The Standard

Author Archive

Strewth Cobbah

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, August 16th, 2017 - 163 comments

Over the ditch the Australian Government has accused New Zealand Labour of using Parliament to undermine Barnaby Joyce.  But an analysis of the claim suggests that anyone claiming this should be regarded as being a whacka because the media was onto the claim two days before the questions were asked.

National promises to get tough on youth crime

Written By: - Date published: 1:08 pm, August 13th, 2017 - 77 comments

National has announced its policy to deal with youth crime by reannouncing a military service scheme that already exists, proposing a special category for young offenders that will have some young people seek that status and by proposing to fine parents who can’t keep their kids home at night.

ACT wants to subdivide the Waitakere Ranges (or at least the foothills)

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, August 8th, 2017 - 22 comments

Act has announced a policy that would undermine current protection given to the Waitakere Ranges.  If it gets a chance …

National’s Auckland Transport announcement

Written By: - Date published: 8:33 am, August 6th, 2017 - 15 comments

In an attempt to take the thunder away from Labour’s Auckland Transport announcement National’s offer was leaked this week to the Herald.  But it is uninspiring, and shows a continued commitment to roading as providing a solution.

The big mo #LetsDoThis

Written By: - Date published: 8:19 am, August 3rd, 2017 - 18 comments

Jacinda Ardern’s ascension to Labour’s leadership appears to have given the Party that most important of campaign phenomena, momentum.

Daily Review 02/08/2017

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, August 2nd, 2017 - 72 comments

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 …

Solidarity forever

Written By: - Date published: 7:23 am, August 2nd, 2017 - 65 comments

Andrew Little has stood aside for Jacinda Ardern because he thought the Labour movement needed fresh legs.  Time to acknowledge him and support her.

Helen Clark burns Matthew Hooton

Written By: - Date published: 6:20 pm, August 1st, 2017 - 65 comments

Matthew Hooton has been incinerated by a former leader of the Labour Party.

Trump to Scaramucci – you’re fired!

Written By: - Date published: 7:23 am, August 1st, 2017 - 4 comments

The media is reporting that Anthony Scaramucci has been fired after only ten days in the job as White House communications director.

National’s 2017 election list

Written By: - Date published: 12:52 pm, July 30th, 2017 - 21 comments

National’s 2017 list has been announced and it has a very same old same old feel about it.

A tale of three immigrants

Written By: - Date published: 8:52 am, July 29th, 2017 - 26 comments

The Government is refusing to allow a Tongan family with a very sick child and an American family who ran a very successful cafe from staying in New Zealand but rolled out the red carpet to an uber rich American who did not meet all of the requirements.

The Failed Estate – Flake News

Written By: - Date published: 10:46 am, July 28th, 2017 - 2 comments

Mr Denmore of the failed estate explores the increasing irrelevance that Rupert Murdoch’s tabloids are having on Australian politics.

Paula Bennett gets owned by Phil Twyford in question time

Written By: - Date published: 4:35 pm, July 27th, 2017 - 22 comments

This afternoon in Parliament during question time Paula Bennett showed clearly that this Government has no idea what to do about the housing crisis.

National will distort MMP for its own benefit, again

Written By: - Date published: 12:02 pm, July 26th, 2017 - 80 comments

Without a cup of tea in sight National has announced that it will asking supporters to vote for Act leader David Seymour in Epsom and United Future leader Peter Dunne in Ohariu.

How much is Mike Hosking paid by TVNZ?

Written By: - Date published: 9:29 am, July 25th, 2017 - 107 comments

Mike Hosking does not want there to be a debate on how much he earns from TVNZ and thinks that there would be an adverse irrational response from the public if the information was released. This is the best reason yet why disclosure should occur.

Let’s get rid of these clowns

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, July 25th, 2017 - 46 comments

The Government’s failure to do anything about the housing crisis or about zombie cannabis is evidence they should be removed from office.

New Zealand is number 1! *

Written By: - Date published: 7:21 am, July 22nd, 2017 - 127 comments

* in a list of developed nations for homelessness.

There is something rotten in the Ministry of Transport

Written By: - Date published: 8:29 am, July 20th, 2017 - 28 comments

Radio New Zealand is reporting that the State Services Commission will report today that it believes that the convicted fraudster Joanne Harrison forced whistleblowers out of the Transport Ministry in 2015. Updated with link to formal announcement.

Winston back flips on his abolish Maori seats bottom line

Written By: - Date published: 3:13 pm, July 19th, 2017 - 86 comments

In the space of two days Winston has announced that a referendum on Maori seats would be a bottom line for a coalition but then it should be up to Maori if a change should occur. Update – make that a double backflip …

David Seymour is the smeghead of the year

Written By: - Date published: 9:44 am, July 18th, 2017 - 73 comments

David Seymour has managed to make the most stupid statement by a politician this year, and it is only just over half way through.

Election 2017: the battle lines are drawn

Written By: - Date published: 8:57 am, July 17th, 2017 - 77 comments

The 2017 election campaign has been set alight by the Greens adopting brave policies that Jeremy Corbyn would be proud of and NZ First adopting policies that would meet with Donald Trump’s approval.

Why there should be work and drug test obligations for National MPs

Written By: - Date published: 8:55 am, July 16th, 2017 - 52 comments

Todd Barclay has not been seen at work lately but has been seen at a Queenstown pub.  And is still being paid $3,000 a week to represent the people of Clutha Southland.

National’s brighter future

Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, July 16th, 2017 - 11 comments

The homeless crisis is getting that bad in Auckland that people are dying because they have nowhere to live.

Who are the real enemies of the centre left?

Written By: - Date published: 11:22 am, July 15th, 2017 - 80 comments

Simon Wilson recently claimed that left wingers and party members are problems for and enemies of Labour and the Greens.  This is why I think he is wrong.

Two polls

Written By: - Date published: 8:38 pm, July 14th, 2017 - 147 comments

Two recent polls, both suggestion that Labour+Green is within touching distance of  National.

Breeding for a business

Written By: - Date published: 12:08 pm, July 14th, 2017 - 23 comments

It looks like ACT the party of less government will be focussing on pregnant beneficiaries this election.

The Rainbow Warrior was sunk 32 years ago today

Written By: - Date published: 8:15 am, July 10th, 2017 - 19 comments

Thirty two years ago today the French Government committed an act of Terrorism on New Zealand soil on a peaceful organisation dedicated to protecting our environment.

The Government is misrepresenting the effect of the Ruataniwha Dam decision

Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, July 9th, 2017 - 21 comments

The Government has responded to the Supreme Court decision which puts a halt on the Ruataniwha Dam by claiming wrongly that the protected land was of low quality and by stating that a law change, possibly retrospective, will occur.

What happened to the Newshub article about Nick Smith and the Pike River film?

Written By: - Date published: 9:56 am, July 8th, 2017 - 41 comments

A Newshub article where Nick Smith contradicts the Police and Solid Energy about the existence of video showing a body in Pike River has disappeared …

Does the left do more of the same or does it get radical this election?

Written By: - Date published: 11:12 am, July 7th, 2017 - 252 comments

Andrew Dean has written an opinion piece for Stuff where he suggests that to win this election Labour and the Greens have to become more radical.

The magical disappearing Foreign Trust industry

Written By: - Date published: 9:03 am, July 6th, 2017 - 22 comments

National’s original claims that New Zealand was not a tax haven are in tatters as the Sherwan rule changes have resulted in the mass exodus of Foreign Trusts from New Zealand.