The next Labour government’s first week
Barbara Edmonds has a plan and Labour aren’t mucking around.
Open Mike 01/11/2026
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This weird election just got weirder
This week right wing parties became locked in a messy fight over an attempt to distort proportionality by creating a large overhang of National electorate seats, a campaign being funded by a wealthy climate change denier and an anti vax movement with hidden funding.
The Austerity Bombshell in Labour’s Fiscal Plan
Will a Labour victory in the 2026 election mean an end to austerity? To meet the strict spending targets outlined in their fiscal plan, Elliot Crossan argues that Chris Hipkins and Barbara Edmonds will need to underinvest in health, cut the rest of the public sector, and betray Ardern’s legacy on child poverty.
Open Mike 31/10/2026
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Daily review 30/10/2026
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Hacker focus in election season
In election season, this site gets a certain amount of hacker attention. It drives the usual attempts by hackers wanting to add my systems to their bot nets, AI scanners, and search bots into the background. This year it appears to be somewhat one sided. This year the Russians are interested. Almost obsessed. Perhaps I should talk to their ambassador about their state’s inept technical behaviour.
Open Mike 30/10/2026
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Daily review 29/10/2026
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The last RNZ Reid poll, and getting out the vote for a left win
It comes down to how many people get out and vote. Oh yeah, and fuck Mowbray.
National’s big mo problem
Momentum in politics is normally a good thing. But two recent polls suggests that National’s momentum is going the wrong way.
Open Mike 29/10/2026
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Daily review 28/10/2026
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Labour’s smart social housing policy
“Labour’s housing spokesman Kieran McAnulty said the policy was “a game-changer and a life-changer”.
Open Mike 28/10/2026
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Daily review 27/10/2026
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BHN: Leaders Special: Chris Hipkins, Labour
Chris Hipkins will be on BHN live tonight from 9pm.
National Government allocated 80% of all health spend increase to private healthcare
$2.4 billion of a total $3b was given by National to private organisations and doctors. Plus: The talk of the political town – a new model shows how National could win
Luxon couldn’t be more like Trump if he tried
Christopher Luxon, who changed the law to limit special votes, supposedly so the next government could be formed more quickly, has cast a special vote.
Open Mike 27/10/2026
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Day 1 of voter suppression: why is National preventing people from enrolling to vote?
Voter suppression in New Zealand is absolutely shameful.
Open Mike 26/10/2026
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Open Mike 25/10/2026
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Let’s talk about the Opportunity Party in New Zealand
Is Opportunity a Trojan Horse Party? And what scenarios are likely to play out with them in play in Election 2026?
“Government does things not for profit but to build a country”
In the Greens’ fiscal plan policy speech, Chloe Swarbrick lays out what good government is, and lays down a challenge to National’s Minister of Finance Nicola Willis.
Open Mike 24/10/2026
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Daily review 23/10/2026
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Gangs are bad. Crime is not?
Let’s ask this question again – is crime bad and if so, when? Is association with criminals problematic, if so when?
Open Mike 23/10/2026
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Daily review 22/10/2026
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Luxon lies about 54 nurses
Do Kiwis deserve better than obfuscation and deception when it comes to our kids and their health?
Open Mike 22/10/2026
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Daily review 21/10/2026
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Open Mike 21/10/2026
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Daily review 20/10/2026
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Twopenneth on MMP and Class
A contribution to the current discussion of MMP and the next election.
Let’s talk gangs
Sir Peter Gluckman was John Key’s Chief Science Advisor. He said some of the most important factors to prevent youth crime was alleviating poverty and keeping people out of incarceration.