The Goldsmith Gambit

Written By: - Date published: 3:22 pm, November 21st, 2011 - 49 comments
Categories: act, election 2011, national - Tags: ,

This will be one of the dirtiest political and anti-democratic tactics ever designed in NZ history. It has the potential of delivering a second John Key term, gifting Epsom to ACT and of discrediting MMP in one foul swoop: a true Tory Trifecta.

On current polling National’s Goldsmith is going to win Epsom handily with 41% of the vote versus Banks’ 30%.

The ‘Goldsmith Gambit’ is simple. It will be a conditional National response to this ‘Goldsmith victory, Banks silver medal’ scenario. If the November 26 result is one where National needs ACT to form a Government: the winner Goldsmith will resign from his electorate seat (probably citing some conflict of interest or family rationale). If he does this before December 15 (Writ Day), Goldsmith can keep his position as a National list MP, but allow John Banks to become MP for Epsom without even a by-election being fired.

The implications of this tactic and the Tory Trifecta have no doubt been thought through by both ACT and National Party strategists. Under the right conditions in a finally balanced MMP outcome, it will deliver to New Zealand a second term of National Government. While destroying New Zealand’s remaining international credibility as a true western democracy.

The one question I have is whether or not the details of the Gambit were discussed over a cup of tea.

COLONIAL VIPER

Update: CV contacted us with an update on by election status but this post was scheduled and appeared first.  See CV in comments. — r0b

49 comments on “The Goldsmith Gambit ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. The Voice of Reason 1
    21 November 2011 at 3:34 pm

    Crikey, that’s a sick scenario, CV. Would Banks be able to bring in any other ACToids on the list though this manipulation? Or does losing the seat on the day preclude that from happening, as it would in a by-election during the normal term?

    • Colonial Viper 1.1
      21 November 2011 at 3:39 pm

      Its an FPP election for the electorate, so no I don’t believe that more ACTOids could jump on board. Thank gawd.

      I did a little more digging into this scenario after I wrote it up: it seems that an election would need to be called by the Governor General regardless, if Goldsmith became incapacitated after polling day.

      In that election, the disgust with the National candidate’s move, plus the introduction of a brand new no-name National candidate, would likely guarantee the victory for Banks. Or interestingly, perhaps for a Conservative party candidate.

      • felix 1.1.1
        21 November 2011 at 4:48 pm

        Not so sure about your last para.

        What makes you think the hypothetical disgust would manifest itself in favour of the outcome(i.e. enabling the nat/act rort) that caused the disgust in the first place?

        • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1
          21 November 2011 at 6:25 pm

          fair comment, the non-turnout factor could make it anybody’s game. David Parker, MP for Epsom anyone?

      • conorjoe 1.1.2
        21 November 2011 at 5:31 pm

        so now i’m concerned about Goldsmiths health and welbeing as well as suitability to be a parliamentarian… ffs, this is corrupt

        • Tracey 1.1.2.1
          22 November 2011 at 8:36 am

          How can something that hasn’t even happened be corrupt?? How can you judge anyone on something that hasn’t happened? By all means discuss the hypothesis but assuming it’s happened/true and judging a person by it is a little odd.

  2. Draco T Bastard 2
    21 November 2011 at 3:41 pm

    If that’s possible then we seriously need to look at changing our electoral laws. If they (National and Act) I’d certainly be calling for a new general election.

    …true western democracy.

    Not that Western Democracy is actually a democracy.

  3. pollywog 3
    21 November 2011 at 3:48 pm

    Still, Parker and Hay should declare they intend voting for Goldsmith and urge their supporters to follow suit.

    I hear dead rats taste just like chicken…nom nom

  4. queenstfarmer 4
    21 November 2011 at 3:53 pm

    Again I ask: how is it anti-democratic? How is it anything other than a perfectly lawful operation of MMP?

    [edit: I feel the need to re-note that I think Epsom is a debacle, and I would favour changing MMP to restrict the scope of such shenanigans]

    • McFlock 4.1
      21 November 2011 at 4:02 pm

      ^^ perfect example of tories just not understanding the idea of democracy.

    • The Voice of Reason 4.2
      21 November 2011 at 4:03 pm

      Kind of in the same way bowling underarm is anti-cricket, Queenie. It may have been legal, but it doesn’t make it right.

      • queenstfarmer 4.2.1
        21 November 2011 at 4:57 pm

        Granted – it would not be right and I would support changing the law to prevent it. In fact the entire scenario – if lawful at all – is patently absurd. But a lawful operation of electoral law (assuming it is valid, which I haven’t looked into at all) is not anti-democratic or “destroying New Zealand’s remaining international credibility as a true western democracy”. We know CV loves his hyperbole, but surely the Epsom situation is unseemly enough without having to invent additional concerns.

        • felix 4.2.1.1
          21 November 2011 at 5:07 pm

          Yeah, and underarm bowling didn’t damage the Australian cricket team’s reputation either.

        • Adele 4.2.1.2
          22 November 2011 at 9:02 pm

          The scenario contrived by CV is unlikely to occur since – now – it is exposed to public scrutiny and lots of intelligent people read this site.

          Nevertheless, the scenario, if enacted, obviously won’t destroy notions of true western democracy – it will simply point to another hypocrisy of the western tradition.

    • Draco T Bastard 4.3
      21 November 2011 at 5:53 pm

      What is legal is not always right.

  5. Peter 5
    21 November 2011 at 3:59 pm

    This is certainly an interesting scenario. Fortunately, after worrying about it and then spending far too much time geeking it up on electoral law, it can’t happen. Fortunately the Electoral Act 1993 is pretty clear on this. In particular section 153A states that even if a candidate dies or is incapacitated (defined as serious illness, something I suspect that the tories cannot fake) then the candidate vote part of the ballot is cancelled, with the party vote part remaining. This is the important bit, ensuring that proportionality remains.

    Section 153E then states that a new election is called, with basically the same rules as for a by-election.

    Of course, even in the event of a by-election, this wouldn’t affect the make-up of parliament materially as it would be an FPP election. Perhaps if the government had no majority, it might make a change, but only then.

    • lprent 5.1
      21 November 2011 at 4:18 pm

      That was my thought after looking at this last night because there isn’t a “runner-up” capability in the national electoral law as there is other electoral acts (like the local government acts). But I didn’t really have time to dig it out.

      It was an interesting scenario opinion in electoral law so despite my suspicion that it was probably flawed, I figured that it was worth leaving in the queue. At least it’d teach people the nasty little problems that can occur.

  6. McFlock 6
    21 November 2011 at 4:00 pm

    I’m not sure that “not wanting to win” = “incapacitated”. 
     
    Unless he wants to throw himself down some stairs for the good of Key. But then I doubt ACT waill be in much of a position to throw the nats over the threshold, anyway.

  7. mikesh 7
    21 November 2011 at 4:09 pm

    I think the Governor General should step in and disallow such an action were it to occur. There must be political situations of a constitutional nature where The GG is not required to act on the advice of the PM.

    • Rich 7.1
      21 November 2011 at 4:40 pm

      The G-G has no such powers. Even if they tried, the PM can sack them at any time.

      But as stated above, it isn’t a problem. The list allocation (http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM310034.html#DLM310034) happens only once, after a general election. Any subsequent by-elections don’t change the list.

      If National wanted to have Goldsmith resign and then not contest them subsequent by-election, then fine, but they’d just be swapping Goldsmith for Banks (if the electors would have it).

      • Janice 7.1.1
        21 November 2011 at 4:58 pm

        I think you will find that it is the GG who can sack the PM as happened in Australia. I think it was Whitlam who got sacked. In theory the GG is a royal appointment and like the Queen is there until the end of the term.

      • mikesh 7.1.2
        21 November 2011 at 5:08 pm

        As mentioned above, The Australian GG sacked Gough Whitlam. And it seems clear that a Governor can dismiss a government that loses a confidence vote, or fails to obtain supply, so there are obviously situations which are beyond the the PM’s authority, and it would seem that this ought to one of them, since it impacts upon the make-up of parliament.

  8. The Voice of Reason 8
    21 November 2011 at 4:35 pm

    I’ve just been doing some numbers and I was wondering if I’ve got it right. National need 61 votes to form a majority Government. At 50%, they would get 60 seats, but still need at least one more vote. At 48%, they would get 57 or 58 seats, needing 3 more votes. At 46%, they would get 55 seats and would need six more votes.
     
    In all 3 of those scenarios National can fail to win this election, depending on how ACT, UF and the Maori party fare. If ACT are gone, then it will be dependant on the MP to support National whether or not UF remain. No ACT and no UF means that then it will be the 2 or 3 seats that Turia controls that make or break National’s chances, but only if National get better than 46%. Below that mark, Labour and the Greens combined would have up to 50-55 seats and would be in a position to talk turkey with the MP as well.
     
    And this is without factoring in the return of Winston. If he does make it and is true to his word about wanting to stop asset sales, then he would need to at least do nothing to stop a left Government being formed (ie abstain on confidence and supply) or in the more likely event of a minority left Government being proposed he would have to vote for C&S, even if he stays out of coalition and on the cross benches. A similar deal is what got Julia Gillard elected Aussie PM and Winston would make a fine Speaker of the House, don’t you think?
     
    The next question we should be asking is who replaces Key as National leader next week. My money’s on Paula Bennett, because she’s thick, easily manipulated and even more easily replaced if a better candidate comes along before 2014.

    • Rich 8.1
      21 November 2011 at 4:47 pm

      The number of seats for a majority depends on the overhang, which in turn depends on how many seats and party votes the Maori Party get (possibly if Banks or Dunne get elected they could also overhang, if their party vote vanishes sufficiently).

      Winston could stop asset sales by voting against them when the legislation is proposed.

      Also, I think the original plan was that when Key goes, Don Brash will merge ACT into National and take over as PM. That all seems to have gone a bit pear shaped.

    • gingercrush 8.2
      21 November 2011 at 5:00 pm

      National need just under 49% on election day and would be likely to govern alone even with a overhang. Special and oversea votes tend to hurt National (so the vote will be slightly down). But crucially the wasted vote will tip National over the 50% mark. Worst case scenario for the left is for Winston Peters to be near but not over the 5%. As that is a huge wasted vote and National will capture nearly half of that. Worse case for the right is Peters does tip over 5% and National’s vote falls under 47%.

      Though I’m still calling National at 50.5% come election day and Peters to stay out. I also think Act will just capture Epsom and bring in at least Brash and maybe Issacs.

      62 seats will likely be the number needed to govern alone if not 63 depending on overhang.

    • Brooklyn 8.3
      21 November 2011 at 5:00 pm

      This is getting fucking surreal and maybe a bit hopeful. You need to factor in the votes for parties which don’t make the threshold (Conservative, Cannabis etc) hence you’d need 48% of the popular vote to score 61 seats assuming 5% of votes going to parties which don’t make it (I refuse to call them “wasted” votes even if they are for Colin Craig). Hence also a dividend if Winston falls short.

    • mikesh 8.4
      21 November 2011 at 5:20 pm

      My money would be on Paul Goldsmith. If he can win the seat without even trying just imagine what he could do if he made an effort.

    • weka 8.5
      21 November 2011 at 7:21 pm

      Use this, because it allows factoring in the lost votes:
       
      http://www.elections.org.nz/calculator/index.html

  9. jaymam 9
    21 November 2011 at 5:05 pm

    The very foundations of National could collapse, or they could snuggle up to Labour.
    Like this a couple of hours ago:
    http://i41.tinypic.com/sxkuf9.jpg

    To build a brighter future you need good foundations!

  10. ianmac 10
    21 November 2011 at 5:33 pm

    Funny how each news broadcast on RNZ starts with “John Key says he is not panicking over the possibility of NZF return.” It of course does imply that many believe that he is panicking. How sad.

    • mik e 10.1
      21 November 2011 at 5:48 pm

      Hopefully left leaning candidates tell their constituents to split their votes party vote left electorate vote goldsmith.

  11. jaymam 11
    21 November 2011 at 5:50 pm

    According to this link Goldsmith has a very shady past. However he’s a good bloke and we should all vote for him.

    http://www.imperatorfish.com/2011/11/trying-hard-to-lose.html

    Mr Goldsmith told the Newmarket Business Association gathering last night that he had served with Gaddafi in Libya, but had been dismissed for gross cowardice and theft.

    He also confirmed that he has dozens of convictions for fraud, arson, theft and sedition.
    …
    Last night Goldsmith was interviewed by 3 News’ Patrick Gower and asked to explain whether he wanted to become the MP for Epsom.

    Mr Goldsmith was unable to answer the question, because the flames of the church he was standing next to and had just set fire to forced him to seek shelter.
    …

    • coolas 11.1
      21 November 2011 at 6:39 pm

      Yeah, yeah Kiwiblog has the same post tagged ‘Humour’. Hope you don’t think anyone here will take you seriously.

      • McFlock 11.1.1
        21 November 2011 at 7:01 pm

        Nah, The Standard has a slightly more sophisticated and literate audience who should be able to see the satirical exagerration of “[…]the flames of the church he was standing next to and had just set fire to forced him to seek shelter” a mile off.
          
        I can see why KB readers would need the tag, though.

  12. Penny Bright 12
    21 November 2011 at 6:33 pm

    A vote for John Banks is effectively a vote for a ‘white collar’ criminal who has yet to be charged or convicted, in my considered opinion.

    Dr Brash (ex-Leader of the National Party – now Leader of the ACT Party/ National “B” Team, has a PhD in Hypocrisy, as has ex-National Government Minister of Police /Local Government – now ACT candidate for Epsom John Banks.

    For both of them – ACT’s ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’ obviously doesn’t apply to them – or they would have equally been charged along with former fellow Director of Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd, Peter Huljich, for signing Registered Prospectuses for Huljich Kiwisaver Schemes which contained untrue statements.

    Banks and Brash want to help run NZ – and they couldn’t properly run a Hulich Kiwisaver Scheme?

    How commercially competent are they???

    FYI – tmorrow night there will be a public meeting in Parnell where Epsom candidates will be speaking.

    WHEN: 7pm Tuesday 22 November 2011
    WHERE: Jubilee Building
    545 Parnell Rd

    This Epsom candidates meeting I have been invited to attend (unlike the meeting held last Thursday).

    ipredict it will be a rather lively event…………..

    Penny Bright
    Independent candidate for Epsom
    Campaigning against CRIME, ‘white collar’ CORRUPTION (and its root cause – PRIVATISATION) and ‘CORPORATE WELFARE’

  13. hoom 13
    21 November 2011 at 7:56 pm

    I don’t really have an issue with the basic endorsement deal. Endorsements happen all the time eg in the US Presedential elections.
    The dodgy way that its been done ie complete failure to outright say ‘vote Banks’ I don’t like but is emblematic of the way Key operates.
    I don’t like the possibility of ACT bringing in an MP or two on the coat-tails while a party with 4.99% would get none but this is fixable by adjusting the threshold downwards.
     
    Tactical voting from Nat -> ACT or from whatever -> Goldsmith thats MMP & I’m intending to take part in it.
    I’ve been expecting/fearing to see Goldsmith withdraw before the election day & that would suck but it would be out there for the public to see clearly what they are doing before election day.
    But if Goldsmith were to win the Electorate vote then after the election force a bye-election which he doesn’t take part in while retaining his list seat, that would be despicable & utterly disgraceful.

  14. Misanthropic Curmudgeon 14
    22 November 2011 at 2:27 pm

    Why is it that many poster whine like babies about Epsom, but are very quite indeed on Jim Anderton andLabours antics in Wigram, Helen Clark and Jeanette Fitzsimmons cosy arrangemenst in the Coromandal a few electiosn ago, and the Hughes/Chauvell love-fest in Ohariu?

    Pure hypocrisy is why.

    • felix 14.1
      22 November 2011 at 2:40 pm

      What bullshit.

      The Greens don’t stand a chance of winning Ohariu, Labour does. That’s the exact opposite of the situation in Epsom where ACT wouldn’t get more than a handful of votes without National stacking the deck for them.

  15. Maggie May 15
    22 November 2011 at 4:42 pm

    Do you really think that kind if evil really exists, I only ask that because I can really see your sceniaro being played out by the Nasty Nats.

    I’m a millionair and I’m okay
    I don’t “have to” think about anyone else,
    I sleep all night and I’m PM by day
    and Crosby and Textor tells me what to say.

    Just last year we introduced government blockers on the internet,
    They are only there to stop the porn.
    You can TRUST me when I say
    We won”t use them for anything else.

    We will crush those unnions underfoot,
    and arm the police for their protest.
    if we can push those wages down again
    we can “indenture” Kiwi labour for years and years.

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    Wow, it’s December already, and it’s a Friday. So here are few things that caught our attention recently. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt covered the new government’s coalition agreements and what they mean for transport. On Tuesday Matt looked at AT’s plans for fare increases ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago

  • Shane MacGowan Is Gone.
    Late 1996, The Dogs Bollix, Tamaki Makaurau.I’m at the front of the bar yelling my order to the bartender, jostling with other thirsty punters on a Friday night, keen to piss their wages up against a wall letting loose. The black stuff, long luscious pints of creamy goodness. Back down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Dec 1
    Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop and other National, ACT and NZ First MPs applaud the signing of the coalition agreements, which included the reversal of anti-smoking measures while accelerating tax cuts for landlords. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • 2023 More Reading: November (+ Writing Update)
    Completed reads for November: A Modern Utopia, by H.G. Wells The Vampire (poem), by Heinrich August Ossenfelder The Corpus Hermeticum The Corpus Hermeticum is Mead’s translation. Now, this is indeed a very quiet month for reading. But there is a reason for that… You see, ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • Forward to 2017
    The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies.The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. They also describe the processes of the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime Minister
    First QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime Minister
    First QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Finally
    Henry Kissinger is finally dead. Good fucking riddance. While Americans loved him, he was a war criminal, responsible for most of the atrocities of the final quarter of the twentieth century. Cambodia. Bangladesh. Chile. East Timor. All Kissinger. Because of these crimes, Americans revere him as a "statesman" (which says ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Government in a hurry – Luxon lists 49 priorities in 100-day plan while Peters pledges to strength...
    Buzz from the Beehive Yes, ministers in the new government are delivering speeches and releasing press statements. But the message on the government’s official website was the same as it has been for the past several days, when Point of Order went looking for news from the Beehive that had ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • DAVID FARRAR: Luxon is absolutely right
    David Farrar writes  –  1 News reports: Christopher Luxon says he was told by some Kiwis on the campaign trail they “didn’t know” the difference between Waka Kotahi, Te Pūkenga and Te Whatu Ora. Speaking to Breakfast, the incoming prime minister said having English first on government agencies will “make sure” ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Top 10 at 10 am for Thursday, Nov 30
    There are fears that mooted changes to building consent liability could end up driving the building industry into an uninsured hole. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Thursday, November 30, including:The new Government’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on how climate change threatens cricket‘s future
    Well that didn’t last long, did it? Mere days after taking on what he called the “awesome responsibility” of being Prime Minister, M Christopher Luxon has started blaming everyone else, and complaining that he has inherited “economic vandalism on an unprecedented scale” – which is how most of us are ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • We need to talk about Tory.
    The first I knew of the news about Tory Whanau was when a tweet came up in my feed.The sort of tweet that makes you question humanity, or at least why you bother with Twitter. Which is increasingly a cesspit of vile inhabitants who lurk spreading negativity, hate, and every ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Dangling Transport Solutions
    Cable Cars, Gondolas, Ropeways and Aerial Trams are all names for essentially the same technology and the world’s biggest maker of them are here to sell them as an public transport solution. Stuff reports: Austrian cable car company Doppelmayr has launched its case for adding aerial cable cars to New ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • November AMA
    Hi,It’s been awhile since I’ve done an Ask-Me-Anything on here, so today’s the day. Ask anything you like in the comments section, and I’ll be checking in today and tomorrow to answer.Leave a commentNext week I’ll be giving away a bunch of these Mister Organ blu-rays for readers in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • National’s early moves adding to cost of living pressure
    The cost of living grind continues, and the economic and inflation honeymoon is over before it began. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: PM Christopher Luxon unveiled his 100 day plan yesterday with an avowed focus of reducing cost-of-living pressures, but his Government’s initial moves and promises are actually elevating ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Backwards to the future
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed that it will be back to the future on planning legislation. This will be just one of a number of moves which will see the new government go backwards as it repeals and cost-cuts its way into power. They will completely repeal one ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • New initiatives in science and technology could point the way ahead for Luxon government
    As the new government settles into the Beehive, expectations are high that it can sort out some  of  the  economic issues  confronting  New Zealand. It may take time for some new  ministers to get to grips with the range of their portfolio work and responsibilities before they can launch the  changes that  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • Treaty pledge to secure funding is contentious – but is Peters being pursued by a lynch mob after ...
    TV3 political editor Jenna Lynch was among the corps of political reporters who bridled, when Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told them what he thinks of them (which is not much). She was unabashed about letting her audience know she had bridled. More usefully, she drew attention to something which ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • How long does this last?
    I have a clear memory of every election since 1969 in this plucky little nation of ours. I swear I cannot recall a single one where the question being asked repeatedly in the first week of the new government was: how long do you reckon they’ll last? And that includes all ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • National’s giveaway politics
    We already know that national plans to boost smoking rates to collect more tobacco tax so they can give huge tax-cuts to mega-landlords. But this morning that policy got even more obscene - because it turns out that the tax cut is retrospective: Residential landlords will be able to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER: Who’s driving the right-wing bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In 2023, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS:  Media knives flashing for Luxon’s government
    The fear and loathing among legacy journalists is astonishing Graham Adams writes – No one is going to die wondering how some of the nation’s most influential journalists personally view the new National-led government. It has become abundantly clear within a few days of the coalition agreements ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    6 days ago

  • Top 10 news links for Wednesday, Nov 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
    The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on hold
    Wellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • National takes over infrastructure
    Though New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them.  POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees  National MPs Chris ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – Evidence for global warming
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • National’s murderous smoking policy
    One of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under control
    New Zealand has  a chance  to  rise  again. Under the  previous  government, the  number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing  year by year. The Luxon-led government  must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising  the  pillars  of the economy. After the  mismanagement  of the outgoing government created   huge ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    7 days ago

  • KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new government
    Two articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations.  He writes –    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • PHILIP CRUMP:  Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadership
    The work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Black Friday
    As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...
    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    7 days ago

  • In Defense of the Media.
    Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
    Nicola Willis’ first move was ‘spilling the tea’ on what she called the ‘sobering’ state of the nation’s books, but she had better be able to back that up in the HYEFU. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • PT use up but fare increases coming
    Yesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had. That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 week ago

  • The very opposite of social investment
    Nicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Giving Tuesday
    For the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
    Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: Stopping oil
    National is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...
    Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise  “informed by” head ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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