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Reprinted with permission from Dave Kennedy (bsprout) at Local Bodies. See also the anonymous editorial in The Herald today - written no doubt by some genius who has never even looked at Dr Joy's data, let alone understood its implications. Mike Joy, Traitor or Martyr?…
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My father remembers Labour Party meetings in our local town hall through the 70’s and 80’s. Staunchly Labour, Dad had many rousing discussions at the local pub with men of varied political persuasions – most of whom were his good friends. A heated debate on…
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On Q+A, Russel Norman and Judith Collins were named politicians of the year (Parata, English, and Shearer were rated worst). It's as much about what they have done in this past year as where they are going. Norman has cleverly positioned himself as the voice…
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The Auckland property market is back through the roof again. It seemed to be the main focus of The Herald this weekend. An anonymous editorial offered an overview and advice: Home buyers aim too high Our addiction to real estate has not been cured by…
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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Public service broadcasting and commercial TV tend to cover politics in different ways. News on public service broadcasting internationally, tends to cover political stories and policies in more depth. Internationally, news on commercial channels has become increasingly ratings driven, sensationalistic, Murdoch-style, infotainment since the 1980s. Sky TV's…
broadcasting democratic participation Maori Issues Politics tv
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My regular Sunday piece of interesting, longer, deeper stories I found during the week. It’s also a chance for you to share what you found this week too. Those stimulating links you wanted to share, but just didn’t fit in anywhere (no linkwhoring). This week:…
climate change economy equality interweb politicans tax us politics
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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A New Direction. Last weekend I laid out Labour’s new direction for New Zealand. I have been humbled by the feedback I have had from so many of you on my speech to the annual conference. I set out a vision for a fair and prosperous New…
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Thanks to the initiative of Moira Coatsworth and others after the 2011 defeat, we now have experience of an open leadership contest giving us a sense of voice and engagement, and something positive to focus on after a difficult year. Thanks to the robustness of…
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Welcome to Poverty watch, a weekly update on the National government's lack of response to the urgent and growing issue of poverty in NZ. A lot of background issues and links are set out in Poverty Watch one two and three. Only one item this…
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Hot on the heels of his bold stand against environmental scientists, uber-lobbyist Mark Unsworth has come out swinging against the police and crown law over their unpatriotic highlighting of crime in New Zealand. "Look, as my good friend John Key will tell you perception is…
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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The Government Administration Committee is hearing submissions on the Marriage Equality Bill. Ostensibly the purpose is to gather the views of the nation in order to make judgements on how the Bill might move forward to become New Zealand law. On the other hand, it…
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On the 30th anniversary of the Official Information Act, it’s worth pausing to ask: is it fit for service? Was it ever? Will the government pick up on the Law Commission’s recent recommendations? Will these make things better or worse? Author and investigative journalist Nicky…
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Weekend social is for non political chat. What's on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no aggro, why can't we all just get along?
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No Right Turn on the Nats' contemplating yet another way to trample on democracy in Christchurch... More dictatorship from Brownlee This morning, the Christchurch City Council voted to save its town hall from the bulldozer. it was a unanimous vote, reflecting the value Christchurch sets on…
democracy under attack Gerry Brownlee local government national
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During the Labour conference, Armstrong patronisingly wrote "delegates were so blinded and so intoxicated by the prospect of securing a say in the election of future leaders that they did not think through the consequences". Old Tories hate democracy. But it's disappointing that Garner made…
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I joined the Labour Party in 1999, when it became clear that Helen Clark meant to honour Labour's election promises (a shocking new development in politics at the time). I went to my first Conference in 2000 and observed the policy making process. I vowed…
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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One of the best things about being a Kiwi living in Australia is the food. But, not the carrots. Not the milk either, or the lamb. And if we’re being brutally honest, not the cheese, not the apples, and not the spuds. Really, the best…
australian politics cost of living Economy im/migration International jobs
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The Labour Party conference at the weekend gave serious attention to crucial issues of gender and politics. In a speech, Judy McGregor provided some good suggestions for a new approach. Her focus was on two main areas: proportion of women MPs in the party and…
employment equality feminism greens labour Left mana poverty sexism workers' rights
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Well there's not been so much focus on the Labour Party for a long time so I figure now's the time to point out that, thanks to rule changes (and not just the contentious ones) holding a Labour Party membership has never meant so much…
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With everything else going on, KiwiBuild didn't get the attention that it should have. But there was still a range of reaction in the media. RNZ had a mixed review: Critics doubt Labour housing plan will solve crisis [Labour] says under the scheme, first-home buyers…
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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To paraphrase a great man of the Labour Party, Shearer won, Cunliffe lost, eat that. Whatever Cunliffe did or didn't do, he's been demoted. Shearer has arranged a convenient vote of confidence in his leadership which I have to hope even his supporters can see…
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On the weekend of 24-25 November we are mounting a major nationwide collection drive to reach the signature target we need to force a citizens initiated referendum on asset sales. Can you help to collect signatures? So says the website for this weekend's Signathon. If…
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We humans tend to feel we have conquered nature, but, every now and then, we are reminded that we are dependent on it. And we need to view it with respect. Tongariro has had a relatively minor eruption today. There is some concern for residents,…
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John Key's government is failing to provide adequate policies for the environment, affordable housing, and a living wage, while continuing with their crony-capitalist neoliberal ways. The urgency of these issues are evident in a round up of items that have caught my eye online today:…
class war climate change economy ETS greens housing john key labour mana Metiria Turei national nz first poverty