Open Mike 04/10/2026

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 38 comments
Categories: open mike


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 …

38 comments on “Open Mike 04/10/2026”

Comment numbers have changed to permanent references. Older quoted numbers may no longer identify the same comment.

  1. 1

    After COVID, finances were so bad the nACTf CoC couldn't afford new ferries (or pay equity) – only tax cuts (and tax relief for landLords.)
    Now, three CoC years later, they're stuggling to offer Kiwis any tax cuts? Something is very wrong with the track we’re on.

    Guy Body, 19 February 2024


    Chris Luxon is probably bummed he isn't the frontman of a "rockstar economy" but he has a lovely $695k tax-free cushion to soften the blow… Daniel Vernon, 10 January 2025

    Reply
  2. 2

    I'm surprised the ACT Party didn't choose, ACT NOW! as their campaign slogan.

    I can see though, why they didn't choose, "ACT with Integrity".

    Reply
  3. 3

    Access denied!

    The Official Information Act (OIA) isn’t fit for purpose, but instead of improving & strengthening it, the ‘solution’ is to reduce the scope of how it upholds accountability – $525 million is not something to be sneezed at.

    As revealed by The Post newspaper last month, the Government is considering a “post-election overhaul” of the Official Information Act, which includes a narrower definition of what’s covered, tougher grounds for refusing requests, and new “fee recovery mechanisms”.

    https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/01/health-nz-says-it-cannot-easily-access-board-papers/

    I can’t read The Post because its content is behind a pay-wall and therefore I haven’t tried locating that article; I can’t find anything relevant on the Beehive website, which is the official Government website.

    Reply
    1. 3.1

      Health NZ says it ‘cannot easily access’ board papers [Newsroom, 1 Oct 2026]
      Labour’s Ayesha Verrall says it’s troubling Health NZ can’t access documents, while an ex-union boss suggests it has something to hide
      [comment]
      If papers cannot realistically be accessed, why keep them? Why not simply file them in the incinerator?
      But I reckon someone is lying – it wouldn’t be the first time. No matter what, it stinks.

      C'mon, effective redaction takes time. Given recent developments, the obvious way forward for any nACTf-like CoC would be to neuter the OIA. Alternatively, just privatise public services and redact everything on the basis of "commercial sensitivity".

      Chief Ombudsman formally notifies Ministry of Education of investigation [2 Oct 2026]

      Govt & govt agencies’ approach to OIA comes under greater scrutiny by Ombudsman in lead-up to election [7 Aug 2026]

      Chief Ombudsman statement on investigation into PM’s Office [10 June 2026]

      The Chief Ombudsman’s reflections on the Official Information Act [20 March 2025]
      Outgoing Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier released this report about his reflections on the Official Information Act 1982, from his during nine years in the role.
      An informed citizenry—essential in a modern democratic society—faces increasing risk throughout the world as an unprecedented volume of mis- and dis-information threatens to overwhelm the reliable information sources that participatory democracy depends on.


      Sharon Murdoch, 4 December 2017

      Reply
      1. 3.1.1

        No matter how you look at it, it’s a bad look. Even the basics of record keeping are not followed. For example, IRD states:

        Good records are important for your business. You use your records to fill in tax returns and finalise your tax.

        Getting it right

        Keep all your records throughout the year. Everything is important.

        • […]
        • Keep all your records (including those in electronic form) for at least 7 tax years.
        • […]

        https://www.ird.govt.nz/managing-my-tax/record-keeping

        Do you think that IRD would let you get away with Health NZ’s excuses? I don’t think so.

        Reply
        1. 3.1.2.1

          Simeon’s a 'sensitive' wee soul when it concerns reque$t$ to grow the lucrative private health industry – nothing to see here sad

          Health NZ signs $300m six-year private hospital contracts to treat orthopaedic backlog [The Herald (paywalled), 13 Aug 2026]

          Health NZ under fire for secrecy over private hospital contracts [careful now RNZ, 26 August 2026]
          In a March speech, Health Minister Simeon Brown said that he was "open" to using PPPs.
          When asked if plans had progressed since then, a spokesperson for his office said it was still the government's "expectation that Health NZ partners with private providers to maximise the delivery of elective treatment for patients".

          Apparently, the ideal/ideological way to fix backlogs in our public health services is long-term contracts with private businesses.

          Publicly funded healthcare, social insurance and justice in Aotearoa New Zealand [NZMJ (abstract only), 14 Aug 2026]
          In common with most high-income countries, the publicly funded healthcare system in Aotearoa New Zealand is struggling. The pressures of rising costs, an unstable workforce and changing population demographics appear intractable despite numerous system tweaks and reforms. This viewpoint article focusses on how resource constraints in New Zealand's public healthcare system have allowed the private health sector to grow and become the default provider of many non-urgent services and often also urgent or time-critical care, a process of "creeping privatisation". Increasingly, patients without the means to access care privately are significantly disadvantaged. Some ethicists have defended dual or "two-tier" health systems as permissible and preferable from the point of view of justice. We challenge this view, arguing that the New Zealand case shows how the private sector undermines and erodes the public sector, creating significant concerns for health equity, social solidarity and long-term sustainability. We examine a social insurance funding model for healthcare as a plausible alternative to the current tax-funded model used in New Zealand, with potential advantages in addressing the ethical challenges of a growing gap between the public and private "tiers".


          Daniel Vernon, 8 Sept 2026

          Reply
  4. 4

    National has announced construction of the Mill Road 4-lane Highway north of Auckland starting in 2028.

    The article doesn't give a costing for the whole project, just $1.75 billion for stage one of three.

    So let's say $6 billion. Labour should dump this saying it will instead improve the existing roads in this direction while spending the other billions on public transport and a public health service that works.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/transport-announcement-prime-minister-christopher-luxon-to-speak-in-auckland/II4LKZUYYNC3NEUE2UCFBC7DKE/

    Reply
  6. 6

    I admire the courage of whistleblowers.

    Nine people with inside knowledge of different parts of the ministry subsequently contacted RNZ to corroborate claims that ministry managers routinely asked staff not to write down sensitive information, least it be discovered through the Official Information Act.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/education/1705313/whistleblowers-offer-to-aid-education-ministry-probe

    There’s a growing perception that OIA avoidance tactics got worse after the Coalition got in charge. For example:

    Several sources told RNZ they witnessed repeated attempts to keep information off the record prior to the change of government in late 2023, but it became worse after the election.

    […]

    Another source said, prior to the change in government, reminders about the OIA and putting things in writing were light in tone and emphasis, but after the election, the term "OIA-able" was frequently used and, in 2024 meetings, became the preferred mode of communication.

    There’s so much more rot exposed in the excellent long RNZ piece and that’s just in MoE.

    Reply
  7. 7

    Good morning my fellow political junkies. Hope your weekend is going well.

    For those that have time to kill, I've got some interesting viewing for you.

    Due to the election, many of us are focusing locally. Overhangs, bottom lines, new policy announcements, etc.

    Today, I'd like to draw your attention to some wider happenings.

    Many of you would have heard the infamous phrase "you will own nothing and be happy" derived from a 2016 essay by Danish politician Ida Auken for the World Economic Forum.

    Well today I'm posting a interview with economist and author, Simon Dixon. Who will explain to you how he sees the vast majority of us owning nothing.

    He calls this (which is happening now) the Asset-Stripping Phase.

    He points to the Financial Industrial Complex (FIC), Military Industrial Complex (MIC) and Technological Industrial Complex (TIC) believing the world is already transitioning into a far more centralised, digital and surveillance-driven system. Shaped by artificial intelligence, CBDCs, data, financial control and geopolitical fragmentation.

    The second interview I have for you is an interview with the infamous Yanis Varoufakis.

    In this one he talks about how democracy is largely a farce and warns Andrew Burnham will disappoint.

    In doing so, he highlights points that the left here should also be taking note.

    Enjoy

    Reply
    1. 7.1

      Not sure I trust Varoufakis. He's rabidly anti-EU, seeing it as a super-corp, and hates the austerity it forced on Greece after corrupt practices by its government.

      On the other hand, organising European nations against a Russian push westward, while at the same time fending off batshit crazy Trump, requires not only military but also economic co-ordination. It's a bad time to be a nation without allies. The EU is trying for cohesion in a post-US world, and not doing too badly.

      GSW has been posting UnHerd articles at TS with Varoufakis – he seems to be a regular there. Given UnHerd is owned by a pro-Brexit richie who also funds GB News, the UK Fox equivalent, that's also put me off him too.

      Reply
      2. 7.1.2

        Yep, he's a Green supporter.

        I like Yanis . He has an interesting perspective on things that I find myself often agreeing with.

        He comes across as a straight shooter to me. One that has been inside the tent that is willing to speak about it.

        He didn't create what happened in Greece, he was brought in to help fix it

        Reply
  8. 8

    Had a look on Scoop and thought these were interesting . https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2610/S00008/poll-says-maori-are-turning-to-the-greens-for-their-party-vote.htm

    Poll Says Māori Are Turning To The Greens For Their Party Vote | Thursday, 1 October 2026, 5:30 pm RNZ |

    The party's strong showing in the Mata Horizon poll was particularly evident in electorates such as Waiariki where candidate Tania Waikato has been prominent….

    And apparently the NZ Taxpayers Union, of which we are all inadvertent members, has found hot information to smear one political party. The present governance system and selection process which we have allows too many warts to grow on its 'beautiful' body. Time to subject it to a period of a gut-cleansing regime in a health farm.

    https://www.scoop.co.nz/news/politics.html | Bribe-O-Meter Week 4: Labour Hides A $2,662-Per-Household Foreign Aid Bill In Its $10 Billion Week Friday, 2 October 2026, 2:29 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union

    Labour's plan to build 6,000 additional state houses, and repair schools and hospitals is costed at $4.3 billion. Its student loan policy, announced at its campaign launch, adds a further $583 million, or $282 per household…

    Reply
  9. 9

    Millward of the Eng&Wales Greens at their conference today:

    "…we would, immediately – not in 10 years, but before Christmas, bring South East Water and Thames Water back into public ownership at no cost to the tax payer… Forget compensation for shareholders and creditors, these are insolvent companies." She lambasted Labour's softly-softly approach as an incremental nothing. In today's Guardian.

    Simply saying the obvious out loud. Shareholders have extracted billions in profits without doing needed investment; suck it up.

    Reply
  10. 10

    Boom!!

    Labour will restore pay equity legislation in its first 100 days and give an immediate pay rise to 65,000 care and support workers.

    From 1 January 2027, care and support workers will receive an immediate pay rise of $4 an hour. This will mean the average full-time worker will be $8,320 a year better off, or $160 a week before tax.

    https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-labour-to-restore-pay-equity-immediate-pay-rise-for-care-and-support-workers/

    Reply
      1. 10.1.1

        Supporting support workers or RONS, there never was a more obvious choice and a clearer distinction between Labour and National, respectively.

        Reply
  12. 12

    I know it's not good form to bag Labour so close to the election . . . but they continue to disappoint!

    No Right Turn on reform of democracy and trust in government:

    Labour released its democracy and trust in government policy today, and it looks like a good start. They're promising:

    • A lobbying register and code of conduct, and stand-down periods for Ministers;
    • Limiting urgency and requiring post-enactment referral to select committee of any bill which skips the select committee phase;
    • Lowering the voting age for local body elections and abolishing the landlord vote;
    • Mentioned in the full speech, reform of the OIA to codify proactive release and include penalties for ministers who conspire to hide things

    Which is all good, but note what's not included: caps on political donations or public funding to get money out of politics; stopping the revolving door for senior public servants as well as Ministers; a lower voting age for general elections.

    His explanation:

    As for donation capping, Labour has never really wanted money out of politics, because they're stupid enough to think they'll get a share of it when they're in power.

    https://norightturn.blogspot.com/search/label/2026%20Election

    Reply
    1. 12.1

      If Labour didn't have strong consistent donations from unions over the last 7 decades, they would be electorally dead.

      And lest we think the Greens are white like the driven snow, the whopping donations from the Camerons, Mills, Ross family, and several undisclosed from the matching donor scheme, over several electtions, have certainly helped them out.

      Sure they aren't as smelly as NZFirst or as egregiously obvious as real estate companies and National, but let's not be so stupid as to think money shouldn't be part of Party campaigns.

      Reply
      1. 12.1.1

        Sure they aren't as smelly as NZFirst or as egregiously obvious as real estate companies and National, but let's not be so stupid as to think money shouldn't be part of Party campaigns.

        Some donation money for sure – but so much money? It's hardly a level political 'playing field' sad

        Political donations tracker: ACT gets another $225,000 and overall parties total exceeds 2023 campaign
        Here’s where things stand, as of October 1, across all parties for declared donations of over $20,000.
        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/647946/political-donations-tracker-act-gets-another-dollar225-000-and-overall-parties-total-exceeds-2023-campaign

        Reply
        1. 12.1.1.1

          The Union bulk payment to the Labour Party is the aggregated donations of thousands of members. If each member ticks a box every three years authorising a sum to be donated to the Labour Party, it could be counted as a collection of named individual donations. This is apparently the way it is done in the UK.

          Interestingly, major UK unions have been pushing back against the Starmer/Burnham agenda, by discussing whether to withhold donations at their agms, as Unite and Unison considered. Austerity and racist anti-migrant rhetoric are not popular.

          https://ukpulse.co.uk/news/labour-risks-reform-surge-without-drastic-change-warns-unison-leader
          One very clear message at the Labour conference this year is the stated opposition by unions of anti-trans policies authorised by Labour, which mean that trans people have to out themselves at work.

          Eleven majority-womens' unions, representing a million workers, just boycotted the previously trans-inclusive Labour Womens Conference, which now bars trans women. Fewer than 200 delegates ended up in the largely empty venue.

          https://angryaida.substack.com/p/its-official-labours-transphobia

          Reply
      2. 12.1.2

        but let's not be so stupid as to think money shouldn't be part of Party campaigns.

        Of course not, but it's a question of scale. We need to level the playing field!

        Maybe there is merit in state funded elections?

        Reply
        1. 12.1.2.1

          Big donors are just toying with their bought-and-paid-for political pets. Money always finds a way to 'talk' sad


          Richard Dale, NZME, 21 Sept 2026

          Reply
  13. 13

    If vandalism of hoardings is any sort of guide the Nats are in for quite a hiding, I think the number of defaced and smashed up National party signs in the Waikato/Auckland region is the worst I have ever seen.

    Reply
      1. 13.1.1

        Normalizing destruction of election signs is a massively short-sighted position for anyone on the left to take.

        They cost a fair amount of money, and have to come out of the campaign spending. Given that this is almost always lower for the left, they are going to come off worst in a 'war' against signs.

        Reply
        1. 13.1.1.1

          yes Was a pain in 2023, having to repeatedly re-staple an election hoarding to the fence.
          This year's smaller sign – "For all of us" – has been left alone, so far, but the staple gun is still ready.

          To vote in a general election you need to be enrolled by midnight, 13 days before Election Day.

          For the 2026 General Election this means you can't enrol or update your details after midnight, 25 October 2026.
          https://vote.nz/enrolling/enrol-or-update/enrol-or-update-online

          Reply
  14. 14

    Did others wonder about the spending of $8 million on a Michelin restaurant rating? TDB is having a look at it. While some necessary funding for supporting needy people was cut because of lack of funds. Did private interests actually find the money or was it all government as I thought? It's not a modern sales pitch – NZAO has been during tourism same since early colonial days – pink Terraces one of world's wonders before Tarawera. (Tarawera volcano nz and press Images at the top.)

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/8m-michelin-star-tax-funded-food-wankery/

    Reply
  15. 15

    The TVNZ Vote Compass is up and running. See which party is closest to you.

    You've probably done these before, they are used worldwide and it's fair to say they vary in depth and precision (I was Nelson Mandela in one, Gordon Brown in another. Hmm).

    This one delivered an accurate result for me, and also your input will influence the overall results.

    Vote Compass – 2026 New Zealand General Election

    Reply
    3. 15.3

      63% top

      49% nat, no way not ever

      46% labour, green.

      43% tpm

      36 % nzf

      27%act.

      Not sure what got national there I'm pro lunch and housing anti move on orders and punishment for youths, maybe defense spending did it.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *