Open Mike 15/09/25
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Whanganui MP Carl Bates shielded 25 rentals from disclosure
Bates set up a family trust after the election, presumably to hide his rentals from disclosure.
The primary concern of the Left is Truth not Victory
The US right’s claim the left was responsible for the assassination of Charlie Kirk is unravelling as more details of the alleged killer emerge.
Open Mike 14/09/25
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The infantilisation of Western Grand Strategy – and the rise of Eurasia.
The greatest threat Russia poses to Europe is not that it marches west but that it turns its back and builds a brighter future to the east. We may be witnessing the emergence of a Eurasian World Order.
Open Mike 13/09/25
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Daily review 12/09/2025
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Open Mike 12/09/25
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Daily review 11/09/2025
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Psy-Op Alert: The Four Horsemen of the Linguistic Apocalypse
‘Shared values,’ ‘like-minded partners,’ the ‘rules-based order,’ and the ‘Indo-Pacific’ have become the Five Eyes nations’ favourite rhetorical weapons in their contest with declared adversaries.
Duncan Garner – National is f&*ked
A beehive leak has led Duncan Garner to form the firm conclusion that National is
f&*ked.
Open Mike 11/09/25
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Daily review 10/09/2025
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Open Mike 10/09/25
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This trick of National could win them the 2026 election
US voter suppression tactics are back in vogue and National’s Coalition is bringing them to Aotearoa New Zealand
Daily review 09/09/2025
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Taxpayers Union Running Interference In Local Council Elections
It’s been alleged that Taxpayers Union is involved in “bullying and intimidation” of local council candidates around the country.
Open Mike 09/09/25
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Daily review 08/09/2025
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Open Mike 08/09/25
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Local and by-election turnouts
I was asked “Do you think that the Tamaki Makaurau by-election will be a signal of whether the TMP almost clean sweep of the Maori electorate seats will continue?”. My response was that the characteristic of by-elections was that results were defined by people not voting. It is also what is going to happen in local body elections later this year. That is a problem.
Post updated
Open Mike 07/09/25
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The Tamaki Makaurau by election
With a very small turnout and half of the votes counted it appears that Orini Kaipara will win the Tamaki Makaurau by election.
Update: Peeni Henare has conceded.
Open Mike 06/09/25
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Simeon Brown plays with Kiwi lives
Perhaps the biggest news from a jam packed news week is how, under National’s Health Ministers Shane Reti & Simeon Brown, Health NZ illegally hid staffing data for over a year to conceal their systemic understaffing of our public health.
Daily review 05/09/2025
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Open Mike 05/09/25
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Daily review 04/09/2025
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So, New Zealand First Then?
In 2026 New Zealand First in all likelihood will be back in power because Labour and National will need them to form government.
The Figjam Prime Minister
Yesterday Christopher Luxon broke an embargo, claimed credit for an announcement that was made in 2021 and gave cover to an American corporate backtracking on an earlier promise to construct new data centres.
Open Mike 04/09/25
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Daily review 03/09/2025
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Government to avoid proper scrutiny of plans to allow rich foreigners to buy mansions
Remember Act’s Regulatory Standards Bill which would establish principles of responsible regulation and increase transparency? It appears that not all policy will be subject to these requirements. Especially if they affect rich foreigners buying local mansions.
Open Mike 03/09/25
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Daily review 02/09/2025
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Guest Post – Planning By Firing Squad
The Planning by Firing Squad approach is characterised by being very rushed, lacking in detail, an almost total lack of public consultation, non-existent local knowledge and consistently paying little heed to environmental effects. It is a classic Wellington Ivory Tower approach.