Jacinda, thank you very much for that kind introduction. It’s a pleasure to be introduced by the next MP for Auckland Central. Can I also acknowledge our Labour Caucus, including our deputy Annette King and finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. I’d also like to acknowledge Phil Goff.…
There has been consternation at the dissenting voices from the Labour Party caucus over the TPPA. But Phil Goff and David Shearer losing their self control and putting ego and self promotion ahead of caucus responsibility is actually a good thing. It shows just how…
Part of an occasional series: Sex-for-rent deals on rise for desperate tenants Auckland has the fifth least-affordable houses in the world Emergency housing inquiries double New Zealand tumbles down the political corruption table High-profile deals behind corruption slide - report NZ tumbles in education ranking…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
This Sunday at 2pm in Auckland, I’ll be delivering my State of the Nation speech. I’m announcing an exciting new initiative that will make a huge difference to New Zealanders and will play a major role in rebuilding the Kiwi Dream. During the speech,…
One of the annoying aspects of David Shearer and Phil Goff's self serving and self centered endorsement of the flawed TPPA agreement is that has knocked a genuine scandal off the front pages. Instead of supplying ammunition to the Labour Party haters on the dry…
Helen Kelly was interviewed by John Campbell on RNZ Checkpoint last night. The conversation covered cannabis, assisted dying, farm workers, health and safety, unions and more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFKteXQ4mpc
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Did only RNZ pick up on this yesterday? Charter school a waste of public money - PPTA Education Minister Hekia Parata confirmed the closure of the charter school in Northland today, saying the challenges facing its board were too great. PPTA president Angela Roberts said…
From an email sent out to members. Over the summer, I’ve been reading the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement — and one thing’s become clear: as it stands, New Zealand shouldn’t sign this agreement. Labour has always supported free trade and we always will.…
A couple of days ago Chris Trotter set out an interesting theory: Let’s Not Lose Our Tempers: If John Key wants a riot outside Sky City – don’t give him one ON THE FACE OF IT John Key has made a serious tactical blunder. By…
By Simon Louisson Is Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler so concerned about the bogey of Auckland’s housing bubble that he is underestimating an equally nasty bogey – deflation? With annual inflation at 0.1 percent, it seems the scourge of inflation that dogged New Zealand for…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
National has a long history of opposing and mocking Auckland's City Rail Link - A brief history of National MPs trashing the rail link they just funded. Yesterday Key folded and agreed to (probably) cut back the five year delay he had previously insisted on.…
National keeps claiming the reputation of the party that is "good with the economy", but the facts tell a different story. The "rockstar economy" was always a myth, and this week the bad economic news has kept on coming: NZ Government books running $1.6 billion…
According to Transparency International New Zealand was for a long time the least corrupt nation in the world. We achieved that ranking in 2006 under Helen Clark and the fifth Labour Government and managed to maintain the rating until 2013. But since then it has…
Labour has been walking a tightrope on the TPP. Labour supports free trade, but opposes aspects of the TPP that limit our sovereignty. At some point the party was going to have to come down on one side or another, and it seems that Andrew…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
They didn't have much option really: Update on the High Court case between Nicky Hager and the NZ Police Yesterday, the New Zealand Police informed Nicky Hager through their counsel that they are electing not to appeal the decision of the High Court given in…
As had been widely anticipated the Government has performed a U turn on Auckland's inner city rail link and has agreed to bring forward funding. Instead of it starting in 2020 it will now start in 2018 and match Auckland Council's planned start date. Can I…
Spurred on perhaps by recent high-profile cases - Lecretia Seales and Patricia and Peter Shaw, voluntary euthanasia is very much in the news at the moment. David Seymour has a Bill before Parliament. Stuff has a handy guide on how to contribute to the debate…
Yep, its that time again when readers are reminded of some of the lies John Key told in the lead-up to and in the seven years since his National Ltd™ came to power. No doubt there will be a bunch more lies to be added later…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
The Government has released a TPPA ‘National Interest Analysis’ - you can find it (and the current text of the TPPA) here. It is predictable spin and has drawn a predicable response. This piece in Stuff gives an overview: TPPA non-signing 'risks marginalisation and decline'…