The charter schools legislation passed its final reading last night. Great to see a strong stance taken by Labour and the Greens. From Metiria Turei's speech: Charter schools have no future in our country Aotearoa New Zealand, and I am pleased that the Labour Party…
The polls are in. Despite an unprecendented assault by the capitalist forces to protect the profits of the electricity companies, the people want change, they want lower power prices. A TVNZ poll shows 57% of people support for the Labour/Green NZ Power plan, while the…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
If the left had to pick one word to describe the essence of its political philosophy, that word might be "fairness". If the right had to do the same that word might be "freedom". Which makes this article by Labour MP David Clark an interesting…
I feel kinda stupid for not seeing this coming: Charter schools on the cards for closed Christchurch schools Sites left vacant by Christchurch school closures could be in demand for charter schools or apartment complexes. The Government's school shake-up will leave 14 surplus school grounds…
At the same time as Russel Norman was laying out the Key Government's flagrant disregard for democracy in powerful terms (and weren't the Right's pundits quick to circle the wagons around Key after that?), a poll was out showing the public is agreeing with Norman's…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
One of the most bizarre aspects of the Collins / Lusk faction's plans (as per the leaked Lusk paper) was their perception of and plans for blogs. [Area of Operation 2. a.] Dominate the media by controlling the message through credible right wing blogs. Wonder…
National Party civil war has broken out in to the to open. United Future no longer exists. ACT is one court decision away from losing its only MP. Maori Party leadership uncertainty part of their long slow decline. Stable government?
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
It isn't very often that I regret not having a TV aerial. But on the odd occasion the local TV raises its head above the parapet of simple-minded mediocrity. If I want to watch it, then I wait until it shows up online - like…
Here's the second of the Lusk papers that we were leaked, as was to be covered in today's Sunday Star Times. This paper confirms that factions a faction within National sees New Zealand as a vassal of America, and wants to see American influence (and…
Fairfax Ipsos pollster, Duncan Stuart, is surprised to have discovered evidence of a highly divided NZ: divided by income inequalities and political allegiance. It's surprising that the pollster is surprised by this, but perhaps this shows where his political allegiance lies. As many on this site know,…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
Granny Herald pulled out the wedgie omnibus today with old man Armstrong and old man Roughan both taking their best shot at helping Key's attempts to wedge the Greens and Labour. They've clearly decided they're not gonna shift the greens so instead they're going concern-troll…
New Zealand voters like strong politicians. And today Russel Norman showed he's a strong politician - a fighting liberal. For perhaps the first time since John Key took power, someone has had the guts to stand up and blame him for the corrupt government he's…
This is the first of the Lusk papers, as leaked to us a couple of days ago, and as currently being discussed on The Nation. It's crazy, Tea Party stuff, proposing to sell our politics to business and American interests. The leak itself reveals a…
It is fortuitous that this series has just finished reviewing the Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCCC) 2012 report "Child Poverty in New Zealand evidence for action". Good timing because this week the government released its response (pdf). How has the government's response been received?…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...