New Zealand political discussion thread

[CumbrianLefty]

Politically, this latest news adds to the growing feeling that a National Party victory is virtually inevitable. The election must be held by the end of 2023 so the timing is awful for the government. Who knows what will really happen though.

I certainly wouldn't go that far.

[Pericles]

Politically, this latest news adds to the growing feeling that a National Party victory is virtually inevitable. The election must be held by the end of 2023 so the timing is awful for the government. Who knows what will really happen though.

I certainly wouldn't go that far.

It's not my feeling, as I've said previously, but it may be 'the narrative' and seems to be expected by politicians and the business community, a recent poll also had more of the public expecting a National win to a Labour one.

[AustralianSwingVoter]

There’s (limited) parallels to the Lange government. Labour swept into office with a charismatic leader who seems destined to endure, then poor economic conditions kill it mid second term.
It would be pretty stunning that Ardern of all PMs can’t meet the NZ standard 3 election wins before being turfed out.

[Pericles]

OneNews have released their latest poll, showing a National and ACT government with 64 seats.
National-38%
Labour-33%
ACT-11%
Green-9%
Maori-2%
NZ First (not elected in poll)-4%

This means the right bloc has gained slightly, but overall their narrow lead has been stable for a few months. Unsurprisingly, just 18% are now optimistic for the New Zealand economy next year (though this may not have been reflected in their Black Friday and Christmas spending). Jacinda Ardern leads by 6 points, 29%-23%, in the preferred Prime Minister numbers. This may be the last poll for the year, and there is just under a year left until the election. Judging by the last two elections, there will be plenty of twists and turns before then.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/12/05/poll-national-and-act-strengthen-luxon-closes-gap-on-ardern/

[CumbrianLefty]

Well the NZ centre left equivalents of Hodges/Rentoul no doubt have their "the opposition should be much further ahead mid-term if they hope to win the next election" takes prepared already

[Pericles]

Well the NZ centre left equivalents of Hodges/Rentoul no doubt have their "the opposition should be much further ahead mid-term if they hope to win the next election" takes prepared already

Exactly right.
https://twitter.com/ClintVSmith/status/1599659474645815296

[NewYorkExpress]

The Government is working on a law that would tech companies to pay to share local news content.

New Zealand’s government proposed new legislation Sunday that would require major tech companies to pay for local news content that they share on their platforms.

In a news release, New Zealand’s broadcasting and media minister, Willie Jackson, said the proposed legislation will be based on similar laws implemented in Canada and Australia and will be designed to act as an incentive for digital platforms to reach voluntary deals with local news outlets.


“It’s not fair that the big digital platforms like Google and Meta get to host and share local news for free. It costs to produce the news and it’s only fair they pay,” Jackson said in a statement.

“New Zealand news media, particularly small regional and community newspapers, are struggling to remain financially viable as more advertising moves online. So it is critical that those benefiting from their news content actually pay for it,” Jackson added.

Jackson said lagging income at media companies has led to a significant decline in the number of journalists at news outlets and reduced production of local news content.

[Pericles]

The preliminary results for the Hamilton West by-election are in.
Tama Potaka (National)-46.1% (+9.9% on 2020 electorate vote)
Georgie Dansey (Labour)-30.2% (-21.7%)
James McDowall (ACT)-10.2% (+7.2%)
Gaurav Sharma (NZ Momentum)-8.0% (+8.0%)
Others-5.5%

There are still special votes to come in but it looks like turnout is less than half of what it was in the 2020 election. This is a big swing from Labour, as expected, and it is in a bellwether electorate (it has voted for the party vote winner in every MMP election). It suggests Labour is doing badly nationally, though by elections are weird and turnout being so low makes it less predictive. At least Gaurav Sharma is no longer an MP and was crushed.

[CumbrianLefty]

Haha, he called the NZ version of Change UK - MOMENTUM??

[Хahar 🤔]

Haha, he called the NZ version of Change UK - MOMENTUM??

One may recall that when Jim Anderton left the Labour Party in protest of its right-wing policy agenda, his new party was called NewLabour.

[Ferguson97]

New Zealand conservatives are up in arms because the government refused to let these parents kill their child

https://twitter.com/gbnews/status/1601658448076152833

[NewYorkExpress]

Jacinda Ardern caught on a hot mic calling a minor party leader an arrogant prick.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has become the latest leader to fall victim to a hot microphone, after her comment that the leader of a minor opposition party was an “arrogant prick” was picked up and broadcast on parliament television.

During question time in the house on Tuesday, the leader of the libertarian Act party, David Seymour, asked Ardern if she could “give an example of her making a mistake, apologising for it properly, and fixing it”.

Responding to the question, Ardern acknowledged that managed isolation – a key, but controversial, component of New Zealand’s Covid-19 response – had been difficult on the public, but added she stood by the work the government had done over the past term.

After ending her reply, Ardern sat down next to her deputy, Grant Robertson, and quietly said “such an arrogant prick”.

[CumbrianLefty]

Is she wrong, though?

[Continential]

https://twitter.com/stuartbdonovan/status/1605543532281724929?s=46&t=14ceNK_...

[AelroseB]

Wow, Jacinda Arden has suddenly resigned!  Seemingly from exhaustion.  She'll officially leave office no later than February 7th, as of now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWmecuK8M-8

As an outsider, just shocking.  I have an inordinate amount of friends who have met her, all with nothing but glowing things to say.

I wish her all the best.

[CumbrianLefty]

Getting out near (if not at) the top is a skill many politicians don't have.

[Mike88]

Who is the favourite to win the Labour leadership ballot?

The wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_New_Zealand_Labour_Party_leadership_election

[Pericles]

Who is the favourite to win the Labour leadership ballot?

The wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_New_Zealand_Labour_Party_leadership_election

Chris Hipkins, the former Covid minister. If it goes to a membership vote Michael Wood (who got the FPAs through) might have a shot. And Grant Robertson would be the inevitable choice if he had run.

[Mike88]

Who is the favourite to win the Labour leadership ballot?

The wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_New_Zealand_Labour_Party_leadership_election

Chris Hipkins, the former Covid minister. If it goes to a membership vote Michael Wood (who got the FPAs through) might have a shot. And Grant Robertson would be the inevitable choice if he had run.

I understand that a candidate needs 2/3 of the MPs votes to be elected leader. Does Hipkins have the votes or a membership ballot is inevitable?

[Pericles]

Who is the favourite to win the Labour leadership ballot?

The wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_New_Zealand_Labour_Party_leadership_election

Chris Hipkins, the former Covid minister. If it goes to a membership vote Michael Wood (who got the FPAs through) might have a shot. And Grant Robertson would be the inevitable choice if he had run.

I understand that a candidate needs 2/3 of the MPs votes to be elected leader. Does Hipkins have the votes or a membership ballot is inevitable?

It looks likely that caucus will try to make a decision and avoid a membership vote but we'll just need to see how it unfolds.

[AustralianSwingVoter]

(context: Auckland is under fcking water right now)
His sheer intellect is incomprehensibly astounding. What a remarkable specimen Auckland found and promptly elected.

[Pericles]

Another brilliant year we're having.

[CumbrianLefty]

(context: Auckland is under fcking water right now)
His sheer intellect is incomprehensibly astounding. What a remarkable specimen Auckland found and promptly elected.

He SPEAKS FOR THE NON-WOKE MAJORITY, though!

[AustralianSwingVoter]

(context: Auckland is under fcking water right now)
His sheer intellect is incomprehensibly astounding. What a remarkable specimen Auckland found and promptly elected.

He SPEAKS FOR THE NON-WOKE MAJORITY, though!

Suburban Lorax. He speaks for the cars.

[AustralianSwingVoter]

https://twitter.com/ellapetastewart/status/1619054587339767808