The #teamkey personality cult
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9:48 am, June 29th, 2014 - 120 comments
Categories: election 2014, john key, national -
Tags: colin craig
National’s conference is being held this weekend and some of the details of their campaign have been disclosed.
Firstly it lives and dies on the personality cult that surrounds John Key. He is National’s strength but also its weakness. I suspect that from now to the election we will not see him involved in any further attempts to undermine David Cunliffe using underhand or subversive means. Expect increased use of the right wing blogs however to continue to try and tarnish David’s image and expect Key to veer away from any behaviour which could be branded as manipulative and tricky.
The campaign slogan “Working for New Zealand” is one that Crosby Textor would be proud of. It is deferential and has a superficial appeal to the working class and ordinary people. It is also not true unless by “New Zealand” you mean the wealthiest 1%.
National has announced that it will be targeting four Labour seats, Hutt South held by Trevor Mallard, Port Hills held by Ruth Dyson, West Coast held by Damian O’Connor and Palmerston North held by Iain Lees Galloway. They have already started their campaign for the West Coast with the crudest anti green wedge imaginable. I am sure they do not think they will win any of these seats. But they will be intending to scare the local Labour campaigns to focus on the electorate vote campaign. This would be a mistake if the campaigns were to do so. We live in an MMP world and the MMP vote will decide who forms the next Government, not individual electorate results.
Of course this consideration also applies to National. But results will depend on what sort of campaign is run. As Carmel Sepuloni showed last time in Waitakere it is possible to run a strong electorate campaign and maximise the party vote at the same time.
National is also borrowing the language of the left and saying that a low turnout will hurt it. The rationale as presented by John Key is that in National held seats the drop in turnout last time was high. If this is correct then I would put it down to disheartened Labour voters who without a turn out the vote effort by the local electorate organisation simply gave up and failed to exercise their democratic rights. National wants a low turnout, the lower the better.
Coalition options will be vital. It appears more and more likely that the Conservatives will be offered McCully’s head on a plate before nominations close. This is a risk. Craig is seriously scary to a wide selection of the community and joining him at National’s hip will put some people off. This is why they continue to claim that Labour will be dependant on the Internet Mana Party getting up. There is a difference however. Labour has made it clear that it will not enter into any negotiations with any other party until after the election. National meanwhile is willing to do whatever it can to ensure that it holds onto power but will trot out slogans not to defend its position but so that it can plant the idea that Labour does it too.
If you wanted proof on how scary any arrangement with the Conservatives is, a recent Reid Research TV3 poll showed 60.1 percent of voters questioned didn’t want a deal. When it came to National supporters, 49.3 percent were against it. National may be damned if the Conservative Party fails to make Parliament and equally damned if it gives the CP a seat.
And National has a new social media hub at teamkey.co.nz. According to Stephen Joyce this hub will collect National’s social media traffic. The site appears to have similar capabilities to Nationbuilder which has been used with effect in recent electoral battles.
So National continues to pin its hopes on John Key and a well resourced campaign. It will be hoping that Key is not subject to any intense scrutiny. For instance it will prefer that he is not asked the question why the period after the tea pot tape scandal erupted and not the period after the Christchurch earthquake or the Pike River mine disaster was his worst week as Prime Minister.
And National supporters will be praying that John Key does not trip or falter during the campaign. Because clearly there is no plan B.
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- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...17 hours ago - Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...18 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...18 hours ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...18 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...19 hours ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...20 hours ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...21 hours ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...21 hours ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...22 hours ago
- Fighting for Kiwis in Trade
Delivered at Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School Good morning and thank you Deputy Vice Chancellor Lithander for your warm welcome and for inviting me to open Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School today. A Special thanks to the University of Auckland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ...23 hours ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...24 hours ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...1 day ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...2 days ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...2 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...3 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...3 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...3 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...3 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...3 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...3 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...3 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...3 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...4 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...4 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...4 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...4 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...4 days ago
- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...5 days ago
- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...7 days ago
- Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose
The terms of reference for a review of the performance of the electricity market have been released. The review, initiated by the Coalition Government during the power crisis in winter will look at whether current regulations and market design support economic growth and access to reliable and affordable electricity, Energy Minister ...7 days ago
- Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help
Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...7 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg has travelled to Australia to attend the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting in Brisbane. “Trade plays a critical role in driving employment, economic growth, and improving the standards of living in the Pacific Region. The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries ...1 week ago
- RNA editing is the next frontier in gene therapy – here’s what you need to know
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Flora Hui, Research Fellow, Centre for Eye Research Australia and Honorary Fellow, Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), The University of Melbourne IoanaB/Shutterstock The United States Food and Drug Administration has just approved the first-ever clinical trial that uses CRISPR-Cas13 RNA editing. Its ...1 hour ago - Yes, you still need to use sunscreen, despite what you’ve heard on TikTok
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Lee, PhD Candidate, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland Karolina Grabowska/Pexels Summer is nearly here. But rather than getting out the sunscreen, some TikTokers are urging followers to chuck it out and go sunscreen-free. They claim it’s healthier ...1 hour ago
- Humans are killing off the old and wise animals that hold nature together. Here’s what must change
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Keller Kopf, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Charles Darwin University Laxmikant Ameenagad, Shutterstock In humans and other animals, ageing is generally associated with a decline in biological function. But scientists are now discovering older animals perform vital roles in populations and ecosystems. ...1 hour ago
- A man scouring Google Earth found a mysterious scar in the Australian outback – and now scientists...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matej Lipar, Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University Author provided/Google Earth Earlier this year, a caver was poring over satellite images of the Nullarbor Plain when he came across something unexpected: an enormous, mysterious scar etched ...1 hour ago
- Design as a movement: how First Nations people take ownership of their cultural stories through fash...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treena Clark, Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellow, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney Once located 250 metres to the east of the Art Gallery of South Australia, the grand beaux-arts style Jubilee Exhibition Building was constructed to house the ...1 hour ago
- ‘We need more doctors’ – Support for new Waikato medical school
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says a third medical school and more students in Auckland and Otago are both needed. ...1 hour ago - Cricket balls can concuss and even kill batters – at all levels, helmet use must be taken seriousl...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Annette Greenhow, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Bond University Linda George/Shutterstock The ten-year anniversary of the death of much-loved Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes falls on November 27. The 25-year-old’s life was tragically cut short in 2014 when a bouncer ...2 hours ago
- Hold the roosters, no economic dawn yet
Treasury likely to downgrade economic forecast while Chris Bishop says the government won’t be ‘a slave to a surplus’, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Recession will be deeper and last longer — Treasury At a recent Spinoff ...2 hours ago - Knowing superstitions aren’t real doesn’t stop us behaving superstitiously – why?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Gomes-Ng, Senior Lecturer of Psychology, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Former New Zealand prime minister John Key has three white rabbits painted on his helicopter, a nod to his “massively superstitious” habit of repeating “white rabbits” three times at ...3 hours ago
- Government slammed for pushing ahead with boot camps while trial still under way
The coalition has "absolutely no intention of listening to the evidence that comes out of their experiment", Labour MP says. ...4 hours ago
- Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate
Labour claims Government is ‘cherry-picking’ smoking trends data to hide decade-first increase in daily smokers The post Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 hours ago - Smoke and mirrors in tobacco debate
Labour claims Government is ‘cherry-picking’ smoking trends data to hide decade-first increase in daily smokers The post Smoke and mirrors in tobacco debate appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 hours ago
- Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation
The Government’s economic adviser is sending a message it doesn’t want to hear – superannuation is increasingly unaffordable The post Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 hours ago
- Victims of sex offending welcome shift on name suppression laws
A man abused by a former political figure is "immensely relieved" at a government proposal to end secrecy around sex offenders' identities. ...5 hours ago
- This week three parties stood together – can they withstand the storm to come?
There is plenty yet to play out, but the next election is at this rate shaping up as trio versus trio, writes Toby Manhire. A subplot of this week’s historic hīkoi mō te Tiriti has been the sight of the three opposition parties presenting a unified front. Te Pāti Māori ...5 hours ago
- All 33 malls in Auckland ranked from worst to best
From the low lows of abandon empires to the high highs of a mall done just right. This is the second in the Malls of New Zealand series, where we rank the malls in major centres. Next week: Wellington. A note from the editor: This is the hardest ranking we’ve ...5 hours ago
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As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 27-year-old apartment-dwelling marketing exec explains her approach to spending and saving. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female. Age: 27. Ethnicity: Pākehā. Role: Marketing exec at ...5 hours ago
- This week’s bestselling books – November 22
FICTION1 Kāwai: Tree of Nourishment by Monty Soutar (David Bateman, $39.99)Sample dialogue, all from one chapter:“That can’t be,” replied Taona doubtfully.“You were right. The pā is unnervingly quiet,” Taona murmured.“The Hākuwai,” Motukia breathed. “Our grandfathers told us they rarely saw the Hākuwai in daylight,” Motukia muttered.“Their fight would have been futile ...5 hours ago
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Senior ministers in the coalition suggested NZ’s membership will be re-evaluated if it restarts offshore oil and gas drilling The post NZ’s membership of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in jeopardy appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon did not meet the Treaty Principles Bill hikoi crowd, sees “nothing” of merit in the Act-proposed law but the Parliament his Government dominates will spend six months debating a “divisive” measure.That’s because he has accepted there needs to be “aeration” of people’s views on the Treaty, ...5 hours ago
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Bidder Whakapapa Holdings walked away from the sales process last year, but says it’s now ‘95% there’ on a purchase agreement – so who blinked first? The post Taken to the brink, Govt is now close to selling big Whakapapa ski field appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
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The post Daily crossword, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- China likely to strengthen regional relationships in response to another Trump term
Opinion: Recent discussions in Shanghai provide some insight into what’s likely to be on the table The post China likely to strengthen regional relationships in response to another Trump term appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- Nuclear winters know no borders
Opinion: The immediate horror of nuclear weapon explosions – the blinding flash, crushing blast wave, and radioactive inferno – is well documented.But what nuclear-armed nations either don’t grasp or won’t admit, is far more chilling: how their weapons could devastate even countries thousands of kilometres from any mushroom clouds.The collapse ...5 hours ago
- Watts nears a landmark deal on global carbon trading
A framework for global carbon trading under the Paris Agreement is finally nearing completion at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan after years of halting talks.Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is one of two ministers tasked by the COP29 hosts with landing a long-sought deal on Article 6 of the climate accord, ...5 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Marles plays a defensive bat on nuclear as the government rushes to get though la...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Richard Marles is an ambitious man who hasn’t given up the dream of one day reaching the top job. But, despite being deputy prime minister, his profile is much lower than that of Treasurer Jim ...10 hours ago
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"Overwhelmingly, those people who die will be young Māori men," the spokesperson for People Against Prisons Aotearoa says. ...12 hours ago
- NEW POLL: Kiwis Overwhelmingly Support MPs’ Expenses Transparency Law Change
62% of respondents support the extension of the OIA to cover MPs’ spending, compared to just 13% opposed and 24% were unsure. ...12 hours ago - The House: Meanwhile, a week of passing law
The political week has been packed with worthy distractions, but all week Parliament has focused on passing new laws. Here are the highlights. ...13 hours ago
- The biggest difference between Hīkoi mō te Tiriti and past hīkoi: More support from non-Māori
Analysis - The diversity of voices during the hīkoi was noticeable - from tangata moana to young immigrants to elderly Pākehā from the South Island. ...13 hours ago
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When the bill to restore NZ citizenship to some Samoans passed this week, Parliament's galleries were full to the brim with members of the community. ...14 hours ago
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Women’s Rights Party Co-leader Jill Ovens says the Ministry has put New Zealand children at risk by continuing to allow “off-label” prescribing of puberty blockers at far higher rates than other similar countries. ...15 hours ago
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That is despite two papers from police that raised the matter with him. ...16 hours ago
- Shorten declares himself ‘a proud moderate’, saying Australians ‘in the middle’ shouldn’t ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bill Shorten has declared himself “a proud moderate” in a valedictory speech declaring parliament has the responsibility to ensure the extremes of left and right do not set the terms of political debate. Shorten, ...16 hours ago
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- Government accused of betraying Kiwis’ trust over lack of consultation on live exports
The government has always vowed to reinstate live exports by sea, which was banned by the previous Labour government. ...16 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University Australia’s drug regulator has issued a safety warning over the medicine Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine drug promethazine. The Therapeutic Goods Administration said the over-the-counter products should not be given to children ...17 hours ago
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John Key was reported as saying that “the minor parties in his Government had very little influence anyway.” Except for ACT of course.
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.Go David!
They do have very little influence, they are just outlets for Nat policies that they are too ashamed to claim as their own
Agreed the Nats plan is clearly very much don’t spook the horses and please vote for that nice Mr Key.
Labour must counter that with more than
Every time I hear that term ‘teamkey’ I think of ‘turnkey’.
Interesting, because the word has a few meanings:
As a plural (turn keys) it means a person who has charge of the keys of a prison
Another meaning: An arrangement under which a private contractor designs and constructs a project, building, etc., for sale when completely ready for occupancy or operation: turn-key housing, turnkey contract.
Combined: Our jailers who are getting our country ready for sale?
“turnkey”…. or maybe even “turncoat”….. selling out NZ and eating away at the soul and fabric of this country.
+100 blue leopard and cogito
…and cult figures dont usually figure in Democracy….they are usually associated with autocracy , tyranny and skullduggery
…there is usually a shadowside to cult figures which media are employed and persuaded to ignore ….until too much damage has been done to democracy and ordinary people’s rights and the country !
@ Cogito,
Yes ‘turncoats’ definitely comes to mind!
…because that is what they are….(in case anyone was in any doubt)
TeamKey is the biggest political team in NZ. Since every portfolio is showing growth and improvement it is a formidable team with a message of strong stable government led by the best prime minister in history. I see a great future if people party vote National.
For whom? The one percenters, certainly, although you are not one of them. The ten percenters, almost certainly, although again you are not one of them. The twenty to thirty percenters, probably, although you are probably not one of them. The fifty percenters, possibly, although you are possibly not one of them. The rest of us, certainly not, although you are very likely to be one of them. Although you intend to vote against your interests, and invite us to do so as well, do not be surprised if we decline your offer.
+1 Michael well said
🙂
Da Fizz is always ready to swallow the cool aid huh? It’s got plenty of sugar and its a fucking sight easier than having to bother with critical thought processes.
…… next
Jamie Lee darling – How ya doing bro?
HeeeHeee – thanks for that – I like a good laugh on a Sunday morning!
The National Party is too reliant on John Key, most people would view the use of # team Key as over done. It is great I love it out campaigning cheers Stephen Joyce.
Now all I say is “look the National Party boasting of the use of ‘Key’ in all their campaigning, they may aswell change name to ‘The One Trick Pony Party’ that gets a laugh and comments like arrogant, desperate and if you take him out as leader and who going to lead them, dodgy Collins, nah probably Gerry Brownlee which gets a bigger laugh.”
Did you lift that from a speech by the Fuhrer? Sieg Heil.
Nek minnit he burnt down the Reichstag.
“the best prime minister in history”
Your knees must be dreadful sore…
Honestly, anyone who thinks a man who’s presided over the accumulation of the largest debt in NZ’s history, who’s left 200k+ kids in poverty, is working on destroying the education system and bows to foreign powers at the drop of a hat is the best prime minister in history needs a lobotomy.
National is a party working for the wealthy. If you don’t see that then either you are very wealthy or just a sucked in fool.
Is it just me or is #teamkey trying to jump on a social meme from about 5 years ago? Makes Nat seem old and tired and out of touch to me…
team key is like team new zealand.
taking water and going down fast!
I haven’t won a scratch and lose for months!
why is that ?
It will be hoping that Key is not subject to any intense scrutiny. For instance it will prefer that he is not asked the question why the period after the tea pot tape scandal erupted and not the period after the Christchurch earthquake or the Pike River mine disaster was his worst week as Prime Minister.
Re the tea pot tape scandal, I am no fan of Duncan Garner, but over recent days he has spoken at length on RadioLive and written an article on Stuff giving more detail of his and TV3’s involvement in this episode.
Stuff article – http://t.co/yMYDq8nOFT
RadioLive audio – http://t.co/U9BXAw262q
In both, Garner claims that Key was more concerned about whether he had used swear words in the ‘private conversation’ than the actual content. In the Stuff article, Garner also suggests that the Nats are under very strict instructions to avoid talk and situations that could lead to a repeat of the teatape situation.
The RadioLive audio provides more insight to how Garner acquired the tape; and the problems with its quality and the lengths TV3 went to in order to decipher it (syching with the silent video, lip readers etc).
Of greater interest to me, however, is Garner saying that Key rang him every night to see whether TV3 were going to release the tape (repeatedly referred to in the audio but not covered in the Stuff article). A good indicator of just how close the relationship between Key and the media was, and probably still is.
i cannot recall the detail but once tv3 6 oclock news ran with something slightly critical of the nats & by the time the story finished one of the talking heads said something like ‘we just had a phone call from stephen joyce & he has given us some corrections’, incredible stuff! this is about 2 years ago.
That would not surprise me idlegus, as TV3 has always given the impression that they’re in NACT’s pocket,
Vicky
Good question.
A: because for honest John, being caught saying f**k a few times is a disaster that far outweighs Christchurch or pike river.
Over 30,000 views on that Trade Me auction for the book on Key, and not one of the many comments is pro-Key. Begs the question of how popular Key actually is and whether National have misjudged the public mood re having a Key personality cult.
Surely Kiwis have seen enough of his dodgy dealings by now not to be fooled.
Why would National supporters bother?
Hopefully they’ll take the same apathetic attitude on Sept 20th as well. LOL.
Why not? Aren’t the National supporters who are supposed to be 50% of the voters not loyal enough or don’t they have enough guts to show support for Key?
Not to be a kill joy, but the likelihood is that the Nat supporters are all too old to understand computers or the internet. I mean did you see the piece on the news yesterday where they were asking if #teamkey was a cult of personality, I don’t think I saw an under 50 being questioned at all.
“Working for
FamiliesNew Zealand”….”communismfascism bystealthdesign”..“Working for New Zealand” Isn’t that the Winz slogan?
Had to laugh, so National has no plan B? Which plan is Labour on exactly?
Straight down the mainline.
Vainglorious Key may have just given the left the perfect oportunity to expose just how much their re-election chances depend on the cult of Key . If as I suspect the billboards will have a picture of Key with the statement “VOTE TEAM KEY ” adhesive labels attached next to the statement reading “ITS ALL ABOUT ME” just about says it all.
Another Green vandal. What part of defacing billboards is democracy?
Well considering the actions of this current government I would have thought vandalism was all the rage…..
what part of further delay to ecan elections is democracy?
What part of veto is democracy
What part of constantly misleading the electorate is democracy
Are you defending vandalism or just trying to deflect?
Neither by the looks. Sounds like Tracey is detailing and criticizing vandalism to me – is it really so hard for you to understand what others are saying Fis?
are you now objecting to deflection or just trying to stop your head from exploding from the presentation of facts unsanitised by team key
fisiani What part of defacing billboards is democracy?
What part of spying on New Zealanders democratic?
What part of taking away our rights to protest is democratic?
What part of ignoring the people of NZ and carrying on with asset sales is democratic?
Are you defending vandalism or just trying to deflect?
Vandalism is dismantling our society and fucking everyone over in the process.
If you compare a few fucking signs with what they’re doing to us only an idiot would argue in their interests.
Get with the big picture fuzzy
Not green but interesting you should rush to call vandal when it is a truthful statement of fact !! If it is not the truth then what is it about “the party” maybe “the policies” yeah right!!!!!
The Left always believe they have a right to vandalise National billboards. They believe that the end justifies the means. TeamKey respects freedom of expression and does not vandalise billboards.
I will make an extra effort now to modify said billboards so they come across more clearly.
Modify is another word for vandalism. The Left have to rely on vandalism to cover their unpopularity. Modifying or vandalising billboards is criminal damage and not acceptable behaviour. The billboard is the property of the National Party. The police are aware of this. Do you want a criminal record?
Reform is another word for vandalism. The Right have to rely on ‘reform’ to thieve from the hard works of previous generations in building this country. The Right’s behaviour is not acceptable in driving increasing wealth into the hands of the 1% – this is the real crime. The only reason they get away with it is because they control the jackboots.
Everyone should deface a National party billboard because they are misleading and deceptive.
Drive steel spikes into National Party billboards before loggers come and cut them down.
“Everyone should deface a National party billboard because they are misleading and deceptive.”
It is easy to see why feral scum don’t like police surveillance,they think crime is justifiably. I am beginning to see why so many on the left don’t like the GCSB, its bad for crims.
I hope GCSB are more usefully employed than staking out National party billboards. OTOH, it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s what they’ve been ordered to do, or even if they’re doing it in their own free time. Spies are a necessary evil in every society but ours show an unhealthy propensity to act as a branch of the National Party. It’s time for a clean out.
defacing billboards won’t change anyone’s mind… volunteer to help your local lab/green candidate instead
Please last election I caught a team of guys while putting up Nat signs having ago at Labour signs at about 1230 am in Block house bay they almost shat themselves when from out of the darkness I yeld what the hell do you think you are doing a mate. Then for the next two hours I followed two cars around West Auckland who were trying to damage Labour and the Greens signs we never got their number plates but this year I intend to. So you can drop the pious crap fisi.
speaking of modifying. I see the asset sales funds promised to be for lowering debt, health and education, are going on roads.
Do you want a bib and a warm bottle Fizzy?
And for the record I am neither ‘left’ or ‘right’ but have a strong sense of what is right or wrong. As for a criminal record? Well it’s a bit late for that.
No. Just a country!
Except when they do.
Fuzzy, you’re just a lying little scumbag.
Small shit mate, why do you waste your time?
Nothing to see here, move on.
Wait, hold on! That’s what RWNJ’s do, they focus on the small stuff and make a big deal out of it.
Granny Herald political advisor?
But if it true then what is the crime ?? He has made it about HIM . Why not own it then
We won’t be seeing defaced Cunliffe billboards this election, then?… unlike Cunliffe’s billboards around New Lynn last election?
I would argue that it is part of freedom of speech, and if Key was as universally popular as you would like to think then vandalism of his signs will not be that bad…
“Working for New Zealand’s 1%”
Lolly scramble politics for the regions via roads.
One thing is certain. Labour has long known that national without key is back in 2002 territory. 30% of its own voters would go if key went… That is NOT a victory for policy.
“One thing is certain. Labour has long known that national without key is back in 2002 territory. 30% of its own voters would go if key went… That is NOT a victory for policy.”
I guess Labour would like to think that since they are polling below 30% and have not had a competent leader since Clark
I am not labour
Also it is true. National without Key is the same as recent history Labour without
ClarkeClark. It is the danger of having a cult of personality around the leader, but National are heading down that road at full pace[lprent: Who were you talking about? John Clarke? Get the names right. Then you don’t get auto-moderated. ]
Well, they can’t exactly campaign on their polices or “achievements”, can they?
Apart from the ones they copied from Labour and the Greens, of course.
….and …they’ve even borrowed their slogan from Labour by the sounds – sounds extremely reminiscent of ‘working for families’… No Ideas National strikes again….
[see Fenders comment @9]
That’s why Fisiani is so funny. It is like training a parrot.
Don’t any of them have an original thought?
….apparently not….
No, just like Key, English and the Nats who are not really smart original thinkers as shown when they simply copied many of the social policies of the previous Labour government!…Policies such as Working for families, Interest free student loans, Kiwi Saver, Kiwi bank, paid parental leave, free doctor’s visits for children etc.
National adopted these against their for political right wing philosophy purely for political expediency. They then put in many right wing nasty measures on the country!
I think if these ACT and NAT fools get another term, they will unleash even much many more drastic right wing agenda on the country which will cause long term harm to most of us, except the wealthy, the privileged and the powerful. Why would anyone want that?
Clemgeopin,
Mostly because the voters do not believe your scare story that National on 47%+ will bring a “much many more drastic right wing agenda on the country”. The experience of the last 5 1/2 years tells them your scare story is not true.
Voters can also see that ACT does not dictate the Nats agenda. I know posters here love to say that, but it is demonstrably not true.
In contrast it is so much easier for the Nats to talk about a Labour/Green/Mana/Internet hydra, when Labour is polling below 30%. In that case Labour is at best 60% of the govt. Who knows what the policy of such a govt would be.
That is the great advantage for Nat going into an election as obviously more than 90% of a potential centre right govt.Voters basically know what they are going to get from such a govt.
However, since you always say that the Nats are the most extreme right wing govt ever, I guess you will continue to delude yourself with that.
Wayne, just recently I saw mention by Bill English of a third term to completely reform, to an extent not seen in NZ history or elsewhere for that matter, the way in which government services and departments are operated and funded.
This would clearly be a very major development in New Zealand, yet Bill English has not made any public announcement about these ‘planned reforms’. If it is to be a scale intimated by English then he has a responsibility to outline in detail what this is and how it would work so the people of New Zealand can make a decision about whether they want it or not. Before the election.
Before the election Wayne. Don’t you dare dump such a change on the country post-election without full warning.
So, what’s the story Wayne?
“The experience of the last 5 1/2 years tells them your scare story is not true.”
yeah wayne – thats the funking point – its like youve never had a false sense of security before
“Voters can also see that ACT does not dictate the Nats agenda. I know posters here love to say that, but it is demonstrably not true.”
now now wayne – thats not quite right. Many here see nat and act as two faces of the same ideology.
“In contrast it is so much easier for the Nats to talk about a Labour/Green/Mana/Internet hydra,”
Talk? – or spread repeated not so subtle suggestions that there are indeed radical reds under your bed? – the bullshit marketting that national are so centre that anything to the left is a commie plot is a utter fabrication and im going to be charitable and assume you already know this.
And if they had to talk policy the conversation would last very long would it – what have they got this time? – another bullet point list and some sketches on the back of a napkin?
so key lied when he said charter schools had to be implemented as part if the coalition agreement with act?
How big a deal is 5 to 10 charter schools? Pretty much on the margins I would have thought.
Obviously even small coalition partners get something, but in truth it is not much.
In contrast a coalition partner that is one third of the govt gets a huge amount, and at this stage we do not know what a Labour/Green/Mana/Internet govt would actually do. It is not as if there at least a general outline of such a deal.
It matters more when the main party of the group does not have the decisive say.
“How big a deal is 5 to 10 charter schools? ”
when its the first step of the global G.E.R.M. mission its a big deal
Wayne, the fact that Charter schools get so much more than ordinary public schools is unfair. This reminds me of the Bulk Funding trials in the nineties when those schools in the “trials” were given extra money to help them achieve a better result.
Why can’t this “extra” money be put into state schools. 4 or 5 charter schools are 4 or 5 too many.
National wants to introduce bulk funding, performance pay, vouchers and increased subsidies to private schools but will not campaign on these. However, if successful in the election, National will implement these policies with relish while sheeting the criticism to Act.
A vote for National is a vote for Act policies.
A vote for National is a vote towards privatisation of our education system.
I agree with your excellent points. I am guessing that if National wins a third term, they will unleash very drastic pro capitalist, pro wealthy and pro-corporate polices as it will be their last golden opportunity to fulfill their ideology and agenda which they were a little careful with due to political expediency and to prevent huge public backlash by throwing a few scraps around for the masses. But we haven’t seen nothing yet!
If they do get a third time, I suspect they will move to…
[1] Privatise the Kiwi bank.
[2] Stop or alter the Kiwi saver top up and the start up $1,000.
]3] Revamp the WFF payments making life harder for the low income families.
[4] Introduce interest on student loans.
[5] Hike up tertiary fees affecting students from poorer families.
[6] Open more and more privately run charter schools, private health and privatised ACC care with generous public funds.
[7] Open vast amounts of land and sea for mineral and oil exploitation without sufficient safeguards.
[8] Sign the TPP in a hurry without due care, even if it harms us in the long run.
[9] Undermine the unions further and dilute worker’s rights even more.
[10] Make life more profitable for the wealthy but less so for what Key once referred to as the ‘under class’.
That is my guess from what I have seen slowly happen in the last term of this personality cult driven coalition government. I am hoping and think that the majority of people will see through this evil discredited crony capitalist supporting pro wealthy government and vote them out on Sept 20 and help usher in a fair, just, caring and more enlightened Labour led government.
So good of Wayne to come on here and prove KJT’s, Clemogeopin’s and my point re no original thinking on the right.
It is just the same old parrot-like responses from Wayne that you hear repeatedly from right-wing politicians.
Just repeat until people think it is true
“Mostly because the voters do not believe …”
Note it is not about what is or is not occurring – it is about ‘believing’ because it is all about perception – to hell with reality – so long as the right can fool enough people.
Poor show Wayne, all you Key acolytes are achieving is to increasingly look like a bunch of Moonies.
Thanks again for illustrating the point that myself and others were making.
p.s. Polly wanna cracker?
“How big a deal is 5 to 10 charter schools? Pretty much on the margins I would have thought”
I think it’s a pretty big deal to implement a multi-million dollar policy that neither party campaigned on and that can change the way education is produced.
Your final sentence is interesting too –
“It matters more when the main party of the group does not have the decisive say.”
So it mattered that National (the main party) had the final say? That brings me back to the original question :
Did Key lie when he said charter schools had to be implemented as part of the coalition agreement with ACT?
Key and English have kept some Labour’s social policies because they KNOW that voters, even many of their own RWNjobs, will kick the government out if they tinker with those too much.
But if they get a third term, which may then be their last, will be their golden opportunity to unleash drastic right wing policies and agenda. Remember when Bill English was caught secretly saying to his supporters at their party conference that he intends to sell the Kiwi Bank, unawares that a microphone was on? After being exposed by the media, Key defended his deputy Bill English. “Well eventually but not now. It’s working. Our supporters get a bit angsty but it’s working,” said English.
Jim Anderton at that time said, ‘National knows that if they told people upfront they intend to sell Kiwi Bank, no one would vote for them.”
During this term, National has started the Charter school agenda of the ACT party. Yesterday, ACT president has said that they want to FREE all schools from ministry so that they can ALL opt to become Charter schools. He also said that “we want to increase the subsidy for independent schools”. Cool stuff, right?
The Labour led coalition does definitely better represent the needs and aspirations of the general population of the entire diverse country while the Nat outfit will primarily be working for the wealthy while throwing some politically convenient scraps around for the less privileged and the less well off.
Also, in my opinion, the intelligence, integrity, conscience, care and concern for all the people and the country in Mr Cunliffe and the leadership of the progressive parties is any day of a higher quality and more genuine than that found in National in their vision less personality driven party that has now descended primarily into a Key cult party.
Well you all have your views on what National would do, but none of you can say what a left leaning government would do.
And “fair, just, caring and more enlightened” is not a policy prescription.
After all if you put those words as an aspiration to John Key, he would say, “That is precisely what a government led by me will do”. There might be a minor quibble on the actual policies to achieve that.
“but none of you can say what a left leaning government would do.”
Oh, Wayne. I am sure you follow news and politics. Labour and the progressives HAVE released many policies already. More will be announced during the election campaign proper prior to the election. I am sure Mr Cunliffe will announce the direction and some exciting policy at the Labour Congress starting this coming weekend, to help bring you and many others on the dark right wing side into our progressive fair world.
Some of the already released Labour policies and full details are in this page:
https://www.labour.org.nz/policy
Have a read. I am sure you will like most of them, if not all.
Of course, you could also go to the Greens and Internet MANA party pages to look at their policies.
Here are their links:
https://www.greens.org.nz/policy
http://mana.net.nz/policy/
https://internet.org.nz/
Cheers!
I know what each Party is promising. But how will it all come together, where would the compromises be?
As I said, that is the advantage of being 90% of a coalition. On all the main issues it will be clear by the election what a National led govt will actually do.
That of course is why Shane Jones said Labour needed to get to 40%, to give that level of certainty. And in truth I am sure David Cunliffe also wants that outcome, but at this stage it does not look likely.
So even if there is no formal deal, it would help voters if Labour and at least the Greens gave a greater indication of their common ground, not just in generalities, but on some specifics, for instance taxes, housing, the ETS and transport.
And Helen Clark knew the importance of this in 1999, in cutting the deal with the Alliance. The electorate then knew what Labour/Alliance would do in govt.
Not an unreasonable ask I would have thought.
Which is what should have been done. That is a loose association of shared objectives. And was what National used to do with Act probably three times before they shrivelled and died, and which Labour managed once with the Alliance before it disintegrated.
However the Greens wanted to campaign together, effectively as one. That was a whole different kettle of fish particularly as there are a lot of areas where the Greens and Labour are miles apart.
Wayne, if a coalition have a majority of a single seat, then the party with a single seat can wag the dog.
The point is that there’s room for compromise between most of labour’s likely coalition partners. Even NZ1 has proved willing to compromise on e.g. immigration if it gets more goldcard perks for the seniors.
But look at ACT with their funder Mr Crimp, vs the Maori Party. Or colin craig vs ACT’s social liberalism. There as many more opportunities for a failure to compromise there than there are between the left and centrist parties.
“On all the main issues it will be clear by the election what a National led govt will actually do”
Did you and the country know when they cast their votes in 2011 that National would destabilise our great education system by giving in to ACT for the profit making Charter school rort of public money getting funding at three times the rate of public schools for private business in education with no requirement of trained qualified teachers, no requirement to follow our education rules,oversight and guidelines, no public audit and accounting, no provision for their teachers to be represented by a union to help protect their wage and working conditions, no requirement of health and safety guidelines as regards breaks, leave, teaching times etc?
And you trust ACT and National ‘transparency’ and lack of any secret ideological ‘agenda’?
Just more propagandist and divisive tactics from you Wayne,
I am 100% confident that whatever compromises/arrangements are made by the left-wing parties when they get into government will be light-years more beneficial for substantially more New Zealanders than any agreement and non-policies that the right are offering . Voters can be assured that if National get in that only the top wealthy will be advantaged from such a government and more peoples’ interests will be addressed by a left-wing government – on that we can be certain.
Therefore while it would be nice to have some details about what the policy ‘mix’ would entail with our soon-to-be left-wing government it is not necessary for the left to dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t’ prior to the election in order for voters to make a sound decision on what government would be more beneficial to New Zealanders’ interests.
Thanks so much for your concern though and I wish to express additional thanks to you for the heads up on the latest divisive electioneering strategy that your masters are planning for us.
Labour should emphasise the importance of the PARTY VOTE by asking voters to primarily give PARTY VOTE to LABOUR.
TWO TICKS LABOUR, in this ORDER of importance
FIRST ESSENTIAL : PARTY VOTE , LABOUR.
SECONDARY : Candidate vote, Labour.
Strategic voting is the name of the game.
That’s why I’m standing as a (fiercely) Independent ‘Anti-Corruption / Anti-Privatisation Public Watchdog against John Key in Helensville for the ELECTORATE vote.
I’m not a member of any political party.
Of course all political parties should stand in Helensville, to help advocate and promote for their party vote – but if thousands of Helensville voters give me their ELECTORATE vote – it will be GAME ON.
(In my considered opinion 🙂
But will John Key stand in Helensville?
It is my view that he was probably intending to do a ‘Bill English’ and only stand as Number 1 on the National Party list.
Hopefully, John Key will not bail, and will stand in Helensville, so I can beat him ‘fair and square’ 🙂
For those who think that is ‘mission impossible’ – did you ever state – for the public record, that John Banks would be found guilty of electoral fraud?
I’m campaigning to get rid of this National/ACT Government – except that the ‘ACT’ bit has already gone – thanks to Graham McCready’s successful private prosecution of John Banks.
So – http://www.dodgyjohnHASgone.com
The BIG question that I intend to ask John Key in any Helensville political debates is:
“What role did YOU play, John Key, in the Repeal of the Glass Steagall Act in November 1999 – the effect being to leave the derivatives market completely without regulation, which played a ‘key’ role in the Global Financial Crisis?
Given that in November 1999, you, John Key, were the Head of Derivatives for Merrill Lynch, and a Foreign Exchange Advisor for the New York Federal Reserve?”
Cheers!
Penny Bright
Good luck Penny. Hope you will vanquish this cult leader, the smiling slimy assassin and have the last laugh. New Zealand will rejoice with you, the modern day Joan of Arc.
National want a lower turn out? God you’re full of shit.
The fact is, in National strong holds, the voter turn out for National was low. Mainly because people thought the election was in the bag.
National have used the line ‘have to get out and vote’ for well over a year now.
I read it as ‘get out and vote the bastards out’
“The fact is, in National strong holds, the voter turn out for National was low.”
lolz. The overall turnout was low in Nat strongholds, not the National turnout.
Everyone who is ever going to vote National is already voting National. And they only just squeaked in with a one-seat majority.
Key knows this. Joyce knows this. That’s why they’re sending contradictory messages.
To the general electorate they’re saying “50 FUCKING PERCENT,BITCHES. WE’LL GO IT ALONE”
And to the faithful, it’s “hey guys, don’t believe the hype. This is realy really tight and if Labour pick up a couple of percent we’re fucked”.
Here you go infused: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrGCrZjCUAAIeNc.jpg:large
That’s as good as it’s ever going to get for National. All downhill my friend.
Keep dreaming felix.
I saw kweewee on the teevee last night. He was snarliing and snarky and he never mentioned his governments policies once.
oh thats right.
they dont bother with that anymore.
they just slag everyone else off and then do what they want to do by stealth.
nice guys.
+1 horribly it is so true!
Keep thinking about Turnkey, Blue leopard. That was probably a Freudian slip from deep within the guilt ridden right wing conscience. The aversion to Colin Craig however makes a dangerous alliance between Winston and turnKey ( TurKey even)more likely though, so is not overall an advantage. Winston on Backbenchers was reinforcing his role with condoleeza Rice in closing the gap between US and NZ. That made me feel uneasy, pro American allies, not a pleasant thought.
Defacing billboards may be pragmatic with this in mind, despite being illegal. If it does help to rid us of the biggest public nuisance (turnKey that is) to have defaced the hallowed halls of Parliament, since Roger Douglas.
Actually Is it illegal to alter billboards, isn’t it part of free speech during elections? Especially if done with good humoured wit. They are usually on Public land on verges. Anyone know the law in this respect?
That is really interesting re Freudian slip – that is probably exactly what it is! I keep doing a double take every-time I see that name – all I can see is ‘turnkey’ at first.
I like your reasoning re billboards 😉 Perhaps we could have some blank billboards put up especially for the purpose?
…as for Winston…he really is very unpredictable isn’t he?!
What was said about the Greens stunt on the NAT billboards last time around?
Hoardings as they are more properly called, frequently get damaged during campaigns. Nothing unusual in that, as any seasoned campaigner can attest to.
Forget about it. It is a very bad idea and very undemocratic and unfair. Don’t even think of going there. It will do more harm than good to our progressive cause.
We should fight the bastards through conviction, policies, campaign, persuasion, education and social media.
Nice sentiments. But how many hoardings have you put up or repaired on the campaign trail front line.
Never involved in billboards. Only did door knocking and pamphlet drops in post boxes.
If opposition damages out bill boards, sure it is a pain and does repairs etc, but I still think it is not good to retaliate. What do you think? and what has been your experience?
Everything on the campaign trail makes a point. If all the red hoardings in a town of 10,000 have been demolished or defaced, and John Key’s smiling face on a pretty blue background looks out perfectly from all over the town, that says something of significance to the Labour voters there.
it also says something about the national party.
Yes it does. That they are in charge of the town.
like al capone was.
And he was only popular because he threw money around.
A trashed hoarding always leaves a trace.
I hope like hell that key does a deal with the whacko craig, along with keys arrogance & ego will be his downfall.
If I were Matt McCarten right now I’d be making heavy use of the fact that John Key has thought about quitting, and remind people there’s a possibility that a vote for National will net you Bill English as Prime Minister.
That should make David Cunliffe look very attractive to voters. 😛
Key said he is not quitting, he may do four terms
…and he never lies
No GST rises either…
And you BELIEVE him?! He also said he will NOT raise GST. You believe him? He said he DOES NOT REMEMBER where he stood on the Springs Bok tour. You believe that? His innumerable convenient ‘brain fades’. You believe him? You are sucked in, mate.
Get out of your dark side. Be patriotic!
Pffft. That sook was considering quitting after the tea tapes. He can’t take the heat – one decent scandal and he’ll be off to Hawaii faster than you can say golf.
Funny you should say that… Personally, I always had a bit f a soft spot for Bill English (prior to him being infected by Key) as he always came over as quite a straight talking, level headed family man…. I have often wondered how he actually gets on with slime-ball Key.
I liked Bill once to, but he has gone along with this rotten govt so he is over as far as I am concerned.
Good one Matt, but will they do it?
an oxymoron really.
key hasn’t got a personality.
he is cold and shallow like a pit viper.
Teamkey or turkey? Gobbling up new zealand
Clemgeopin, yes I see your point. It can backfire to vandalise. Satirical and good humoured alterations though may add an element of an ‘outside’ to the overwhelmingly persuasive propaganda machine that is kicking in behind re electing Key. it is dirty tactics though and I guess there are more positive ways to counter turnKey.
Hi, I am looking for the Obama version of the TeamKey image below. It was floating around the other day but it seems to have vanished from google searches and I cannot recall exactly where I saw it posted. I will keep trawling but if someone has it, I would appreciate the link.
Have a good day.
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrKsVdrCYAAgUyT.jpg:large