The Key magic

Written By: - Date published: 7:17 am, March 27th, 2015 - 98 comments
Categories: brand key, by-election, john key, Steven Joyce - Tags: ,

If National lose in Northland (and despite the polls I still find it hard to believe that a party machine that well resourced and that desperate can be beaten) then the main casualty will be the myth of the “Key magic”. John Armstrong still believes in it:

Key magic will struggle to stop Peters juggernaut

The Prime Minister returns from Japan today and will head north to campaign for Osborne. But it is difficult to envisage how the John Key magic can turn this byelection around with just two days to go.

But it seems that the people of Northland do not:

John Key heckled in Northland

Prime Minister John Key has headed straight to Dargaville today after returning from Japan, only to be heckled by Northland by-election voters.

Radio New Zealand reporter Benedict Collins, in Northland, said Mr Key was heckled during a 20 minute walk along the street meeting locals, and was shown placards saying ‘Vote Winston’.

One woman said, “Don’t bother talking to me. I’ve already voted, I voted for Winston Peters … because we’ve been neglected here for the last 37 years.” …

The well informed Selwyn Manning has an interesting discussion of the fractures and factions appearing within National as the buy election exposes their weaknesses.

McCullum’s power-base is Northland. And Collins loyalists bided their time and blocked him from getting his way during the National Party Northland candidacy selections. The most Machiavellian of them suggest a loss in Northland will diminish Steven Joyce’s power, create instability for the leader John Key, and demonstrate that they cannot control the party outside of Wellington.

In simple terms, National is demonstrating third term disconnect, division among its factions, and pomposity and arrogance – something the newly re-elected Prime Minister John Key warned his party about in his post-election speeches.

The National Party insiders say there are “many questions” circulating among the Nats, including:
(a) John Key’s judgment and credibility after the 2014 win particularly his promotion of former MP Mike Sabin to chair the Law and Order Select Committee.
(b) Joyce’s “diabolical mismanagement of the Northland by-election campaign”.

Regarding Joyce: “There are really brutal comments flowing from some quarters.”

Plenty more in the full piece at Evening Report. If National do lose it’s going to be an interesting time for Nat-watchers.

98 comments on “The Key magic ”

  1. tc 1

    The magic of John key is a media construct comprised of Dirty Politics and an MSM who don’t ask the tough questions and accept any BS he dishes up with a ‘gosh thanks herr leader we are not worthy of you’.

    The magic is all dark magic at best honed in the offshore lands of money trading and assets stripping till he decided to buy his way into a safe seat.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.1

      It’s not so much that the MSM don’t ask the tough questions but that they actively prop up National.

      • tc 1.1.1

        by not asking any tough questions and fawning all over them as if they’re demigods.

        tough questions that demand answers on any number of issues ever since JPK showed up would’ve shown him to be a carpetbagger of the highest calibre.

        tranzrail shares, SFC, I’d love to see wages drop, I will not raise GST, no frontline cuts, I never spoke to Ian Fletcher, I have no knowledge of (insert issue here) etc etc and then there’s Blip’s awesome bibliography of BS.

      • Saarbo 1.1.2

        Absolutely 100%, think: Trevatt, Armstrong, Gower, TV3 News, NZH, Watkins…

  2. weka 2

    “(and despite the polls I still find it hard to believe that a party machine that well resourced and that desperate can be beaten)”

    This is an aside, but the implications there are that might is what determines election outcomes rather than the shift in voting patterns. Isn’t the point of the Northland election that National might have misunderstood what people want? No amount of door knocking or leaflet dropping can overcome that surely?

    • felix 2.1

      I agree. In fact I’ll go further and say that if people in northland know what the nats have been covering up, and have seen the bullying and the bribery, blue shirts on the doorstep may well turn more people against them.

      • Macro 2.1.1

        I’m sure that is the reason. There can be few people left in Northland who don’t know (or do not have have a damn good idea) what this corrupt administration have been trying to hide. Only the true blues could possibly hold their noses and vote Obsourne. It is hard to believe that Key did not know, in fact it is so hard to believe that it is truly unbelievable; and that goes for, you know who’s bestest Osbourne as well.
        Nationalites shat in their own nest – and the stench has driven people with any sense of justice and moral decency away; and serve them right.

  3. fisiani 3

    Really enjoyable spoof post. One lone heckler equals the end of the “Key magic” Yeah Right.
    Stephen Joyce has run an amazing campaign in difficult circumstances. Diabolical is ludicrous. We will find out tomorrow how well he has done.
    You forgot to add the humour tag! Some might think the author is serious.

    • Hateatea 3.1

      Congratulations, fisiani. You actually posted a comment without saying ‘Honest John’. I live in hope that you might actually post something that shows some critical thinking regarding the flaws in NACTS activities current and past but I am not holding my breath.

      • alwyn 3.1.1

        “but I am not holding my breath”.
        Come on, do the country a favour and try it.
        Perhaps you’ll turn blue in the face, see the light and join the National Party?

      • fisiani 3.1.2

        Correct. I waited for you to acknowledge he was Honest John

        • Hateatea 3.1.2.1

          Same answer as I am giving Alwyn – hell will freeze over first. I don’t think he known how to be honest anymore, if he ever did.

          You are orshipping a false idol.

        • KJT 3.1.2.2

          Being satirical again?

          Fizzer

      • Murray Rawshark 3.1.3

        Fizzy has transferred his loyalty to Stephen Joyce.

    • Skinny 3.2

      I think you mean Joyce has run an amazing campaign for Winston Peters. If not then it’s the worst campaign I’ve seen by the snake oil salesman, granted he is up against a very tricky lawyer.

    • Draco T Bastard 3.3

      Diabolical is ludicrous.

      No. Diabolical* is the normal National position. It’s why you’re always on here defending Key’s lies.

      * I’m not sure if you understand the root for diabolical.

    • Tracey 3.4

      They would heckle Osbourne but he doesn’t seem to have any visibility.

    • NZSage 3.5

      I suspect the announcement of the Northland buy election result will coincide very nicely with fisiani’s hibernation date.

      It will be a long hard winter for him… poor guy.

    • Tom 3.6

      fisiani are you for real. You must be one of the wealthy 10% who are very greedy and have no intention of sharing the wealth. Or maybe your just a one eyed WASP’y Nats supporter. What ever it is I feel sorry for you, until you understand that sharing and helping people less fortunate that yourself is the only way to run a country. This all right jack thinking has bought this country to its knees. Wake Up.!!

    • billy fish 3.7

      Yes so true.
      Mr Joyce is double plus good and isn’t it great the chocolate ration has been increased

  4. felix 4

    I noted the other day that rather than the “Key magic” rubbing off on Osborne, we might just see the “Joyce-puppet KDC lookalike loser magic” rubbing off on Key.

    • Tracey 4.1

      It does appear to be a major admission (this by-election strategy) that Osbourne is irrelevant and the National Party is nothing more than John Key. Sure it has been this way for awhile but now they make no attempt to pretend that anyone else matters.

  5. saveNZ 5

    The problem is that Key and Joyce are arrogant control freaks, maintaining control by putting in vegetable National MP’s they can manipulate. Key is probably still trying to get Slater back on his dog leash. The wheels are starting to come off, on Team Key.

  6. gsays 6

    hi all, is that you skinny, giving our dear leader a hard time.
    tsk tsk.

  7. ianmac 7

    After the last Election friends who are Nat supporters were jubilant over their “landslide victory.” I expect that they might realise just how fragile that victory was/is.

  8. vto 8

    “magic” is a good way of describing key….. synonyms of which include….

    : sorcery, witchcraft, wizardry, necromancy, enchantment, spellworking, incantation, the supernatural, occultism, the occult, black magic, the black arts, devilry, divination, malediction, voodoo, hoodoo, sympathetic magic, white magic, witching, witchery; charm, hex, spell, jinx; mojo, orenda; makutu; informalmuti; raresortilege, thaumaturgy, theurgy

    Not good things

    • Colonial Rawshark 8.1

      But very effective

      And the literal rational intellectual left cannot easily counter it. It requires another wizard – Winston – to make the impact.

  9. Is “buy election” a typo or a freudian slip?

  10. esoteric pineapples 10

    The litmus test of how loved John key actually is, will come after he quits politics and we see how people greet him in the street, restaurants, etc. I don’t think he will ever get a genuinely warm welcome in the way that Helen Clark does, for instance. He will have his place in history, but he will not be looked back on with great affection.

    • fisiani 10.1

      Have a look at the polling post nearby showing the blue line hovering near 50% since Honest John became Leader and the red line near 30% no matter who leads Labour. You are delusional. After 6 terms in office John Key (18 years) when he retires he will still get the warmest welcome of any Prime Minister in over 30 years.

      • Pasupial 10.1.1

        Blow it out of your fizzy anus.

        • fisiani 10.1.1.1

          What we’re not prepared to accept are pointless personal attacks, or tone or language that has the effect of excluding others.

          My handle is fisiani.

          • joe90 10.1.1.1.1

            My handle is fisiani.

            echoes….

            https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBEYA0bUwAALE6h.jpg:large

          • Pasupial 10.1.1.1.2

            fisiani

            There was a very clear point to my statement, though I appreciate that you are mentally unequipped to understand anything that doesn’t conform to your prejudices. So in your own words; “You are delusional”.

            If you are having trouble accepting the robust standard of debate here from those who are heartily sick of your gaslighting bullshit, then you are free to fuck off elsewhere.

            • fisiani 10.1.1.1.2.1

              What we’re not prepared to accept are pointless personal attacks, or tone or language that has the effect of excluding others.

              • Pasupial

                fisiani the repetitive

                How do you even manage to type? When you so obviously have your fingers shoved in your ears while chanting “lalalalala” to block out anything that might disturb your fine opinion of yourself.

                Dishonest John the shonky sociopath may one day speak a lie directly to your face one day – if you’re a lucky wee underbridge dweller. You don’t have an ounce of his facile glibness, all your own lies just feel so painfully rehearsed. I can’t even be bothered thinking of anything original to say to you anymore:

                “Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.”

      • vto 10.1.2

        just like muldoon

        dishonest john is just another Muldoon and will be regarded the same by history

        • tc 10.1.2.1

          muldoon at least built stuff, key’s just asset stripped and put our soverignty, laws, priavcy, soldiers lives etc up for sale

      • DoublePlusGood 10.1.3

        How the hell would John Key stay out of prison for another 9 years?

    • Stuart Munro 10.2

      The litmus test will be after he has been hanged and burned, and his ashes cast into the sea, how many New Zealanders will weep, that do not weep for joy.

      • thechangeling 10.2.1

        “that will not weep for joy(ce)” lol.

        • Stuart Munro 10.2.1.1

          It’ll be gravy for Joyce – there’s nothing else in that shambling pack of ambulant dog tucker that could even begin to lead a credible opposition.

    • Weepus beard 10.3

      He’ll be known as the most divisive and polarising of PMs New Zealand has ever known.

  11. Enough is Enough 11

    John Key has always been heckled. From the day he was elected the 50%+ of the electorate that despise him have stood up to him and let him know about it.

    Winston will win by a landslide.

    Every true lefty who in Northland must vote Winston this week. It is the only way of ensuring that National cannot ram though further draconian laws in this term.

    VOTE WINSTON.

  12. Adrian 12

    One of the surprising characteristics of a sociopath ( according to a study of financial market traders done by a Swiss University, Basel I think, they were comparing FMTs to sociopaths ) was that 50% of people could spot them and 50% couldn’t, but given another type of sociopath the 50% ratio stayed the same but the mix of spotters was quite different.
    There’s Keys popularity explained possibly.
    BTW, sociopaths needed about 4 of 10 or so traits to be considered as such, financial market traders averaged 7 to 8 traits.

    • saveNZ 12.1

      So true.

    • Colonial Rawshark 12.2

      Both National and Labour have created and entrenched an economic environment which disproportionately rewards sociopathic behaviour. Neither are willing to reverse it, perhaps tinker a bit with it around the edges.

      • Draco T Bastard 12.2.1

        The move to a rentier society and then collapse seems to be the innate track of capitalistic societies. And, no, the ‘rulers’ won’t change the direction even when it becomes obvious that the path that they’ve set us upon is the path to disaster.

      • Skinny 12.2.2

        Yes backed up by the NL ACT candidate telling me the other day that the party see’s Labour as a future coalition partner. Little wonder they think this way when you critique some of the LP MP’s and the last intake of candidates. They are realistic ‘not under Little.’

        • Colonial Rawshark 12.2.2.1

          The Anderson’s Bay Peninsula Branch of the Labour Party (Dunedin South) will be voting on a formal denounciation and renounciation of neoliberalism at its AGM this weekend.

          Someone in Labour has to.

          • Skinny 12.2.2.1.1

            Bloody good stuff cobbah you should flick me a copy we can do the same thru our LEC. Say hi the brother Jim Kelly.
            How honoured I feel, just got an invite to the grey fox election gig and a big thanks for pulling in votes from our network. Its all about building bridges and it starts in Northland, ‘coalition bridges that is’ cheers Stephen Joyce & John Key we couldn’t have done it without your bridge building skills 🙂

      • thechangeling 12.2.3

        Correct. It’s most often referred to as neo-liberalism with a corrupt, cronyist twist.

  13. Pasupial 13

    Gordon Campbell has a good point on the disadvantages of; Shon Key neglecting his Prime Ministerial duties, to scurry back to Northland and shove his hand up muppet Osbourne’s ass:

    Supposedly, New Zealand’s destiny lies in Asia… OK. So, if that’s the case why didn’t Prime Minister John Key – who was already in South Korea – stay in the region so that he could attend the state funeral on Sunday of Singapore’s founding leader Lee Kuan Yew?… Key has put the domestic interests of his party ahead of New Zealand’s wider interests on the world stage.

    Its not as if Asia won’t notice that New Zealand will have no senior government figure present. The Singapore Straits Times has already begun totting up the heads of state set at attend…

    in the circumstances, putting the Northland by election ahead of attendance at his funeral is a slight on Singapore, and will do nothing to advance New Zealand’s claim that it has a serious commitment to Asia. Of all people, Key should have realised that going to Lee Kuan Yew’s state funeral is the price of being in the club.

    http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2015/03/27/gordon-campbell-on-a-funeral-in-asia-and-northland/

    • Colonial Rawshark 13.1

      SE Asian governments have had plenty of time to get the measure of Key and his Cabinet. His snubbing of Singapore over a panic about a by-election will merely confirm their long held assessments.

    • Karen 13.2

      Even Audrey Young is criticising key for this on her twitter feed (sorry, can’t link for some unknown reason)

    • shove his hand up muppet Osbourne’s ass

      That would explain the squint.

  14. Adrian 14

    On Sunday Key is in Melbourne, as 12th man, of course. You know they couldn’t have done it without him, just as the ABs and every other NZ team have found him to be indespensible when it comes to the big games.
    When we win I’ll bet he takes to the field.
    He’s such a pathetic try-hard.

    • Skinny 14.1

      He is throwing Osborne under Winston’s bus by taking off on Saturday and not sticking around. He reminds me of the Italian cruise ship captain who abandoned his sinking ship.

      Literally putting some distance between Joyce and himself, Judith Collins smile will be just as wide as Peters if he wins on the night 🙂

  15. Brewer 15

    Bad week for National:

    Brazil has demanded an explanation from New Zealand after reports New Zealand’s foreign intelligence agency the GCSB spied on its campaign to get Brazilian diplomat Roberto Azevedo elected as Secretary General of the World Trade Organisation in 2013

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11424168

    • ianmac 15.1

      Note that McCully dismisses the issue as just journalist talk. He said,
      “”If foreign governments want to raise issues about the assumptions being made by journalists we will respond. We will do this in private rather than through the news media.”
      Clearly this is a totally unimportant issue to this Government. Ha!

    • Murray Rawshark 15.2

      It’s been on the news in Brazil. Seems they’re not happy.

  16. Alan W 16

    Why all the gloating?
    How can this aid formation of a Labour lead government at the next general election?
    Assuming Winston wins, NZ first continues to roll along and maybe increases its share of the party vote.
    Winston holds the balance of power at the next general election.
    We all know that there is mutual loathing between NZ First and the Greens; they will not form a government with each other.
    National cosies up to NZ First, Labour still in opposition.
    Yes?
    No?

    • ianmac 16.1

      Simple Allan. A tall poppy who was tall under false pretences is crumbling. Hooray!

    • marty mars 16.2

      + 1 Alan

      Winston winning, which I hope he does, doesn’t bode well for labour imo. I think some have confused tactics with strategy. All this will do is increase the ability of NZF and diminish labour. Sad to see so many think the gnat lapdogs will grow some spine and oppose their gnat benefactors – come the next election they will do what they’ve done previously and go for the babbles – and notwithstanding some grandstanding it will pretty much be business as usual till then.

      • Skinny 16.2.1

        Cut it out mate let’s take one street battle at a time in this war. We need a win, runs on the board. With respect who is to say Peters won’t be pushing daisies by the time of the next election. Labour just have too rid the deadwood and sort their policy platform the leader is not a worry next time around.

        • marty mars 16.2.1.1

          Sure labour needs a win – guess what it will be winstons win on saturday not labours or the lefts. and lol to your last sentence.

          • Murray Rawshark 16.2.1.1.1

            It’ll be NAct’s loss. That’s the best that was on offer at the moment. I’ll take it.

            • marty mars 16.2.1.1.1.1

              Yep well I’ll shut up about it now – I also want a gnat loss and I’m not labour so whatever they do or think I’ll leave them to it. My warnings have fallen on deaf ears.

              • Macro

                Yeah. I’m afraid Labour have cloth ears for the strugglers in NZ society. 🙁
                Too many vested interests in protecting the stuff-ups they did in the past. What they did in the 80’s and 2000’s may have been with the best of intentions, but it was to the detriment of those at the bottom, and that is never good policy.
                Frankly i don’t see any hope of a change until the “middle class” wake up to the fact they are being well shafted as well. This is going to take some time. Now we have the situation that to make ends meet, both spouses must work full time, and children spend all day in day care. Something that we in the 50’s and 60’s used to point derisively at happening in the USSR!
                Globalisation and “free trade” all sound wonderful, but they have had the effect of importing lower labour standards and pay into our country, and we (Labour in particular!) still haven’t learnt!

                • + 1 Yep spot on Macro. I think the middle class will only wake up when it is all far too late – especially since the 2 major parties love spinning them lines about how it is all going to get better tomorrow. I remember computers coming in and the great ideal of more spare time – just ended up taking the laptop home and working more hours and this ‘unintended consequences’ outcome is rife throughout our society. We still haven’t learnt because the pain of realising that WE are the problem is too hard to accept – much better to listen to liarjohn and pretend.

                  to change will take revolution not evolution methinks

                  • Macro

                    Yes Marty and the other factor is that with both working full time (and longer and longer hours because of increasing work demands) and then having to give quality time to the kids and drive them all over the country for swimming, dancing, etc. Parents have no time to actually sit down and think just what it is that is happening to them. Many have never lived in a pre-neo-liberal economy and have no understanding of what life might be like if they didn’t have all the whiz bang things the TV tells them to buy.

                    • So true and sadly i feel that it is deliberately created for us by others. I really feel despair for people caught up in having, absolutely having, to work their guts out just to stay still, just to tread water and keep it out of their mouths – it is an absolute disgrace and indictment on our society and the manifestation of the gross inequality felt by so many.

                      There is no time to think for many people, just a desperate movement to keep everything going. I’m lucky in some ways in that where I live other values come to the fore for many – but there is no glamour in being poor – it is still bloody hard work 🙂

              • Murray Rawshark

                That’s two of us who aren’t Labour. We have two and a half years to build something before the next general election. In the meantime, Winnie could slow Key down a bit. Labour doesn’t seem to want to.

            • Skinny 16.2.1.1.1.2

              +1 Murray
              The effect of the Nat’s getting dealt too will wake the fuck up plenty of other regions outside of Jaffa city and Christchurch, from the trance of Teflon John. Hopefully Peters wins and then the shit sticks to the slippery prick.

  17. Once was Tim 17

    “In simple terms, National is demonstrating third term disconnect, division among its factions, and pomposity and arrogance……”

    Took ’em a long long time to wake up eh?, but at least they have.
    What now for the rest of New Zill?

    Will we have to wait for the quinsiqinces of the TPPA to kick in, and the muddle class to be hit in the pocket before we get people re-engaged in politics? I suspect so. (Like Split Ends – it won;t happen overnight, but it WILL happen)
    The good thing is though, that when they do (I.e. the sleepy laid beck hobbits, pissed as newts 3 nights a weak [some even lumbering great chocolate-loving, Tui-sucking; “the Bitchelor”-viewing” cashie-job tradies and others – fucking great lumps of fucking lard], they’ll be very very angry.

    (Just as an aside……why that’s occurred is almost completely down to what was once termed a 4th Estate – who I don’t see coming out of our future unscathed)

    WHEN they do, those of us on the left will be able to preach the Natzi mantra (of personal responsibility, etc., etc., etc.). I can imagine a not-too-distant NZ, and world, where those responsible for signing away sovereignty and the ability for self-determination to be held accountable – PERSONALLY. No doubt when it happens, they’ll be squealing like stuffed pigs, blaming their contemporaries and colleagues (imagine QT in Parliament for example with all those ‘nodders’ worshipping Our Saviour JK, etc.). I don’t think it’s going to cut it for them somehow.
    I’d suggest that when the shit hits the fan, all that personal responsibility mantra the plebians have had to suffer will be translated into personal LIABILITY.

    Christ! How we never seem to learn from history
    ……I’ll hit enter/submit now, cognisant of the possibility of being banned (because of a discussion with some1 I usually admire, but who – I my opinion – seeks to normalise RATHER than deal with a serious problem afflicting laid back New Zill [ FATNESS OBEISITY, SUBSERVIENCE to the sugar pushers]).

    Useless lumps of lard ARE uselss lumps of lard – Worse if they’re also FAT fucking useless lumps of lard and there’s an Osbourne who epitomises a FAT (due to laziness, greed and avarice), USELESS lump of lard – who also happens to be not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Hopefully there won’t be two separate threads on this site dealing with FAT USELSS LUMPS OF LARD apologists

  18. mac1 18

    There might be another useful corollary of Northland voters dumping a poor candidate who should have won by a country mile.

    That is, in a General Election, voters might learn in a practical way that MMP allows voters in an electorate to reject a poor candidate and still assist the party of their choice with their party vote.

    That lesson would resonate long and loud in Party rooms.

  19. dv 19

    Is it my imagination have the Nats had a large number of poor candidates?

    All the one that have been dumped.
    Has anyone got a list?

  20. Penny Bright 20

    Today – followed John Key like a bad smell in KeriKeri!

    He had his ‘squeaky’ voice .

    A sure sign that at the end of the day he is feeling neither ‘comfortable’ nor
    ‘relaxed’?

    Penny Bright

  21. Upnorth 21

    I say Winny will win but the real bad story here is Labour ditched Northland – showed no fight or ticker – this is not lost me and many other people.

    Well done NZ first – very sad day for Labour

    • Anne 21.1

      Good grief Upnorth where have you been these past few weeks? Labour has done nothing of the sort. We’ve got Kelvin Davis in Te Tai Tokerau and by 2017 we’ll have Willow Jean Prime in parliament too as a Northland list MP. The reality was: Labour didn’t have a show in hell of winning but NZ First did! At this point in time the aim is to reduce the NAct majority so it will be harder for them to emasculate the economy and introduce draconian measures aimed at further eroding social outcomes for the poor and the dispossessed – not to mention the steady erosion of our privacy.

      • Skinny 21.2.1

        Cheap shot Marty don’t tell me your still sore over Hone getting cleaned out in TTT. The chicken shit puts up a novice in the by election. The L/D cleaned his clock with ease the other night when he started his what if diatribe on the 2014 election. Ask Bright she was there. Last I saw of him he was standing outside licking his wounds while I was talking to Prime & Robin Grief.

        • marty mars 21.2.1.1

          all I did was + 1 you dick – if that’s a cheap shot you need to get out more.

          I have said many times that yes Hone lost and that is that – but sure it still hurts because I think he was great in the house and I miss him in there.

          and sorry I wasn’t there the other night – unlike you I’m not at all of the significant events of the last and this century bathering to the significant people about what a winner I am – you know those that have to skite about themselves just show how weak and useless they feel and are – sort your shit out mate – do a course or some self development to offset this major external recognition deficit you have – fuck you might even make something of yourself if you do and that’ll be nice won’t it.

        • marty mars 21.2.1.2

          Sorry skinny after pigmans comment I didn’t realise I was agreeing with a trole – shame on me – so please accept my apologies for calling you a dick and saying you need to get out more – I’m sure you get out more than enough.

          As for Rueben Taipari Porter – he is a man of Mana. Have a read you may be surprised

          http://mananews.co.nz/wp/?p=4167

          • Skinny 21.2.1.2.1

            ll good Marty I posted my last comment then read your peace offering, by that stage I couldn’t edit.

            Rueben speaks well, I actually rate him fairly highly. My objective was to pull all the candidates up when they start plucking shit out of their own arse and stray away from their partys policies. Rueben was on a roll and made few mistakes, apart from blaming every other party then his own for their defeat. While Prime may have been non fussed, or diplomatic about cracking Labour for placing Davis out the backdoor ‘again’ on the list so he had to win his seat or he was on the dole, I wasn’t and called it. Yeah and the dot com connection came up as a result, Reuben attempt to defend him and got the why support a neo liberal treatment and I knocked him over with ease. I assume he learnt a lesson, the one trick pony style doesn’t work if some in the crowd have heard it all before. Very content keeping the left party’s left thanks. BTW taking up an offer from ACT has already been politely rejected.

        • marty mars 21.2.2.1

          no I don’t but thanks for pointing it all out – I certainly hadn’t gone back and read his previous comments – my bad, sorry about that.

          • the pigman 21.2.2.1.1

            Don’t apologise! I don’t keep tabs on these chumps either, but when their comments are as fishy as that, I sometimes run due diligence 🙂

    • the pigman 21.3

      Cry me a river, may it wash away the concern troles.

  22. Pasupial 22

    I haven’t seen any guidance from TS moderators on this, but I imagine that we won’t be able to comment on the byelection from midnight to 7pm tomorrow when the voting booths close. All I could see on the Electoral Commission site was:

    Friday 27 March
    All political advertising ceases and election signs taken down by midnight

    Saturday 28 March
    Election day for Northland By-election
    Voting places open from 9.00am to 7.00pm

    http://www.elections.org.nz/events/2015-northland-election-0/northland-election-timetable

    So while I’ve got time, I want to take one more opportunity to urge any in Northland to vote for Peters. A Nat/NZF government can’t be worse than our present NACT one, and even just having to bribe Dunne will at least slow down their schemes a bit. Also, if you are in Northland and have the time – scrutineer a booth, or a count (get in touch with a campaign headquarters now); it’s tedious but very important work.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T10:51:38+00:00