The silver lining of last night’s poll

Written By: - Date published: 1:56 pm, September 12th, 2023 - 31 comments
Categories: act, greens, labour, national, national/act government, nz first, Politics, polls - Tags:

I have to admit last night’s Reid Research poll was pretty dire.  It invoked the same sort of dread I felt early in 2017 and during the latter stages of the 2014 election campaign.

The underlying reasons are clear.  National has a shit load of money through donations from wealthy people upset at imagined threats to their privilege.  And people are grumpy.  The covid lockdowns have affected 5% of the population and opened them up to conspiracy theories.  And the storm damage is still around is in Auckland and on the Hawkes Bay.

It is hard to be positive about anything.

The sense of grumpiness is very public.  I was campaigning for Labour at Avondale Market on Sunday morning.  At different times four older males chose to come up and shout at us repeatedly for reasons I am still processing.  One was a Destiny Church anti vaccination conspiracy nut.  For some reason talking to him about how many lives the lockdowns had saved did not create any impression.  Another was a housing corporation tenant upset that others had made complaints about him and the local MP had not solved this.  He should see what Christopher Bishop plans for him.

The third was a white male obsessed with a rather marginal policy proposal who was upset that Labour were not doing what he wanted.

And the fourth was to the far right of the spectrum who attacked us with Cameron Slater manufactured lines about co governance and ended up abusing us because the party was a Socialist party.

To describe the current Labour Party as a socialist party given where Chris Hipkins has positioned us suggests this person occupies a different dimension to the rest of us.  Some of us dream of the day Labour is a Socialist Party.  Right now it is anything but.

Grumpy older men with testosterone problems shouting is a real example of what is happening right now.

It is the privileged angst that is the most difficult to comprehend.

Like that shown by this mega landlord who would celebrate the possibility of a National win, return of preferential tax treatment for landlords and a 10% to 20% increase in house prices and who has threatened to sell up and emigrate if Labour wins again.  How many houses does someone have to own to feel satisfied?  And how can someone with so much privilege think they deserve more?  If it was not for his clear wealth I would strongly suggest we pass the hat around so that the country can get rid of him.

And the media is pretty disgusting.  Even Radio New Zealand is starting to irk.  Too often their headlines involve National’s inevitably negative response to a Labour announcement rather than the announcement itself.  Morning Report is a mess.  Corin Dann and Ingrid Hipkiss cannot ask questions to save themselves.  Combine this with the afternoon show and it feels like something not too far removed from commercial radio.

This is a real pity.  Mediawatch is an outstanding show, I still enjoy Kim Hill on Saturday morning but the rest of the station is lagging.  The opinionated right wing guests on during the afternoons particularly rankle.  And Nine to Noon politics too often involve right wing commentators with pecuniary interests in their commentary while the left wing commentators are not necessarily Labour friendly.

So it is not wonder the polls are where they are.

The glimmer of hope is that Act’s vote is crashing.  A National Act coalition would be an utter disaster for the country.  But over the past few weeks it appears that Act’s vote has nearly halved.

It is no wonder that Jordan Williams was seen having terse words with a National Party staffer.  National’s actions in funneling donations to NZ First is clearly designed to minimise the ability of Act to hold the next Government to ransom and may mean that a potentially future National Government would only be a shambles and not a complete and utter train wreck.

Of course we still have an election campaign to run and you may wonder if Luxon’s continued poor form will catch up with him.  And I suspect that the PREFU’s analysis that things are actually better than predicted will help.

Hang onto your hats.  Every vote will count.  And there are still questions about the polls.  As pointed out by Professor Grant Duncan polls in 2020 overestimated National’s support and underestimated Labour’s.  He calculates that the polls overcalculated National’s support by an average of 5.8 percentage points. They underestimated Labour support by 3.7 points, the Greens by 1.1% and Te Pati Māori by 0.7%.  This sized change between left and right will see the left well and truly back in the battle.

So hang onto your hats.  And it is a time for all good activists, whether they are Labour Green or Te Pati Maori supporters to get involved.  As I said, every vote will count.

31 comments on “The silver lining of last night’s poll ”

  1. Jilly Bee 1
    12 September 2023 at 2:39 pm

    Thanks MickySavage – I too was devastated when I watched gleeful Jenna Lynch unfold her poll story last evening. I'm still hoping it was a bit of an outlier result and that the undecided voters will still vote Red – at least the Green vote is on the increase. I had a quick look at Audrey Young's diatribe in the Herald a while ago and quickly moved right along. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2023-audrey-young-even-an-economic-miracle-cant-save-labour-now/J62A73JWR5ERLKW2BJFPBWN4PQ/

    Having a Nat MP as her father and brother in the past has ruled her out as far as I am concerned about her showing any sign of objectivity with her comments. My only hope is that we do what the Aussies did last election after being bombarded with the Murdoch press releases exhorting the population to vote for the Liberals and people went out and elected a Labour Government (sorry – Labor!!).

    At least the PREFU isn't all doom and gloom.

    Also, regarding the rise in the Green vote – James Shaw put out a press release boldly stating that the Green Party will be a force to be reckoned with after the election. He was (rightly) admonished by retired Labour list MP Darien Fenton who said that is all very well, but if Labour don't get the bulk of the votes to be able to form a government, the Green Party will be a larger opposition bloc, which won't do much good at all. Hope that makes sense (the painkillers from my knee operation last week are starting to wear off and interfering with my train of thought!!!)

    Reply
    • arkie 1.1
      12 September 2023 at 3:07 pm

      if Labour don't get the bulk of the votes to be able to form a government, the Green Party will be a larger opposition bloc, which won't do much good at all

      This just isn't true though, as long as the total vote for the Greens, TPM and Labour is greater than 50% then there will be a left government. It is typical that Labour supporter hostility towards the Greens ramps up as election day approaches; trying to scare people to vote for an underperforming Labour party is not surprising given their strategy so far.

      Reply
      • Darien Fenton 1.1.1
        13 September 2023 at 4:33 am

        That kind of comment about Labour supporters really pisses me off. As a Labour supporter, the only kind of hostility I have seen has been from the Right and some from Greens attacking Labour (like you do in this post). The left bloc is nowhere near 50%. 12% and 26% adds up to opposition even with 4% from TPM. So what I said is true on current polling.

        Reply
      • weka 1.1.2
        13 September 2023 at 7:31 am

        It is typical that Labour supporter hostility towards the Greens ramps up as election day approaches; trying to scare people to vote for an underperforming Labour party is not surprising given their strategy so far.

        I don't see the value in stirring that up at this point in time. We need Lab and Green people doing everything we can right now to get as many votes as possible.

        (and yes, I disagree with Jilly, but poking at the sore points between Lab and Green is going to make them more sore)

        Reply
      • PsyclingLeft.Always 1.1.3
        13 September 2023 at 8:16 am

        It is typical that Labour supporter hostility towards the Greens ramps up as election day approaches; trying to scare people to vote for an underperforming Labour party is not surprising given their strategy so far.

        That is your opinion. And IMO very counterproductive.

        Also….

        Don’t share defeatist bollocks. It tells swing, undecided and habitual non-voters to not bother voting left.

        https://thestandard.org.nz/the-report-of-our-death-has-been-grossly-exaggerated/

        The Left together can defeat NActFirst.

        Reply
      • Craig Glen Eden 1.1.4
        13 September 2023 at 7:37 pm

        Totally agree trying to make out Labour are the only option for those on the left is a nonsense.

        Let’s be honest Labour lost Nurses and Teachers when its then ministers foolishly started commenting on their contract rounds.

        Hipkins and Little should have known better. Their repeated lines were what you would have expected from National Ministers, not that of any Labour Mps.

        It should be remembered Labour also took away the right to informed consent without coercion when it came to vaccination for these two professions. This is a fundamental basic human right. It has nothing to do with pro vaccination or anti vaccination.
        This adversely affected both these professions. When you lose Teachers and Nurses as a Labour Government you can kiss good buy to being able to get enough votes to form the next Government.
        Labour sadly only has its self to blame and sadly we are likely to end up with a totally incompetent National Party ruling again.
        Labour and its supporters need to take a good look at themselves. Defending the indefensible is all well and good until the reality of election day hits.

        Reply
    • Patricia Bremner 1.2
      12 September 2023 at 6:36 pm

      Get well Jilly. Knees are more painful than hips. Don't suffer. Email your Dr. They will find a more effective treatment to get you over the hump.smiley We can do this.

      Reply
  2. Ad 2
    12 September 2023 at 2:55 pm

    Your loyalty and volunteer service is something to behold Mickey.

    Reply
  3. alwyn 3
    12 September 2023 at 3:21 pm

    We could get an even more interesting situation if the shift in the Labour and Green party support keeps changing at the rate it currently is,

    The Labour Party could drop to 17% and the Green Party might get up to 18%. That would make the Green Party leader the official Leader of the Opposition. It seems to have statutory roles that assume an individual in the job. Would it be Davidson or Shaw?

    Reply
    • Darien Fenton 3.2
      13 September 2023 at 4:23 am

      Being in opposition is no picnic for anyone despite who the leader is ; I find it incredible you think this is an aspiration for the Left.

      Reply
      • SPC 3.2.1
        13 September 2023 at 6:56 am

        Alwyn always uses his right hand when stirring.

        Reply
        • alwyn 3.2.1.1
          13 September 2023 at 4:57 pm

          Of course I use my right hand. After all I am stirring up a pot of gruel.

          I spent s bit of time working in the Middle East. You certainly wouldn't expect me to use my left hand when anywhere near food.

          I rather expected, and liked, the response from Weka. I didn't really think that anyone would take the remark seriously as Ms Fenton seems to have.

          She is quite right though from what I have been told. I knew two people who had been Leader of the Opposition. One from each side of the House. They both said it was the worst job in politics.

          Reply
  4. weka 4
    12 September 2023 at 3:23 pm

    Very very good micky.

    Also, bonus, polling trends has NZF out of parliament

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/the-latest-election-data

    Reply
    • lprent 4.1
      12 September 2023 at 4:57 pm

      Wrong assumption.

      Always assume that NZF gets roughly between 1-3% above pre-election polling, until about a week before the election – when it tends to firm up.

      For them 4.9% and 3.9% probably means that they get well over 5%. From wikipeda poll pages and picking respected polls about 20 days before the election

      • In 2020 @ ~20 days (before the election) polled 1.4% and 2.6% on election day .
      • In 2017 5% and 6.3%
      • In 2014 5.8% and 8.66%
      • In 2011 3.7% and 6.59%
      • In 2008 2.1% and 4.07%

      This happens in every election back to the early 90s.

      Reply
  5. ianmac 5
    12 September 2023 at 3:46 pm

    Yes thanks Micky. We will never surrender!

    (Though I doubt we will call the Election a fraud like Donald did smiley)

    Reply
  6. Thinker 6
    12 September 2023 at 5:25 pm

    Scuttlebutt is that the right is also pinning expectations on a frustrated left not turning out to vote.

    As much as encouraging people to vote, we must encourage them to turn out and vote.

    If National win, though, it will be a bit like people jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Sometimes, after a long run of bad times, people will vote for something they secretly know isn't good for them, just for the sake of change.

    Every election I hope to see a party that has an umbrella vision for (dare I use the phrase) making the country great again, and policies that underpin that vision. Instead, we keep seeing celebrity candidates and policies that are based on focus groups.

    Reply
  7. feijoa 7
    12 September 2023 at 5:26 pm

    We had a phone call on the landline last night from TVNZ doing a political poll. Hubby told them to go away!

    It's the second landline call we've had.

    If they're only using landlines, then the polls must be a fiction. Don't know anyone under about 60 who still has a landline.

    Reply
    • Craig H 7.1
      13 September 2023 at 9:56 am

      The main ones use a mix of landlines and cellphone numbers and have done for some time – as you say, not many landlines left any more (I'm under 60 and have one but I think ours is the exception among our friends and families).

      Reply
  8. Patricia Bremner 8
    12 September 2023 at 6:43 pm

    20% have not decided yet!!devil

    Reply
  9. Blazer 9
    12 September 2023 at 8:34 pm

    More power to you Mickey for being on the front line.

    Where did this come from…'National’s actions in funneling donations to NZ First '?

    Reply
  10. Chris 10
    13 September 2023 at 9:42 am

    It's interesting that a couple of lucky breaks going the way of the nactoid black ops merchants taking out a handful of ministers on the rise has brought us to where we are now.

    Reply
  11. Vivie 11
    13 September 2023 at 1:18 pm

    Thank you Micky. I agree with you about the media and RNZ's apparent bias towards National. Much of the interviewing is superficial and lacks analytical questions.

    It is unfathomable why so many people are resentful towards Labour, apparently for using strategies to maximise NZers' safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for keeping the economy functioning well by providing financial support for employers and workers. Why are people holding onto their perverse anger, unless they are easily swayed by constant negative headlines criticising Labour?

    It seems many people intend to "punish" Labour by voting for National and/or ACT, whose policies will evidently disadvantage the majority of NZers, including many of those voters. This is puerile behaviour. How do they think National or ACT will help them? The most negative impact will be the rapid rise in house prices and rental costs, then the effects of National reversing many of Labour's socioeconomic policies and cutting public services.

    Reply
    • Anne 11.1
      13 September 2023 at 1:48 pm

      It is unfathomable why so many people are resentful towards Labour…

      The short answer Vivie is: they are like lemmimgs. They rush mindlessly to the clifftops and ask to be pushed over expecting ambulances to be at the bottom. When they discover they're not there, somebody tells them it was because the Labour Govt. got rid of them and they believe it.

      Perhaps not a very good analogy but the best I can think of.

      Welcome to TS btw. I haven't seen your 'name' before. We have some extra bright sparks on this site who keep us far better informed than the media in general does.

      Reply
      • Vivie 11.1.1
        13 September 2023 at 2:04 pm

        Thank you Anne. I'm a regular reader of The Standard, but only a very occasional commenter. I appreciate the depth of knowledge of the post writers.

        Reply
    • Ad 11.2
      13 September 2023 at 4:26 pm

      Agree with that word "unfathomable".

      Such a perversity to this current electoral mood.

      Reply

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    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    6 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    7 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    1 week ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    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
    1 week ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 week ago

  • Youth justice programme expands to break cycle of offending
    The successful ‘Circuit Breaker’ fast track programme designed to stop repeat youth offending was launched in two new locations today by Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis. The programme, first piloted in West and South Auckland in December last year, is aimed at children aged 10-13 who commit serious offending or continue ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Major milestone with 20,000 employers using Apprenticeship Boost
    The Government’s Apprenticeship Boost initiative has now supported 20,000 employers to help keep on and train up apprentices, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced in Christchurch today. Almost 62,000 apprentices have been supported to start and keep training for a trade since the initiative was introduced in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Government supporting wood processing jobs and more diverse industry
    The Government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further job creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said.   “The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan identified the need to add more diversity to our productions forests, wood products and markets,” Peeni Henare said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Government backing Canterbury’s future in aerospace industry
    The Government is helping Canterbury’s aerospace industry take off with further infrastructure support for the Tāwhaki Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, Infrastructure Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced. “Today I can confirm we will provide a $5.4 million grant to the Tāwhaki Joint Venture to fund a sealed runway and hangar ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Updated forestry regulations increase council controls and require large slash removal
    Local councils will have more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “New national standards give councils greater control over commercial forestry, including clear rules on harvesting practices and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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