political parties

Climate change – do we mitigate or do we adapt?

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 1:32 pm, February 25th, 2023 - 21 comments

The political debate about climate change is coming to an end as the North Island is battered by the third huge climate change induced storm in a month. The focus will not be on what to do? Do we still mitigate the effects by reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Or do we dig in and adapt?

Is Labour heading for Muriwai-scale landslide win?

Written By: Simon Louisson - Date published: 8:15 am, February 22nd, 2023 - 37 comments

Here’s my prediction: Labour will not just win the October election, but it will complete a landslide of similar proportions to the 2020 election. It has been Labour’s response to the cyclones that will be the decisive factor in October. Luxon’s low energy performance helps.

This is really awkward

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 3:13 pm, February 21st, 2023 - 63 comments

National MP Maureen Pugh has questioned the existence of human induced climate change.

Towards National Recovery

Written By: advantage - Date published: 7:00 am, February 20th, 2023 - 42 comments

Just over seven months from the election the Labour government has been granted as great a political momentum as that leading into the 2020 election.

Natural disasters test new leaders in New Zealand – some did better than others.

Written By: nickkelly - Date published: 4:48 am, February 19th, 2023 - 1 comment

After the Auckland flood, Wayne Brown’s election will now be viewed as a cautionary tale. What can happen when someone who is inexperienced and unsuited to political office is elected to important political leadership roles. The blowback of this on the New Zealand right should not be understated, it is bad news for them.

Prime Ministerial

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 11:38 am, February 17th, 2023 - 31 comments

Chris Hipkins has so far not put a foot wrong. Since he became PM he has quickly and competently reformed the Cabinet and jettisoned policies that were for one reason or another causing problems. And he has quickly asserted control over two massive storms, the first which pummeled the country’s major city and the second which has caused massive floods to much of the East Coast of the North Island.

Luxon’s little experiment

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 11:32 am, February 12th, 2023 - 30 comments

It is really difficult trying to appear to be Prime Minister material and inclusive and to appeal to racists at the same time. Christopher Luxon this week has shown how difficult it is.

Green Party announces [former Standard contributor] as candidate for Ōhāriu

Written By: Stephanie Rodgers - Date published: 2:02 pm, February 10th, 2023 - 15 comments

“This election is a pivotal one. We have a choice between maintaining the status quo or building a bright green future for everyone in our community; between divisiveness or solidarity; between quibbling over the definition of “crisis” or taking real action to address the cost of living, housing, climate change and environmental exploitation.”

The great reset

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 7:45 am, February 9th, 2023 - 109 comments

Chris Hipkins has announced the great policy reset and there are no surprises.

The Cabinet Reshuffle

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 10:25 am, February 1st, 2023 - 22 comments

Chris Hipkins has announced his cabinet reshuffle and there have been some dramatic changes.

Two new polls …

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 6:24 pm, January 30th, 2023 - 78 comments

This evening two new political polls have been released both putting Labour ahead of National.

Super City’s handling of the storm event

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 1:40 pm, January 29th, 2023 - 135 comments

As Auckland slowly recovers but ready itself for further storms there is some attention being given to review Council’s response to the super storm. The initial impression, and this is held widely is that the response was sub optimal.

National is showing its class prejudice

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:54 am, January 27th, 2023 - 26 comments

National Deputy Leader Nicola Willis said yesterday that it was a great shame that the minimum wage had increased by so much because it means the Government can’t do it now to help low-income Kiwis make ends meet without stoking inflation.

Luxon blunders again

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 2:38 pm, January 26th, 2023 - 25 comments

Chris Luxon has provided another example of his ineptness by suggesting in an MMP environment that a vote in a Maori Seat is worth more than a vote in an European seat.

Jacinda Ardern – How will her five years in power be remembered?

Written By: nickkelly - Date published: 7:13 am, January 24th, 2023 - 52 comments

It is too soon to say what Jacinda’s legacy will be. She will certainly be remembered for becoming a mother whilst being a world leader. For her presence on the world stage as a voice for feminism and progressive politics. She ushered in a generational and attitudinal change in New Zealand politics. While internationally she offered an alternative to the politics of Trump, Bolsonaro, Scott Morrison, and Viktor Orban.

Behind every strong woman leader are more strong women leaders

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 12:49 pm, January 22nd, 2023 - 59 comments

Chris Hipkins and Carmel Sepuloni have been confirmed as the next Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand.

It will be Chippy for PM

Written By: lprent - Date published: 10:36 am, January 21st, 2023 - 101 comments

Chris Hipkins is now set to become prime minister. I rather expected that would be the likely outcome. Helps the election campaign as it will mute the revolting misogynist arsehole conservatives of the right and some on the left. I’m really tired of listening to them, and I suspect that way more than half of the countries population are as well.

Running on empty

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:23 am, January 20th, 2023 - 180 comments

Jacinda Ardern has realised that she was not in a position to commit to four more years as Prime Minister and has called it quits. Recent levels of abuse and misogyny shown to her have clearly played their part.

Nick Kelly’s email to Jacinda Ardern

Written By: nickkelly - Date published: 6:53 am, January 20th, 2023 - 6 comments

In particular, I wish to acknowledge the strong compassionate leadership you took after the Christchurch Mosque attack. Your simple statement “they are us” regarding Muslims living in Aotearoa had a profound impact and broke down barriers of hate and ignorance at a time when tensions were so high. I still tear up thinking about how important your showing humanity and compassion was at that dark time. Thank you.

Jacinda Ardern has announced she is standing down as PM …

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 1:08 pm, January 19th, 2023 - 260 comments

Jacinda Ardern has just announced she is standing down as Prime Minister from February 7 and will not seek re-election. Further details will follow.

Slater and Lusk limp again

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:53 am, January 19th, 2023 - 2 comments

Cameron Slater and Simon Lusk have been accused of engaging in underhand tactics to upset National’s Tukituki selection process.

The rich want their country back

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:44 am, January 18th, 2023 - 61 comments

The Electoral Commission has published that National raised $2.3 million dollars in large donations alone over the past 12 months.

The importance of political narrative

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:54 am, January 15th, 2023 - 37 comments

Wayne Brown’s campaign techniques used in the Auckland Mayoral election are likely to be used by National in the election campaign this year.

Boris Johnson – why he fell and can he come back?

Written By: nickkelly - Date published: 7:02 am, January 15th, 2023 - 1 comment

It is risky to make predictions, but it is safe to assume we have not heard the last of Boris Johnson. And much like Berlusconi in Italy, the results will undoubtedly be bad both for politics and the country.

Dog whistling climate change

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 11:24 am, January 12th, 2023 - 30 comments

National MP Stuart Smith has tweeted suggesting that students should not be taught about climate change but should instead be taught the skills to decide for themselves if it exists.

Why is everything always Jacinda’s fault?

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:35 am, January 10th, 2023 - 57 comments

Son of former National MP and former Political reporter and currently self branded travel reporter Brook Sabin has produced potentially the most ridiculous article of the year by blaming the Government for not sorting out Auckland Airport’s baggage handling problems. And we are only 10 days in.

The weather sucks

Written By: lprent - Date published: 10:39 am, January 9th, 2023 - 48 comments

I’m back at work at my home office desk today and the weather sucked in Auckland and the north of the North Island over my break. Waiting for Luxon and minons blaming the government for not controlling La Niña – now in the third year of her current reign.It seems like all that National can do these days – blame the government for external events.

New Zealand is in a terrible state *

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 10:55 am, January 6th, 2023 - 116 comments

* or is it?

National’s Andrew Bayly is incompetent about earthquakes.

Written By: lprent - Date published: 10:09 am, January 4th, 2023 - 23 comments

This morning a estimated 5.1 earthquake close to Te Aroha shook Hamilton, Tauranga, Auckland and Rotorua a region of half of our population. Only a day earlier National’s number 3 14 stupidly criticised a programme designed to diminish the risks in earthquakes. As usual National has no policy on dealing with earthquake risks that I can see. National simply aren’t ready for government.

The Standard’s political awards for 2022

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 12:01 pm, December 30th, 2022 - 39 comments

It is that time of year again where the events of the year are reviewed and what was notable, noteworthy and notorious.

Be afraid, be very afraid …

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 7:20 am, December 22nd, 2022 - 165 comments

David Seymour is feeling his oats and has claimed that past National Governments never changes anything. A brief review of history would suggest otherwise.