The destruction of the health system will contribute to the downfall of the CoC. As people (aka regular voters) get older they depend more and more on a functioning public health system. The cuts to thousands of jobs and infrastructure throughout the country is a worry for many. Reti and Levy don't seem to care as long as their private health assets are safe.
Agree with your analysis, the coalition is going to go through some major discourse on policies in the future. Seymour is hated by the majority of the public who understand his corporate roots and willingness to sell NZ assets. On the other hand Peters stands in the winners corner. With the completion of his deputy leadership next year he’ll be planning for the next election and he’ll do whatever he likes to gain votes. Luxon will not have the courage to deal with these two characters but will cling to power at all costs. How much more will he have to let go to appease them? My belief is that there will be no winners as they are all tarnished. Whatever happens in history, will show the damage caused by this coalition government and it’s three egotistical leaders.
So, as you do, if you are obsessed like me, just watching Three Strikes (redux) Bill reaching conclusion under urgency in parliament, led by Nicole McKee. For me, shades of Rodney Hide and that ghastly ACT Sensible Sentencing Trust MP David Garrett, who it turned out had stolen a dead baby's identity. Last night, Residential Tenancies Act was passed meaning that people can be dumped out of their rental accommodation for no cause within 90 days and in some cases 42 days Then Matt Doocey (any seat will Doocey) announced increases to ACC levies and a review. Been here before under Nick Smith who created a crisis that led to privatisation of ACC. Labour had to fix that. I don't know why I punish myself with this, but it's hard not to be involved when you and so many comrades have given a lifetime to trying to making people's lives better.
Christine, I agree. I have a feeling that Winston might get us back the original boats…. It seems that we could still get them and in the end it would be cheaper for everyone than having the secondhand Corolla’s or the shorter non-rail enabled models. What do you think?
In the end it will come to a showdown in the CoC and that may be a good thing. But the original ships have been cancelled - the penalties already apply. Winston is setting himself and his party up to campaign for the next election as the hero, as he has tried to do many times in the past.
I imagine we'll see some some reflection over the summer. If he wants to be more than a single term PM he has to do something different because he has been awful so far and there must be people close to him telling him that it's not working.
Aah, but selling off all his investment properties and a general sense that nobody likes him may be a clue he already sees the writing on the wall? Heading back to Trumps America where people would 'appreciate' him might be his power move?
Humpty Dumpty comes to mind once again as it did during the CoC formation “all the Kings horses and all the Kings men, couldn’t put Humpty together again”
👍 Agree with all of this (well I have to - I have been predicting the Peters strategy since day 1 ⁉️😁) All 3 "leaders" are unsuited to being part of a team, & don't like being bit players (unless like Lux-flakes he is running away from disasters like the Nicky-no-boats announcement-that-we-are-announcing-that-we-are-announcing-our-announcement-in-March-2025-PROBABLY 🤮)
I appreciate this korero, but for those who don't know there are an increasing numbers of writers from Aotearoa on Substack addressing various facets of the effects of the 3-headed-Taniwha/CoC policies that might fly under the radar due to the headline grabbing ineptitude of the Ferries debacle, cuts to Health Care, The Treaty Principles Bill etc. I wish I could PAY for them all because the work is extraordinary in exposing cause & effect & explaining stuff - I wish we could have an amalgamated "Aotearoa" specific space to raise awareness of their work - most of them have some free content if (like me) you have limited $$.
🙋A "new" one I want to raise with all the engaged people here in case you haven't come across it, is "Disinterpreted - Melanie Nelson" who has deep knowledge of Te Tiriti & it's Maori interpretation, plus a clear headed analysis of the ACTUAL meaning of phrases being used by Seymour/ACT in promoting his bill.
😱Of much more concern however, Melanie raises the much more dangerous bill also being put forward by ACT in symbiotic intent which is the Regulatory Standards Bill (RSB) which would force future govts to take into account property & individual rights with no regard for societal good, ecological harms/benefits etc.🤬 - in other words, everything that a kind, caring, community-good minded person treasures about Aotearoa as it has been to date 🖤🤍❤️ (with obvious flaws from time to time)
Melanie is also starting a podcast called "Coherent with Melanie Nelson" having already had an occasional one called "Weaving our Worlds" which has conversations to foster mutual understanding between Maori & Pakeha (I believe she is Pakeha herself, but is a "Bilingual & Cross-cultural Consultant" so seems eminently suited to explaining these complex issues.)
BHN has just done an interview with her re the sneaky RSB bill - it was introduced the day the Hikoi arrived at Parliament (under the radar! 🤢) and submissions close shortly after The Treaty Principles Bill, so while people are distracted with that... ⁉️🤬
It is based on a previous attempt by ACT (Roger Douglas) to get this bill through in 2021, but there are some changes we know about, but it is not clear if there are any others because it is not getting media scrutiny of the "please explain" kind to Seymour et al.
So for people who have navigated (or intend to) the TPB 💪, consider using your skills to write a submision on the RSB which would make EVERYTHING worse for EVERYONE except the rich & connected as far as I can tell 🤬 & tie future govts of every stripe to this selfish & destructive framework for making legislation & regulations.
🤔 Sorry for the rant, but these "sneaky Gollums's" are hoping all eyes will be on other things & not notice something worse slipping past until it is possibly through & becomes law ⁉️🤷
Very interesting - thank you Cindy. It's all happening discombobulatingly fast, and with such sneakiness and comforting lies and distortions that it's hard to keep track of what is happening and what to prioritise, without any analysis from mainstream journalists to fully challenge the processes and inform the public.
Always grimace when neolibs cite 'survival of the fittest' as a destructive greedy moniker. It's actually collaboration, symbiosis and sense of community that sits at the top of evolutionary hierarchy
Lots of good stuff to ponder here Nick. Sincerely hope this COC will go down in flames and take Winnie, Shame Jones and the rest of the NZ First nutters with them. By then I trust Seymour and his appalling mob will already be there to break their fall.
We all knew from the start this would be a dodgy deal, although who could have predicted the speed of its dissolution? Wee Winnie and Davey hate each other and are not incentivised to play nice in the Beehive sandpit. It's hard to watch the havoc being wrought by their naked ambitions, but there's still fun to be had witnessing the unraveling. And bonus, another great song. Thanks for your work, Nick. I always look forward to reading your take on the political antics. With Nicky No Boats joining the maul, there'll be no shortage of material in 2025.
"Trouble at t’mill” for sure Nick - my wish for the new year is that it continues and intensifies with this Coalition of Cruelty, Callousness & Corruption - seeing karma in action is SO satisfying!
I do think a real campaign targeting older folk needs to happen. My friend is 90 and very connected in Tauranga and she said "My friends just don't understand Māori and therefore are scared of them and of change."
The destruction of the health system will contribute to the downfall of the CoC. As people (aka regular voters) get older they depend more and more on a functioning public health system. The cuts to thousands of jobs and infrastructure throughout the country is a worry for many. Reti and Levy don't seem to care as long as their private health assets are safe.
True and their voter base comes mainly from oldies
Agree with your analysis, the coalition is going to go through some major discourse on policies in the future. Seymour is hated by the majority of the public who understand his corporate roots and willingness to sell NZ assets. On the other hand Peters stands in the winners corner. With the completion of his deputy leadership next year he’ll be planning for the next election and he’ll do whatever he likes to gain votes. Luxon will not have the courage to deal with these two characters but will cling to power at all costs. How much more will he have to let go to appease them? My belief is that there will be no winners as they are all tarnished. Whatever happens in history, will show the damage caused by this coalition government and it’s three egotistical leaders.
I still think the end of Winston's deputy leadership might trigger the next election.
So, as you do, if you are obsessed like me, just watching Three Strikes (redux) Bill reaching conclusion under urgency in parliament, led by Nicole McKee. For me, shades of Rodney Hide and that ghastly ACT Sensible Sentencing Trust MP David Garrett, who it turned out had stolen a dead baby's identity. Last night, Residential Tenancies Act was passed meaning that people can be dumped out of their rental accommodation for no cause within 90 days and in some cases 42 days Then Matt Doocey (any seat will Doocey) announced increases to ACC levies and a review. Been here before under Nick Smith who created a crisis that led to privatisation of ACC. Labour had to fix that. I don't know why I punish myself with this, but it's hard not to be involved when you and so many comrades have given a lifetime to trying to making people's lives better.
With any luck, wee mental davey and druncle will destroy the CoC and create a landslide for the left again
That too , John!!
Great korero yet again Nick, and hopefully the CoC will implode. Love the commentary 'Nicky no boats, Luxon no nuts!' Classic Rockel!
Never thought I'd say this, but if Winston can temper some of Seymour's neoliberal aspirations, that's a bit of win for the left
Christine, I agree. I have a feeling that Winston might get us back the original boats…. It seems that we could still get them and in the end it would be cheaper for everyone than having the secondhand Corolla’s or the shorter non-rail enabled models. What do you think?
In the end it will come to a showdown in the CoC and that may be a good thing. But the original ships have been cancelled - the penalties already apply. Winston is setting himself and his party up to campaign for the next election as the hero, as he has tried to do many times in the past.
I agree but don't see the COC paying for the infrastructure so the bigger ferries still won't be suitable. dreams are free ✨️ 🙏
Bloody beaut summation.
Surely the incompetent snake oil salesman must be sweating by now. Or, is he too thick to notice
I imagine we'll see some some reflection over the summer. If he wants to be more than a single term PM he has to do something different because he has been awful so far and there must be people close to him telling him that it's not working.
Aah, but selling off all his investment properties and a general sense that nobody likes him may be a clue he already sees the writing on the wall? Heading back to Trumps America where people would 'appreciate' him might be his power move?
A deodorant salesman can't admit it just masks the stink for a while...
Humpty Dumpty comes to mind once again as it did during the CoC formation “all the Kings horses and all the Kings men, couldn’t put Humpty together again”
👍 Agree with all of this (well I have to - I have been predicting the Peters strategy since day 1 ⁉️😁) All 3 "leaders" are unsuited to being part of a team, & don't like being bit players (unless like Lux-flakes he is running away from disasters like the Nicky-no-boats announcement-that-we-are-announcing-that-we-are-announcing-our-announcement-in-March-2025-PROBABLY 🤮)
I appreciate this korero, but for those who don't know there are an increasing numbers of writers from Aotearoa on Substack addressing various facets of the effects of the 3-headed-Taniwha/CoC policies that might fly under the radar due to the headline grabbing ineptitude of the Ferries debacle, cuts to Health Care, The Treaty Principles Bill etc. I wish I could PAY for them all because the work is extraordinary in exposing cause & effect & explaining stuff - I wish we could have an amalgamated "Aotearoa" specific space to raise awareness of their work - most of them have some free content if (like me) you have limited $$.
🙋A "new" one I want to raise with all the engaged people here in case you haven't come across it, is "Disinterpreted - Melanie Nelson" who has deep knowledge of Te Tiriti & it's Maori interpretation, plus a clear headed analysis of the ACTUAL meaning of phrases being used by Seymour/ACT in promoting his bill.
😱Of much more concern however, Melanie raises the much more dangerous bill also being put forward by ACT in symbiotic intent which is the Regulatory Standards Bill (RSB) which would force future govts to take into account property & individual rights with no regard for societal good, ecological harms/benefits etc.🤬 - in other words, everything that a kind, caring, community-good minded person treasures about Aotearoa as it has been to date 🖤🤍❤️ (with obvious flaws from time to time)
Melanie is also starting a podcast called "Coherent with Melanie Nelson" having already had an occasional one called "Weaving our Worlds" which has conversations to foster mutual understanding between Maori & Pakeha (I believe she is Pakeha herself, but is a "Bilingual & Cross-cultural Consultant" so seems eminently suited to explaining these complex issues.)
BHN has just done an interview with her re the sneaky RSB bill - it was introduced the day the Hikoi arrived at Parliament (under the radar! 🤢) and submissions close shortly after The Treaty Principles Bill, so while people are distracted with that... ⁉️🤬
It is based on a previous attempt by ACT (Roger Douglas) to get this bill through in 2021, but there are some changes we know about, but it is not clear if there are any others because it is not getting media scrutiny of the "please explain" kind to Seymour et al.
So for people who have navigated (or intend to) the TPB 💪, consider using your skills to write a submision on the RSB which would make EVERYTHING worse for EVERYONE except the rich & connected as far as I can tell 🤬 & tie future govts of every stripe to this selfish & destructive framework for making legislation & regulations.
🤔 Sorry for the rant, but these "sneaky Gollums's" are hoping all eyes will be on other things & not notice something worse slipping past until it is possibly through & becomes law ⁉️🤷
Melanie Nelson:
https://substack.com/@disinterpreted/note/p-152944988?r=125pvv&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
👍 Thanks - I forget we can link here 😁
Very interesting - thank you Cindy. It's all happening discombobulatingly fast, and with such sneakiness and comforting lies and distortions that it's hard to keep track of what is happening and what to prioritise, without any analysis from mainstream journalists to fully challenge the processes and inform the public.
Just had a thought… is neoliberalism just financial anarchy?
Pretty much, survival of the fittest, the market is never wrong but always will a dollop of socialism if businesses goes bad.
Always grimace when neolibs cite 'survival of the fittest' as a destructive greedy moniker. It's actually collaboration, symbiosis and sense of community that sits at the top of evolutionary hierarchy
Lots of good stuff to ponder here Nick. Sincerely hope this COC will go down in flames and take Winnie, Shame Jones and the rest of the NZ First nutters with them. By then I trust Seymour and his appalling mob will already be there to break their fall.
We all knew from the start this would be a dodgy deal, although who could have predicted the speed of its dissolution? Wee Winnie and Davey hate each other and are not incentivised to play nice in the Beehive sandpit. It's hard to watch the havoc being wrought by their naked ambitions, but there's still fun to be had witnessing the unraveling. And bonus, another great song. Thanks for your work, Nick. I always look forward to reading your take on the political antics. With Nicky No Boats joining the maul, there'll be no shortage of material in 2025.
"Trouble at t’mill” for sure Nick - my wish for the new year is that it continues and intensifies with this Coalition of Cruelty, Callousness & Corruption - seeing karma in action is SO satisfying!
Agree Nick and Marilynn.
I do think a real campaign targeting older folk needs to happen. My friend is 90 and very connected in Tauranga and she said "My friends just don't understand Māori and therefore are scared of them and of change."
2. Our new ferries—IF they ever materialise—should be christened The HMS Nicola and The HMS Willis.
No that's not a good idea they might sink with those names 😁🤣😂🤣
This is like the Christmas Fairy Nick. Like a wish upon a star, a wistful 'all I want for Christmas' dream 😆