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Nick Rockel's avatar

To those who aren't so keen on the song, it was going to be this one last night:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjTF0_dGgnk

Diana Coleman's avatar

Much better choice.

Paul Singh's avatar

“Not content with kicking Māori, the trans community, immigrants, and ‘woke liberals’…”

I think we could add several more groups to that list. My nominations include:

Disabled people, their whānau and supporters;

People receiving main benefits, including young adults and their whānau;

Survivors of abuse in State care;

Older New Zealanders, especially those in residential care, and the people who support and care for them;

People experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity;

People living in material hardship, financial hardship or poverty; and

Community-based organisations whose funding has been reduced or cut.

I am sure I have left some groups out, but together they represent an enormous number of New Zealanders.

It shows just how self-serving this ‘Coalition of Cruelty’ has been, all in the name of economic efficiency and ideologically impoverished policymaking.

Kim Shaw-Williams's avatar

"all in the name of economic efficiency"....!!!...going further into debt just in order to give 'sorted' rich landlords in NZ a 2B dollar tax cut????...pure grifters, paying back lobbyist donors...the most disgusting government in the history of NZ...by far!!

Juliet Neill's avatar

Every time we seem have made progress, I am reminded that these ment actually are only a blink away from Taliban thinking. Decades of resistance and vigilance is exhausting, so it is refreshing to read your article, Nick.

Liz Francis's avatar

The long term consequences of the loss of potential pay equity for women boggles my mind. That dastardly policy ensures women in female dominant occupations might, just might, achieve pay equity every tenth year because that bill disallows any review for the following 9 years! Nine years! We already know that women arrive at retirement age with significantly less in savings. We know that most of those in low paid (or no pay) care roles are women. We know that women are less likely to be promoted if there is a man around (look at nursing). We know that women live longer. We are setting up an old age marked by struggle for so many women who do not deserve to be treated like this. It would be great if more men challenged what has/is happening - so thankyou Nick for speaking out.

Keith Simes's avatar

One wonders what these ‘men’ actually think of their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, and vice versa?

Judith Paulin's avatar

You certainly wonder if the divorce rates will go up as a result of all this dreadful negative publicity for women! Please do not fail to vote for someone sensible!

Tess Porter's avatar

You are assuming they think. I’m assuming they are yearning for a mythical past time, and blurt out the resulting reckons as they have no self control.

Brian Rathbone's avatar

I agree Keith 🙏

When men mistakenly believe in their itching to manage and control everything and everybody, that this is how society needs to be, it is no wonder that there are people like Stuart Nash, Winston, Jones, and Luxon pretending that they know what is best for us all. Aided and abetted by women in the coalition government who sided with the dismantling of pay equity claims. Disgusting and so lacking in ethics or dignity.

If refusing to govern for all and relegating women to the side is their modus operandi of pretending that this is an effective and reasonable solution to the complexity of governing with wellbeing to the forefront, this just demonstrates their complete failure, incompetence and wilful blindness.

It doesn’t earn my respect, trust or my vote.

Kick them to the kerb.

The fact that NZ First courted Nash in the first place was a warning flag. I suggest not even touching them with a sterilised gumboot on the end of a 40 foot pole.

Russ Sewell's avatar

Great column Nick. I'm with you the fair pay agreement was amongst the most egregious acts of many this government has passed and on its own is reason to vote them out.

I however as a man working in a female dominated profession am proud to be a man, one who supports the struggle for equality and one who sees the amazing women contributing massively to our communities.

David Rees's avatar

Hear hear Russ, by chance I ended up in workplaces where women largely well outnumbered men and I'm a better person for it! Pay equity is a total no brainer as far as I'm concerned. I know I was born in the 50's but living with attitudes and beliefs from then is madness.

Margie's avatar

Great article Nick. Sorry re subscribers. I had to stop for a while but missed it, so came back. Also think independent writers are essential in democracies, especially so in current times. Keep heart and keep the good stuff coming! Thank you 😀

Nick Rockel's avatar

Thanks, Margie. 🙂

Darien Fenton's avatar

It's a little thing but I see NZ First is also casting ACT's votes in the Arms Bill under urgency this morning. Brothers in Arms! NZ First is disgusting, but the loud hypocrisy from National (and ACT) when one of their own is criticised is notable. Got rid of Pay Equity, voted against Paid Parental Leave, have an invisible (Nat) Minister for Women and this very day, voting in favour of Brooke's Employment Leave Bill under urgency which will negatively impact women - with 200,000 workers worse off.

Jeremy Coleman's avatar

A little Australian inspired poetry for a foggy day,(with apologies to Banjo Paterson)follows,

The (alleged) man from a relieved Napier.

There was joy across the airwaves when the news was broadcast wide,

That the sexist dickhead Nash had thrown it in,

His mouth made very clear that the end of his career was nigh,in a race he couldn’t ever truly win.

His resignation signed has completely redefined his chances of winning anything again

but Winnie and Shane who still remain as skipper and first mate today, must be held to ransom

or thrown off the transom before they trawl and dig us away .

Brian Rathbone's avatar

Spot on Jeremy 🙏 Brilliant

Jeremy Coleman's avatar

Thanks Brian🙂how are things going in Busworld?

Brian Rathbone's avatar

Ha ha! I’m just starting my shift driving until 9.30pm here in Australia!

Vicky Fletcher's avatar

I wonder about these misogynists - do they have deep seated Mummy issues resulting from their upbringing? or just a complete lack of respect and integrity in their character, it's telling that they perceive women to be a soft target - whatever it is they are showing who they are as men and it's ugly (and really stupid in an election year - have they forgotten that women have the vote?)

Jeremy Coleman's avatar

As I was lying in bed, appropriately dressed in my Chisel pyjamas, listening to Jimmy belt out the best ever rendition of this song, I thought what a great alarm clock he would make😀😀👍

Katie O'Donnell's avatar

Thanks Nick. All these men in parliament falling all over themselves to assure us all that they 'are not that guy', while dismantling supports for women in real terms...pay equity for a start. If they truly valued women and women's work...then they just wouldn't have done that! The cuts to services that support women like Refuge and Rape Crisis, the cost of groceries, electricity, gas, rent, the removal of standards for rental properties, the stagnation of wages......you get my drift....are all actions that impact hugely on women. So, their outrage at Nash leaves me cold. Nash is a bit stupid, really, crossing a line by making misogynist statements out loud, feeling emboldened by others in the coalition also make disgusting statements that they are not held accountable for. And, I too, was a bit bemused by Seymour's comment about 'young working mums'...saying they are a lot of things (what, David? Please share what you really think), but at least not lazy. That's just a weird thing to say. This government has pulled the rug out from under everyone in Aotearoa...unless they are wealthy and sorted, and they need to go.

Korimako Song's avatar

Ngā mihi nui. Is your name actually Nicola? No, not that one.

Kim Shaw-Williams's avatar

DITCH THE SEXIST PRICKS IN '26...!!!

Lesley Hill's avatar

Those three cavemen are too clean - they should have blood on their hands, and revolting mush spewing from their mouths.

Mac Stevenson's avatar

Great post Nick I know all thinking men agree with your statements.