Explore the archive
Find articles and conversations by date, subject or search expression.
Searching: posts Sorted by: newest Results: 31–59 of 59
Post
One of the things that has surprised me about the government and Brownlee's energy policy is that it is so mundane and 20th century. In every other area of their political electoral strategy we saw a pithy slogan, often pinched from overseas, substituting for policy…
Post
There were only really two ministers in the race for the first Grabby. Rodney Hide betrayed his own supposed principles by using his MP's travel allowance to fly his girlfriend overseas. He also, with John Key's consent, used that allowance to bypass Key's ban on…
Post
Frogblog has another example of the continuing politicisation of the public service under National. I meant to post on this a while back, but you may have seen these ads in your local paper recently: Not only is the ACC's message in this ad contrary…
Post
I'm all for cycle-ways but excuse me if I don't get all silly over John Key knocking a post in the ground in Waikato and declaring his first cycle-way under way. The reality is the Waikato River Trail was being built anyway. In fact, it is already…
Post
I don't know if the two are related but this is my theory du jour. John Key keeps washing his hands of both his own ministers and MPs and his coalition partners' MPs. It seems like no misbehaviour, from rorts to racism can make a…
Post
Check out this press release: Maori Leader Rejects Harawira Apology as "Embarrassing" and issues his own apology Ngapuhi Leader and senior relative to Hone Harawira, David Rankin, says he is embarrassed by the apology the MP has given. "Harawira has disgraced our iwi with his…
Post
Another day, another minister breaking the rules. On the Dental Artistry website, Rodney Hide has written: 'Thanks for the fantastic job! I was so sick of having my teeth break and wear away, and with the job I'm in it's important to look presentable. I…
Post
Although the topic has had a turbulent and confused couple of weeks, it seems that National want to privatise Auckland's water supply. Govt contradicts itself on water privatisation Press Release: Green Party 29 October 2009 Statements from the Government on the issue of water privatisation…
Post
Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Over to you...
Post
There has been much furore today over Hone Harawira's latest comment that: If I should be suspended for my language, he [Phil Goff] and his mates should be lined up against the wall and shot. I thought the comment was appropriate in the circumstances, as…
Post
I've been saying for a while now that folks should be reading Pundit. Recent excellent new author there Claire Browning has a real scoop today: After the honeymoon, divorce: Greens break up with National by Claire Browning The Greens have walked away from part of…
Post
Fancy a link to a well laid-out repository of comparative social statistics with sound credentials, all arranged to demonstrate why inequality is bad for society? Here you go.
Post
Looks like Nicky Wagner's having the same trouble* as Jackie Blue: ...the National-led Government is committed to helping more children take part in organised sport at school, after school, and during the holidays. We want all Kiwi kids to have the opportunity to play sport. We…
Post
We all use language sometimes that's too stong and we regret. Hone Harawira apologised today over his choice of words in the "white motherf**kers" email. Unfortunately, he followed that up by saying Phil Goff "should be lined up against the wall and shot" over the…
Post
Introducing 'The Grabbies', the prize for the minister who tops the field in corruption and/or abuse of taxpayer dollars. So, who win the coveted (lol) Grabby this year? Take a look at our nominees below, it sure is a big field for just one year. Make…
Post
The Dompost reveals that more ministers have been using their MP's privilege to work around the standard John Key claimed to have set on ministers taking their spouses travelling internationally with taxpayer money. Judith Collins, Simon Power, Wayne Mapp, and Anne Tolley join the previously…
Post
An alert reader who, for reasons one can only wonder about, was on Jackie Blue's website spotted this: Tuesday, November 3. 2009 Launch of National Standards Reading, writing and maths are the basic building blocks all children need to learn to get the best start…
Post
Rob Salmond The other day I posted a critique of Lord Monckton's recent presentation, which purports to show that global warming is not real and not a problem. Imagine my astonishment to see that Lord Monckton himself took 2,700 words to respond to me in…
Post
Lord Mayor of Remuera John 'barking mad' Banks has (mis)fired the first shots of his campaign by producing some strip advertisements outlining the planned expansion of his duchy he claims he's Mayor of Takanini! - and taking out a full page ad promising he will…
Post
Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Over to you...
Post
Not much to say but spotted the new Roy Morgan: The latest NZ Morgan Poll shows support for John Key's National-led Government is 60.5% (up 1.5%) comprising National Party 55.5% (up 2.5%), Maori Party 3.5% (up 0.5%), ACT NZ 1% (down 1.5%) and United Future…
Post
I told myself I'd never do a post on pathetic publicity groupie Michael Laws, so here I am failing to live up to yet another resolution. Sigh. But really, this can't pass without comment: Boys are failing, and feminism is at fault One of the…
Post
I've never quite understood why David Farrar, who is after all paid to do statistical work, insists on performing transparent statistical tricks on his blog. Yesterday, he did a post with figures on the number of 15-19 year olds with jobs. He argued that it…
Post
The man National credits with coming up with the idea of national standards has warned the incompetence of Education Minister Anne Tolley could make it a disaster and Tolley agrees. John Hattie told the Sunday Star Times national standards: Could be the most disastrous education…
Post
Earlier this year, John Key stated: "I've told [my ministers] if they want to take their partner, they can do it, but they pay for it'. It emerged last week that Rodney Hide, Peter Dunne, David Carter, Phil Heatley and, it is thought, Maurice Williamson and Judith…
Post
Like here in New Zealand, unemployment continues to climb in America. And one of the results is soaring productivity. (sources: 1,2) But wait, isn't higher productivity good? In normal circumstances, yes, when it comes about from capital deepening (ie businesses investing in equipment rather than…
Post
Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Over to you...
Post
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is not well understood by most New Zealanders, including most of the politicians that make up our main political parties. It is due to this lack of understanding, as well as populist politicking by some notable politicians, that there is an…
Post
You just have to listen to this. After "solid reflection" Rodney has realized that despite being adamant for several days that he'd done no wrong, he now understands that no, he has done wrong and has already returned the cash to the government coffers. Did…