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Our descendants will curse us
Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
Why New Zealand First Will Get Back In
Winston’s term with Ardern shows what high-delivery, low-foolishness government looked like. That’s why he’s rising again.
What is at stake this election – housing
Since 2017 this Government has constructed 12,000 new Kainga Ora houses, overseen record numbers of new housing consents, moved to resolving the housing crisis and stabilised and reduced house prices. All this is at stake if there is a change of Government.
NZ First gets some hefty donations from National donors
Some donors normally associated with the National Party have recently made significant donations to the NZ First Party.
NZ First and Winston seek anti vax vote
Winston Peters clearly hopes that enough of us have short memories. He was an integral part of the 2017 Government whose Covid policies saw our death rate from the disease amongst the lowest in the developed world. But now his party is clearly courting the anti vaccination community.
Labour’s GST and WFF policy announcement
As predicted Labour has announced a policy of taking GST off fresh fruit and vegetables and a significant adjustment to Working for Families In House Tax Credit levels and the Thresholds.
Barbie Will Save The World
Ad believes the Barbie Movie will be a mobilising element in regaining Democrat balance in Congress (maybe not the Senate) and the White House.
Is Simon Court a victim of dirty politics?
When the news about an Act MP being shot in the foot when he was 17 during a drug deal was released I did not think too much about it. But on reflection maybe there is a story here …
Nanny state National wants to ban cell phones at schools
National has this propensity of announcing policies that scratch conservative itches, cost nothing and hog media attention. Yesterday we had a classic example of this as they announced that cell phones would be banned at schools.
The difference between Blackrock and China
Some big news yesterday as the Government announced a deal with US Investment Firm Blackrock for a $2 billion fund for renewable electricity projects.
Climate NGOs on the BlackRock deal
NGO responses to the government’s announcement yesterday of the deal with global investment management firm BlackRock, to fund 100% renewable electricity generation in New Zealand.
National is no nation builder
Nation building projects always take multiple terms, and the risk of Labour losing puts at risk some of the largest and most important we’ve seen in generations.
Climate weirding: the climate wild cards
“Unpredictable change is the new status quo”
Helen Clark thinks the Government should review commitment to AUKUS
Last week the Government released a document titled the Defence Policy Strategy Statement. Helen Clark has expressed the concern that the strategy suggests that as a country New Zealand is abandoning its capacity to think for itself.
Greens: free dental care for all
“Under our plan, everyone will be able to keep their teeth healthy, and access treatment when they need it through a new community-based New Zealand Dental Service.”
Tree protection for urban trees to be restored
The Government is set to overturn the previous National Government’s laws that prevented proper protection of urban trees and which has seen a stampede of urban tree removal.
Donald Trump indicted for trying to overthrow the US government
The question the citizens of the United States will have to ask shortly is not merely how on earth a person like this is a viable candidate for president. The question is really: how could the United States enable a sitting President to carry out this scale of crime?
Labours’ party list
Arrived in the email. Here is the full list of your 2023 Labour Candidates:
National’s latest policy: MOAR ROADS
National’s latest policy announcement shows that it has an unmistakable fetish for tar seal.
A letter to Chris Hipkins
My 2c on what I think Chris Hipkins needs to do to win this year’s election.
Should We Worry About Green and Maori Party Taxes?
We need to recognise our risk to the capital flight risk of the 1%, but also recognise the benefit to the 99% of us.
Should Labour take GST off fresh food?
National’s Nicola Willis has claimed that Labour will soon announce policy to take GST off fresh fruit and vegetables.
Greens: Labour must deliver on No New Mines
“The Green Party is disappointed tonight that the Government has voted down Eugenie Sage’s members’ bill to stop new mining on conservation land. The time is now for a government that takes conservation seriously.”
Politics is indeed a blood sport
But should it be? Without acknowledging in any way its role in politicising Kiritapu Allan’s issues National has stated that politics is a blood sport.
Future Green Wins Will Be Hard
It does not mean they are not worth trying; it means they will be fights against entrenched power.
Allan fired
This does not help.
The Greens’ election campaign launch: game on
“No party who wants to work with us after 14th October should ever take our support for granted”
With the urgency of the climate crisis upon us, the Greens are finally willing to use the cross benches card.
Year of the Long Grind 2
There will be no respite for any of us this year and National has no cure for it.
Laura norda rides again
This week Labour has announced toughening up of the law dealing with 12 and 13 year olds and National has been playing politics with the shooting incident after earlier saying it was not a day to play politics.
Roger Douglas thinks Act has lost its way
Roger Douglas, who as Finance Minister under the fourth Labour Government caused major harm and the founder of the Act Party, has publicly declared that he has lost faith in the Act party and is now a swing voter.
Hoki Whenua Mai/Landback
The term landback appears to induce anxiety in some people, but whether one agrees with the details or not, there’s nothing in this Green Party policy to be afraid of.
Why a change of Government would be a bad thing – school lunches
Act has declared its class prejudice by advocating for the cancellation of the free lunch in schools programme even though the benefits are clear and recognised and the programme helps poor kids’ nutrition and education.
How Hipkins Can Still Win
Hipkins being himself is his election-winning attribute.
Hipkins’ tax gamble
Chris Hipkins today stated that for any future Government he leads after the next election there will be no wealth or capital gains tax implemented. End of story.
Act’s dishonest Youth offending policy
Act’s newly released policy that suggests all 17 year olds are dealt with in the Youth Court shows a concerning lack of understand how the Youth Justice system actually works.
Decoding the Doorstep: Insights from Canvassing Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Support for the Conservative and Unionist Party is collapsing, but this is turning to cynicism and rage rather than enthusiastic support for a Labour Government next year. There is a possibility that in 18 months’ time, UK Labour are in Government, but have lost the London Mayoralty.