Written By:
- Date published:
7:09 pm, July 21st, 2025 - 23 comments
Categories: labour, Media, national, spin, taxpayers union -
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Note: Within a day of publishing this article, Nicola Willis was on 1News pushing for Labour policies when asked about higher inflation, and Christopher Luxon also asked where Labour policies are, when he was criticised for his Family Boost failures.
I’ve noticed for a while now that National have been goading Labour to release their policies.
This latest is from Chris Penk —
He’s not the only one.
Why?
I asked this question last night, and the answer is fairly simple – we have a winner1
Mind, you, National are not the only ones clamouring for detailed answers.
Many on the left are also impatient, but personally, I urge folks to keep their powder dry.
Labour needs time to go through their internal processes, as Darien Fenton pointed out this morning on her page.
National are also very impatient, but have been giving us previews about how they will build on their big lies2 from the last few years
This is one example –
June 2025 Ad from National Party
National know Labour are the party to beat here.
The right’s materials are ready, and prepped.
They ran this game the first time round too –
By the way, Labour’s response to the attacks were accurate pre- 2024 election – but not enough listened —
The NZ Council of Trade Unions could not have been more bang on –
NZ Council of Trade Unions was spot on too
The Green Party also tried to warn us –
Regardless – my view is there is absolutely no rush for Labour to release their policies.
And my very, very personal stance is the later, the better in this case.3
This is a well resourced, moneyed up machine the left is up against, which at least out-moneys the left 11 to 1.
And that’s just on official channels.
As well as enjoying the favour of NZ’s uber-wealthiest, media conglomerate NZME’s Chair is Steve Joyce, who was also awarded King’s Honours4 this year on Cabinet’s recommendation.
Finally, National / ACT / NZ First also appear friendly with a series of affiliate organisations – this includes Groundswell, Taxpayers Union, Free Speech Union, Ratepayers Alliance etc.
In other words, the right is well prepared and resourced, and ready to blanket anyone who is not well versed in political affairs.
National really, really, really wants Labour to release their policies.
My take:
We should keep our powder dry, no mater the desire for instant gratification right now.
The objective is to stop the destruction and libertarianism of our country – that means, to prevent a second term of the ones who will sell it off.
Hold the line, folks – if you can.
Hold the line.
Repost from Mountain Tui substack
Yes, I have noticed their calls to Labour.
Have they run out of ideas?
Need a distraction from events?
Are they saying "look over there, not here"
Parties of the left, keep your cards close to your chest, 'till closer to the election.
Divide….and rule. Same as it ever was since ages…
I do think the NACT1 accretion will reach critical mass, and either explode..or implode ?
Horrific for them, but a huge relief for the rest of us in NZ : )
Yes, but…
Too right we don't fall into the snake pit of National's making; 1. They'd tear it to bits in the public eye, and 2. They'd develop something that sounded better.
Methinks Labours silence on tax policy has got them worried. They can't second guess what it will be and they know many people are angry at being hoodwinked by their own.
BUT,
That's my thoughts on that topic. Now I have a question about website moderation. I know we are expected to be fairly diplomatic, but are we ok now to refer to our MP as "Fricken Luxon"?
Also wondering what the difference is between Bayly calling someone a Loser and Luxon using the name “Fricken Hipkins”. Bayly had to fall on his sword for what he did.
Pleased to see the reminder that the Labour Party tries to be a democratic party that listens to its members which means waiting for the 2 annual policy cycles to complete and the Policy Council and subcommittees to put in the work to take that material and use it to create fully-formed policies and ultimately an election manifesto.
Keep doing what your doing, Chris.
Luxon is rattled.
"Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has challenged Labour to front up with any policy at all as he comes under pressure over National's struggling childcare support scheme.
It comes after Labour revealed just 153 families had received the maximum FamilyBoost rebate, well short of National's pre-election promise that 21,000 families would be eligible for the full amount.
Speaking on his way into a Tuesday morning caucus meeting, Luxon rejected Labour's characterisation of the policy as a failure.
"I'm not taking any any lectures from frickin' Chris Hipkins or the Labour Party," he told reporters. "They have no idea what to do. They put us in this mess.
"You can stand on the other side and criticise as much as you like, but I don't see any policy from Labour.""
Pretty obvious to me why national want labour to put out policy, it's because nationals ideas are failures and therye hoping to steal labours ideas.
First, berate them for being "socialist"
Second, make minor modifications to appease Winnie, and David.
Third, introduce them as brand new, foward thinking, growth policies.
Wot Wag and SD said. The strategy sticks out a mile.
Particularly since National spent months cancelling and repealing Labour policies – they know what the policies were, they cancelled a stack of them.
Right on point.
Policies for the people and community had to go.
Replaced by ones for the sorted and individual rights.
"Row
your own boat against the rising tides and don't expect us to bale you out"
@ wag . .
One would hope that labour would not have policies that national would want to steal…
That way lies neoliberal-incrementalism…
I wasn't actually serious just havin a laff
National are to stupid to be able to recognize a good idea
The pressure's building. A rare semi-profanity passes ol' LuxFlakes' lips. A few flakes starting to fly off!
Careful now RNZ.
CEO Lux always seemed a bit flaky to me – (still) light on political experience.
11 December 2023 – Cartoon depicts National Party Prime Minister of New Zealand's 3 party coalition dressed as a clown wearing long shoes as he is tripping over the skull of smokers ( refers to plans to cancel the smokefree target and repeal legislation). Luxon's head has struck a bee's nest labelled 'Tiriti O Waitangi' from which angry bees fly to sting him on the ass. His top hat falls off labelled '7 Houses'. He is about to fall face first into budget custard while crying profuse clown tears "Why can't I get a break?" he whimpers plaintively.
@ ob..
Nah..!…he is just channeling his spiritual mentor…trump..
Trump sez 'fuck!'…luxon sez 'frick..!'..
Even in his insults he is piss-weak…
link…
Implode…or explode? The pressure is building. Luxury Luxon should seek advice..on his blood pressure : )
Edit..not many letters need changed to fuckin’.
Say what you really think Luxo : )
more needle!
On that particular topic (childcare), Labour policy was to extend fees-free to 2-year-olds, so there was a policy and National went in a different (worse) direction.
The obvious comeback to luxon s policy whines at labour.. is 'go read all those policies you cancelled..!'..
"You can stand on the other side and criticise as much as you like, but I don't see any policy from Labour.""
If Luxon thinks Labour have no policies then why does he not take advantage of that and call a snap election?
Labour, Labour, do not play this game.
Keep the focus ALL on the COC.
Luxon is desperate to focus on anything but his own performance.
Totally. This winter needs to be one of discontent with the coalition from the opposition.
Kiwis voting with their feet leaving, cost of living out of control, ferry debacle and all those broken pledges.
Remind kiwis of the 8% party dragging the coalition around trying to sell out nz and undermine what makes us great.
Sooo much material no need for new policy.
Because Luxon is a political novice and is banking on Labour releasing policy so he can go on the attack.
But ironically, what he doesn’t seem to grasp is that Labour’s current silence actually benefits him. Right now, the policy vacuum allows National to shape the public narrative about what Labour supposedly stands for:filling the silence with whatever framing suits them.
Once Labour releases its policies, the debate shifts from speculation and slogans to specifics and scrutiny, and that’s dangerous terrain for the coalition.
They're ill-equipped to grapple with detail.
Their 2023 campaign thrived on vague promises and big-picture spin, but governing is about decisions and consequences, and the longer policy detail dominates the conversation, the more voters are reminded of the coalition’s incoherence and contradictions.
In other words, the moment Labour puts forward detailed, costed, and coherent proposals, the game changes. And not in the coalition’s favour.