Open Mike 07/09/25

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 29 comments
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29 comments on “Open Mike 07/09/25”

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  2. 2

    Daily Bog media critic on leftist political alignment:

    The Standard manages to sum up better than any other political bog in NZ the incrementalism of Labour and are channeling the middle class fears of the political drama of working with a Māori Party more focused on sticking it to Cracker than actually doing anything close to resembling actual policy.

    a NZF/Green/Labour Government would be a spineless nothing.

    You mean like last time? Patterns don't always repeat. They also morph sometimes.

    There can be no deal between Labour and NZF, no matter what The Standard says.

    So the bog man definitively rules out pragmatic compromises on the left. Principle must somehow prevail over common interest, he seems to think. Well, that would work if principle ever got the numbers on the left. Who can remember when it last happened?

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2025/09/07/mediawatch-the-standard-goes-there-why-a-labour-nzf-government-would-be-a-disaster/

    1. 2.1

      If I could move your comment to TDB I would.

      It looks to me that you’re click-baiting and spawning outrage to encourage shit comments here instead of discussing NZ politics.

    2. 2.2

      Bomber is right-NZF's Peters has drunk the Kool-Aid and is now a toxic mix of (among many other things) racist, anti-trans and anti-vaccine. Then there is NZF's dinosaur Shane Jones who is worse than Peters.

      Labour should rule out a coalition or a deal of any kind with NZF.

      (Remember it was also Peters' fault there is no light-rail in Auckland.)

    3. 2.3

      Didn't read either the Daily Blog post or the Standard post but it is worth noting Ad is the most Stuart Nash-like offical on the Standard and certainly doesn't represent the site as a whole.

      1. 2.3.1

        Speaking at NZ First's annual conference, Stuart Nash's comments against Chris Hipkins were cynical and a clear attempt to stir up anti-Hipkins sentiment. Hipkins was left with no option in March 2023, other than to sack Nash.

        https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/09/06/former-labour-mp-has-enlightening-conversations-with-nz-first/

        …"Labour leader Chris Hipkins sacked Nash from Cabinet in 2023, after a series of missteps, including sharing confidential cabinet information with some of his own donors.

        Nash had also criticised a judge's decision and revealed he phoned the police commissioner to discuss whether it would be appealed. Cabinet ministers are expected to avoid criticising judicial decisions".

        Nash portrayed himself as a victim of his own inappropriate behaviour, and as having been betrayed by Hipkins.

        "The thing that disappointed me most is not the fact that I wasn't sitting in cabinet," Nash today said.

        "The thing that really disappointed me was the guy that I thought had my back and was a good mate actually didn't.

        "Even a very experienced politician like I was didn't expect to be stabbed in the back."

        However, he said his apparent shift in allegiances was "not personal at all"…

        Nash's comments are disingenuous. If Hipkins as PM hadn't sacked him for confidentiality breaches, the media and the then Opposition would have relentlessly attacked Hipkins for failure to do so, as there wasn't an appropriate alternative.

        Winston Peters, who has a seemingly irrational resentment of Chris Hipkins, will likely be very happy with the prospect of increasing division and confusion amongst voters.

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/572298/former-labour-mp-stuart-nash-not-closing-door-on-campaigning-for-nz-first

  3. 3

    Stuart Nash was fired from Cabinet for a string of scandals.
    Both Nash and Shane Jones attempted to be Leaders of Labour and failed.
    Both are together now as whining attack dogs for Winston Peters. Hell mend them.

  4. 4

    Stuart Nash a match for NZFist, but already on board with…the taxpayers union? Not sure if that was known ? Was news to me (although he would be a good fit for both….)

    And just so we know where he stood stands…Ol' Ruthless oiling him up. Bluurgh : (

    Ruth Richardson, Chair of the Taxpayers’ Union, said:

    "We are thrilled to welcome Stuart and John to the board, giving us a broader mix of representation as well as fresh activism. Their combined expertise in business and government will be instrumental in advancing our mission to give taxpayers a voice and hold decision-makers accountable."

    https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/board_of_directors_update_250730

    Scumbag.

  5. 5

    Cookers for Council.

    The conspiracists/VFF et al ; did give it a go last time…but didnt do quite so well as they had hoped. Seems most people really arent so keen on nazi/NWO/Great Reset/Chem Trail kooks.

    So…the Minds Behind (aka asses) have had a rethink…and strategised. Its now going to be about cones. An interesting take on the Trojan Horse. (think of them as coneheads : )

    The quiet campaign: Inside the freedom movement’s bid for council influence

    As council elections loom, pandemic-era protest groups have recast themselves as humble watchdogs and concerned ratepayers, railing not against globalist agendas but road cones and rising rates. CHARLIE MITCHELL examines this quiet campaign.

    One recent Saturday a cluster of protesters stood along a roadside, brandishing signs that mocked road cones and grumbled about speed bumps.

    Some donned bright orange road cones atop their heads like dunce caps, turning protest into street theatre.

    I note the as usual VFF Deeks and Bland…but some others have popped up incl organiser Elizabeth Chem Trail Mundt

    Although Mundt keeps a relatively low profile, glimpses of her world view occasionally surface. Soon after her election, her Facebook account appeared in a weather modification group, encouraging followers to collect rainwater during the “next chem trail storm”.

    Through U4LG, Mundt has hosted online sessions coaching dozens of prospective council candidates. These webinars have featured high-profile speakers such as former Wellington mayor turned NZ First MP Andy Foster, political strategist Simon Lusk, and Ashburton mayor Neil Brown.

    And an (apparently) ex NZ SIS ?!….(as in the link)

    One guest speaker, South Waikato district councillor and VFF supporter Marie Farrell, spoke under the alias “Molly."

    They seem somehow more organised…(by who I wonder ?)

    The Press understands Concerned Ratepayers Canterbury is run by a known VFF organiser who has planned to distribute flyers for Mundt’s re-election campaign and attended multiple U4LG sessions. The group’s spokesperson is Dianne Downward — the same attendee who shared her method of calling talkback radio stations under pseudonyms, and attended numerous U4LG sessions.

    https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360770037/quiet-campaign-inside-freedom-movements-bid-council-influence

    I have used some humour here….but others might also have noticed some interesting candidates for Council.?

    Pays to be Aware.

    1. 5.1

      So…the Minds Behind (aka asses) have had a rethink…and strategised. Its now going to be about cones.

      A flimsy flyer for a meeting of local body election candidates drifted into my Palmy letterbox last month – was laser-focused on cones, and a good candidate for recycling.

      Tuesday night’s meeting was run with brutal efficiency by the Palmerston North Residents’ Group, part of a national network of people against rising rates, using an angry-faced road cone as their emblem.

      https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360800498/candidates-court-curious-crowd

    2. 5.2

      I read the other day that they had banned chem trails in Texas? Or Florida? & the people were distressed because they could still see chem trails in the sky even though the governed had banned them.

      1. 5.2.1

        They are out there…wayyy out there. Its kinda funny,kinda sad mainly…kinda mad. Anyway I did a search of what you'd maybe read….and whooboy. Its a worry.

        Eight US states seek to outlaw chemtrails – even though they aren’t real

        https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/08/chemtrails-us-states-legislation

        And as I linked earlier, these deluded are in NZ too. Selwyn District councillor and Conehead Organiser, Elizabeth Chem Trail Mundt……

        encouraging followers to collect rainwater during the “next chem trail storm”.

        https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360770037/quiet-campaign-inside-freedom-movements-bid-council-influence

  7. 7

    Withdrawal from the Paris Accords, Seymour as deputy PM and Peters as Foreign Affairs Minister, a MFAT nightmare.

    Having abandoned Peter Fraser's legacy for fear of POTUS 47, how low will Peters go?

    The accomplice of Barry Soper, there is no Greenie he would not piss on while drunk, writes about the race to abandon French diplomacy by 2030.

    https://archive.li/6qmrW

  9. 9

    Peters has declared NZ First policy is to increase Kiwi Saver contributions to 8%, then 10% (and make it compulsory).

    The current standard is 3% and is matched by the employer. The current voluntary rates are 4%, 6%, 8% or 10%.

    The employer would be required to match the 8% and `10% contribution rate.

    And make this affordable by tax cuts …for both employee and employer

    The one with the move to 8% would be the largest tax cut in our political history.

    This is Trump territory.

    $11B a year goes into KiwiSaver – making it compulsory would increase that by at least $2Bpa. If made now.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360815953/winston-peters-wants-hike-kiwisaver-contributions-10

    1. 9.1

      Voters I've spoken to don't want tax cuts only to have them gobbled up by Kiwisaver, they want tax cuts to help them afford to live.

      Things are really tough out there and unemployment is starting to snowball.

      1. 9.1.1

        And neither National nor Labour would agree to the blow out in debt, or the huge cut in government spending.

        ACT might.

        Labour should note that.

    3. 9.3

      Looks like solid Labour territory to me.

      Just builds on a Labour policy and gets close to what's been going on in Australia for years.

        1. 9.3.1.1

          Kiwisaver was brought in by Labour in 2006-7.

          Labour needs to look for things that have other parties' support.

          Far and away most New Zealanders are employed by small or medium companies, with very low benefits and wages. This is a good way of lifting the floor.

          1. 9.3.1.1.1

            The country has a major fiscal problems.

            Government and workers lack income.

            The government cannot afford to subsidise private savings when it is struggling to provide (fund) health services or housing for the aged (and also those under age 65).

            The ability of workers to afford it is based on their incomes and costs – which is where the Fair Pay Agreement (industry awards) real MW increases and restored pay equity come into it.

            Labour would consider an increase to 4%, then 5% etc as workers can afford it – at this point this is left voluntary for a reason (as is compulsion).

            1. 9.3.1.1.1.1

              When one considers increasing Kiwisaver contributions one needs to consider real inflation impacting the cost of necessities and when that is expected to ease.

              https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/09/01/why-your-grocery-bill-still-feels-out-of-control/

              The rate of wage growth

              Annual inflation of 2.7% has outstripped wage growth for the private sector and minimum wage workers. With public sector wage growth sitting at just 2.8% for the year. All outstripped by the cost of necessities.

              https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/assets/Labour-Cost-Index-June-2025-Key-Points.pdf

              Unemployment

              Unemployment has been steadily rising

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/569145/unemployment-rate-rises-to-highest-level-since-2020

              Business closures

              Business closures in NZ, particularly liquidations, are at a 10-year high

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/thedetail/569900/a-boom-in-businesses-going-bust

              KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals

              KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals are increasing

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/567758/kiwisaver-hardship-withdrawals-boom

              Business returns

              One in five businesses reporting losses

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/569680/one-in-five-businesses-reporting-losses

              Household wealth, savings and discretionary income

              Household dissaving since the start of 2022 has reduced savings buffers

              And there are constraints on household wealth and discretionary income.

              https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2025/08/ocr-lowered-to-3-percent

              And a little bit of crystal balling

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/572507/two-large-retailers-preparing-to-lay-off-staff-as-sector-far-from-optimistic

    4. 9.4

      here's an idea. Why doesn't the state tax appropriately across all income streams and use some of that money to fund superannuation?

      1. 9.4.1

        The government priority is to fund health services, diminish poverty (such as sickness within ACC) and ensure enough income related housing and get invest for growth in the economy.

        That and funding tax paid super.

        If housing is sorted, then those with savings will end speculation in that sector and send their money into more productive sector investment.

      1. 9.5.1

        For the reasons I highlighted above, I disagree with Shamubeel.

        I think there are a good number of households and businesses that don't have the capacity to currently contribute more towards KiwiSaver. Nor do I see that improving going forward.

        Can't even see any light at the end of the tunnel at this stage.

Comments are closed.