Should 16 year olds have the vote?
A current case before the High Court is asking the question should 16 year olds be permitted to vote.
Social issues
uncategorized
Covid 19 catastrophisation
Recent catastrophisation of the Government’s response to Covid by National is overplayed and overhyped, although some of the investigation by the media has been helpful in highlighting weaknesses in the response where improvement is important.
Is New Zealand or the United States the Covid cot case?
This week Donald Trump has defended the US’s abysmal handling of Covid 19 by claiming that the disease is out of control in New Zealand. And National’s rhetoric continues to match what he is saying.
Here comes the vaccine
Australian Prime Minister Scott Malcom has indicated he’s getting close to the deal of a lifetime for Australians with a letter of intent from Astra Zenica, who are in third stage clinical trials. Will New Zealand benefit?
The Covid Court Case
The High Court has ruled that for technical reasons during the first nine days of the lockdown statements that New Zealanders were legally required to remain at home were incorrect.
What Might A Democratic Party-Dominated U.S. Foreign Policy Do?
Inasmuch as tiny, distant New Zealand need worry about the foreign policy of the United States, it’s worth a drill into what a Democratic Party dominated United States foreign policy might look like.
A Stunt Scene from Mission Impossible*
In NZ politics, the perception of fairness matters more than actual fairness.
What Now Phil Goff?
The Chief Executive of Watercare Raveen Jaduram has resigned. With Auckland Council’s recent Council Controlled Organisation review having been concluded and the recommendations released is this the opportunity to require meaningful change of Watercare?
Why we need to get on with the election
A coalition of losers has appeared demanding that the election is be delayed. Update: Ardern has announced a short deferral of election day to October 17.
test post
https://twitter.com/TheAlanRichards/status/1304896549399547912
The top seven things Covid has changed
Covid has fundamentally changed society for the better in surprising ways.
Joe Biden’s Four Surprising Vectors for Success
He’s old, boring, uninspiring, and offends no-one: surely he’ll fail miserably as President? But he has a stronger chance than any Democrat President since LBJ of getting very strong domestic reforms done.
Vote No to Cannabis Reform
Ten reasons to vote against cannabis law reform this election.
NZ First is in trouble in Northland
More bad news for NZ First. It looks like their hope that Northland could provide a get out of jail free card is misplaced.
Jacinda’s speech to the Labour campaign launch
Jacinda Ardern’s speech to the Labour 2020 campaign launch.
The return of John Key
In a sign of desperation National has trotted out John Key to campaign that the country’s success in containing Covid should be put to risk because of a misguided perception that it would be good for the economy.
Go Well Ruth Dyson
Ruth Dyson has given a very funny very incisive valedictory speech in Parliament and will bow out of politics at this election. She deserves our thanks.
National seats at risk in Auckland
National has a crop of new candidates in Auckland all wanting to be in Parliament. But judging by what has happened so far you have to wonder if there are further allegations that may emerge which may ankle tap carefully stage managed campaigns.
National’s week from hell
A review of National’s week which is as bad as any week I can remember.
Mea culpa
Back in 2017 I was upset, we had a leadership vote only in caucus – just before the election. I didn’t realise at the time that Andrew Little was actually stepping down in favour of Jacinda Ardern. She’d had the potential, but I hadn’t realised that Little thought she was up for the task. I’m delighted with the result. Thank you Andrew.
Expand Five Eyes
With the growing assertions by the Chinese government across the eastern Pacific including in Hong Kong and our own repudiation of an extradition treaty, there are now calls to expand the Five Eyes intelligence network to include Japan.
The Heron Report
The Heron Report has been released and reinforces the public perception that this was a cynical misuse of confidential information by National for political purposes and a clusterfuck of epic proportions.
How do you tell when Judith is saying something that is not true?
Judith Collins has backed away from telling a mistruth about escape statistics during her time as Minister of Corrections by claiming that her eyebrow was raised and this is evidence that what she was saying was a joke.
Latest Newshub Reid Research poll – yet another rogue poll
Tova O’Brien said that it would be a bombshell result and it was.
Happy 40th birthday Jacinda!
The woman who has led us through a terrorist attack, a significant natural disaster and who has safely guided us through an international Pandemic and who has led with aroha and compassion is turning 40 today.
The Greens are thinking ahead
The Greens have released a detailed policy document that sets out what they want to achieve if they are part of the next Government and their Labour Relations policies could be considered to be more pro union than Labour’s policies.
Folly of the year
What is the strangest recent proposal for development in New Zealand?
Association of Conspiracy Theorists
Act is proposing to introduce measures that will limit the amount of money people on benefits can spend on alcohol and tobacco. But not guns.
Never argue immorality with a Tory *
*they will drag you down to their level and beat you through experience.
We must welcome Kiwis home
With a new Immigration Minister this week, could we please get some reality to bringing our people home?
What is the best way for a political party to handle a sex scandal?
Judith Collins appears to be living by her motto, giving back double, and has made public allegations that a Labour Minister has engaged in inappropriate behaviour. But is this the best way to handle a sex scandal?
Unthinkable Things
With the government clearly watching the unravelling of Australia’s Covid-19 response and putting in place $14 billion in preparation for a second infection wave, we are clearly now in a history-in-making territory of the highest instability outside a world war.
Caption contest
Keep it seemly.
Raymond Huo resigning at election
Raymond Huo has announced he will no longer contest the 2020 election.
Tourism: Death and Revival
New Zealand’s tourism economy has essentially collapsed, and it is part of a global tourism industry collapse that is so big that it may be permanently smaller. But does it have to be?
Collins crushes caucus vote
Twitter confirms that Judith Collins is now National leader. She is the perfect candidate if your goal is to stem the bleeding of support. She is not the candidate if you want to win the election …