader of the EPMU, one of New Zealand’s largest and most powerful unions, it was a house divided. I led the project to bring it together, to modernise it, to bring through new talent. I built a union which took our member’s issues out to the public, to the media, and won the argument again and again. We covered a lot of ground and during that time I dealt with organisations from small business to New Zealand’s biggest corporates on many different issues.
The one unifying thing, across all of these issues, was fairness. We got fair outcomes for our members and for New Zealand workers across the board because we worked together.
We are a party of immensely talented people. But right now we’re working as individuals, not as a collective movement.
We must fix this. We can.
We need to regain New Zealanders’ trust. We need them to know that when we make a promise, we can deliver. We need them to know we stand for them and their ambitions. Not just against what’s wrong but for what is right.
As part of that we must acknowledge the trust Māori put in Labour in delivering us six of the the seven Māori seats. They are our voters and we must make good on their return to us. We must ensure that Māori are represented well within Labour and that advancing their aspirations is a cornerstone of our Party. That’s what being representative is about.
People have asked me why I’m standing. I’m standing because I believe in Labour’s values. I believe in fairness and justice for workers, for families, for all New Zealanders. People aren’t getting a fair go right now, and I won’t tolerate a society in which the very few at the top gain at the expense of the many.
I won’t tolerate a society in which good jobs are destroyed and replaced with insecure work, in which people in the middle are squeezed tighter and tighter by the cost of living and have no way to get ahead. A society in which those at the bottom fall off the edge of the cliff.
These are the principles I have stood for throughout my life and they have been at the core of how I have led. They are the principles that the Labour Party embodies.
But to stand up for those principles we must be a united Party with new ideas and a real plan to win back the trust of New Zealanders.
I can bring the party together. I have the track record to prove it.
I’m asking you to vote for me as number 1 on your ballot so we can rebuild and win together.
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- Greens back teachers’ strikeThe Green Party stands with teachers in their request for fair pay and decision to strike. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens launch submission guide for Auckland Council budgetThe Green Party has today launched a submission guide to help Aucklanders give crucial input and prevent potentially disastrous Auckland Council budget proposals. ...2 weeks ago
- When even the Nats agree bank profits are out of control, it’s time for an excess profits taxWith calls growing for inquiries and action on bank profits, the Greens say the Government has all the information it needs to act now and put a levy on banks. ...2 weeks ago
- Climate action must remain priority in transport investmentAs large parts of Aotearoa recover from two of the worst climate disasters we have ever experienced, it would be a huge mistake for the Government to deprioritise climate action from future transport investments, the Green Party says. ...3 weeks ago
- Historic oceans treaty a wake-up call for AotearoaThe Green Party is celebrating the signing of a historic United Nations Ocean Treaty, and calls on the new Oceans and Fisheries Minister to urgently step up protection for Aotearoa’s oceans. ...3 weeks ago
- National would make life harder for peopleChristopher Luxon and the National Party are not telling the full story when it comes to childcare, the Green Party says. ...3 weeks ago
- District Court Judges appointed
Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges. Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...6 hours ago - New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson TasmanA new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...1 day ago
- National’s education policy: where’s the funding?After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment. “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...1 day ago
- Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventorsPeople aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...1 day ago
- Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economyA cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...1 day ago
- Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...1 day ago
- Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business ForumDeputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...1 day ago
- Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island$2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...1 day ago
- Government future-proofs EV chargingTransport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...2 days ago
- World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZersAssociate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...2 days ago
- First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners CourtHon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...2 days ago
- Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floodsThe Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...2 days ago
- New appointment to Māori Land Court benchE te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...2 days ago
- Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...3 days ago
- Vertical farming partnership has upward momentumThe Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...3 days ago
- Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote AddressE nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...3 days ago
- New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patientsThe new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...3 days ago
- Second Poseidon aircraft on home soilDefence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...3 days ago
- Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and SyriaAotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...3 days ago
- Community voice to help shape immigration policyMigrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today. “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...3 days ago
- State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for TaranakiConstruction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...3 days ago
- Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of PolicePrime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...4 days ago
- Government confirms vital roading reconnectionsSix further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...4 days ago
- Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign MinisterForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...4 days ago
- Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in AotearoaEducation Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...4 days ago
- State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone GabrielleA vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...5 days ago
- Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recoveryInternal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...5 days ago
- Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability servicesThe Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...1 week ago
- Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and memberMinister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...1 week ago
- Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announcedFifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...1 week ago
- Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High CourtHigh Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...1 week ago
- NZ still well placed to meet global challengesThe economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...1 week ago
- Western Ring Route CompleteAucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...1 week ago
- Briefings to Incoming MinistersThis section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...1 week ago
- Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient FijiAotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...1 week ago
- Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recoveryThe Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...1 week ago
- Next steps developing clean energy for NZThe Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...1 week ago
- Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart NashThis morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...1 week ago
- CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to AucklandThe Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...1 week ago
- Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses$25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...1 week ago
- A new review into how teachers are educated should acknowledge they learn throughout their careers (...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Beryl Exley, Professor, Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Griffith University Shutterstock Last August, the federal government set up an expert panel to look at the continuous improvement agenda in teacher education in Australia. The panel, led by ...1 hour ago - Analysis: Teachers need a lot of things, another curriculum 'rewrite' isn't one
We all clearly want the best learning outcomes for our nation's children, but there are deep ideological divisions, writes Cathy Buntting. ...2 hours ago - The Winston Peters greatest hits hour
The New Zealand First leader took to the altar of an East Auckland church today to set out his 2023 election agenda. It was, as Stewart Sowman-Lund found out, pretty much what you’d expect. Winston Peters rolled into Howick today with a state of the nation speech that, he claimed ...3 hours ago - Woolworths is getting into telehealth – but patients need to be treated as more than customersSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Wardle, Professor of Public Health, Southern Cross University Shutterstock Earlier this week, Australian retail giant Woolworths announced a move into health-care delivery via development of its subsidiary HealthyLife’s online portal. Through this portal, Australians can book a same-day ...3 hours ago
- Winston Peters rails against secret 'woke agenda' in campaign speechNew Zealand First leader Winston Peters - eyeing a political comeback - has used a scene-setting speech in Auckland warning against a "conceited, conniving, cultural cabal". ...4 hours ago
- At the 2023 Adelaide Festival, the best works shimmer with a brutal honesty on incarceration, exile ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William Peterson, Adjunct Associate Professor, Auckland University of Technology The Sheep Song. Tim Standing/Daylight Breaks/Adelaide Festival Few Adelaideans remember a time before the Adelaide Festival. Formed in 1960 as a civic enterprise and financed against loss by prominent Adelaide businessmen, the ...5 hours ago
- Week in Politics: Minor parties could hold unprecedented influence post-electionAnalysis - The Greens lay down a challenge as the minor parties approach an election in which both National and Labour are going to need coalition partners to form a government, writes Peter Wilson. ...5 hours ago
- Repeal Fiji’s media law and start with ‘clean slate’, says CFL chiefBy Arieta Vakasukawaqa in Suva Communications Fiji Ltd (CFL) chair William Parkinson has called for a repeal of Fiji’s Media Industry Development Act 2010 and more discussion on the proposed Media Ownership and Registration Bill 2023. He said this during a public consultation on the review of MIDA Act 2010 ...5 hours ago
- Posie Parker wins the beautiful freedom to make an ugly argument
High Court Justice David Gendall regretfully allows anti-trans activist to enter New Zealand, but warns the expression of her views may be harmful to our vulnerable rainbow community. Jonathan Milne does his best to be civil. Opinion: Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull calls herself Posie Parker. And that's what I'm going to call her. Because she is ...5 hours ago - Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee is an absolute joyIt’s about time somebody made a wacky TV show about how bonkers spelling is. Enter comedian Guy Montgomery and his Guy Mont Spelling Bee. The three years since Covid-19 began have been pretty rocky, but one of the best things to come out of the chaos was Guy Montgomery’s Guy ...5 hours ago
- Psychologists Condemn Anti-trans Hate Speech And Urge The Government To Put Hate Speech Laws Back On...
Te Rōpū Mātai Hinengaro o Aotearoa, The New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS) stands beside LGBTQIA+ and Takatāpui communities rallying against anti-trans rhetoric in light of the impending visit of Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (Posie Parker). We are ...6 hours ago - Shocking and controversial: MAFS Australia has outrated 1NewsEarlier this month, everybody’s favourite Monster of the Week series Married at First Sight Australia toppled 1News to become the highest rating television show for New Zealand viewers aged 25-54. The controversial reality series garnered an average audience of 137,000, or 6.7% audience share from March 5 until March 11. ...6 hours ago
- Ingredient of the week: FeijoasIt’s the most wonderful time of the year for feijoa lovers – here’s how to make the most of it. Fragrant and sweet, with a delicate jelly centre surrounded by gritty, tangy flesh, all encased in a green sour skin. My parents’ feijoa tree has just dropped its first fruit, ...6 hours ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Bang a Drum’ by Maggie Rainey-SmithA new poem by poet and novelist Maggie Rainey-Smith. Bang a Drum We’ve hit Gentle Annie passed the pub at Okaramio and on the left, at Wakapuaka there’s Sunnybank where parents left their children An oddly named orphanage manned (ha) by Nuns childless women in black habits, scapula, cowls and ...6 hours ago
- Teachers need a lot of things right now, but another curriculum ‘rewrite’ isn’t one of themSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cathy Buntting, Director, Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research, University of Waikato Getty Images Less than a fortnight after teachers staged a national strike, education was back in the headlines with the National Party’s release of its curriculum policy – ...6 hours ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending March 24The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $38) Number one in both ...6 hours ago
- High Court Decision The Only Right Result For Nation That Values Free SpeechThe Free Speech Union welcomes the decision of the High Court to reject the application to overrule the decision of the Minister of Immigration to allow Kellie-Jay entry into New Zealand. This was the only right result for a nation that ...7 hours ago
- AI chatbots with Chinese characteristics: why Baidu’s ChatGPT rival may never measure upSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fan Yang, Research Associate at RMIT and Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University Baidu’s ERNIE Bot was launched to considerable disappointment. Ng Han Guan / AP On March 16, Baidu unveiled China’s latest rival to OpenAI’s ChatGPT – ERNIE Bot (short for “Enhanced ...7 hours ago
- Ask Fiji military about ‘guns on plane’ claims, says Sayed-KhaiyumBy Meri Radinibaravi in Suva Former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has told The Fiji Times to ask the Republic of Fiji Military Forces about claims that his bodyguards were allowed to take guns on to Fiji Link flights without proper authorisation. “I understand that there’s some enquiries going on regarding that ...7 hours ago
- Melbourne Now: a vast, sprawling and inspiring exhibition that seems to burst out of its architectur...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sasha Grishin, Adjunct Professor of Art History, Australian National University Installation view of Troy Emery’s work Mountain climber 2022 on display as part of the Melbourne Now exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne from 24 March – 20 August ...7 hours ago
- KPIs are for businesses and boardrooms, not children and schoolsNational’s education policy reinforces an old-fashioned and hierarchical curriculum that does lasting harm to many students, writes educational specialist Dr Sarah Aiono. Announcing the National Party’s new education policy this week, leader Christopher Luxon cited a recent NCEA pilot in which two-thirds of students were unable to meet the minimum ...8 hours ago
- Last ditch attempt to stop anti-trans speaker from entering NZ failsAttempts by rainbow groups to stop an anti-trans campaigner entering the country have failed. The High Court has dismissed a judicial review application from Gender Minorities Aotearoa, InsideOUT Kōara and Auckland Pride, aimed at the immigration minister for allowing Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull into New Zealand. As part of the application, the ...8 hours ago
- Urgent hearing under way to determine if anti-trans speaker can enter NZThe High Court is this morning considering an interim order that would prevent an anti-trans campaigner from making it into New Zealand. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull is expected to arrive on our shores today ahead of two planned rallies in Auckland and Wellington over the weekend. After immigration officials deemed her safe ...9 hours ago
- Statement From Mayor Paula Southgate: Hamilton’s LGNZ MembershipI was disappointed to see yesterday afternoon’s announcement that Auckland has chosen to leave Local Government NZ (LGNZ). Hamilton’s membership of LGNZ is one of collaboration and sharing. Being a member gives us important views from other ...9 hours ago
- Review: The Unruly Tourists is fun, but facileIt’s the most talked about local opera production in years – but does it live up to the chatter? The lowdown You’ve probably heard of the “unruly tourists”, the British family who created a media firestorm as they toured around the country leaving trash and turmoil in their wake. You’ve ...9 hours ago
- Ministry of Health removed trans advice after pressure from activistsAs reported by Newsroom’s Marc Daalder this morning, correspondence released under the Official Information Act shows advice about puberty blockers was removed from the Ministry of Health website “in the hopes it creates fewer queries” from anti-trans campaigners. The line that was removed from the site said puberty blockers “are ...9 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nucle...Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nuclear submarines The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The ...10 hours ago
- Secondary teachers confirm next strikeSecondary teachers will strike again next week after an agreement on improved pay and working conditions was not reached. The strike will take place on Wednesday, less than two weeks after thousands of educators took to the streets across the country. “PPTA Te Wehengarua members have shown they are serious ...10 hours ago
- Share Your Views On Human Rights Progress In Aotearoa New ZealandTe Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission is encouraging organisations and individuals to share their views on human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand for the government’s upcoming report to the United Nations. The report informs a process ...10 hours ago
- Secondary And Area School Teachers Plan More Industrial ActionSecondary and area school teachers around the country have voted overwhelmingly in favour of more industrial action, including a one day national strike next Wednesday, in support of their collective agreement negotiations. “PPTA Te Wehengarua members ...10 hours ago
- Aaron Hawkins: Auckland Council has turned its back on the rest of the countryAt a time when our need for collective action is stronger than ever, Auckland Council has opted out to save each of its residents just 25c a year, writes former Dunedin mayor Aaron Hawkins. I grew up in rural Southland, in the shadows of the Cut The Cable movement. In ...10 hours ago
- Fishing for data: commercial fishers help monitor rising temperatures in coastal seasSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Jakoboski, Oceanographic Data Scientist, Moana Project’s Te Tiro Moana Team Lead, MetService — Te Ratonga Tirorangi Moana project, CC BY-ND The world’s oceans are buffering us from the worst climate impacts by taking up more than 90% of the ...11 hours ago
- Political editors panel: Schools, lobbying, and trans rightsMorning Report - RNZ and Newsroom's political editors consider National's education pitch, and the political responses to lobbying revelations and Posie Parker. ...11 hours ago
- Free Speech Union Granted Intervening Status In Posie Parker Judicial ReviewThe Free Speech Union will be an intervener this morning as the High Court considers whether Immigration New Zealand's decision to allow Posie Parker (Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull) entry into New Zealand was legal, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free ...11 hours ago
- Why is this Auckland club clinging to a ‘discriminatory’ dress-code rule?For over a decade, Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club has come under fire for denying entry to people wearing religious headwear. Despite the Human Rights Commission getting involved, it seems the rule remains unchanged. One of the definitions given by the Oxford dictionary for the word cosmopolitan is: “including people from many ...11 hours ago
- Listen: How Labour just hurt the Emissions Trading SchemeChris Hipkins’ dump of Ardern-era policy has potentially jeopardised a major part of the government’s climate change response. In this week’s episode of When the Facts Change, Bernard Hickey talks to climate policy expert Christina Hood from Climate Compass to find out why this month’s Emissions Trading Scheme auction failed and ...11 hours ago
- LGNZ head confused by Wayne Brown’s claim about drunken conferenceThe head of Local Government NZ, the group representing councils across the country, has hit back at claims made by Auckland mayor Wayne Brown. It was his casting vote that saw Auckland Council leave the representative group yesterday evening, with councillors divided on whether or not it was the right ...12 hours ago
- A new study on Australian volcanoes has changed what we know about explosive ‘hotspot’ volcanismSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Al-Tamini Tapu, Geoscientist, The University of Queensland Warrumbungle national park. colinslack/Shutterstock Our new study published in Nature Geoscience on an ancient chain of Australian volcanoes is helping to change our understanding of “hotspot” volcanism. You may be surprised to learn eastern ...12 hours ago
- Time to grow up: Australia’s national security dilemma demands a mature debateSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Sussex, Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University There’s been a lot of recent shouting about Australia’s national security policy. It began with the Nine newspapers’ “Red Alert” extravaganza, spread over multiple articles. Featuring a graphic of warplanes ...12 hours ago
- Want an easy $400 a year? Ditch the gas heater in your home for an electric split systemSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Goldlust, Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University Shutterstock Earlier this month, regulators flagged electricity price rises in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Like many people, you’re probably wondering how you can ...12 hours ago
- 4-day work week trials have been labelled a ‘resounding success’. But 4 big questions need answe...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Veal, Adjunct Professor, Business School, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock A little more than a century ago, most people in industrialised countries worked 60 hours a week – six ten-hour days. A 40-hour work week of five eight-hour days ...12 hours ago
- The gaming audience is ‘queerer than ever’ – so how are game creators responding?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Xavier Ho, Lecturer in Interaction Design, Monash University Sony Entertainment Mainstream games are embracing openly queer characters – and so are many of their players and fans. The Last of Us, the prestige HBO adaptation of the critically lauded ...12 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Let’s Get Wellington Moving consultant costs in the crosshairsThe capital’s transport overhaul will have spent $130 million on consultant fees by the end of next year, Stuff reports. Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) expects to spend $60 million on outside experts in the coming year, after already spending $38.5m in the past three years and $35m this year. Greater ...12 hours ago
- How Labour just hurt the Emissions Trading SchemeChris Hipkins’ dump of Ardern-era policy has potentially jeopardised a major part of the government’s climate change response. Bernard Hickey talks to climate policy expert Christina Hood from Climate Compass to find out why this month’s Emissions Trading Scheme auction failed and how she feels cabinet have destroyed confidence in ...13 hours ago
- National’s ‘back to basics’ plan to address the literacy crisisChristopher Luxon says the policy is what’s needed to address serious issues with reading, writing and maths in primary schools. Others aren’t so sure, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Back ...13 hours ago
- Flood-affected Aucklanders breathe a sigh of rates relief
Although Auckland Council’s big cleanup following this year’s extreme weather events continues, “things are getting more difficult at this point”. Five weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle, some 7,000 Aucklanders remain impacted by the aftermath of the floods, slips and heavy winds that battered the region in January and February. Auckland Council’s ...14 hours ago - A new motorway took all the traffic away – but don’t write Huntly off just yetA traffic bypass stole 20,000 potential daily visitors from its main streets and local businesses. Three years on, how are the Waikato town’s 9,000 residents coping? The tourism centre is closed – “permanently”, says the sign. The cafe next door, once called River Haven, now with two missing letters making ...15 hours ago
- A year on from the death of Levi James, what’s changed for Auckland cyclists?After a 19-year-old was killed while riding his bike on a dangerous stretch of Auckland road, the tragedy became a rallying call to make the city safer for cyclists. Tommy de Silva looks at what’s been achieved in the 12 months since. On March 5, 2022, 19-year-old Levi James was ...15 hours ago
- Health advice scrubbed due to anti-trans pressure
Pressure from anti-transgender activists led the Ministry of Health to remove health advice regarding puberty blockers from its website. ...15 hours ago - Bring back the Ministry of Works
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Nanaia was the only one to talk about community. The party needs to reconnect with communities rather than with people. All male candidates said “we need to talk to new Zealanders” which didn’t really give the how. Nanaia got my vote. Even though she’s softly spoken she has to convictions. The males were full of bluff and bluster. Twas like being at a cult rally when Parker spoke. >:)
Spoke to a bunch of Labour Party mates last night. A fair number of us think that Nanaia has a better shot than most people assumed a few days ago. IMO she is worth putting up near the top of the list. I put her as no.1 myself.
Yes I spoke to a journalist there who completely dismissed her. As did Cullen.
That P….es me off quite a lot.
I can really see now why David Cunliffe wanted her a deputy first time around.
@ Colonial Rawshark (1.1)
I have watched Nanaia for quite a few years now. She is softly spoken, but her words are well measured. There is one big difference between Nanaia and the other three. She is less ego-driven. Some have suggested that she has not done much in her long time in Parliament, but she has done everything that has been asked of her, and she has done it well. Very well.
Even in this campaign, she states simply that she believes she has the talent to be the Leader, and effectively says to the voters: Please treat me as a serious candidate. I’ve been content with doing what has been asked of me, but in the situation the Party is in, I realise I have talents that I think are better than all of the others.
Nanaia does not play games, and works more in the style of the two Green Leaders. It’s refreshing. Dirty John will not know how to treat her …. If he plays his normal dirty, he will come off looking even dirtier than he does now. Within the Party, I think Nanaia has the best possibility of uniting the different factions, and clearly presenting Labour to the public.
Obviously Nanaia has my vote, unless something comes up over the next couple of weeks. All the candidates are capable. I’m ranking them at the moment Nanaia Mahuta, Grant Robertson, David Parker, Andrew Little. Mahuta, with Parker perhaps as Deputy.
If you like the Green type of Leadership; Mahuta is the answer. That style has certainly worked for the Greens. There is no reason why it will not work just as effectively for Labour.
Nanaia Mahuta is the one I’d prefer to see win. I think she will have a better idea what the problems that need addressing are. Most importantly, I think she will be more able to collaborate with the two leftish parties.
Sounds a good speech…Little and Mahuta would be a good combination , whoever is leader
…the only thing that worries me about Little is whether he was endorsed by Michelle Boag…is that true?
Chooky at 2 I think Boag did endorse him, but that was when Cunliffe was still standing. Correct me if I am wrong about that someone!
@ anker..no..since then..
Boag, like Hooton, play games.
They are PR trouts who are unlikely to ever say what they really think about any issue, but you should be particularly wary when they talk about anyone in the Labour Party.
she doesn’t care now..
..the main thing was getting rid of cunliffe..
..this lot of leadership candidates are ‘safe’ for the right..
..any one of them will do..
..both easy to beat..and even if they got in..there is no way any of them wd challenge the neo-lib-paradigm/status-quo..
..they have already won…
..they won when their campaign against cunliffe succeeded..
Boag and Hooten are irrelevant even the Nats think so.
They are as consequential to us as Cameron Slater. Ignore them…laugh at them.
They’re really amusing though if you enjoy laughing at trivialities.
Cameron who you say?
The media left after the speeches and the Q and A session was more telling. Little was the most conservative economically, also the most negative about the current situation. The others were more forward and outward looking. All good orators but there were those pin drop moments when Grant had the total attention of the audience even those not inclined to listen. He finished by quoting Gough Whitlam. He really has something of that Kirk/ Whitlam charisma which will grow with time.
Little and Mahuta as deputy would be the dream team. Robertson won 19,000 electorate votes but just 9,000 Party Votes. He paid just enough lip service to garnering PV to have plausible deniability. He is a traitor. He will never accept anyone else as leader.
He worked loyally under all the leaders.
Bollocks. He merely waited his chance to take over. He is a vainglorious traitor who would drag Labour to below 20%.
[lprent: As sirena says – no evidence for that assertion and I see that you did a fire and forget. Banned 2 weeks. ]
Again easy smear but no evidence
How’s about the fact that he launched a very slick and polished leadership bid so fast? You think he just cobbled everything together over a day or two?
I think not 😉
I don’t understand people who think that well connected members haven’t seen and heard (either first hand or second hand) what is going on in other parts of the party. It is simply not credible to believe that Grant only started to think about running for the Labour Leadership on Sunday morning, Sept 21.
I suspect that every MP with leadership pretensions had thought about their plan B long before. If they haven’t then the people in their electorates and offices will have prepped for it anyway.
I know that I was ready back in 1993 when Helen was watching my TV at the servos.
I suspect that every MP with leadership pretensions had thought about their plan B long before.
Nah. Those with long term, burning desires would certainly have been lining up their pieces and looking to play or maneuver in any given imaginable scenario…and trying to bring the most propitious state of circumstances to the fore.
But that can’t be said of all current contenders.
Sarcasm?
He manouvered the vain inexperienced Shearer into the Leadership in order to block Cunliffe so that he himself could roll Shearer when the time was right for his own elevation. Shearer now realises that and knows that Robertson was aware that Maryan Street was doing the numbers to roll him.
Shearer now has no time for Robertson amd that is why he is pumping Parker.
Sirenia, you are either totally ignorant of recent events in the Labour Party or you are a troll.
@Sirenia.
I dispute that statement of loyalty. Robertson along with Shearer and Parker wasted no time in publicly displaying their disloyalty that further undermined the party, straight after the election.
Bill Drees28.3.3 6 October 2014 at 2:17 pm
That gang suspected Cunliffe would sort them after the election. That is why they briefed the press before election night and started the campaign to dump Cunliffe. Nash briefed Hooton and Farrar and Cosgrove the Press Gallery. Ardern was used to do the numbers just like Maryann Street was used against Shearer. Cunliffe moved quickly to get Maori support by offering a joint Deputy possie. Nash fake candidacy was a cover to approach the Unions and some floating votes to see what was needed to bring them across to Robertson. The ABCs had to move before Cunliffe wiped them. Had Goff King Mallard retired in this term Robertson would have lost the core of the ABCs and any chance of the Leadership…..
<ahref="http://thestandard.org.nz/a-little-goes-a-long-way/#comment-904935
Mmmm… the intrigue. And I thought that National were the only ones who were into dirty politics. Orare all politics dirty by definition.
Mmmm… the intrigue. And I thought that National were the only ones who were into dirty politics. Or are all politics dirty by definition.
We were there and decked out in red!
A good evening.
Parker who is my 4th choice, confirmed himself as my fourth choice.
Robertson performed well (as in performing, but that might be what it takes), so he may get bumped up from 3rd to second.
Mahuta was great.
Little was really great, but not perfect, but none of them were. Little’s comments were not like listening to political speak. They came across as genuine, deep. A big surprize for me was he is witty/funny. Not all the time, but when he’s funny its delightful.
gawd don’t bump up anyone with fingerprints on the knives mate…just 2c worth there
Thanks CR. I am sure you are right and that’s how I truly feel, but I really want/need Labour to win.
Am very much taking on board what you are saying.
Yeah, I agree with CR. That was good advice.
CR, that was unnecessarily nasty and without any evidence.
Yes it was nasty. But I’ve been personally attacked in the party by the machine associated with Grant so my knowledge of this is first hand.
‘Party machine?’ Sounds a wee bit paranoid. Besides I thought your man was in charge of the ‘party machine’ until a couple of weeks ago.
“Besides I thought your man was in charge of the ‘party machine’ until a couple of weeks ago.”
Is that naivity or sarcasm?
The YL/NZUSA/Rainbow/Robertson-boosting crew are back on TS. Pity they are not as smart as they think.
Yeah, that’s alright though, them being here. More voices are better, and let’s see how they stand up to the arguments made.
Plus the young need to learn sometime! 😉
There is the ancient strategy that is well-known among diplomatic circles: 借刀杀人.
Btw, I was reading the following a few minutes ago.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = ==
Give us some substance, Grant.
I want Grant Robertson to win, but it kills me that he is saying nothing of substance. On Q and A this weekend, he was clearest when discussing ‘consequences’ for disloyal MPs. It really says something that his only clear-ish comments were about caucus knifings.
While Grant has a slick campaign, he seems to think he can win without actually saying anything. Look at his five commitments: …
What does any of this actually mean? I have no idea. You don’t get much vaguer than ‘Listen to what New Zealanders are saying about their hopes and aspirations’. Like the oxymoronic ‘Labour values’, these five priorities say nothing. This lack of substance is alarming.
The same goes for Grant and Jacinda’s campaign slogan ‘New generation to win’. The slogan reeks of focus-group testing and writing by committee. It says nothing about their approach, just that they are new-ish and want to win.
This is candy floss politics. Lots of colour, little meaning, and kind of enjoyable if you don’t think about the crap you’re swallowing. But you don’t win elections by regurgitating buzzwords and smiling sweetly, unless you’re John Key. And Grant is no John Key.
Etc etc etc [No, this is not Shane Jones butting in]
http://fundamentallyuseless.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/give-us-some-substance-grant/
vagueness and lack of substance is a winning strategy.Its very hard to attack!
Just look at National’s election campaigns…
It’s easy to attack on that basis: a General who can’t communicate the Way cannot win.
Nice to see that, no matter who wins, the infighting will continue.
“A house divided”
Allusion to Shalespeare, very nice.
Just a correction to the original post – Wellington is Andrew Little’s home turf. He has lived here for years. They were both introduced as the local candidates. This meeting was for those in the southern North Island so was also for members in the Wairarapa, Porirua, Hutt and Kapiti. The Masterton Mayor MC’ ed.
From my long observation of Labour history I have been trying to think who Andrew Little reminds me of. He is sort of a mix between Jim Knox and Arnold Nordmeyer. Good people and popular within the Party and unions. But with possibly limited appeal to a wider NZ. He has a good chance of winning this contest but I am unconvinced that the polls will move much longer term.
[lprent: An odd way of looking at it. That is like saying that Helen Clark’s home turf was Wellington because she spent most of her time there for 30 years. You could say that of almost every electorate MP. However she and everyone else considered her home turf to be Mt Albert.
He might live in Wellington, but the electorate party machine he works with is in New Plymouth. ]
The issue is that the person who is leader is only 15% of Labour’s issues currently. An inability to convincingly set a clearly different direction and agenda to National is one major issue. The other is a significant cultural and social disconnect with many hundreds of thousands who should be natural Labour voters.
then there’s the neoliberal elephant in the living room.
Big one, that
Sirenia/LPrent @ 7
Tho his mum lives in New Plymouth (and was reported up there as a Nat supporter), Andrew Little was perceived as a carpet bagger politician who parachuted in, rather than as a local Taranaki politician at the time of the 2011 election.
I’ve heard that Helen Clark tried to get him to stand in Mt Albert in 2009 but he was worried that was carpetbagging.
His publicity pictures are taken at his Island Bay home. He lives and works in Wellington. Helen Clark lived in Mt Albert, she spent as little time as possible in Wellington and camped in Premier House. To win an electorate you need to know everyone and every issue in the electorate and turn up to every possible event – and have an electorate infrastructure that alerts you to all these things. That is why Dunne clings to Ohariu, but also why Grant is and Helen was such good local MPs. Wellington Central is up there with Epsom among the wealthiest electorates in NZ – naturally right voting. New Plymouth should be a Labour seat, like Napier and Palmerston North, but it needs a lot of ongoing attention.
Can Labour walk and chew gum at the same time?
Parliament has opened. So far the Greens appear to be the functioning Opposition.
Is the best Labour can do a side show to the actual task of holding the government to account? Or is it only capable of the perpetual distraction of beauty contests?
Great sport for the activists of course, but those MPs who got jobs should start doing them, rather than getting sucked into coyly sucking up to the next Girl Guide Captain. Get to work.
phil goff had a good go on isis and 1984 style reaction of key
@ ad..i wd challenge yr slagging of others other than the greens..as ‘real opposition’..not being..
..in the commentary i did yesterday i noted that all the opposition mp’s (with the exception of the serially-smirking ron mark) had done well..
..carter was good..and a few labour mp’s made good use of facts/figures as fulcrums around which to hang arguments..
..even that old warmonger goff was ok..f.f.s..!..(if you ignored his warmongering-record..)
..if they can all keep that up..they will have key/national on the back foot..
but today..today it was fucken dire…
Little is probably the hardest to “attack”, and given National’s sophisticated dirty politics attacking machine, this may well be important in rebuilding labour.
I disagree. The attack lines are obvious….unions have hi-jacked Labour….allusions to communism etc.
On the ‘hard to attack’ front, I’m reckoning Nanaia poses the most serious problem for any Nat attack machine. The only line I’ve heard alludes to laziness…like you can be lazy and gain the leadership of a political party!?
Sadly I agree Bill. Nanaia is too rotund to be taken seriously. Robertson understands this and that explains why he has been losing weight for the last year in anticipation of this contest. Interestingly a fat man can still retain some authority , think Gerry Brownlee, but not as leader. David Lange had his stomach stapled. Perception beats reality and ” fat lazy whahine” sadly is the perception of Nanaia despite it not being the reality.
I wish she could get on a good diet and get a personal trainer.
Shakespeare:
Julius Caesar
Act I, Scene 2
Lines 284 ~
Paddy at 9.1.1 Gosh and here was I worrying if people would be homophobic about Gran!!!!
Paddy mate, normally I agree with you. But not on this stuff.
David Lange and Norm Kirk were pretty big including when they were voted in. Remember the Big Norm saying.
I take Nanaia very seriously. And anybody who hears her speak is very likely to as well.
Surely, surely, surely the NZ voters don’t think that way about larger people, especially as being obese is so very common!
“I wish she could get on a good diet and get a personal trainer.”
Geez, what a shallow thing to say. She could well reply to you with “I wish you could gain an ounce of sensitivity and depth”.
I take her seriously and couldn’t give a flying F what anyone looks like. She’s my top choice and I’ll be voting for her.
I couldn’t make it to the meeting last night and appreciate James and Anker’s input here. As for the emails members are receiving, I’m not getting them as my email address changed a few days after I signed up a few weeks ago and so far my messages haven’t got through to anyone about my change of address, which is a bit frustrating.
Read my comment again. Perception versus reality. It shouldn’t matter what a person looks like but in the real world it does. You and I both know she can do the job but we do not reflect the public who are quick to dismiss overweight people and label them as greedy or lazy or both. I wish it were not so but it is. Some people only voted for Key because he smiled a lot.
sorry mate but your own fat phobia is showing.
Fat people have shown that they cannot manage systems. The perception is one of “how can we trust Chubby to balance a budget of dollars when Chubby can’t balance a budget of kilojoules?”
Stupid people have been shown that they cannot manage their prejudices.
If you think fatness is about lack of personal control you’re just ignorant.
If you think a fatty is ever going to get elected to government office in this country ever again, you’re just ignorant.
Lolz, yeah no fat MPs ever again.
Better not have any Maari ones either eh?
I didn’t think a blathering buffoon was ever going to be elected as PM again but I was wrong. Guess I’m ignorant.
What a load of b shit ShG
Yes, I did read your comment again and it still says YOU wish she could get on a good diet etc…………
If a person’s image matters in the “real world” then the “real world” is fucked. Is the real world, for example, to be found in the comments section of stuff.co.nz in that case? They have a daily bash at fat people and have a section called “well and good” that frequently has the latest fad diet and general round of fat shaming but it’s framed as faux concern. They are freaking obsessed. This is a disturbing idea of the “real world”.
And yeah, good on Grant for losing that 20kg – he mentioned on the radio that he expects to live a longer life as a result. But why should this be of any concern to anyone but his own self? It’s his health and its nothing to do with us or the voters, just as Nanaia’s body is her own business. And she certainly shouldn’t have to pander to those that are intolerant of her image.
Big Norm died of his own neglect. Do the political counterfactual.
Lange the same, and had a stapling.
Clark reluctantly understood image including photoshopping.
Bennett shed 15k’s because she knew that’s what it takes.
Shearer did weights throughout his short reign.
Hold the Ring without self-will and you really turn into Gollum, or it kills you.
If anyone in a leadership position changes their body for any other purpose than their own personal health and sense of well being then they are just caving in to the intolerant fools who are probably so vacuous they are voting National any way. That’s quite a disempowering thing to do, changing your body to please others.
Just like changing the things you say, changing the way you speak, changing the way you dress, changing the places you go, changing the people you associate with, or any of the other things that are perfectly normal and expected parts of running for office.
Your argument is based on the idea that fatness is a personal failing that could be controlled if the person wanted to or just tried hard enough. There is no evidence that that is true for any one person you think is too fat and shouldn’t be.
The structural issues involved in weight gain and to what extent people have agency over their own health and body image and wellbeing are complex, and it’s complete bullshit for lefties to be rendering all that invisible and reducing it to fucking personal choice. That shit belongs in the ACT party. Seriously. Educate yourself past your prejudices, you are factualy wrong about the causes of fatness.
That’s all irrespective of whether fatness is a political liability. Myself, I think Nanaia Mahuta is easily attractive enough to pass the media test. I’m sure she would have to go through some make over shit, in the same way that Clark did. But to suggest that changing a dress is equivalent to changing body shape and size is just daft.
+100 Rosie…Dotcom is fat but he has brains and gets things done…he has substance like Nanaia Mahuta
….people who obsess about their weight are often fluff heads …there is nothing else in their life except appearance
Rosie,
So if the “real world” is shallow and obsessed, (and it does appear to be on a lot of levels), then are chunky politicians – both male and female – to not chase their votes?
I would suggest that the “real world” shallow and obsessed voters are a sizable group, and may well outnumber various of the Labour factional groups out there – for example, self serving unionists and the gaggle of gays even?
Labour still needs the votes of the shallow people.
+ 100
Robertson didn’t lose 20 kilos by accident.
Plenty vote on eyes and hair alone.
Ardern didn’t nearly win Auckland Central on policy.
She’s no minga.
And it matters because the media matters.
“Plenty vote on eyes and hair alone”
You’re suggesting National won because John Key has a hair style that closely resembles an unconvincing toupee ???
Richard III, page 1:
“I can smile, and murder while I smile.”
Maybe Ad, but I do remember just before the 2011 election, Ardern and Nicky Kaye doing the breakfast show on The Edge and after the show and the two women had gone, the three halfwit morning show hosts spent the next hour slagging off and laughing at the length of Ardern’s nose.
Puerile but true.
How dare you be so rude paddy @ 11.34am. Nanaia is a reasonably new mother of her second child. You try being a woman and have your body undergo great and often hard to reverse hormonal change – as well as nurse your children. Children come first, thinking about ‘personal trainers’ one has to leave to insensitive, ignorant men or probably self centred, image conscious women.
Sounds like you’ve been swallowing too much nasty thinking whaleoil.
The obvious line of attack would be that she got the job because she meets some sort of affirmative action / special interest / PC criteria.
It doesn’t have to be true, it just has to resonate in the right quarters.
In other words, call her for being straight-out unworthy? Best of luck to them if they push that line.
.
@ Bill (9.1)
Nobody has put up any evidence about “laziness”. It’s a smear, probably invented by Slater.
All I’ve seen suggests the exact opposite.
Mr. Botany (B.)
Of course it’s a smear…and not a very good one. Thing is, I believe that’s about all they can peddle with regards Nanaia.
Nanaia is one of the most refreshingly dedicated politicians I have met in quite a while. And I also agree the smears are totally unwarranted.
After all the bottom line in politics is how did she perform at the election? Nanaia did well.
john armstrong is a different journo post election… he still leaves any actually journalism out …. see his articles in the herald today on key sucking breath
Grant Robertson seems the only serious contender for the title out of this line up. None of the candidates are ‘more left’ than any of the others out of Mahuta, Robertson and Little, while Parker shot his feet out from under himself with the ‘Labour’s a cult and red’s a silly colour’ comments.
The media can attack Little without worrying about the consequences, Little’s union background means he’s a legitimate target of establishment scorn. Robertson’s sexuality and amiability presents more of an obstacle for the media’s attack network, attacks on Robertson are more likely to generate a sympathetic backlash.
I wouldn’t vote Labour, haven’t since the Lange regime sold Telecom, but the choice for leader seems glaringly obvious.
who have you been voting for since then?
Greens, ALCP and more recently Mana.
thanks
I paid up and said who I want to lead the Labour party and was rewarded with him being elected. Imagine my horror come election time that I looked at what Caucus did, and I HAD to vote Green and Mana. Because my Labour party had been hijacked by wonks wallies and wanna be’s, Professional leakers who put them selves before the Party.
A while ago i did say on here that Labour, after the 2014 election would end up the third largest party, and they were lucky that didn’t happen. I will not vote Labour again until they find their roots and get rid of the Troughers.
Also a Labour Party lister who sees the party vote in his electorate go down, and cant win the seat…. Wants to lead the Labour Party??? Tui Ad time
A year ago they asked us to vote in a leader, which we did last time and the Caucus didn’t like it. Now they want us to do it again, because the fucking leaking, self interested dinosaurs of the Labour caucus didn’t like our choice last time???? Fuck em I’ll burn my voting papers and vote for ABL. Anyone but Labour in 2017!
By the looks of this years paltry party vote results, many former Labour supporters are already well down this road.
Hard to really tell from the photographs so far, but it looks like Grant has lost quite a bit of weight. Anyone confirm?
20kg less. He knows that it makes him more telegenic and gives the lie to those who claim that fat is not an issue. Of course it’s an issue as is sexuality, height, gender, accent, diction, or a whole host of other issues which should not be relevant but still are.
I didn’t take his candidacy for leadership seriously last time because he was fat, and that showed he wasn’t taking it seriously either. Fat people don’t win the big elections.
This time it appears he actually thinks he can, and wants to, win.
[lprent: Ok I’m bored with your fat astroturfing. 3 week ban. ]
Yep – Grant has been preparing hard for at least 6 months after the last leadership primary. He didn’t lose that weight in the last fortnight, anyways.
It’s actually a classic tell in the USA – which senator is going to make a run for President. The one who has started going to the gym 3 times a week.
Auckland Council’s Deputy Mayor has given up alcohol completely and taken off at least 20 kilos.
Cue Wagner introit.
Penny was always cute. The more of her the better!
Nania,being the only one with elected votes behind her should have a point of advantage.Labour lost all sorts of Pakeha,last election,who did not dump them, Maori and Pacifica.
Heaps of ignorance say, look at the way she looks (how shallow is that).Nania,is not a shallow person,she has been in the house a very long time and like all good Prime Ministers,delegate caucus responsibily with care,and stand responsible for any of her chosen Ministers …. ups.A point of diffrence that our present governing National leader lacks, responisbility.He should be known as John Clayton Key,A P.M.when not having a P.M.
So glamour is what the T.V. camera likes to see in our politicians as they tell us.Make over for Nania,glamour for all the shallow.
Did I just imagine Robertson winning his seat?
Enough of your so-called “facts”!
Can we get away from the wrong spelling – Nania.
It is Nanaia – as in Nah-nye-a.
And there is a Maori tale around the name, about Popoto and his wife Nanaia.
http://education.rangitane.iwi.nz/index.php/h/haunui-a-nanaia
Please remember.If yous fuck it up again, and dump this new born leader,who does not have the rise in the polls,you will be dog tucker again,and give a ruthless corporation government another term to ravage and humilliate your socialist birth right..
I can’t believe some of the prejudiced, air-headed trivia I’m reading here! Honestly, talk about carrying on like teenagers at a beauty pageant – this is serious, for crying out loud. There is a lot riding on this vote, and you want to talk weight???? What will it be next, hair-dos and handbags?
As far as I can see there are only two people likely to appeal enough to retrieve us from the third-world status we are rapidly sinking into under the nasty nats and they are Andrew Little and Nanaia Mahuta, in whichever order.
And quit all this second-guessing based on appearance. These two are potentially pure gold – they have the passion, experience and knowledge out there in reality land and they speak the language of the people.
p.s. And by the way, I think that Nanaia is an attractive woman with dignity and mana who does not deserve to be spoken of in that manner.
That comment actually does bear repeating 😉
Whoops – unintentional, though, of course – laptop playing silly beggars!
I can’t believe some of the prejudiced, air-headed trivia I’m reading here! Honestly, talk about carrying on like teenagers at a beauty pageant – this is serious, for crying out loud. There is a lot riding on this vote, and you want to talk weight???? What will it be next, hair-dos and handbags?
As far as I can see there are only two people likely to appeal enough to retrieve us from the third-world status we are rapidly sinking into under the nasty nats and they are Andrew Little and Nanaia Mahuta, in whichever order.
And quit all this second-guessing based on appearance. These two are potentially pure gold – they have the passion, experience and knowledge out there in reality land and they speak the language of the people.
p.s. And by the way, I think that Nanaia is an attractive woman with dignity and mana who does not deserve to be spoken of in that manner.
There is a lot riding on this vote, and you want to talk weight????
Welcome to politics, you must be new here
No I’m not, actually
You should have heard all the riddicule about Nanania looks,afore the race started.
Seems nice now the Little and Nania,is your fancy.Switch around Nania and little.
agree Jan M ++++
BTw I made myself watch Paddy Gower clip on Paul Henry last night.
One thing I didn’t pick up last night was Andrew Litte’s vote card. On one side in red just a tick “1” on the other his picture. I think that is absolutely brilliant. Sign of what he will do.
Give me that over the political speak pledge card anyday. I wish I had got one. Stephanie Rodgers, if you read this can you post it?
I find it amusing that so many who comment on here are so fickle in their support for Labour since Cunliffe lost the leadership.
As if they have no social responsibility to help build the Party, they wait until it is ready for them to deserve their membership again.
A lot of people joined to support Cunliffe and now say they are leaving, or will never vote for it again.
How do you think Cunliffe won the leadership in the first place?
Party democracy gave us Cunliffe; the attack on party democracy took him away.
Do we leave in a fit of despondency or look at the next best option?
Mahuta supported Cunliffe, Little stood aloof.
But Cunliffe clearly supports them both. Why?
I put Mahuta first as she represents Labour’s historic roots in the blue collar, Maori and Pasifika working class which was proved deep rooted by the election.
I put Little second as representing the unions and seeming to be committed to re-unionising and re-enfranchising the missing rootless million.
Because I must give a 3 and 4 ranking, I put Robertson third as someone who sucks up to the aspirational middle (those who think they have escaped the working class) like a hot air balloon.
I put Parker last as representing the big and little capitalists and mis-reding Labour as his prospective personality cult.
Loyalty is earned. Especially political loyalty.
If they go, it clearly wasn’t earned by the Labour Party.
How does Nanaia represent blue collar? Straight from University to Parliament wasn’t it?
She lives in Ngaruawahia and grew up in Huntly, for heaven’s sake – do you think she lives in a glasshouse?
Dave brown @ 19. Marvellous. I agree
Dave brown @ 19. Marvellous. I agree
+1
I agree with Dave Brown but:
Keith Holyoake used to give new MPs excellent advice. “Breathe through your nose during your first term in parliament”.
By his own admission that is what Little did. It was a wise choice and he actually goes up in my estimation for doing so. At times it must have been very hard to keep his head down and say nothing, but I have the impression he’s now making up for it.
When Obama entered the senate in 2005, he talked to Hilary Clinton and she gave him the advice, “Work hard and keep your head down”. 3 years later… boom!
Maori Keith,what tosser would beleive in his rule,only a tosser that would Keith!s four term rule beleiver.Maori Keith.His name was because he ensured that he and his freinds owned more Maori land than the Maori.And what excuses they sold.
DB
My anger at Cunliffe’s demise is subsiding.
Of the candidates who represent my left values i think Little is the person; -left wing-empathy for workers- straight talking and with egalitarian values.
Perhaps he is the antithesis of John Key, and many of his colleagues who I consider deceitful, manipulative and not representative of a New Zealand culture that I want to see for my children.
Still listening though to all the others and still hoping that Cunliffe will rise again.
Mahuta,is the pick for labours,not know.Mahuta,is the pick for labours inception.Smiling in the back is,Nash and his cronies.All smilling,as Key and his cronies ravage our foundations.Smile will Nash,and his cronies, without care of the families and missery that this coprorations rule shall do.Smile will they rubbing their hands for the chance of pleasing the same corporations.
Rodel @ 19.5 If only DC would rise again!
Hey! JC rose again. Why can’t DC?
Here’s the link to the Watkins piece I mentioned in the post…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/10653604/Labour-leadership-race-Focussing-the-message
I was pleased to see that Andrew Little cut to the chase and spoke forthrightly, but I cannot help but think that when the media refer to “the broader electorate” they mean themselves – they think they have almost absolute power over public opinion. Working out a unified way of dealing with the media is one of the things that the party will really need to consider in the review. It is no good having one lot kissing their arses while another lot is trying to challenge their narrative.
As an attendee ,Little was the breakaway, strong words regarding class struggle ‘ the powerful taking advantage of the weak gets right up craw’ or words to that effect , with his wit cutting during questions. Mahuta also spoke
with authencity & clarity. Robertson was too slick & contrived.Parker too bashful in his bearing idealogue in his words
‘Slick and contrived’ has been good for the National Party. Perhaps Labour should try it.
Sounds like one day has been enough. . . . Little and Mahuta are the team to rebuild, and ultimately take it to National
Shame Parker decided to run. He would have had more credibility long term by standing aside.