School lunches – Key vs data
Key claimed that the number of hungry kids in schools was limited to “the odd one or two”. Everyone knew it was nonsense. Now a survey by the New Zealand Principals’ Federation indicates the true extent of the problem.
Politics
politicans
A NZ First First; Winston outvoted in Caucus
The extraordinary battle for the Deputy Leadership of NZ First is over. Winston’s pick has been rejected by the NZF caucus and his grip on the party has loosened significantly. But what does this mean for Labour, the Greens and the prospects of a better Government?
Guest Post – What is Little’s vision for New Zealand?
A guest post from Ad following up from Mandy Hager’s recent post on Andrew Little exploring the question on what should be Labour’s, the Green’s and New Zealand First’s vision for New Zealand’s future.
Press Council finds against Herald over ponygate reporting
The Press Council has ruled that Rachel Glucina and the Herald breached the requirement of independence contained in the Press Council’s principles.
Caption Contest
Keep it seemly.
Will New Zealand social housing soon subsidise Australian social housing?
John Key’s interview on Morning Report this morning suggests that National does not know what it is doing with its social housing policy. Are we approaching a situation where profits from New Zealand social housing is going to underwrite the cost of Australian social housing?
Selling state houses to Australia
English needs to explain why the government can’t find NZ buyers for their “social housing” plans. The Nats to explain how selling state houses helps a single family in need.
Armstrong is Craig’s last fan
John Armstrong is apparently the last political “commentator” to take Colin Craig seriously. It’s really quite sweet.
An open letter to Andrew Little
A respectful open letter to Andrew Little with suggestions for how to win the next election!
#Sheepgate – some random impertinent questions
Every day with the release of more information there are more and more questions arising over sheepgate. Update: and none of the questions were answered today in Parliament. At least not properly. Video is inserted.
Destroying a savings culture
Key: “The removal of the $1,000 kick-start contribution will not make a blind bit of difference to the number of people who join KiwiSaver.” Wrong. Completely and utterly wrong.
Do petitions work?
The increased use of petitions is a very clever innovation by the Labour Party because this Government has proven to be a weather vane lot, guided by polls.
#Sheepgate – did National ask the Saudi Sheep Farmer to sue NZ?
It seems crazy but it appears that National may have asked the Saudi sheep farmer to sue New Zealand. And John Key seems to be relaxed about facilitation payments aka bribes.
NRT: What is the Prime Minister trying to hide?
You have to ask why Rachael Glucina departed the NZ Herald for National’s beneficary and friend Mediaworks. No Right Turn has been trying to find out how much contact John Key or his office had with Glucina when she did the dirty and unprofessional interview with the victim of John Keys ponytail pulling. Why he still illegally trying to cover those contacts up?
More political interference in State Broadcasting
It appears that shortly after a meeting between the Minister of Maori of Affairs Te Ururoa Flavell and head of Maori TV Paora Maxwell occurred a potentially embarrassing planned televised debate concerning Whanau Ora was cancelled. Of course the timing is completely accidental and Flavell had nothing to do with it …
Colin Craig’s Contempt for His Victim
The Conservative Party’s Colin Craig has victimised his former Press Secretary by deliberately breaching a confidentiality settlement in order to frame his inappropriate behaviour as a minor matter they were both equally responsible for. Well, that’s crap, Colin. It’s actually a rich man using his power and privilege to belittle a woman. Again.
NRT: Self-serving redactions
I/S at No Right Turn. The un-redacted Cabinet papers show that Key flat out lied when he tried to implicate Labour in the Saudi sheep scandal.
Curtains for Colin Craig’s career?
The Conservatives have called a press conference this afternoon and it appears that Colin Craig’s tenure as leader may be terminated. But will he be back?
Keep on rocking in the free world
Donald Trump has attracted adverse comment for using Neil Young’s song “keep on rocking in the free world” during his campaign launch. There are a number of other examples, both local and in the US, where right wing candidates have misappropriated progressive musicians’ music for campaign purposes.
Bye Colin?
According to 3 News Colin Craig is to be rolled as leader of the Conservatives. Hard to imagine, as Colin Craig is the Conservatives.
#Sheepgate the cabinet papers
The Sheepgate cabinet papers have now been released and show no sign of a legal dispute between the Saudi Sheep farmer and the Government, let alone one that required a payment of $4 million dollars. And there are concerning reports that three quarters of the ewes on the “model farm” have died.
The Government’s Auckland Housing policy fiasco grows
The Herald has reported that, contrary to John Key’s assurances that the Government did not have to do so, one of the pieces of land set aside for the Government’s affordable housing partnership with private developers has already been offered to iwi under right of first refusal.
Snakeheads
It is looking likely that the Australian Government has broken its own laws and international treaties by paying off people smugglers. Did John Key know? Did he approve of what may be criminal activity?
The Responsibilities of Government
The death of Emma-Lita Bourne is not just a personal tragedy for the family: it is an event that should make New Zealand angry with the powerful people in our society who control the purse strings. They are responsible for condemning thousands of children to life-threatening conditions. And they are doing it in our name!
Heartless government
A few stories of recent weeks which show exactly what kind of government we have.
Bravo big business!
Bravo to those “big business” leaders who have come out in support of strong universal health and safety legislation. Shame on the Collins faction in Cabinet who are fighting to water it down.
#Sheepgate – it was the official’s fault
National is appearing to be changing tack and trying to now blame a junior official rather than the Labour Party for the failure to complete the Gulf Free Trade Agreement. And the promised release of the relevant cabinet papers proving it was all Labour’s fault has still not occurred.
Relationships Aotearoa to close today
Relationships Aotearoa is closing its doors today, as a result of ineptitude and indifference on the part of the Government. Claimed safeguards are looking incredibly shaky. Only three of the five organisations touted to take up the work are prepared to do so. And MSD has caused upset to the Privacy Commissioner by misrepresenting his views.
Little weighs in on dirty politics
Andrew Little on the latest round of dirty politics.
“It beggars belief any politician – like John Key and Judith Collins – wants to have anything to do with him [Cameron Slater].”
Sheepgate and National’s last defence: Labour does it too
John Key yesterday went on the attack and implied that Labour did something about Sheepgate in 2007. What it was he did not say but the implication was that Labour did it too. A brief review of dirty politics shows that this is alway’s National’s desperate last line of defence. Update: Labour tried to table in Parliament the Cabinet Paper that John Key talked about yesterday and National refused leave …
Herald supports Greens on climate change
Even an anonymous editorial in The Herald supports The Greens’ proposal for discussions with National on climate change. Key needs to acknowledge the facts, get some guts, and stop playing politics with the issue.
Sheepgate: the McCully mess
The media have joined opposition demands that Murray McCully’s actions in relation to sheepgate are investigated. If John Key really expects high standards from his ministers this is the least that should be done. Update: And a claimed “independent audit” of the tender process was conducted by none other than MFAT.
Reid Research Poll: Nats, Key slump.
New Reid Research poll; National, Key tank. Opposition parties nudge 50%. Little, Peters rise in preferred PM. Taxi for Mr Key?
Shaw interview – we have a crony capitalist state
New Greens co-leader James Shaw on: climate change, ruling out coalition with National, creeping crony capitalism, and more…
The stupidest idea this Government has had yet
One News has reported that the Government is on the verge of introducing Social Bonds whereby investors in social services will be rewarded if targets are met.
Peter Talley is now a knight
The Queens Birthday Honours List has been announced with Peter Talley’s contribution to philanthropy being rewarded with appointment as a Knights Companion.