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- Date published:
6:00 am, February 25th, 2026 - 54 comments
Categories: open mike -
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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 …
Where are the soundbites from Labour when asked where the $10B comes from for repealing the Pay Equity reforms.
Ideas like the poorest paid will spend almost all of the new money into the economy, growing the economy. That the increases will lessen the demand for funds from WINZ.
Tangi Utikere seemed a little off the ball on the RNZ political panel this morning.
I get small political target but this sort of issue, we should be able to sum it up when talking politics with friends, family and work colleagues. Like door knocking, us political tragics should be able articulate the message repeatedly in the real world.
'It's so unfair' is not a winning political message.
I will post a link when it emerges.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2019024469/weekly-political-panel-for-25-february-2026
Chur.
So, Nicola Willis and Brooke van Velden think it’s perfectly ok that women have been underpaid for years in NZ and will continue to be underpaid to balance the CoC’s books and pay for their pet projects.
We could overheat the cooling systems for the internet with the mis-steps, fibs, regressive policies and incompetence of this regime.
Want I am wanting to know is the bite size sentences, the sloganering we can use when discussing politics.
As an example, initially I saw the EV rebate as a handout to the wealthy. I've since heard an EV advocate that we need wealthy and corporates to upgrade their waka to create the 2nd, 3rd and 4th hand markets.
I've just had a week in Melbourne, their vehicles seem to be fairly modern compared to ours. I understand, one of the drivers (boom boom!) is because registration is quite high, making it unattractive for dungers.
Fair enough, but I prefer critical thinking, impartial analysis, and evidence-based policy-making together with opinions that are firmly rooted in facts & reality and less so in (ideological) faith.
Public transport is much better in Melbourne, AFAIK.
"Fair enough, but I prefer critical thinking, impartial analysis, and evidence-based policy-making together with opinions that are firmly rooted in facts & reality and less so in (ideological) faith."
The two are not only mutually exclusive, but essential. One supports the other. At the moment the right engage in the latter only, whether they believe or even understand what they're saying or not. The left pretty much engage in only the former, which unfortunately results in little cut-through with voters.
My personal preference has no bearing on what NZ political parties/politicians do.
I don’t know what you mean and you may want to elaborate and give a few examples.
How do you know? From opinion polls? From Social Media?
Building an election campaign takes time & patience, vision, and strategy; it seems that patience is in short supply with some on the left while some RW and centre-right supporters cannot wait for slogans and non-costed promises from Labour.
I think the following comment raises the same issue with better focus:
https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/02/24/hipkins-speech-wasnt-boring-by-accident/#comment-577392
I think I have noticed in your comments before Incognito that you like planning and logicality – as you state in your comment. But you have fallen off your horse in thinking that in connection with politics and governance. Humans are too machiavellian. You are not on a winning post with that idea and the proof is its failure in the past, which is why we are now on the edge of the abyss. …in the post-war period social democracy embraced a mixed economy based on Keynesianism within a predominantly developed capitalist market economy and liberal democratic polity that expands state intervention toinclude income redistribution, regulation, and a welfare state…Socialism from – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_forms_of_government
Suggesting Labour hasn't done it right and just needs to try again won't wash. They have settled for safe incrementalism and positivity, keeping us hopeful for better while the land and society tips, slides away.
Time is of the essence as everything is crumbling round us, partly due to Labour's convulsive move away from the welfare state. It was in their minds, a brave and necessary move. It was an experiment and has brought us disaster; aiming too high at high revenue through loss of resources and universal standard of living. Extra cost has been to embrace climate denial and wanton misuse of science; now the need is to resile fast not incrementally, and act in favour of resilience – NOW – not when pollies and the well-off are moved to get 'unsorted', which will always be 'a bridge too far'!
The abuses of power are identified here.
For mine, there should an effort to have the government explain where they made savings, that is quantify this.
They say on the one hand they saved money and on the other that pay equity claims can continue (but are restricted to comparisons within industry sectors).
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/587709/pay-equity-law-changes-flagrant-and-significant-abuse-of-power-former-mps-say
https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360955390/brooke-van-velden-suggests-new-report-pay-equity-waste-time-labour-cautiously-endorses-repeal
"For mine, there should an effort to have the government explain where they made savings, that is quantify this."
Yes. Tangi Utikere failed to do this dismally when given the opportunity. When given another chance he repeated the committment to pay women their worth. Leaving Willis the chance to trot out the line that Labour will just tax their policies into existance.
Who cares what Willis says? She hasn't even read the report ; She says it is hyperbole. Will be interesting to see what consequences there are for the CoC with a variety of actions already in train about this blatant breach of national and international law.
Repealing legislation is not a blatant breach of national and international law.
Straw man
A direct response to this comment by the initial poster.
It can hardly be a straw man argument – when the words come from them….
Nope, those exact words came from you; DF didn’t say or imply that, as a rule, repealing legislation is a blatant breach of national and international law. You put twisted words into DF’s mouth as well as twisting the report of the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity, aka a straw man. Just as Nicola Willis and Brooke van Velden, you clearly haven’t read the report either and I presume you have no interest in doing so, so you come here with straw man comments to try score an easy lazy point.
"Who cares what Willis says?"
Umm, the listener that is a uncommitted voter.
The type that are concerned with government spending.
Hopefully, your comms team because Tangi just left an opportunity for Willis to spout a right wing talking point.
Where is the working class talking point? Not a costed budget but a vibe, an indication of the positives of repealing this cruel legislation.
As for "….consequences there are for the CoC with a variety of actions already in train about this blatant breach of national and international law."
This is an example of the disconnect between the Labour party and the folk it supposedly represents. We see so many examples of 'consequences' for the ruling class being inconsequential.
Veolia and Moa Point. "https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360944023/veolias-failures-flagged-years-wellington-sewage-spill"
Judith Collins and several other Ministers (from both major parties) in regards covering up Torture in State Care.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/10/14/crown-cover-up-when-the-state-turned-on-its-victims/
I dont know who you listen to other than the media, but there were some powerful voices yesterday from ordinary women. Who vote. Go out and knock on a few doors. It's grounding.
"Go out and knock on a few doors."
And say what?
'This coaltion is so unfair'?
'You should vote Labour but I can't tell you why yet'?
You seem to assume that I don't lnow the impact of this Coalition's actions. What I am (repeatedly) asking for is the reasoning for Labour supporting the India Free Trade deal so long as the latest intake of migrant workers are looked after.
How do I spin that to my male work collagues, friends and whanau? While their conditions are undermined and wages supressed.
What do I tell them when they ask where does the $10B come from for enacting the Pay Equity reforms.?
If you parrot talking points without due diligence, you’re bound to ask wrong questions and/or come to wrong conclusions but you may come up with good ‘spin’, depending on how you’d like to spin (pro or anti).
First, it’s a misleading falsehood. Second, nevertheless, you answered your own question there.
How have I answered the question that would make working folk support Labour?
Not sure what the falsehood is either.
Not what you asked (but implied, I suppose); you asked for Labour’s reasoning [for something imaginary].
Start with reading Hipkins & Labour’s letter to National about the India FTA proposal.
Next, find where that figure comes from of $10B re. the scrapped Pay Equity reforms.
Thinking about this conversation, I think it shows the how and why this government (easily one of the worst we've had, divisive, slashing public service capability, attacks on Te Tiriti, Te Reo and Maori generally) will win the next election.
Like the UK in the shape of Brexit and the US with Trump's two presidency, the working class has lost it's traditional representatives in parliament.
My lived experience, as a sous chef on $19 an hour, working with two migrants as chef de partie on $25 an hour. Their wage was one of the criteria for their employment. Another example is the significant cultural change in the nursing workforce.
Labour and the Left need the blue collar male vote back
These are dismissed as "parrot talking points" and lacking due diligence.
Hipkins/Labour could insist on migrants that are here on employment visas have union membership. Rather than left to be protected by an undermanned Ministry of Immagration that only act once the exploitation occurs.
Similarly the Pat Equity 'reforms'. They clearly must be repealed. This will be a major attack point for the right in the shape of the cost.(Be it $2B or $12.8B) Getting a narrative going, shaping attitudes and framing the issue would be a major advantage.
EG the importance of the poorly paid's role – caring and nuturing which we valued through Covid. That the majority of the increase in wages will be spent locally. A small step in decreasing inequality.
It is unwise to be dismissed as falsehoods.
There is a big disconnect between the Wellington pollies and the hoi polloi on the ground.
My point is no less relevant about the Pay Equity cost.
You pick a number you think it will cost. Then answer the enquiry, how will it be funded?
As to "What I am (repeatedly) asking for is the reasoning for Labour supporting the India Free Trade deal so long as the latest intake of migrant workers are looked after." it can't be seperated from "How do I spin that to my male work collagues, friends and whanau? While their conditions are undermined and wages supressed."
You take issue with the word spin. Try market, sell, explain any other verb, then try answering the question.
Sorry, not buying it. If the enquiry premise is based on falsehood and dis-information, we’re wasting time and anybody who insists that Labour takes the bait and falls into the trap is deliberately wasting Labour’s time, the media’s time, and everybody else’s time.
I reject your premise; it’s a misleading falsehood – we’re wasting time here.
Not really, I take issue with false premises and nothing good will come from them, i.e., they’re time-wasting distractions.
We’re going around in circles, so I’m pulling the pin on this.
Lawnews says nearly $13B in 4 years.
https://lawnews.nz/politics/labour-commits-to-reversing-pay-equity-changes-but-wont-talk-about-funding/
Newsroom says $12.8 over 4 years.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/05/22/pay-equity-savings-ploughed-back-into-tax-breaks-health-education-and-gas/
Stuff fays $12.8B.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360698508/where-did-government-get-its-savings-kiwisaver-pay-equity-and-benefits
"Next, find where that figure comes from of $10B re. the scrapped Pay Equity reforms."
Where is the falsehood?
You should know that this is a political trap and the media will keep asking it. Labour has said again and again it will publish its policies fully costed once the May budget has been announced. This is the game with Nicola like a political snake, waiting to pounce on anything. Hyperbole indeed.
That may play well with the already-convinced Labour supporters – but it simply looks evasive to the centrist voters.
Gsays is right when he says that Labour needs "the bite size sentences, the sloganering we can use when discussing politics"
If it's a known issue (National waiting to leap on the 'where's the money' issues) – then they need a defined coms strategy to deal with it.
And saying 'wait until May' is not an effective one.
:Refined coms? The election is still months away. Most people will decide who to vote for well after the budget. Unlike you, they are not paying attention to the coms "strategy". And if they are Labour, they are already out door knocking.
If you think that no one is paying any attention to what pollies say ATM – because the election is months away – then there is no point in Labour saying anything. Refuse all interviews. Ignore any commentary. Pull up the drawbridge until May, and keep them all guessing /sarc/
Surely you can see how negative that is as a communication strategy.
BTW, there is a difference between ‘defined’ coms strategy, and a ‘refined’ coms strategy…..
Being 'on message' (especially over an issue that has bitten you badly in public perception in the past) – is absolutely critical PR.
There is little point in 'door knocking' unless you have a clear and succinct message to give people asking the hard questions. If you don't, then you're wasting your time and theirs.
Didn’t know that door-knocking for the election had already started.
Yep teams out there enrolling people. That's the first place to start.
I thought door-knocking was dead. The last time any politician turned up at our door was when Grant Robertson was running his first campaign in 2008. Not a sight of a candidate since then.
Not in West and South Auckland. Lots of people not on the roll, and plenty will need encouragement to vote.
Not in Wellington either.
That would make a difference. People come to this street and seem to stay for ever so there wouldn't be the need to try to get people to enroll. We've owned this place for about 45 years, the neighbor on one side has been here for 30 years and the one on the other for a mere 15. People will tend to stay enrolled from sheer inertia.
Flats around the University would be completely different proposition and a much more likely source for getting people to enroll so would be worth door-knocking.
Perhaps you should comment under DF's comment – they said that it had.
Answered: https://thestandard.nz/open-mike-25-02-2026/#comment-2056579.
Keep up!
A practical and pragmatic example:
In my local electorate, the possibility of an additional harbour crossing, and associated tolls (both on the current bridge and whatever the replacement might be), is a very hot topic.
The local MP has (admirably, on message) come out and stated that Labour doesn't support tolls on the existing bridge (professionally written coms piece on the local FB page – and potentially other channels)
Great, a fantastic potential 'wedge' issue.
However, it's immediately been followed up on social media by the inevitable 'so how are you going to pay for the new crossing, then' question (a variant on 'where's the money'). People literally saying that an intelligent plan can win their votes!
Met by utter silence from the Labour MP.
Giving the perception that Labour has no plan, or, worse, is arrogantly refusing to engage with the community.
Exploiting an opponent's weakness is a worthwhile opportunity – but you need to have all your policy and coms ducks in a row.
Given that the 2nd harbour crossing was a policy plank in the last government – the question over how to pay for it, is not new. And the coms strategy should have been thoroughly in place. This is hardly a new issue…..
Either you’re digging a hole for yourself or for Labour or both.
Keep digging.
To counter the hyperbole use some facts.
Courtesy of Barfly;
"From Auckland Councillor Richard Hills Facebook
The Government changed access to social housing, reduced accommodation in Auckland from 890 places to 39 in one year, and cut emergency housing grants by 70-80% ($20m). Since then, individuals rough sleeping in our city have increased by 100%."
Let the media repeat that and if they don't, every Labour person needs to memorise it and shoehorn it into every opportunity.
It's not fair – does sound like sheep bleating aye. I am sick of hearing this. While philosophers who have fronted the situation for humans have sorted that we create our own reality, the things that happen to us flow from things created by us – by and large.
So what does Labour intend to do that will help the ordinary person to change their direction upwards practically? Cutting GST by half as a start? That would take a burden from the poor and make some things more affordable. Putting 2 percent back to the regions to help what ordinary people are trying to do! Yesterday I talked to a local who used to run a community agency that lent money to mostly young people wishing to become self-employed. They needed plans and knowledge of clear ways to what and where before they could receive and there was a 98% repayment of the loans. But the gummint decided, or one of their departures did, that it couldn't have charity status because there was business involved in it. The funds dried up. Government sits on every thing that people try to do.
Labour needs to start being a patron for young eager Kiwis and make sure that helpful agencies for small business and 'polytechs', Open University, are available to the young. It's been done before but our leaders are so capricious about being interested in encouraging all citizenry that we have lost much of what was put in place . It seems each generation despises the one before except those few who have acquired fame or pots of money.
So what can Labour say about encouragement and lessening tax? The Greens achieved their aim – got environment taken more seriously, a woman into leader position, advanced Maori as was long overdue, then concentrated on their own irritations rather than the real, some dire, needs of people, as well as the other animals, the land and resources which was held to be their special focus.
So let's hear promises that will be backed by more than sharing sausage rolls, or vegetarian recipes with the polity.
The Fabians are doing a session with Geoff Bertram on how to reform the NZ electricity system.
How do we reform the electricity market
Geoff Bertram is like the Mike Joy of electricity.
If you are in the Wellington area, this is where you go:
When
March 23rd, 2026 5:30 PM
Location
2/57 Willis St
Via the lifts at the back of Unity Books
Wellington, WGN
New Zealand
Hopefully they put a Teams link up soon.
With what's happening in Wellington at the moment the release of this docudrama is rather fitting.
Dirty Business: new TV show reveals the truth behind Britain’s sewage scandal
https://www.theguardian.com/dirty-business/2026/feb/24/new-tv-show-exposes-britains-sewage-scandal
Clip from the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIkBjhmJu84
What is the truth behind Britain’s sewage scandal, what does it have in common with what’s happening in Wellington at the moment, how’s it different, and what approaches can be transferred?
"what’s happening in Wellington at the moment"?
Everything is just fine in Wellington at the moment. Mayor Andrew Little has been in swimming at Lyall Bay. A very brave man I would say, and I'm not talking about the sewage.
Lyall Bay is cold. I have lived in Wellington for over 40 years and I have only once been in swimming at Lyall Bay. The temperature is apparently about 14.6 C at the moment.
On the subject of pollution. This disaster will become more and more difficult to ignore.
https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/nitrate-news-not-good%E2%80%99-southland
For politicians, all that matters is the farmers made money. Screw the waterways.
Hopefully, nitrates will become an election issue. (Unbelievably, Environment Canterbury declared a nitrate emergency a while back).
What I Feel Love says at 3.2 below. The dangers of letting the private sector run amok when entrusted with the management of a service (and supporting infrastructure) which ought to be treated as a national asset instead of as a cash-cow for its owners, many of whom are based overseas and have NO regard for the poor buggers they're actually supposed to be "serving".
Yeah it's a forewarning of privatisation, how the big hedge fund companies buy & sell these utilities after running them into the ground & on the way killing a few people & also how the Govt helps the companies plunder & ignores their crimes.
Cash money is important. lifeblood to the economy which we hope to have access to.
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2602/S00362/consultation-opens-on-keeping-cash-local.htm
Consultation Opens On Keeping Cash Local
Wednesday, 25 February 2026, 11:32 am
Press Release: The Reserve Bank of New Zealand
We are asking the public for feedback on a proposal that banks must provide a minimum level of cash services so people, businesses, and community groups can withdraw cash, deposit cash, and get change free-of-charge close to where they live.
Public consultation on this cash services standard opens 25 February 2026 for 6 weeks, closing Friday 10 April 2026.
We propose that people living in urban areas should face only a walkable distance to withdraw cash, deposit cash or get change, while people living rurally should only face a reasonable driving distance.
This sounds like good sense and concern to fulfil their conscientious duty to the everyday ordinary public interacting which we need to be. Not looking at Ll all the time while the rest of us watch them carefully so they don't walk into us or across the road oblivious to all.
I thought that was brilliant on two counts.
One, the practicality of it, cash makes the world go round.
Also the Reserve Bank telling the trading banks to do something.
While we celebrate these achievements, in the wake of the tragic events at Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Warkworth, we face a chilling reality. Climate change is here, and it’s costing lives and money. In recent years we have had multiple wake up calls and yet while at a national level some progress has been made to address the impacts of extreme weather events, it has been haphazard, inadequate and painfully slow.
Nothing to interest the left here. But it makes me furious. The crazy left huh? Pin the statement on the outgoing CEO. That’s to say the CEO leaving the job.