Māori Mana deal in Te Tai Tokerau
As reported on Stuff: “Hone Harawira gets clear Te Tai Tokerau run for Mana not running against Maori Party in other seats”.
elections
election 2017
Duncan Webb for Christchurch Central
Another strong Labour selection in an interesting electorate.
Greg O’Connor responds
In a guest post, Labour’s Ōhāriu candidate Greg O’Connor responds to some of the topics of comments in the post “Greg O’Connor selected for Ōhāriu” and elsewhere on the blogs.
What’s the deal? There isn’t one.
What are the Greens up to then?
Greg O’Connor selected for Ōhāriu
The former Police Association president has been confirmed as a Labour’s candidate for Wellington’s Ōhāriu electorate.
“We’ve got the vibe, they’ve got the shivers”
Green Party co-leader James Shaw’s 2017 Parliamentary Commencement Speech
A good week for Labour and Greens
Following on from their joint “state of the nation” it’s been a good week for the political left in NZ. Here’s a roundup.
Date of the 2017 election
The Labour Green 2017 campaign launch
Yesterday’s joint Labour Green state of the nation event was effectively a campaign launch for the 2017 election. And it went well.
Andrew Little – State of the Nation speech
The text of Andrew Little’s State of the Nation speech delivered today.
Maybe Trump is what the left needed
Donald Trump’s ascendancy to power presents the left with the chance of showing that progressive politics is a much better choice than the alternative.
New Lynn should grab Greg Presland (damnit)
Greg Presland has been daft enough put his hand up for Labour candidate in New Lynn. That would be unfortunate for this site. But my advice for Labour and New Lynn is to grab him. Media say that the leading candidates are him and Deborah Russell. Regardless of a her competence, a non-Auckland resident is a big ask in the era of MMP seats.
2017: Political Year in Prospect
Morgan Godfery, Mike Munro and Stephanie Rodgers will discuss this topic Thursday 26 January at Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Wellington at 5:30pm for the Fabian Society. All welcome – will be interesting.
Māori politics – “don’t believe the hype”
Totally unexpected in an election year, but Te Ururoa Flavell is making a play for the Māori seats. Morgan Godfery has some thoughts on the hype.
Andrew Little: Together, we will fight for justice for Pike families
I want justice for the families of the worst workplace tragedy in decades. If New Zealanders choose to change the Government this year, Pike will be a priority in my first hundred days as Prime Minister.
Ten steps towards victory for Labour
A guest post by Labour Activist Enzo Giordani on what Labour needs to do this year to win the election.
Refining that dog whistle
Bill English has used a proposal for timing of his Waitangi speech to wrongly claim that he is being silenced. And most of the media bought it.
The return of Kim Dotcom and the Internet Party and the NZ journalist seeking asylum in Russia
In strange news Kim Dotcom is talking about resurrecting the Internet Party and claims have been made that a New Zealand journalist is seeking asylum in Russia. Update: I am satisfied the application is for real.
Barbecue season
Now that we are entering the post Key era the Barbecue season presents the perfect time for all good progressives to talk to everyone about the importance of politics.
Clearing the decks
National is readying itself for the next election by getting rid of some MPs. And Nick Leggett has finally disclosed his true political colours.
Labour Green seat deals – about bloody time
Reports that Labour and the Greens will cooperate in some seats. Watch Patrick Gower’s head explode! But this is no Epsom.
The eternal tax-cut mirage
Despite the unknown cost of the quakes, and the host of other urgent needs, Key is once again talking up election-bribe tax cuts.
Chloe Swarbrick steps up for 2017
“The world is changing, people are angry, and more than ever, we need open minds and compassionate action. I’m joining the @NZGreens”
Twyford to chair Labour’s election campaign
Twyford has been made Labour’s campaign chairman, which puts him charge of strategy for the election.
Labour’s Auckland Push
Matt McCarten is to head a new Labour party office in Auckland. The party is going to take to fight to National in the city that decides the election. Yet another bold step from Andrew Little, who is looking more and more like the next PM.
Roy Morgan August; Nat’s Down 7%
The latest Roy Morgan is out. A solid 7% drop for National.
Hone Harawira is getting the band back together
It’s useful with controversial politicians to hear what they actually say, and in context too. Here’s Harawira in his own words.
Mana 2.0
Hone’s back! The leader of the Mana party has announced he’s re-forming the Mana Movement and will stand again in Te Tai Tokerau. Is there a chance of a deal with Labour to strengthen the next Government?
Kiaora Matariki Puaka
It’s been a hard week, and many of us could do with some kindness and good news. Let’s take a moment to remember Matariki. What would Standardistas and other politically progressive people like to see for the coming year?
Livestream – LIVE UPDATES From LINCOLN
LIVE UPDATES from TS’s man in the Lincoln Event Centre, Te Reo Putake.
Stick a Fork in Him, He’s Dunne
The Labour/Greens electoral pact spells the end of the line for Parliament’s most self serving MP, Peter Dunne. National have a choice to make; stand down in Ohariu or stab him in the back. And then there’s the equally supine Maori party. Te Ururoa Flavell’s hold on his seat is also shaky. No Flavell, no Maori Party.
No Mates National. The Brighter Future just arrived!
Glib words and false hope aren’t going to cut it
This is a massive market and moral failure. The problem isn’t going to go away, it’s going to get worse, and the media are going to stay on the case. Time for National to borrow some more Labour / Green policy thinking.
Tax cuts! No! Yes! Maybe! Look over there!
English is right, Key is lying and he knows it. But Key would rather we were talking about the mirage of tax cuts (again) than current events like the protection of corrupt tax havens or our homeless living in cars.
Peters vs Carter
Winston Peters is already wielding his kingmaker powers. If National roll over over, I wonder what else Peters can get out of them over the next few months?
Bowron on a tired government
Jane Bowron writes in the Dominion Post: “Two things happened this week that could signal the beginning of the end of John Key and his government.”
Building a government in waiting
Good to see Andrew Little working on the practical politics of building a government in waiting.