The Tunnels project and SH 1 to Wellington Airport
The plan ignores standard traffic planning practice, takes no account of predicted sea level rise and will be obsolete before the last stone is turned.
Social issues
Much ado about nothing
The Taxpayer’s Union campaign against Nicola Willis’s Socialist handling of the economy, complete with novelty fudge has crashed unceremoniously. The sponsors have clearly spoken.
National takes $90 million awarded for Wairarapa Masterton Hospital – for itself
Masterton hospital has been deemed structurally unsafe with money awarded for its remediation after a long court case.
It’s Changed Too Much For The Nostalgia Cure
If Labour wins government in 2026, many things won’t be recoverable.
$270 a year more in energy costs for householders – Government pushes fossil fuel / agricultural corporate welfare
Under a series of science driven policy options, National / ACT and NZ First unanimously choose “catastrophic peril”. Anything for the fossil fuel and farmer industry, but at what cost, NZ?
Jason Walls’ Odd Choices & Chris Bishop’s Sly RMA
Jason Walls is a former Newstalk ZB Political Editor turned TVNZ business correspondent. Under his choices, can we still rely on 1News business reports? Plus: Chris Bishop’s nefarious RMA play
Privatisation and Plunder
Privatisation and Plunder is essential reading for those who want to work for a society where prosperity for all is the aim.
“National is Getting NZ Back on Track”?
That’s the headline of the pamphlet in the letterbox. But from their own measures is that true?
From In and Down to Outward-In: The Big Picture matters
The world is entering a generation of challenges not seen since the late 1930s. New Zealand is better placed than most states to weather this challenge if it prepares now.
Seymour and the mouldy meal
David Seymour’s campaign to reduce the so called excessive spend on Labour’s school lunches have struck a rather awkward problem. At least for one school recently provided lunches were inedible which basically destroys the whole reason for having them.
Abolishing New Zealand’s Regional Councils
The government on Tuesday announced plans to replace regional councillors with boards made up of mayors and maybe some minister-appointed representatives. It’s a mess.
David Seymour’s Act Repeals Freedom and Democracy
For all people who believe and stand for freedom & democracy, know thy enemy, who has a name and a platform.
The tawdry silly argument in favour of selling assets
Winston Peters has criticised National’s proposal to campaign at the next election on asset sales in a way that makes you wonder how National and NZ First can survive in coalition.
Some Number 8 Fencing Wire in Gaza
The importance of a New Zealand focus
on the rebuild of Gaza.
Let them eat Michelin Stars
The Government’s class prejudices are now on clear display. In the same week that news emerged that the Government is considering a ban on rough sleepers in major urban town centres further news emerged that it is subsidising Michelin to award Michelin stars to local restaurants.
National’s Measles Gambit
As measles cases increase, National and ACT have chosen to come over the top of health officials and schools exercising caution.
Tend Health re-brands as Aratataki – A “Charity” – And Lobbied Simeon Brown
Ryan Bridges fawns over Tend’s Telehealth corporate model which is subsidised by taxpayers, rewards private equity investors, and costs about $80 per consult
The attempted hostile takeover of Kelston Boys High School
Individual State Schools face the prospect of hostile takeover by groups that may wish to change dramatically the way that the school is run. And Kelston Boys High School is a test case for how the process may work.
CGT – The Empire strikes back
The usual voices have publicly attacked Labour’s proposed Capital Gains Tax using arguments that do not stack up.
Labour Day: the working class and civil emergencies
On this Labour Day, a massive shout out to all the workers in Southland, Otago and other areas affected by the storms last week. Paid and volunteer, obvious and those in the background doing support for the frontline workers.
More RONS!
National has announced it will be spending nearly three times as much on Roads of National Significance as it campaigned on and has justified dubious investment decisions by changing how benefits are calculated.
Judith Collins’ Open Letter Is Dirty Politics
The senior National Party Cabinet Minister has penned an “Open letter to the people of New Zealand” on the New Zealand Government’s official website
Simeon Brown threatens doctors as mega strike looms
An exodus of professionals are leaving – with Kiwi citizens fleeing at levels we haven’t seen in 24 years. These incl. community GPs, doctors & nurses – and Simeon is going after those that remain
New Zealand’s Willing Submission To The Pentagon’s Command And Control
Our multi-billion billion spend-up on Defence has nothing to do with repelling a foreign invasion. It is all about being led by the US to join in attacking a target – China – located far from our shores.
Plunket declares war on the BSA
Sean Plunket has threatened to sue the Broadcasting Standards Authority after it released a draft opinion suggesting that broadcasters using the internet should be subject to the same requirements as traditional broadcasters.
Crime Soars Under National
Violent crime, sexual assaults and retail crime soar under National Party
Fiscal Choices: Scandinavia or America?
Brian Easton says we cannot attain a sustainable Scandinavian-type quality of life while keeping the existing tax system in place
Do not feed the Droll
Martyn Bradbury’s attacks on Winston Peters and an attack on his home has allowed Winston to claim victimhood status and hog the media spotlight.
Voices for Freedom’s local government campaign
Anti vax organisation Voices for Freedom has published a glossy well presented booklet suggesting how local body campaigns should be run. And it looks like a number of right wing campaigns are borrowing heavily from the information in the booklet.
Simeon Brown Cagey On Privatisation Meeting with Serco
The British multinational meeting was first reported by ODT. Plus: Physician Associates spell more danger for the health of our health system
On The Shameful, Incompetent Decision On Palestine
The last time New Zealand put itself on the wrong side of history was when a New Zealand rugby team toured apartheid South Africa just after schoolchildren were gunned down on the streets of Soweto.
The Government wants to cheat the next election result
Christopher Luxon is sticking to his lines that the proposed changes to the Electoral Law will speed up the result even though this will disenfranchise an estimated 55,000 kiwis and even though the Chief Electoral Officer has said that if properly resourced the changes will make no difference.
Kiwis are now dying in corridors & carparks
Christchurch joins Nelson ED to sound the alarm as Code Red rages across NZ departments
National announces reversal of School Building Project cuts
In the hope that it can address the Construction Industry crisis National has announced a partial reversal of cuts made to school building project made earlier in its term.
Joseph Mooney cosplays as alt-right hypocrite
National MP for Southland Joseph Mooney has been trying to capitalise off the US culture, and using free speech to attack academic free speech
Taxpayers Union Running Interference In Local Council Elections
It’s been alleged that Taxpayers Union is involved in “bullying and intimidation” of local council candidates around the country.