Food security in New Zealand
The Standard regular commenter Macro takes a look at the state of food security in NZ
Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
Nicky Hager: Defence admits raid was located in same area as described in Hit and Run
“I believe that the impulse to hide the NZDF’s mistakes led the Chief of Defence Force knowingly to mislead the media and the public.”
Talking about sexual assault
As news unfolds about the sexual assaults that took place at Labour’s Summer School last month, it’s time for political communities to look at how they talk about sexual assault and rape culture.
Ardern bans government departments from using private investigator to surveil NZers
“Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has banned all Government departments from using a firm of private investigators for spying.”
Housing needs a builder not a crusher
Phil Twyford has the perfect response to National’s claim that Judith Collins’ appointment as Housing Spokesperson would cause him to lose sleep.
National announces new line up
National’s new line up has been announced. And there are some heavy hints to a few MPs that their careers may be ending soon.
Andrew Little reflects
Stuff have published online a video interview with Andrew Little where he goes through the circumstances of his resignation as leader, the ascension of Jacinda Ardern as Prime Minister and his work as a Minister.
Is youth the new political divide?
There is evidence in the United Kingdom and in New Zealand that youth and not class may be the new political divide.
Was National a good economic manager?
Bill Rosenberg from the CTU has stated convincingly why National is not and was not a sound manager of the economy.
Doofus of the week March 10, 2018
An occasional post where we celebrate the extremely banal or bad taste or idiotic behaviour in politics.
Tripling down on financial illiteracy with Amy Adams (and MMT)
Amy Adams won’t commit to $11.7b, but she too has now become the third person to fall down the imaginary fiscal hole. How can National claim to have any soundness on finance if they won’t admit their criticisms on the economy are unreasonable and unfounded? And besides, aren’t National actually worse fiscal managers if ordinary people tend to get paid less under their regimes? We dive into some theory to thoroughly dispute even Steven Joyce’s/Amy Adam’s secondary criticism of “fiscal tightness,” although concede that two of the Budget Responsibility rules are probably stupid in order to do it.
Justice for the family carer claimants
National’s constitutionally outrageous attempt to stifle the claims of family carers for compensation for discrimination should be repealed and a just settlement reached with the caregivers.
March 8 2018: the TPPA and our nuclear free moment
As Labour picks up the pen to sign the TPPA, environmental critics argue that the new agreement has done nothing to allay fears of New Zealand being sued by corporations to prevent the government from taking action on climate change.
TPPA rally at parliament today
Protestors will gather outside Parliament at midday on Thursday 8 March to hear from a range of speakers in opposition to the TPPA signing ceremony in Chile
Cullen says 2020 election effectively a referendum on tax
Don’t hold your breath for recommendations of radical tax reform from the Tax Working Group. Chair Sir Michael Cullen says the 2020 election will be a referendum on tax and he is already kicking for touch
We need more ministers like Steven Joyce
Rare praise for Steven Joyce from someone on the left.
Who is next?
Steven Joyce’s resignation may be the first of many as National adjusts to the possibility of a lengthy stay in opposition.
Joyce resigns from Parliament
Steven Joyce has announced that he is resigning from Parliament.
Good Witches Hunting
With the publishing of another misogynistic cartoon, it’s time to ask who were the witches and why are so many men still afraid of them?
Reports from the TPPA protests this week (and please sign the petition)
The message coming out is hold the line, sign the petition, regroup, and protest on Thurs the 8th, the day Labour puts our name to the agreement.
Steven Joyce threatens to sue Matthew Hooton and the NBR
Matthew Hooton has been sacked as a contributor to the NBR and Steven Joyce has threatened to sue him and the NBR over claims that Joyce is not popular in caucus and should be sacked.
Why gender equity matters: #metoonz
It’s time for progressive men to support women’s politics, in New Zealand and here on The Standard.
Simon Bridges’ not very good first week
In this very important first week Simon Bridges has committed two major blunders. He has claimed he was environmentally friendly when any view of his Ministerial history would confirm that this is not the case. And he forgot his Government oversaw the stripping of democratic rights from all prisoners, and adjusted his position when his error was pointed out.
James Shaw’s speech to the Green Summer Policy Conference
Alongside announcing the Greens’ new transparency measures, James Shaw talks about being in government and having the ability to influence, as well as staying true to the Green Party’s values.
Green Party announces new transparency measures
Green Party Co-leader James Shaw has today announced two important new transparency measures, which will apply to Green Party Ministers, MPs and staff, to help counter the influence of money in politics.
Doofus of the week – March 3, 2018
David Seymour has created history by being the first person to win two doofuses of the week awards for blatant misogyny and disrespecting young kiwis who this week won olympic medals.
Break Up Social Media Itself
It is time to regulate the power of cyber criminals and cyber monopolies.
Genter and Davidson
The Green female co-leader candidates did a Q and A last night with Stuff political reporter Henry Cooke. They covered a range of topics, including the Budget Responsibility Rules. The interview gives good insight into how the Green Party works and where they are headed, as well as into the two candidates themselves.
Jacinda 3, Simon 0
Avid watchers of Simon Bridges’ regular breakfast television appearances debating Jacinda Ardern when they were both relatively junior MPs will recall that 9 […]
Golriz Ghahraman in the House on the TPPA
“As Greens, what’s particularly chilling to us is that we know elsewhere in the world where ISDS clauses have been accessed to sue Governments, corporates have used them to stop environmental protection.” … “The Indonesian environmental Minister had to admit, ‘If we shut them down, they will need compensation and Indonesia can’t afford it.’ That is chilling.”
Bridges burnt in media reviews
It’s pretty grim reading for the new Nat leader this morning. Pundits reckon he has no show in 2020.
Right wing activists are not happy Bridges is leader
The initial response from right wingers online to the news that National’s new leader is Simon Bridges is a big meh.
National’s new leader is …
The new leader of the National Party has been announced. It is Simon Bridges with Paula Bennett remaining as deputy.
Who will the new leader of the National Party be?
Today we will find out if National is taking a step backwards. Or two steps backwards.
Respecting our Rights and the New Zealand Constitution
The Minister of Justice and the Prime Minister teased a little bit of constitutional change yesterday. Let’s look at what that could actually mean, and how it could upon up old laws for review by Parliament.
Facebook Bullshit
A very cursory glance at Facebook, Palantir Technologies, Cambridge Analytica, AggregateIQ, click bait, targeted ads…and what the hell is the FBI playing at?