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6:00 am, July 1st, 2026 - 63 comments
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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 …
Too many Kiwis "won the Lotto" – please Move-On! Why can’t you just Move-On?
https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/06/28/perverse-incentive-msd-staff-metrics-include-emergency-housing-grants/
Someone should explain to these bottom feeders sleeping on the streets that they should be grateful for having been operationalised.
DMK : as I commented on Daily Review… This situation wuz a "Revelation" to Luxo and Potaka !?
I note not the kind of life changing revelation…for them.
Thats coming November !
Vote Green '26
The latest Roy Morgan is a shambles for Labour. But if Opp opt to support the Left (IMO unlikely on these numbers) it is still fairly close:
Lab 25.5 Gre 13.5 TPM 3.0 Opp 6.5=48.0
Nat 31.0 NZF 10.5 ACT 9.5=52.0
https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/10271-nz-national-voting-intention-june-2026
The last time we had a one-term government was 50 years ago in 1975.
Way longer than my political memory.
If we are to have a shot at a miracle in November, we may as well go all out for it.
Nobody in the Coalition is suggesting that Roy Morgan “is facing some real credibility issues”!?
Luxon, who never reads them, will say there're only 2 polls worth reading, election night's … and this one.
Yes, but Luxon likely like only one.
I think that man's egg has boiled.
The Roll Luxon poll is the writing on the wall for everyone who can see it but National is too deep in the fiscal hole that they’ve been digging for Labour to fall into. Unfortunately, even though Labour is featherless, it’s so light that it simply floats over silly Potholes of National Insignificance.
Roy Morgan is the only poll to put National ahead of Labour in the last 5 months.
It is also the only poll to have Opp above 5%.
Its actually 31.0+10.5+9.5=51.0 sorry.
Even qualified accountant's can screw up.
And 25.5 + 13.5 + 3.0 + 6.5 = 48.5
I like this,,…,the gap is getting smaller all the time. (No wonder I retired).
We need more qualified accountants in Parliament. People who can read, think and occasionally admit that they did get it wrong.
Most pollsters manage to survey at least 1000 Kiwis, but for two years now Roy Morgan has struggled to scare up 900. Might the missing 100+ voters have found ‘greener pastures’?
More Men than Women favouring the current Coalition of Cockups, doesn't say much for NZ men.
Statistically, there isn’t much difference between a sample size of 900 and 1,000. Roy Morgan may use slightly different sample design and data adjustment that together with the slightly smaller sample size could explain the systematic apparent ‘discrepancy’ with other polls.
Thanks Incognito, that makes sense. I don't know why Roy Morgan slightly decreased their sample size (from >920) midway through 2024 – since then, Roy Morgan sample sizes have been between 799 and 902.
Another difference is that Roy Morgan typically polls (evenly?) over a 4-week period, whereas a 3-10 day polling period is more usual for the rest.
One more difference is that (the latest) Roy Morgan was a telephone (landline + mobile) poll, whereas the RNZ-Reid Research poll is now an online survey.
Don't know about the rest.
I'm still not convinced that TOP is over the 5% threshold. RM have been over-egging them in their surveys all year. They're regularly around 2% over the average from other pollsters. They also seem to regularly under-poll Labour (about 5% down on the average from other pollsters in the last 2 RM polls).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2026_New_Zealand_general_election
What I take from this poll (as from every other poll this year) – is that the election is too close to call, and there is a lot of voter mobility.
Agreed Bella……too close to call.
Over 400,000 New Zealand in miserable deprivation.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/648422/who-s-poor-in-new-zealand-now
Brutal damn country.
A great related interview here, Ad
Comment on You Tube
A
We have a cost of living crisis, a housing crisis and a growing number of homelessness. And the government turns around and does that. What a kick in the guts
I got through about 10 minutes of this and had to stop. She is representing hundreds and hundreds of people who are working their guts out to help people, and getting less and less help. She is so right about how hard it is to really help the hundreds of thousands of people who are in entrenched deprivation. Nothing but aroha to all those organisations and workers.
She's great and really knows her stuff.
I encourage you to play it through as she goes into solutions
It pains me saying this but David Seymour should follow Brooke van Velden out of Parliament and be gone by lunchtime.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/01-07-2026/a-failing-grade-for-the-governments-school-lunch-programme
His packed lunch lacked punch.
Merc – fast off the startline with that.
"It pains me saying this but David Seymour should ……"
Why is it that I find this statement very hard to believe?
Because, as per usual, you didn’t read on till the end of the sentence. Plus, as per usual, your bias clouds your brain. Moreover, as per usual, your literal and linear interpretations exclude many other more imaginative possibilities that you cannot imagine let alone believe. That’s causing the unrealised paradox.
Do you really mean that you are sad to tell us that you think Seymour should get out? Really? You wouldn't have even the slightest hint of happiness were he to quit?
Well I guess I must take you at your word. I am surprised though.
I believe Seymour will quit following the election (defeat). I believe he was planning to move on and had groomed Brooke van Velden for Leader, but she piked.
It’s obvious that you’re not getting it, but I’m not your AI, so you’ll remain in your status quo.
He should stay until lunchtime and eat his school lunch all up and his ministerial and parliamentary colleagues, too (not eat them, the lunch that is!). That would be one way to solve this issue.
Also, for them, a night sleeping out on the streets in such weather as I experienced in Wellington over the past few days- very high winds, rain, low temperatures- might change a mind or two about treatment of the homeless.
Meanwhile, Minister Jones spends $60,000 over budget on food, warm beds and limousines…..
David Seymour shouldn’t be anywhere near schools – home
detentionschooling only for him!Aye ! Sadly Empathy….is not visible anywhere in the NACT1 coalition.
Empathy also, if not innate, can be learned, often from experience of the shit side of life. Also sadly, some who have suffered the slings and arrows earlier..go on to become even worse. (A twisted version of do unto others. You can probably think of some individuals, definitely including here in NZ Politics)
Re Matua Shame Jones. Here he goes into his usual offensive/defensive hyperbole (also some Third Person randomness lol : )
How on earth can he get away with titling himself, "The Mātua"?
It's as though Luxon referred to himself (constantly) as "Your Sugar-Daddy". The only reason he doesn't, is because that's Key's title. Luxon could try, "Your Golden Goose Egg" – I reckon that'd fly.
What was there from the last govt with locally produced nutritional meals versus the compass corporate slop dished out now is 100% on Seymour.
On behalf of school kids all over NZ he needs to have that rotting albatross around his neck pointed out by keeping this little piece of wealth transfer in the public eye.
Then there's that so called ministry of wasteful spending he had created someone else will have to dismantle at taxpayers expense.
Grrrrufff.
Yeah…about that. We really want to know ALL about !
Onya RNZ , ELI, Mike Smith et al!
The Coalition should elevate immediately to Level 2 because it’s facing a Credibility Crisis that could uproot the wilting Coalition Tree before it’s chopped at grassroots level on 7 Nov.
Incognito, rule of law courts is not their Coalition tipple.
They much prefer parliamentary mandate by fast track law changes to pull the court's teeth, all worked out in meetings not minuted and against any advice or current protocols as Parliament is Sovereign and we have no written constitution.
They are using that loophole to stymie any opposition.
The Ombudsman may find outright lies among the very devious/cavalier behaviour,
To conive against NZ citizens' rights is egregious indeed, and PM Luxon is failing his KPIs.
Roll on Nov 7. Please enrol and vote wisely.
Is Luxon wearing his Invisibility Cloak just now?
Nowhere 2 b seen.
Self-preservation is a primary instinct aka survival instinct – it’s particularly strong among former airline managers and their wingmen. Sometimes that means hiding in plain sight (or in Te Puke) is the safest option.
Thats where the not all trees are good might have come from ?
Definitely a poison weed tree !
There is something a bit wiffy about the Op Party. I noticed in the small print that the authorising person on a photo I saw of a political hoarding was called L Cargo. Strange name I thought and tried to check it out, no such person only cargo companies appear. Now I’ve had my name on hoardings a few years ago and I’m pretty sure you are not allowed an alibi or made up name as it is an official position. The other thing I have wondered about is where is the money is coming from? Running a full campaign for a general election is eye wateringly expensive and OPs effort so far is looking like they are spending a lot of money. The cardinal rule of politics is of course. “ Follow the money “. I wish I could but don’t have the expertise.
You suspect they're a cargo cult?
Seems about right…
Left leaning Brian Cartwell, Tech gave $100 000, rest is fund raising $ for$ currently 400000 according to Google.
Adrian, the secretary for the Opportunity Party is one H Cargo, according to Google AI, who authorises hoardings etc.
https://nz.linkedin.com/in/haydencargo
Opportunity
$315,520
7 donations from 6 donors
Largest donors:
Brian Cartmell, Phillip Mills (each $100,000)
Donor mix:
6% organisations / 94% individuals
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/647946/rnz-political-donations-tracker-who-s-bankrolling-the-party-campaigns
Last night on the Daily Blog Chloe Swarbrick expressed what many people are asking:
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/live-8pm-tonight-the-bradbury-group-with-chloe-swarbrick-gerry-brownlee-political-panel-simon-wilson-matthew-hooton/
"…I (am) trying to understand what it is that makes our prime minister and his cabinet ministers tick, to get them to the conclusions that they are, where they are actively hurting people in this country, some of the most vulnerable, some of the poorest New Zealanders…".
The Coalition MPs are maliciously and gleefully implementing policies that push many families and others further into debt. They are unable to afford enough food, rent and power costs, and are at risk of homelessness if not already experiencing this.
According to most polls, National remains at, or is close to 30% support. It is a mystery why this number of NZers support the wilful cruelty of this government. What does it say about NZ, other than it is becoming a divided, resentful, self-interested society, as the Right wants it to be. Unity equals strength.
The Coalition parties and supporters are, as prior to the last election, constantly spreading disinformation via social media attacks on the Opposition. https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/01/nationals-attack-post-spreading-misinformation-greens-say/
The Coalition MPs are unwilling/unable to fight fairly to try to win the election, instead relying on deception and confusion.
Gnats are out to hurt anyone who isn't one of their malicious, self-centred coterie of wealthy up-themselves power-grabbers. If you feel rich don't concentrate on just thinking that, but on smartly seeing how you and your family and compatriots can survive the coming of the tech titans and turn all into zombies. We seem to be drawn to horror – to somebody else.
Perhaps our future could get to be like the tv shows for The Walking Dead – zombie apocalypse that started in 2010 and went to 7 series and is still going in some form. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Dead_(franchise)
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2606/S00068/human-nature-is-self-centered-we-can-change-it.htm
For instance: Crows and we can learn some smart tricks of how to use our environment to its fullest potential in a safe and practical way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGPGknpq3e0 Wild crows in city BBC David Attenborough
Don't let it be said that crows are smarter than us – not having the delusions of grandeur and extreme symbolic thought we are prone to and from!
Che Fi
So, who here cares about data centres and their cost to NZ? How about RIMPAC? Do you'lefties' care all? How abour putting electricity back into public ownership?
Drop in again Sean C and give us some of your ideas. We all work to this theme in our thinking I believe –
The impossible I do immediately, miracles take a little longer David Berglas https://www.azquotes.com/quote/729019
A data centre is like a brain and must be kept safe within a "shell/skull/metal container" , kept cool and hydrated and supplied with a reliable flow of calories/energy.
So, my question is; where's the beast?
Lot of lefties care about the data centre issues, and lots also advocate for renationalising power supply. Where have you been?
Sure, but ‘lefties’ ≠ lefties, according to some and Sean.
Everyone is correct above, data centres are the latest 'get rich quick' privatise profits socialize the costs scheme causing concern.
To be fair to Sean, for some reason, human nature is to piss and moan about how bad this government is rather than organize, educate and uplift towards the future we want.
What we give our attention to gets stronger.
Our new economy is to be built around correcting bad policy, expensive unsatisfactory or unnecessary outcomes, and doing this poorly using tech which is done quickly and poorly, one example:
It will be a circular system of profitable business carried out in an economic way with a short life, some reparation, and then new contracts for more similar business: circular, with frequent input from those still able to pay taxes and rates. Then lawsuits, complaints of wrongdoing, meaning work for lawyers and high-flown administrators, and confusion, mistrust, and loss of the people's economy, pervasive lack of integrity, more classism as people are drawn to those of similar persuasion, constant ferment and change with increasing poverty, mental illness and outbreaks of rage and amorality, some vicious .
Anyway that's where we are going now, so without some amazing revolution, or enough individual cruelty to stir the sludge of society's mind, I would take a small bet on things following that path. And this behind a curtain of hygienic facts that hides the blinding truth from bleary eyes and the ever short-sighted. One would wish for a greeting of Hi-genie to a magical, far-seeing and goodly presence – I liked Terry Pratchett for that myself.