Sticking with Bill is the right move for National
National knows what to expect with Bill.
Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
National is united
National is united. There are no murmurings about leadership and Bill English’s and Paula Bennett’s positions are secure.
And we’re off to the races!
With Julie Anne Genter, Minister for Women, entering the co-leadership race, there’s now a real contest on our hands as to who joins James Shaw as co-leader of the Green Party. What does that mean for the Greens, and for New Zealand politics in general?
National claims credit for Waitangi Day
National is claiming some credit for the success of Waitangi day. But the things they claim credit for are because of decisions of others, not the National Government.
Prime Minister Ardern at Waitangi
This is a new day for politics in New Zealand. A female Prime Minister has broken over a century of practise and is doing a main speech at Waitangi. Even more: no drama occurred. Anywhere.
Waihopai and North Korea
It’s worth asking ourselves what Goriz Gharaman was doing protesting at Waihopai. It’s the right place to protest.
Marama Davidson’s campaign launch – Boots Theory
Stephanie Rodgers’ progressive communications analysis of how Marama Davidson is hitting all the right notes.
The 2017 General Election electorate expense returns
Last year’s electorate expense returns have now been made public.
Ideological issues more than leadership are Nat’s problem
Changing National’s leadership will not help the conservatives regain power if they fail to address questions of why they lost the 2017 election. National may be the biggest single party but it is unlikely to stay that. And they have no remaining parliamentary partners.You can’t form a MMP government from that…
Zen and the art of greening the government
Democracy, protest, and what makes this the first ever progressive New Zealand MMP government.
Middle east Teenagers
In the middle east a Palestinian teenager is detained for a minor assault and for protesting the occupation of her country. And three Israeli teenagers are apparently trying to sue two New Zealand residents for exercising their rights of free speech.
Poor Paula’s position’s in peril
Speculation is rife that Paula Bennett’s reign as Deputy Leader of the National Party may be under threat.
Poll Watch: Reid Research Poll 2018-1-31
Newshub recently released the latest poll they commissioned from Reid Research. Let’s dive into some analysis of what this means.
Jacinda Ardern’s child poverty speech
In a major speech yesterday on poverty, Prime Minister Ardern has laid out fully and forthrightly what is the problem and what need to be done.
The Dogs of War
At a Union/NDP conference in March 2002 in Ottawa I saw wall-to-wall US TV attacking Iraq in my room. My caucus report that […]
Bill’s Rolling – pros and cons
Since reading the news that the Nats are thinking about ditching Bill English, I’ve been trying to decide what my (completely honest and […]
Bye Bill?
Barry Soper is claiming that the numbers are being done on sorting out a replacement for Bill English and Paula Bennett may be gone as deputy leader as early as next week.
National’s drug conscience
Helen Kelly championed the liberalisation of drug law to allow those suffering from significant ill health to have access to cannabis for medicinal purposes. National is still struggling with the concept despite it having overwhelming public support.
It’s time to change our cannabis laws (sign the petition)
“Sick New Zealanders deserve access to medicinal cannabis which is legal and affordable.”
Bill your pants may be on fire
Bill English has criticised the Government for only offering an officer briefing on the day that legislation is due to be introduced into Parliament. But appears to have forgotten an offer made by Jacinda Ardern 48 days ago.
Greening the government: economics
In his State of the Planet speech, James Shaw lays out the Green Party’s bold vision and plan for a truly sustainable economy to replace the crumbling architecture of the last 30 years.
(image from Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics)
The Standard under a Labour led Government
How should the Standard adapt to the new Government?
Rimutaka Prison.
Who are the bigger criminals?
Updated.
The planet needs women
Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin discuss women’s friendship, sisterhood, equality, and the power of women to change the world.
Manaakitanga
Jacinda Ardern this week expressed the hope that this Government will bring back Manaakitanga, in other words to show respect, generosity and care for others.
Timeline announced for Green Party Female Co-leadership election
The Green Party will have a new Female Co-leader by April 9, following the announcement today of an early special election for the position and a truncated campaign period of two months.
Waitangi Day and Australia Day
Australia Day (January 26th), like Waitangi Day (February 6th) often divides our countries as much in its silence as anything else.
Employment Relations changes announced
The Government has announced changes to the Employment Relations law which on the whole are positive and beneficial for workers. But following New Zealand First lobbying the 90 day fire at will provision will be retained for small firms.
Writehanded: The nature of gendered abuse
Sarah Wilson at writehanded.org writes “Amid accusations that our Prime Minister deliberately mislead the country by getting pregnant and will now be an unfit leader due to “baby brain” and motherhood, I’m reflecting on how it feels to be a woman in the public eye. You can almost always guarantee that when someone shouts “this isn’t a gender issue!” – it is. And the issues are many.”
There is a hole left in the world
Ursula K Le Guin has died.
Revised TPPA to be signed?
Radio New Zealand is reporting that Canadian concerns about the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement have been addressed and the agreement is scheduled to be signed in March.
What should happen at Waitangi
The ideal occurrences this year at Waitangi would be …
Jacinda to attend Waitangi day ceremony at Waitangi
Jacinda Ardern has announced that she will spend five days at Waitangi leading up to Waitangi day to make full use of the time when people are gathered there to meet together as a government that wants to form open transparent relationships.
Join Marama for an Announcement February 4th
Marama Davidson – Kia ora whānau! It would mean so much to me if you would all come and support my event on Sunday 04 Feb at 11am. We’ll be livestreaming the event so even if you can’t physically be there and you’d like to tautoko you can click ‘going’.
Auckland Council by election hypocrisy alert
The National candidate for the Maungakiekie Tamaki Auckland Council by election is complaining that if the Labour candidate wins it will trigger a costly by election. But he is ignoring the fact that the three current by elections have all been caused by National endorsed local government representatives resigning.
Solidarity
History not forgotten.