Written By: - Date published: 8:10 am, November 30th, 2012 - 90 comments
Labour may still be well below its 2008 election result, when it was chucked out after 3 terms, but, thanks to the doubling of Greens support, Labour+Green is level pegging with National in the latest Roy Morgan. Add New Zealand First, and the opposition is well clear. Except, that’s not an election winning scenario for the Left.
Written By: - Date published: 7:44 am, November 30th, 2012 - 33 comments
I have a suggestion.
Written By: - Date published: 7:30 pm, November 29th, 2012 - 12 comments
The big story for the day is the likely change in press regulation as the Leveson Report on questionable media ethics is about to released. But the next couple of stories are also interesting with similar (unresolved) stories here this year: Minimum Price for Alcohol, and Caps on Payday Loans
Written By: - Date published: 7:14 am, November 29th, 2012 - 60 comments
In August we were sold a “success story” – the number of elective surgeries was up and waiting times were down. Last night we learned the untold backstory, with reports of complex procedures being dropped to focus on making the numbers look good. Yet another example of the Nats’ micro-management gone wrong.
Written By: - Date published: 8:33 am, November 28th, 2012 - 45 comments
The relationship between media and politicians in this country has become incestuous and toxic. For much of the time they confine themselves to merely slanting the game with spin and framing language. We’ve learnt to live with that. But increasingly we are witnessing instances where a pack mentality dominates the story, placing journalists themselves as […]
Written By: - Date published: 4:58 pm, November 27th, 2012 - 73 comments
David Shearer had Key on the back foot today in the House over Labour’s housing policy. Even Speaker Lockwood Smith sat Key down for going on too long and off the point. He had to be rescued by Chief Whip Michael Woodhouse with a patsy question, but the leadership crack it was designed to bring out fell flat too.
Written By: - Date published: 11:59 am, November 27th, 2012 - 103 comments
Today The Hobbit employment dispute is revived, exposing gaps between principle and practice. Jackson defends his role; some of Labour’s ABC club will attend the premier; John Key-speak weaves a contradictory path of populist nonsense, linking the movie, 100%Pure, 100% Middle-earth and Macdonald’s.
Written By: - Date published: 10:58 am, November 27th, 2012 - 82 comments
KiwiBuild has the Nats rattled. It’s difficult to oppose a program that creates both affordable housing and jobs, but they’re doing their best. One of their lines is that NZ can’t build houses that quickly. They’re wrong – here’s why.
Written By: - Date published: 9:57 am, November 27th, 2012 - 44 comments
Like everyone else, I find you can get better political analysis from chicken entrails than from Claire Robinson. But it seems she can count and use a ruler and what she discovered is interesting. In last year’s election campaign, the four biggest newspapers featured 138 pictures of Key to 80 of Goff, and Key’s were twice as large on average.
Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, November 27th, 2012 - 54 comments
I’m tired of watching Labour flounder over how it will build $300K homes in Auckland. The answer’s simple: they’ll mostly be apartments, units, and townhouses. Not much land cost. Reduced build cost per dwelling. Check out Trade Me, houses for sale in Auckland, 2 bedrooms+, priced $250-$300K. There’s hundreds (but not enough). Clearly, it can be done.
Written By: - Date published: 9:19 am, November 27th, 2012 - 35 comments
It was clear that someone wasn’t doing their job in briefing. Sure a section of land sufficient to build a traditional 3 bedroom house in Auckland is bloody expensive and would cost as much as Labour’s budgeted amounts in KiwiBuild. That is obvious. So don’t build those types of property. Build something that requires less land. A brief lookup on my single bedroom studio Grey Lynn/Newton apartment shows a land value of $85k. A 3 bedroom townhouse down the road has a land value of $170k
Written By: - Date published: 2:24 pm, November 26th, 2012 - 169 comments
I’m tired of watching the Labour caucus screwing up the left’s chances of winning the treasury benches. I don’t really trust them to be competent to implement any new ideas if they control parliament. And most of their recent ideas are just warmed over ideas from the Greens. The caucus stupidity over the last week has convinced me to eliminate the middle-man and leave the Labour whips to enjoy their busted trophy.
Written By: - Date published: 10:46 am, November 26th, 2012 - 21 comments
My father remembers Labour Party meetings in our local town hall through the 70’s and 80’s. Staunchly Labour, Dad had many rousing discussions at the local pub with men of varied political persuasions – most of whom were his good friends. A heated debate on a Thursday night would often melt nicely into a friendly roll up at bowls on a Saturday.
Written By: - Date published: 7:29 am, November 26th, 2012 - 195 comments
The Auckland property market is back through the roof again, as well covered in The Herald this weekend. Labour’s solution is to build more houses. National’s “solution” is to complain about Labour’s solution.
Written By: - Date published: 11:45 am, November 24th, 2012 - 131 comments
David Shearer’s weekly e-newsletter, this week on Labour’s Conference, and leadership.
We’re happy to post similar newsletters from other opposition leaders – our email is on our contact page.
Written By: - Date published: 9:25 am, November 24th, 2012 - 199 comments
A Labour Party member writes, praising Labour for the new democratic reforms, and calling for David Shearer to submit his leadership to the new Party selection process: “David Shearer, you need a mandate from this new organisation, not a prop-up from the shards of the old one. Give us this chance to really unite behind you, or your successor, and give you the backing you surely will have earned”.
Written By: - Date published: 2:25 pm, November 23rd, 2012 - 4 comments
On the 30th anniversary of the Official Information Act, it’s worth pausing to ask: is it fit for service? Was it ever? Will the government pick up on the Law Commission’s recent recommendations? Will these make things better or worse? Author and investigative journalist Nicky Hager and media lawyer Steven Price will discuss these issues at Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Wellington on Monday 26 November at 5:30pm. All Welcome.
Written By: - Date published: 7:41 am, November 22nd, 2012 - 144 comments
Media reaction to KiwiBuild has been largely positive, the policy is described as “bold”, “brave”, and (just as important!) – “do able”. I’m sticking with my first reaction, this is a historic policy.
Written By: - Date published: 10:57 am, November 21st, 2012 - 20 comments
John Key’s crony-capitalist, neoliberal government is failing NZ on the environment, affordable housing, and a living wage. Mana and the Greens are leading the way on affordable housing and anti-poverty campaigns. The Greens still lead the way on pressing environmental issues.
Written By: - Date published: 10:04 am, November 21st, 2012 - 50 comments
KiwiBuild is an excellent policy that would make a real difference to housing, jobs, and the economy in NZ. John Key’s critique had all the credibility you’d expect from the man whose major economic policy was a cycleway.
Written By: - Date published: 9:20 am, November 21st, 2012 - 262 comments
David Cunliffe’s supporters have done him no good. I warned him about this months ago. The latest evidence comes from Greg Presland, spokesman for his electorate committee, going on Morning Report today. There may be a complaint made to the Party, although they haven’t decided yet, and they haven’t yet thought about what grounds there may be. Doesn’t sound that solid to me – I’m not sure they have a toe to stand on let alone a foot. Response to comments added.
Written By: - Date published: 8:04 am, November 21st, 2012 - 156 comments
So, who won and who lost?
Written By: - Date published: 5:01 pm, November 20th, 2012 - 473 comments
Shearer’s announcement is streaming live on 3 News at 5pm. Shearer has unanimous endorsement as leader. Cunliffe demoted, portfolios removed.
Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, November 20th, 2012 - 20 comments
The minister for tertiary education, Stephen Joyce, may think he’s above the law but we don’t. He has told the New Zealand Herald “he would step in to force change at Auckland University” if necessary. What change does he want to force? He wants to determine what the university teaches. This threat shows the minister has little regard for New Zealand’s Education Act.
Written By: - Date published: 7:03 am, November 20th, 2012 - 152 comments
There is a Labour caucus meeting later today where, it is widely reported, Cunliffe is going to be demoted. I understand the temptation for Shearer. When challenged on his leadership he wants to portray the strong leader. But there is a better way. What we need now is reconciliation.
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 pm, November 19th, 2012 - 121 comments
I’m sorry, David Cunliffe, for the part I have played in your downfall. Wait a minute, what?
Written By: - Date published: 2:37 pm, November 19th, 2012 - 15 comments
5:08 am Just asked David Cunliffe the big questions: “Does David Shearer have your full support? How will you vote if the leadership issue is put to the vote in caucus?” He won’t answer me. I ask him again. Still no answer. My cameraman suggests we come back later and try again, when Cunliffe’s awake. We climb out his bedroom window.
Written By: - Date published: 1:52 pm, November 19th, 2012 - 100 comments
At the end of this weekend’s Labour Annual Conference, delegates were happy. Speaking as a delegate, we had made the first and most important changes to the party in its history. But every night, after we got home and turned on the TV or visited a news website (or even some of the blogs), we didn’t see those stories we felt proud about. We saw Patrick Gower and Brook Sabin and Jessica Mutch sticking the camera in David Cunliffe’s face
Written By: - Date published: 11:52 pm, November 18th, 2012 - 40 comments
It was a good productive conference for Labour. The best reaction about David Shearer’s speech and the rank and files reactions to the conference that I observed was probably from Robert Winter, so I have quoted it here. Thanks to the NZLP’s council for letting me attend, and thanks to the working journalists for tolerating me.
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