Nats on Pacific workers in the 70s
Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin says Lockwood Smith’s statements about Pacific workers are an example of the sorts of comments made in the 70s. Here’s […]
Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
Patu online
There’s been a bit of fuss about the ’81 tour lately and whether it is pertinent to today’s politics. For years now I’ve […]
Scratch a Tory…
…and you still reveal a bigot, it seems. Here is National’s Immigration spokesperson, Lockwood Smith, (he who likes to swallow dead fish) on […]
Vox pop
Spotted in central Wellington:
Vote smart: Epsom
I’ve come in for a bit of flak for this ‘Vote Smart‘ series of posts on how people can make the most of […]
Highly principled statements
Yesterday, Bill ‘do whatever it takes to win’ English was out trying to assuage Kiwis fears of National’s secret agenda (which his recorded […]
Williamson on tolls for roads (again)
I see Maurice Williamson has again confirmed that we will be paying more for driving on some roads under National: Williamson: “If it […]
John vs John
Labour’s new television ad is up on Youtube and I’m pleased to see it’s actually pretty bloody good. They’ve managed to draw attention […]
New posters/leaflets
I have to say, these are my favourite so far. There are some talented people out there. There’s eight versions of this new […]
It’s your choice
Now that both Labour and National have all their major spending promises out, we can compare the options. Remember, whatever happens one of […]
Sensible Sentencing Trust in drag?
Act have run an anti-crime protest outside of Mt Eden today and it was particularly theatrical by the sound of it with lots […]
Aspirational politics laffs
Party like you matter
There’s so much to comment on about the policies and parties that matter that we hardly ever get to time to mention ACT. […]
Childish
We live on a finite planet. We can’t just keep adding 75 million people a year to the human population while also increasing […]
Guest post: The clever dealer?
Many people laud John Key’s experience in the business world, and say that the smiling assassin’s ability to play hard-ball when required means […]
Video: 12 Flip Flops from Mr Key
National policy on Maori seats (2007): “The Caucus today confirmed that the Maori seats will be abolished, which we anticipate will take place around […]
Not a game
National has a press release out blaming Labour for a supposed increase in assaults on police. Now, there are more people and more […]
Vote smart: Progressives and Wigram
Vote smart is a series of posts on tactical voting for people who support certain parties or live in certain electorates to help […]
Tranzrail eyes
It’s possible to win a battle but, in doing so, lose the war. Like most commentators, I thought Key came off best from […]
What exactly did Mr Key say?
We see this morning that: John Key concedes he has privately indicated to the Maori Party that National’s policy to abolish the Maori seats […]
Pita falls for the lines – but not for long
I have some sympathy for Dr PIta Sharples over the fallout of Mr Key’s promises. He’s clearly been left high and dry by […]
Telling lies
With the wit we’ve come to expect, 08wire has Key up on his many lies during the Tuesday debate. To my surprise, TV […]
Key vs Sharples, who do you believe?
On September 28, Key released National’s policy on the Maori seats. It is unequivocal (if light on the details): “At the conclusion of […]
Where were you then (and do you care?)
Lots of comments continue over the leaders debate. One of the bits that made it through the usual dinner time madness in my […]
Make-work don’t work
The Maori Party wants the dole abolished to be replaced by work schemes. It’s a bad idea but it’s not too far from […]
Wouldn’t you be embarrassed if…..?
I have to declare – yes, I am an urban liberal. So I would be embarrassed if a member of my family said […]
A matter of trust
The Youtube debate was a bit of a let down to me because TV1 chose to play the least penetrating questions, allowing the […]
Nat vs Nat on National policy
National wants to introduce a 90 Day no work rights period for new employees. Now, in the face of very strong opposition to […]
Advice
Labour has made two serious mistakes in their campaign today. One was specifically rejecting a policy to take the minimum wage to $15 […]
Lying to win
A narrow victory for Key in tonight’s TV1/Youtube debate. A forum where he could repeat his tired slogans to his heart’s content suited […]
Video: TV3 on Key’s campaign day 2
Media coverage of the campaign is coming thick and fast – a helpful reader pointed out this excerpt from TV3 on Key’s day […]
Labour chickens out on $15 minimum wage
Labour, why do you do this to me? One day you’re announcing neo-Keynesian policies to help us through the coming recession, then you […]
Every reason for Key to blitz debate tonight
It is still possible to follow the news without encountering politics at every turn – but it’s getting harder. And the journalists are […]
Wrong time for short-term thinking
National’s Nick Smith has announced that they would cancel the $1 billion fund to insulate New Zealand houses, which the Greens won as part of the […]
Down with literacy
A crusade on illiteracy, surely. Um, I’m not sure we want to entrust these guys with improving language skills. [Update: true to form, […]
Confident or foolish?
So, you’re one of the 900,000 Kiwis who have so far signed up to Kiwisaver. You know that you get $1000 on signing […]