Where National lost control of the budget spin
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7:04 am, May 24th, 2012 - 18 comments
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This year’s budget has been quite unlike any others. Coming off a nightmare few months for the government of Nick Smith, asset sales hikois, SkyCity scandals, rising unemployment, John Banks etc etc their pre-budget announcements were greeted with anger at what they’re cutting, not approval of where the money’s been re-directed. National picked the wrong targets.
In it’s first term, before its political instincts deserted it, National targeted large cuts at a relatively small number of people on society’s margins.
The cuts to the Tertiary Incentive Allowance are case in point. It was devastating to solo mums trying to get a qualification and get a better chance at life for themselves and their children, but it affected relatively few people and the bulk of people displayed no sympathy for them.
Even something like cuts to ECE funding directly affects a relatively small number (about 160,000) families at a time.
Contrast that with increasing prescription charges, increasing class sizes, upping student loan repayments. Now, they’re targeting really big sectors of the population – half a million families with school age kids, 600,000 people with student loans, millions who get prescriptions every year.
And think about who is hit by all 3 of those – young couple, middle New Zealand, in their early 30s with a kid or two and still paying off their student loans – that’s the very constituency National has won so effectively in the past.
It’s all very well for John Armstrong to spin that the outcry over these cuts has been muted but, outside the beltway, the reaction is very different. Everyone is talking about the higher prescription charges. It’s a classic hip-pocket issue because it’s very real to a family every time they get medicine. The total added costs might be relatively small compared to, say, Working for Families or the GST hike but this is a lot more direct, a lot more visceral. And it’ll be an irritant every time those 20 million or so prescriptions per year get filled.
On the other side, the Opposition has run a far more aggressive strategy this Budget. The Greens’ BERL report, and Labour’s website and speeches from Shearer and Parker, and columns by Parker and Norman have pre-framed this Budget in a way that didn’t happen before. National seemed caught out by the way the Greens and Labour front-footed their attack, perhaps complacent after the past three years. There has been little response from National to the Opposition salvos, and the ‘zero budget, zero growth, zero vision’ meme has taken off (David Cunliffe, for example, was devastating using that rhetoric on Backbenches last night).
In part, the Opposition’s aggressiveness is allowed by the fact that we know what is in this Budget – more user pays, no dramatic new investments, closing a few tax loopholes, over-optimistic growth assumptions, and a track to surplus in 2014/15.
And those pesky facts have made the going harder for National too. The unexpected jump in unemployment, the pathetic growth figures, the record emigration to Australia all point to a government that’s doing a shitty job running the economy. Their ‘it’s all someone else’s fault’ spin is now being answered with ‘well, if you can’t do anything about it, what’s the point of having you in charge?’
Does National have any rabbits to pull out of the hat today? It would be surprising if they don’t have something up their sleeve, they’re not so stupid as to give the media no new news hooks and leave a void to be filled by the Opposition. But it’s hard to see how it could be on the scale of the surprise drop in the 21% tax rate to 17.5% in 2010. Vernon Small speculates they might forecast a small surplus in 2013/14 but that would actually just open up more criticism of the stupid, otherwordly rosiness of their forecasts. A workman-like budget will leave much more media space for critique than a budget full of big changes.
Poor political choices, lazy spin management, a succession of statistics highlighting National’s poor management of the economy, a much more active Opposition, and, let’s not forget, a much less friendly media ever since the teapot tapes have combined to make this the first budget that has hurt National, rather than bolstered it.
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- Release: Huge hole in National’s climate budgetNational’s plan to cut policies that are reducing New Zealand’s climate emissions will result in a huge gap in the country’s emissions budgets and could see Kiwis paying significantly more at the petrol pump as a result of Christopher Luxon hiking the ETS price. ...7 days ago
- Greens would push Labour much further on solar powerLabour’s plan to support rooftop solar is a step in the right direction, but falls short of what could be achieved through the Green Party’s Clean Power Payment. ...1 week ago
- Release: Doubling rooftop solar to reduce bills & emissionsLabour will double the number of houses with rooftop solar in New Zealand, lowering household power bills, reducing emissions and boosting renewable electricity generation. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour will advance women’s health, careers, and legal protectionsA re-elected Labour Government will continue its proud tradition of advancing women’s health, employment, and legal rights Spokesperson for Women Jan Tinetti said. ...1 week ago
- Green Party confirms plan for five weeks annual leaveSpeaking at the E Tū Election Launch in Auckland today, Green Party co leader Marama Davidson outlined the Green Party’s manifesto commitment to ensure everyone has five weeks of annual leave. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour to keep lifting worker wages and rightsA re-elected Labour Government will protect hard-fought workers’ rights and keep the momentum on wage growth to lift incomes for all New Zealanders, leader Chris Hipkins announced today. ...1 week ago
- New Zealand First Party List 2023New Zealand First is proud to announce the Party List for the upcoming 2023 General Election. We have had a great number of applicants and potential candidates moving through the selection process over the past few months. Our final selection for our list proves we have a wide range ...1 week ago
- A National/ACT Government would make life miserable for those already worst offOnly a party vote for the Greens will end poverty. ACT’S welfare policy announced today is as cruel as it gets. ...1 week ago
- Release: Willis’ resignation call means only one thing – $2 billion more cutsMassive cuts to public service are on the cards as Nicola Willis has promised to resign if she doesn’t deliver tax cuts but is refusing to make the same commitment if she doesn’t raise enough income from her bungled foreign buyer’s tax. ...1 week ago
- Release: A faster justice system focused on victimsLabour will help more victims of crime achieve justice faster by introducing a formal class-action regime, modernising consent laws and increasing the use of technology to speed up hearings. ...1 week ago
- Release: Gaping hole confirmed in National’s tax planA whopping $2.1 billion dollar hole has been confirmed in National’s tax scheme in a new report released today. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour pledges biggest ever increase to training DoctorsLabour will deliver the largest ever increase to the number of doctors trained each year, adding an additional 335 doctors a year to our health workforce from 2027, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins has announced. ...2 weeks ago
- PREFU Exposes Political PromisesToday’s PREFU has some alarming statistics showing an economy deteriorating and the cost of unaffordable government expenditure, mainly in the 2022 and 2023 budgets. Despite this alarming economic and fiscal picture, political parties are making unaffordable promises, talking about a surplus by 2027, or four years time, all of which ...2 weeks ago
- State of books makes clear case for wealth taxThe case for a wealth tax has never been stronger. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour pledges free cervical screeningIf re-elected Labour will make cervical screening services free to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 – 69 years, delivering better cancer care for over 1.4 million New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Chris Hipkins sets out 9 key pledges to New ZealandLabour Leader Chris Hipkins has set out nine key pledges to be achieved in his first full term as Prime Minister. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour's Plan 2023Labour is running a positive, forward-looking campaign that's focused on fixing the cost of living, keeping people and communities safe and investing in education, health and housing. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Coalition of Cuts and Chaos would be NZ’s most unstable governmentStatements from David Seymour and Winston Peters have called into question whether National would be able to lead a functional government if they were in a position to do so after the election. ...2 weeks ago
- Healthy Ocean Act – Marama Davidson SpeechHe mōhio ō tātou tīpuna ki te tirotiro taiao. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens will demand Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to lead ocean rescue planThe Green Party will protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, create an independent Ocean Commission to advise the government, and put a Green Minister for Oceans and Fisheries in charge of making it happen. ...2 weeks 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 ...1 day ago - Immigration settings updatesJudicial 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 ...2 days ago
- Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga HohepaTangi 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 ...3 days ago
- COVID-19 funding returned to GovernmentThe 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 ...3 days ago
- Appointment of District Court JudgeSusie 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 ...3 days ago
- Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilienceThe 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 ...4 days ago
- Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-upAnother $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 ...4 days ago
- Taupō Supercars revs up with Government supportThe 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 ...4 days ago
- There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarterThe 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 ...4 days ago
- Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springsThe 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 ...4 days ago
- More support for victims of migrant exploitationTemporary 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 ...5 days ago
- Strong export boost as NZ economy turns cornerAn 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 ...5 days ago
- Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te KarakaThe 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 ...5 days ago
- Further business support for cyclone-affected regionsThe 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 ...5 days ago
- New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underwayDefence 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 ...5 days ago
- Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General AssemblyForeign 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 ...6 days ago
- Midwives’ pay equity offer reachedAround 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 ...1 week ago
- New Zealand provides support to MoroccoAotearoa 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilienceThe 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 ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests in Greymouth’s futureThe Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...2 weeks ago
- Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ MeetingForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...2 weeks ago
- PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflationEconomy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...2 weeks ago
- New cancer centre opens in ChristchurchPrime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience$12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...2 weeks ago
- New Wildlife Act to better protect native speciesThe 70-year-old Wildlife Act will be replaced with modern, fit-for-purpose legislation to better protect native species and improve biodiversity, Minister of Conservation Willow-Jean Prime has announced. “New species legislation is urgently needed to address New Zealand’s biodiversity crisis,” Willow-Jean Prime said. “More than 4,000 of our native species are currently ...2 weeks ago
- Further safety initiatives for Auckland City CentreCentral and Local Government are today announcing a range of new measures to tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour in the Auckland CBD to complement Police scaling up their presence in the area. “Police have an important role to play in preventing and responding to crime, but there is more ...2 weeks ago
- Govt confirms additional support for Enabling Good LivesThe Government has confirmed $73.7 million over the next four years and a further $40.5m in outyears to continue to transform the disability support system, Minister for Disability Issues Priyanca Radhakrishnan has announced. “The Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach is a framework which guides positive change for disabled people, ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand gets AAA credit rating from S&PStandard and Poor’s is the latest independent credit rating agency to endorse the Government’s economic management in the face of a deteriorating global economy. S&P affirmed New Zealand’s long term local currency rating at AAA and foreign currency rating at AA+ with a stable outlook. It follows Fitch affirming New ...2 weeks ago
- Appointment of Environment Court JudgeChristchurch barrister Kelvin Reid has been appointed as a Judge of the Environment Court and the District Court, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Mr Reid has extensive experience in Resource Management Act issues, including water quality throughout the South Island. He was appointed to the Technical Advisory Group advising the ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s biggest ever emissions reduction project hits milestoneNew Zealand is on track to have greener steel as soon as 2026 with New Zealand Steel’s electric arc furnace project reaching a major milestone today. The Government announced a conditional partnership with New Zealand Steel in May to deliver the country’s largest emissions reduction project to date. Half of ...2 weeks ago
- Poroporoaki: Paki Leslie Māngai NikoraPokia ana te tihi Taiarahia e Hine-Pūkohu-rangi Hotu kau ana te manawa! Horahia ana te whārua o Ruātoki e te kapua pouri Tikaro rawahia ko te whatumanawa! Rere whakamuri kau ana te awa o Hinemataroa Ki te kawe i te rongo ki te mātāpuna i nga pōngaihu Maungapōhatu, tuohu ...3 weeks ago
- 50,000 charges laid in crack down on gangsPolice Minister Ginny Andersen has today congratulated Police in their efforts to crack down on gangs, after laying 50,000 charges against gang members and their associates through the hugely successful Operation Cobalt. As at 31 August, Police have: Laid 50,396 criminal charges against gang members and their associates Issued 64,524 ...3 weeks ago
- Farmers and cyclone-affected properties supported with tax rule changesThe Government has confirmed details of the tax changes to the bright-line test for cyclone-damaged properties, with the release of the required legislative amendments. Revenue Minister Barbara Edmonds has released a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) to be considered by the Finance and Expenditure Committee in the next Parliament, as it ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand wins CPTPP dispute against CanadaMinister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor has welcomed the CPTPP Panel’s ruling in favour of New Zealand in our dispute against Canada, a significant win for our primary sector exporters. The Panel found that Canada’s dairy quota administration is inconsistent with its obligations under the Comprehensive and Progressive ...3 weeks ago
- The RMA is dead, long live the RMA: why NZ’s resource laws won’t change overnight after this ele...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeffrey McNeill, Senior Lecturer in Resource & Environmental Planning, Massey University RMA – three letters that have struck fear into a generation of farmers, developers, politicians and anyone building a house. Or so legend would have it. Whatever its original goal of ...41 mins ago - Luxon confident he could make three-way coalition work
Christopher Luxon has told reporters on the campaign trail in Matamata that he could manage a multi-party coalition with both Act and New Zealand First, if needed. In a social media video this morning, Luxon finally revealed that he was open to working with Winston Peters if the votes fell ...59 mins ago - Newsletter: September 25 2023 – Items of interest and importance todayNew Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project. NZ Politics Daily: 25 September 2023 NZ FIRST, COALITION WITH NATIONAL 1News: National’s Christopher Luxon would work with NZ First if he has to ...1 hour ago
- Rt Hon Winston Peters RE: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter Legislation
This matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is ...1 hour ago - Election 2023: Labour releases climate manifesto with more policy plans
Labour has revealed policies for a second emissions reduction plan, a new ministerial role, and increasing renewable electricity generation. ...2 hours ago - Election 2023: The tertiary education policies in two minutesHundreds of thousands of New Zealanders engage with the tertiary education sector each year. Here’s everything you need to know about funding, governance, student allowances, fees and research in two minutes. See more from our policy in two minutes series here. More than 300,000 New Zealanders are enrolled in programmes ...2 hours ago
- Government’s employment white paper commits to jobs for all who want them – and help to get themSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The employment white paper, released on Monday, has outlined multiple measures the Albanese government will implement to assist the about three million people who want jobs or more hours of work. They include making ...2 hours ago
- Government’s employment white paper commits to jobs for all who want them – and help to get themSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The employment white paper, released on Monday, has outlined multiple measures the Albanese government will implement to assist the about three million people who want jobs or more hours of work. They include making ...2 hours ago
- What it’s like to wear the most expensive diamond ring in New ZealandThe biggest and most expensive diamond ring to be auctioned in New Zealand went under the hammer in Auckland on Sunday. In the name of luxury, Gabi Lardies went and tried it on. The bubbles are on ice, the scented candles are lit and I am quite explicit about not ...2 hours ago
- Do blue-light glasses really work? Can they reduce eye strain or help me sleep?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Downie, Associate Professor in Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Blue-light glasses are said to reduce eye strain when using computers, improve your sleep and protect your eye health. You can buy them yourself or your ...2 hours ago
- Do blue-light glasses really work? Can they reduce eye strain or help me sleep?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Downie, Associate Professor in Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Blue-light glasses are said to reduce eye strain when using computers, improve your sleep and protect your eye health. You can buy them yourself or your ...2 hours ago
- Labour’s Climate Manifesto – Commendable Condiments But Missing The ‘main Meal’Greenpeace Aotearoa says the Labour Party’s Climate Manifesto, launched today, reads like a shopping list of condiments that has missed off the main meal: action on New Zealand’s biggest climate polluter, intensive dairy. "There are many ...2 hours ago
- Labour’s Climate Announcement Is Economically And Scientifically IlliterateResponding to the release of Labour’s Climate Manifesto, Taxpayers’ Union Deputy Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: "Yet again, we are seeing a swathe of policies that fail to recognise the genius and effectiveness of our existing Emissions ...2 hours ago
- National-Act-NZ First government would be ‘rightwing circus’, says HipkinsAt his press conference to launch Labour’s climate manifesto in New Plymouth today, Chris Hipkins was quick to offer his thoughts on Christopher Luxon finally admitting National would work with New Zealand First to form the next government if it needed to. “I want to for once in my life ...2 hours ago
- Labour and National bicker over climate policy as Hipkins releases manifestoChris Hipkins has released Labour’s “climate manifesto”, which brings together a range of existing policies plus adds a handful of new ones. These include a plan for a “minister for just transitions” to oversee New Zealand’s transition to a low-emissions economy, and to a plan to invest an additional $300 ...2 hours ago
- New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this weekWhat are you going to be watching this week? We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. The biggies Neighbours: The Return (on Prime Video from September 25) Neighbours is back, baby. The long-running Australian soap that ended ...3 hours ago
- Luxon's call on NZ First could come back to bite him
Christopher Luxon has given the voters what they wanted – transparency on who National will work with. But, in doing so, some of his supporters worry he may have given New Zealand First a boost. Comment: National Party supporters at a meet and greet in Matamata with Christopher Luxon were ...3 hours ago - Te Whatu Ora Must Stand By Employees’ Rights To Freedom Of Thought And Speech25 September 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Te Whatu Ora must stand by employees’ rights to freedom of thought and speech The Free Speech Union insists that Te Whatu Ora stand by their employees’ rights of freedom of thought and speech ...3 hours ago
- Te Whatu Ora Must Stand By Employees’ Rights To Freedom Of Thought And Speech...3 hours ago
- NZ election 2023: Bryce Edwards: The most hollow campaign in living memoryThe 2023 general election campaign must be the most hollow in living memory. There really isn’t much that is positive or attractive about the electoral options on offer. This is an election without inspiration. There is a definite gloominess among the public right now — with a perception that not ...3 hours ago
- Severe Weather Demands Voters' AttentionMore severe weather and floods in regions demand voters’ attention. Floods in Queenstown and Southland, wildfires in South Canterbury, and further risk of flood in Gisborne, are a warning that the biggest issue in this election has to be climate ...4 hours ago
- Labor and Albanese recover in Newspoll as Dutton falls, but the Voice’s slump continuesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Newspoll, conducted September 18–22 from a sample of 1,239, gave Labor a 54–46 lead, a one-point gain for Labor since ...4 hours ago
- Peters defends decision on 2017 coalition and repeats Bill English claimsWinston Peters has repeated his claim that Bill English said he was about to be rolled as National leader during negotiations after the 2017 election. According to the New Zealand First leader, English said during post-election negotiations that he was about to lose his position as leader of National. It’s ...4 hours ago
- Luxon left looking ‘slow and expedient’ after Peters rule-in announcementWe’ve been waiting weeks months for a captain’s call from Christopher Luxon on whether or not he’d work with Winston Peters – and that finally came today. As I detailed this morning, Luxon, in a video shared to social media, finally admitted he would work with Peters if necessary after ...5 hours ago
- Are fish oil supplements as healthy as we think? And is eating fish better?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia Fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, is promoted for a number of health benefits – from boosting our heart health, protecting our brain from dementia, ...5 hours ago
- What lies behind Luxon’s change of heart on NZ First?The 11th-hour decision to rule in Winston Peters if necessary leaves the National leader looking slow and expedient. When Chris Hipkins declared last week that National’s polling was beyond its peak, it seemed born more of hope than data. It is hard to avoid concluding, however, that Christopher Luxon has ...6 hours ago
- Watch live: Election debate – Parties questioned on policies affecting PasifikaRNZ Pacific has partnered with Pacific Media Network to question major parties on how their policies will affect Pacific peoples. ...6 hours ago
- EPA Annual Charges On Forestry Participants Unlawful?...6 hours ago
- A teenager’s OCD journeyA 17-year-old shares their reality living with the ‘doubting disease’. A version of this essay was first published on Emily Writes’ Substack. Every day I return to my house, gently closing the door behind me. Each time I unpack my bag, wash my lunch box and water bottle, place my ...6 hours ago
- The ‘community of care’ improving the wellbeing of Sāmoan teachersAn ambitious initiative in Sāmoan early childhood centres is improving the health and wellbeing of children, families and teachers across Auckland – with aspirations to extend nationwide. The Seugagogo Aoga Amata Pre-School had humble beginnings. Situated close to the town centre of Auckland’s Ōtāhuhu and founded as a playgroup ...6 hours ago
- National would work with NZ FirstWelcome to The Spinoff’s election live updates for Monday, September 25. I’m Stewart Sowman-Lund: on deck today from the mighty Manawatū. Get in touch with me on [email protected] Find out more about the political parties at Policy.nz The agenda Christopher Luxon has confirmed he would work with Winston ...7 hours ago
- Election 2023: National Party confirms it could work with NZ FirstChristopher Luxon says his preference is to work with ACT in government, but could work with New Zealand First too. ...7 hours ago
- Is it ethical non-Indigenous people get to decide on the Voice? Is it OK for one group to have right...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Formosa, Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy, and Co-Director of the Macquire University Ethics & Agency Research Centre, Macquarie University Australians will soon be asked to vote on whether we should “alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples ...8 hours ago
- America’s leaders are older than they’ve ever been. Why didn’t the founding fathers foresee th...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jared Mondschein, Director of Research, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney The US Congress has had no shortage of viral moments in recent months. Senator Dianne Feinstein seemingly became confused over how to vote. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell experienced two extended ...8 hours ago
- We need urban trees more than ever – here’s how to save them from extreme heatSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Renée M Prokopavicius, Postdoctoral Researcher in Plant Ecophysiology, Western Sydney University Torychemistry, Shutterstock Australians are bracing for a hot spring and summer. The Bureau of Meteorology has finally declared El Niño is underway, making warmer and drier conditions more likely for ...8 hours ago
- How to manage exam season: don’t forget to take regular breaks and breatheSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Ginns, Associate Professor in Educational Psychology, University of Sydney Oleksandr P/Pexels Around Australia, Year 12 students are heading into the final stretch of study before exams start in early term 4. This is typically seen as a very intense ...8 hours ago
- ‘An insatiable and unrestrained desire for passionate love’: the holy slut-shaming of Mary of Eg...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olympia Nelson, PhD Candidate in Modern Greek & Byzantine Studies specialising in Byzantine art and literature, University of Sydney Mary of Egypt, The Pantanassa Monastery, Mystras, Peloponnese, Greece Olympia Nelson, CC BY-ND Mary of Egypt, a fourth-century saint with a large ...8 hours ago
- How Māngere plans to become the cycling capital of the PacificA beloved community group is shifting transport habits in this Manukau suburb. As I biked down Coronation Road in Māngere, a driver beeped and yelled, “Get off the road and onto the footpath!” When I didn’t get out of their way, they yelled again, telling me it was for my ...8 hours ago
- It’s poll dayNewshub’s next poll will be revealed at 6pm tonight, teased by political editor Jenna Lynch as one that shows the face of the election is “changing in more ways than one”. Is that a reference to New Zealand First, especially given National’s decision to commit to working with them (if ...8 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Where’s the urgency on drinking water?Andrea Vance has been on a tear of late, publishing a series of fired up columns about the dire state of political discourse as we head towards the election. This week’s Sunday Star-Times column (paywalled) is on the “stonking great elephant in the room” that none of the party leaders want to ...9 hours ago
- Gloves come off as Robertson and Willis show their leaders how it’s doneThe finance chiefs’ Q&A debate was some of the most compelling TV of the election season so far, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Tempers flare in the TVNZ studios Grant ...9 hours ago
- Act And National A Coalition For Change“ACT and National are on the same page about a future coalition Government, with both parties working together in a strong coalition to overcome the significant challenges New Zealand faces,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “Christopher Luxon confirmed ...9 hours ago
- Political Leaders Must Back Corporate Manslaughter Law – Pike FamiliesPike River family members Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse have called on political leaders to agree to introduce a corporate manslaughter law following charges for Whakaari deaths being dropped. Anna Osborne, who lost her husband Milton in the Pike ...9 hours ago
- Providing Real Choice In Education“We need to get the politics and bureaucracy out of New Zealand’s education system, bring high standards for attendance and learning in, and treat the profession with respect. While Labour is responsible for lowering the bar and leaving kids even ...9 hours ago
- National would work with NZ First, confirms LuxonAfter months of speculation and countless questions from journalists, Christopher Luxon has confirmed he would work with Winston Peters – if required to. In a video posted to social media, Luxon made it clear that his preference was for “strong and stable” two-party coalition between National and Act. “I believe ...9 hours ago
- Think Before You Speak – Ethnic and Faith Community Leaders urge politicians“Think before you speak” urges Ethnic and Faith Leaders to election candidates. The national network of ethnic and faith leaders of the Chinese, Indian, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish and African communities has urged civility and respect by politicians during ...10 hours ago
- Election 2023 updates: Latest developments on 25 SeptemberParty leader Christopher Luxon has for months refused to explicitly state whether or not he could work with New Zealand First's Winston Peters. ...10 hours ago
- Election 2023 updates: Latest developments on 25 SeptemberParty leader Christopher Luxon has for months refused to explicitly state whether or not he could work with New Zealand First's Winston Peters. ...10 hours ago
- Duelling fiscal plans: Labour-National economic rivalry comes to a headNational and Labour are both promising to front up with their full fiscal plans this week, their rhetoric over the economy growing increasingly feisty. ...11 hours ago
- Duelling fiscal plans: Labour-National economic rivalry comes to a headNational and Labour are both promising to front up with their full fiscal plans this week, their rhetoric over the economy growing increasingly feisty. ...11 hours ago
- Did National really just simply sell off state houses?New Zealand has a massive deficit in state housing, but is that all National’s fault? Max Rashbrooke runs the numbers. It has become a truth universally acknowledged, at least on the left, that the last time National was in power, its only interest in state houses lay in selling them ...12 hours ago
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Halfway through the campaign period and with Labour still falling in the polls, Chris Hipkins has debuted a new and more aggressive approach at a rally in Wellington, Marc Daalder reports Analysis: In front of a crowd of around 80 supporters in a small room on Wellington's waterfront on Sunday, Chris ...23 hours ago - Chris Hipkins ratchets up attacks at Wellington rallyIt was a far cry from the campaign rallies the Labour Party threw in Wellington at the last two elections, held in the St James Theatre and the Michael Fowler Centre, but Chris Hipkins nevertheless summoned an old-school energy at a central city conference room before 250 supporters this afternoon. ...23 hours ago
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The craven media have again demonstrated their ability to give their Tory masters clear air for their big day. Watch the TV tonight, it will be like an unpaid party political broadcast for the Tories. The chooks still love their Johnny, even if he did have to scold them. They know it was for the best.
Good writing. This budget will be an exceedingly fine one between ausetrity and all those global resonances of that word and public sector debt. Perhaps Hollande will today start to tilt against austerity and in doing so change the global language away from cut and kill, and so in turn change our own language.
Truly looking forward to national dropping 3% nio the next poll as a result of these measures. Any bets people on the degree of drop?
Very helpful too for the progressive end of the country that Len Brown defeated the right last night to get a reasonably expansive budget passed, without selling assets other than tradeable land, and of course pushing enough stimulus in transport and the waterfront to get Auckland – New Zealand’s only population and economic growth region – primed again.
Always made me wonder what it would look like if the Mayors of Auckland and Christchurch did pre-Government Budget conferences and really asked for what they wanted.
I loved the Greens’ set piece. Did anyone go to that University of Aukcland “alternative budget” evening? I so wanted to go. First Party to sponsor that event gets a free media framing.
The news about last night’s decisions by Auckland Council are not to be found now on the main pages of Stuff or NZ Herald online – they’ve been hustled away from the view of the majority of the public. And the lead paragraph is a criticism of it by Christine Fletcher on NZH:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10808028
Stuff Auckland has 2 articles, headlining rates rises and free swimming pools for children (with a photo of a grumpy looking Len Brown):
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6973364/Free-pool-access-for-under-16s
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6976148/Auckland-rates-to-rise
TV3 and TVNZ have headlined the rates increases.
Given the probability of at least one severe thunderstorm inducing flash flooding in Auckland this coming summer is pretty high, Len’s budget has its priorities wrong. Now that its known Auckland has hundreds of kilometres of storm water drains that are not fit for purpose, someone – i.e. Auckland Council – has to take ownership of the problem and say: “I’ll fix it”.
‘its known Auckland has hundreds of kilometres of storm water drains that are not fit for purpose… ‘ has been known for years, apparently up to a $4 Billion job to rectify.
Who would be responsible for the state of akl’s drainage, isn’t it Watercare who under Mark Ford’s stewardship have done nothing except let it deteriorate even more whilst paying dividends to council rather than re-investing on the network.
The north shore is expecially screwed with over devlopment and is known as the inverted concrete bowl and we all know what happens when you pour water on one of those.
5% or more is my wishing bet ….
“doing a shitty job running the economy.”
You spelt ruining wrong 😉
Quite the contrary, they’re doing an excellent job of ruining the economy.
Eddie uses her crystal ball to predict coverage in tomorrow’s papers of a budget that hasn’t even been read yet.
Lets just wait and see how much this budget hurts huh – you could well be right, but right now, this is just another episode of wishful thinking from another fanboi.
Governments lose because they become arrogant and out of touch. In the DomPost today there is a list of the vast property portfolios of many of the National Party MPs (other parties only have one MP each on the list). This shows that the Party is unlikely ever to support a redistributive capital gains tax. However, it also shows that they can never understand the daily financial struggles and resulting stress of an increasing number of NZ individuals and families, when every unexpected bill can be a crisis.
Yes, it’s being out of touch, but also the intersection of various factors.
NAct was strongly focused on the spin generally in their first term, and that was JK’s main role. Now the gloves are off so they are trying to reap the benefits of the accumulated spin in terms of radical neoliberal policy. This stretches the veneer of spin to its limits, and the mask is slipping, revealing more of the sneering JK’s underlying face.
At the same time we have the neoliberal-instigated, western system of finance and economic structure unravelling.
Out of touch NAct is being revealed? So they attempt more spin.
They have put all the blame on their failure to deliver any progress for the majority of Kiwis, as being due to the GFC and Christchurch quake. The opposition have called them on this. National’s response, as seen in the House yesterday, was to hide even further behind their out of touch bubble – they repeatedly claimed that on “Planet Labour” no GFC or Christchurch quake happened. This is a gross distortion of the opposition arguments. They haven’t denied they happened and have had an impact, just argued that NAct can’t blame everything on those two events.
Rob Salmond dissects the NAct stance on these two events well:
http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/gdp-growth-further-nonsense-from-government-ministers
CONFIDENTIAL
Memo
TO: John Key, Bill English
FROM: HQ
SUBJECT: New Zealand Government Budget
Changes as discussed at last meeting in Korea have now been approved by network partners and incorporated into text. You may release the Budget as planned.
Lynton.
email from JKEY to CT:
ackshully Bell relashes it, I just shit and grin inannely till it’s time to jump up, read those lines about ‘sea change, tough economic global conditions etc’ shake his hands and buga off for a well earned wine or 3.
Cheers
JK
PS: can I mention diminic environment again or is that still banned by you?
To: JK
From: JB
Can you tell me where my office is? I’ve forgotten. By the way, this really cool guy in a nice suit just, like, gave me this money because he liked me. I told him to write it out in $25k cheques so that when I banked them I wouldn’t know who they came from – smart, right? Can’t say I haven’t learnt my lesson – I’ll be sure to bank the cheques myself so I can be sure I don’t know how they got in my account.
Anyway, gtg – I’m going on a mystery trip this afternoon. It’s a surprise, and I won’t know where I’m going, who I’m seeing or how I got there – even after the trip. It’s the latest thing, you should try it.
You’re so lucky to have a coalition partner like me to support your nuttiest policies, what would you do without me?
John.
PS: Hey, did you notice we’ve got the same first name? Ha! That’s soooo funny!
P.P.S – And then I’ll do my impression of a whirling dervish – useful to practice that for all the “spinning” I ‘ll have to do in the days ahead! And to top it all off, guess what? – I’m still “ass-pirational” too!
Where National has for long offered the Christchurch situation as an excuse for just about everything, now the tune is changing and they are crowing that the Christchurch rebuild will save us!! I hope Christchurch residents are enjoying the manner in which this government has been, and still is, using them.
Whatever the budget outcome, we must prepare ourselves through patience and long-suffering, to await any really beneficial changes for the better in our country. Just hang in there, never despair. One day Key (and Christine Fletcher) will simply become bad memories.
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