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Politics by numbers
The first rule of politics is learn how to count. And, as much as we would all like to see Labour and the Greens govern by themselves, 13 and 32 don't add up to 50 That'll be why, when the Greens came to Labour with a…
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Archives · 2014-04-07 to 2014-04-13
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Labour wants to save the Kauri
This is an issue that I have a particular interest in. I posted previously on how Kauri dieback disease may result in the extinction of one of the most iconic species of Waitakere's forest. Research into the disease has been ongoing for the past five…
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Open mike 13/04/2014
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From slum-house to mega-man: Mana-TIP connections
The Mana Party AGM is underway today. The mainstream media (MSM) is mostly focused on the Mana and Internet (TIP) Party negotiations, and most particularly on the appearance of Kim Dotcom at the Mana Party meeting. Michael Fox reports: After weeks of speculation, Mana Party…
election 2014 internet mana-party poverty Spying telecommunications us politics
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Tau Henare and the baubles of retirement
In news this week Tau Henare announced his retirement from Politics at the forthcoming election. This was not surprising. He was placed well down on the list at the last election and with talk of Alfred Ngaro being parachuted in to be the candidate in…
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Inequalities of the 10 percenters
All inequality measures are not equal. The GINI Coefficient is widely used to measure inequality, enabling the production of some clear graphs and comparisons between countries, as well as comparisons over time within countries. However, it has its limitations, and doesn't necessarily show the impact…
assets bill english class war cost of living david cunliffe david parker election 2014 john key labour national poverty spin
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Open mike 12/04/2014
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Labour and the Greens
So the Greens want a pre-election coalition deal and a formal working together for election. And Labour don't. That doesn't mean that there's a big split between the 2 parties, any more than different policies on Deep Sea Drilling do - if they agreed on…
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Open mike 11/04/2014
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iPredict needs “Next National Minister Resignation”
They have "will a Minister depart in 2014" and they have Judith to depart before the election, but she seems to have some competition. Simon Bridges seems to be this week's minister to make a play, with just plain incompetence. Hekia is loving having 2…
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Random impertinent questions for Judith Collins
Judith Collins had a shocker in Parliament today and her responses to questions raised more questions than they answered. The video of her refusing to answer questions follows. Her chances of being the next leader of the National Party must be tiny. Cameron Slater will…
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ImperatorFish: A day in the life of Simon Bridges
ImperatorFish generously allows us to repost some of his posts. It was impossible to resist this satire. Apparently I signed a bunch of mining permits to allow exploratory drilling in areas of the conservation estate. It’s a bit harsh of the media to criticise me…
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NRT: Unsurprising
No Right Turn has a different viewpoint on the proposed Green-Labour pre-election coalition proposal. So, Labour has rejected an offer of a formal pre-election coalition and joint campaign from the Greens. Sadly, I'm not surprised. In the past, they've shown a preference for going right rather…
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Polity: The Greens’ proposed pre-election deal
The original of this post by Rob Salmond is here. Last night, via One News, the public became aware that the Greens had proposed a pre-election coalition with Labour, but Labour had rejected it. To understand the contours of the possible deal, you need to know…
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Hollow Men redux
Don Brash has published an autobiography. No doubt the book will be poured over by those interested in local politics although progressives may prefer to wait until the book is remaindered rather than spend good money on enriching someone they hold in contempt. But there…
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Open mike 10/04/2014
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Hypocrisy
The levels of hypocrisy of John Key and National are astounding. As he called Labour's plans to investigate removing Lotto from the checkouts and limit jackpots "Nanny State", he's telling (non-retired) beneficiaries that they're not allowed to fly overseas, have to have their bodies checked…
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Bridges is rattled, and confused
Simon Bridges is under considerable pressure. Yesterday he appeared to have been caught out when it was disclosed that the areas he had designated [for oil exploration] included DOC's largest forest park, an area described by DOC as "pristine" and "untouched". Today in Parliament Russel…
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LB: Bill’s Busted Budget and Tim’s Exploding Emissions
Local bodies points out a couple more of the National government's sad-sacks. For some strange (but obvious) reason a warmish market for milk powder doesn't do much for NZ apart from destroying our enviroment. Nationals's taxcuts for the wealthy have destroyed the fiscal base of…
bill english Economy farming jobs Minister for International Embarrassment tax
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NRT: Is the Minister of Energy a muppet?
No Right Turn points out the important point when looking at Simon Bridges - purported government minister. Damn sloppy of a politician. But so typical of his usual muppet behaviour.. Last week Minister of Energy Simon Bridges opened up vast areas of New Zealand for oil…
Conservation energy Environment Mining national same old national sustainability
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National thinks the best approach to climate change is adaption
It seems that National has a new response to how to deal with climate change, and that is that all we have to do is adapt. Released hot on the heels of the IPCC's latest report was this press release from Climate Change Minister Tim…
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Open mike 09/04/2014
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September 18th
The 18th of September 2014 is a big day. On that day, people living in Scotland will decide if they want to become citizens in a nation that will have reclaimed its sovereignty. It’s worth noting that the vote is not about voting for Alex…
activism class class war colonialism democratic participation political alternatives referendum uk politics
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Tim Watkin is wrong
Tim Watkin recently had a post over at Pundit, saying about why a 15% gap (in their latest poll of polls, uncorrected like Danyl's) between Labour and National matters (presuming that it stays that way and polls don't massively bounce around - see 11 point…
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Poverty denial – NZ Herald editorial
Today's New Zealand editorial not only claims that too many beneficiaries are travelling overseas, and that the rules allowing such trips should be tightened, but that there really isn't very much poverty in NZ. Paula Bennett's benefit changes have made life increasingly hard for beneficiaries. …
benefits child welfare class war jobs paula bennett poverty same old national spin
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The politics of the Royal Tour
Don't get me wrong. I am a proud republican. This position is based on a number of beliefs, that we are all born equal and should be treated equally, that historically the English Monarchy has much to be ashamed of, that the sort of wealth…
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Open mike 08/04/2014
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Polity: Armstrong on National on Labour
Rob Salmond at Polity generously allows us to repost his posts. Like this one on the latest set of bullshit from John Key on interest rates. I rate John Armstrong. He has a rare ability to cut through the BS, when he wants to, and…
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Winning song urges Key to leave politics
Tracy Whatshite, Cadet Reporter, attended the “Bellies” (held at Bellamy’s) and found out who the winners were in this year’s competition for the Best Political Song of 2014. She spoke with the judge Frankie Stevens. “Competition was particularly intense this year and the top entires…
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David Farrar…..Busted.
David Farrar has let slip that he has been privy to information which is only intended for select committee members. Tim Watkins covers this over on pundit: The most interesting part is in relation to a letter that Countdown sent to the commerce select…