37 Comments
User's avatar
Maggie Hillock's avatar

Nicola going through the list of policies that Labour will reinstate as if they were bad things that Aotearoans don't want. When, in fact, they're exactly what we want. Has she given up and decided to campaign for Labour? Asking for a friend. 😉🤣

Judith Paulin's avatar

Well spotted Maggie!

wenz99's avatar

Watching Barbara on Breakfast today was so refreshing. She didn't get annoyed at Tova bringing up past issues she just calmly replied, no hate or attacking anyone else. Such a change

Cheryl Johnstone's avatar

Isn't Barbara just great! I went to listen to her a while ago and was so impressed. You won't see her calling unhinged press conferences and ranting about the govt policies.

Lynda Yelland's avatar

breath of fresh air! no snide remarks and digs at the 'last government'! Bring it on.

Tim's avatar

Urgh, it just drives me crazy that every argument against cheap public transport relates it to the retail price of the extra fares. It costs us zero extra dollars to put an extra person on a bus that was already going somewhere. I actually wouldn't be surprised to hear that Labour's policy - if implemented - actually cost us *less* than the costed $65m

Keith Simes's avatar

When watching Trump rant about everything that isn’t him, one always sees his own shortcomings in the insults and lies he throws at everyone else. Likewise Nicola should not be playing poker, every criticism is actually an admission of a weakness

Kim Shaw-Williams's avatar

Yep, great observation, Keith...it has been annoying the hell out of me for quite some time...

Judi's avatar

Well that was a bit unhinged. Calling a presser on a Sunday afternoon to rant and demand the opposition answer her questions about things she'd decided they would spend her money on. What with her foaming at the mouth, NZ1st unhinged attacks on anyone who doesn't agree, and the egotistical Act leader's equally unhinged claims that it is only he who hold the country together - this is going to be quite the election campaign.

Helen Murfitt's avatar

Nicola Willis is getting increasingly hysterical! Her mannerisms, harsh voice and head noddings are so irritating to watch. Barbara Edmonds is such a welcome contrast - no drama, no weird body language - and knows what she is talking about. Remember Nicola wasted millions on the cancelled ferries so don't let her off the hook over budgeting.

Shell's avatar

Probably panicking that her time is nearly up...please let it be so!

Leonie's avatar

Poor woman is having problems sleeping, had to be said asap !

Anne L's avatar

Agree with you Nick. The real reason Labour held back releasing policy was because they knew full well that the Nats and ACT were going to unleash their attack hounds on them. It doesn't help when you have a largely sycophantic mainstream media who are happy to let them get away with it. It's going to be a vicious political campaign to rival the one Nicky Hager wrote about in "Dirty Politics' back in 2014.

I don't know if Labour have settled on a game plan to fight back. It's going to take much more than defending their policies against a largely hostile press. Look at the way Jack Tame tried to tie Utikere up in knots on Q@A yesterday. I, too, thought he did well, given the circumstances.

Darien Fenton's avatar

I thought Nicola's press conference yesterday was bizarre. That was until I read the Post/Freshwater poll this morning. National are in a panic. It is all over their FB posts.

They should be because they are losing votes to NZ First - judging by the poll this morning. And Nicola can count. On the poll number for National today she would not be a List MP unless they lose a heap of seats. I was pleased to see our calm, warm Labour spokesperson Barb on Tova et al this morning. Yap yap yap something about Eastbourne commuters... same as Jack. Barb's response : universality is the most efficient and cheapest way to get public transport support to those who need it most in a cost of living crisis. Anyway, Nicola's excuse is running out if we are to believe there is a peace deal in the Middle East. And yo Barb. Confirming Labour will reinstate Pay Equity in response to Nicola's "I challenge Labour to look voters in the eye and tell them they won't reinstate pay equity". It's all about priorities and choices eh.

Keith Simes's avatar

Has that same panic brought about the editorial changes at DomPost? Hooten and Malpass - not even pretending any more…

Cheryl Johnstone's avatar

Yes, of course that's why Willis called the Press Conferance. It was quite bizarre and she looked almost deranged...at least unwell.

The thing that surprised me with that poll is that Luxon went up 3 points....what the hell! Hiding from the media must be working for him.

Anne L's avatar

"Anyway, Nicola's excuse is running out if we are to believe there is a peace deal in the Middle East."

The key word there is "if". Trump will start bombing Iran again if he thinks it's in his interest, even if in reality it isn't. I wouldn't count on a peace deal surviving very long. "Peace in our time" and all that.

Phil Malpas's avatar

What a structured corrupt system we allow to be imposed on the people of Aotearoa!

And, any change is completely up to people to make any changes – but we do nothing!

Never fear, we get what we pay for – accept – and tolerate.

Change is dependent on action from the people, as has been the case over many years, revolutions are messy, destructive, and unnecessary.

Because we have democracy we also have the Vote, and we also have the power – to withdraw our labour. The combined effect can force any change that is in the interests of people and humanity.

But if we do nothing then we accept their system!

Mac Stevenson's avatar

And right there is the problem Phil because historically so many fail to vote and as a result we get a govt like this one. Another round of this coalition and revolution may well be closer than we think.

Brian's avatar

Nicola is the Diva of Desperation. I'm glad I didn't watch her, her voice alone is enough to sap all the goodness from my days. I look forward to more of Labour's policy announcements which of course will result in more mud slinging, as it seems due to no decent policy of their own is about all this Coalition of Cruelty can muster ( and sadly Culture Wars ). I just hope Labour will come out full on resplendent Red. The offerings so far are really a great start, however beige is not going to win this election. In the words of the Who, we need Meaty, Beaty Big and Bouncy.

Keith Simes's avatar

Absolutely right (or rather, left)

Patricia Kay's avatar

Thank you for keeping it all ii perspective Nick, as we see and hear a screaming banchee exaggerating and telling lies as she holds onto power just. You are right, the incompetent Finance Minister has only herself to blame for the economic shambles that has happened and we sre suffering because of it.

Josephine's avatar

Thank you Nick. You bring a real dose of reality in a way that people are able to understand and digest without wanting to throw up your breakfast, unlike Nicola Willis, David Seymour, Simeon Brown, Chris Bishop and all the other pathetic National MP'S who spit out absolute lies.

The desperation coming from the National Party is quite astonishing and amusing all at the same time. They know they have dug themselves one massive hole and they have absolutely no idea of how to climb out of it.

I also thank you for watching Nicola's press conference yesterday and for watching David Seymour on Breakfast this morning. I just couldn't do it. Luckily for your TV, you stitched him off though.

Have a great day.

Russ Sewell's avatar

Luxon was on RNZ this morning, Ingrid interviewing him. He talked a lot but said nothing. I think he's too thick to benefit from any media training, he didn't quite say "what I would say to you " but words along those lines were used.

Jean Rockel's avatar

I really enjoyed reading your korero today, Nick. I love the term knuckle-dragging halfwits - gave me a good chuckle. Yes it's pre-election season again, with all the stupidity of people like Willis and Seymour. Seymour thinks he's Mr Popularity - and talks absolute rubbish with a winning smile (his thought not mine). No-one has picked up on your point, Nick, that rich people don't usually take public transport.

Kim Shaw-Williams's avatar

Brilliant analysis, thanks yet again Nick.

Cheryl McConnell's avatar

Excellent Nick.

Keith Levy's avatar

It's beyond me. How we managed to elect such a vile, deceitful despicable destructive, disgusting and downright obscene 'government' as this corrupt and conniving coalition. Somebody please tell me it's just a bad dream and it will all be alright. On November 8.