While Penk might have been one of the sharper knives in the drawer he's unlikely to be the biggest. What concerns me more than this fiasco is the ( notoriously untrustworthy Nat skewed ) TV1 Verian poll showing Hipkins behind Luxon in the preferred PM stakes. WTF. He should be miles ahead. As should Labour and the Greens, after weeks of Luxon finding room in his mouth for both feet. Perhaps Polls have taken third place over statistics in the 3 types of lies.
We need to bear in mind, tho, that when asked for preferences for PM, 36% said don't know or refused to answer! That makes the whole thing very questionable!
AND bear in mind the reluctance of the right-wing media to show Chris Hipkins tearing strips of the COC members in Parliament, and many/most of his other activities on the campaign trail - unfortunately the "public" who aren't engaged like Nick's readers equate visibility with effectiveness. There is a period before election day where media have to give fair coverage, so 🤞🤞🤞 Luxon continues to bumble & Chippy gets more air time ...
Watching Luxon bletherin again about unity plus other untruths in his 57 second announcement and refusing to take questions I once again thought "Oma rapeti, oma rapeti, oma, oma, oma" ... ye gods the utter arrogance and cowardice of this mana-less man - like trump his monumental ego will never let him quit for the good of his party and country - roll on November 7th.
Lol, now I can't get that song out of my head. Memories of singing it around the huge kitchen fire place at the Marae. Guitars on the go, Run rabbit run rabbit run run run, Oma rapiti, oma rapiti, oma oma oma...🎸
Glad to engender such lovely memories for you Wikitoria - I wonder if Luxon has ever felt such closeness, joy and sense of community? somehow I doubt it.
He had the perfect opportunity to pause - talk to the press and therefore the Nation hanging waiting and wondering ..... but once again, off he went in his 'i'm much too busy & important to waste my precious time talking to you lot"..... so much so that one can only come to the conclusion that all is not well - the direct opposite of what was coming out of his mouth! And that generally is his attitude when it comes to the press..... unless it's some staged tik tok he's composed himself?
Exactly right Lynda, his body language is always much more eloquent and truthful than his mouth! .... I am really looking forward to the campaign debates where he cannot run and hide, I just hope there are decent moderators appointed!
That is true, we often see the Greens and/or Labour pick up a seat or two while National goes down on the final vote compared to election night. I do wonder how well-informed Kiwis living overseas are about the shortened enrolment period.
My two children overseas are more than aware of how this govt are destroying Aotearoa and are both Green supporters. I'm informed that their Kiwi friends overseas are also Green supporters
It's always good to watch the faces behind Luxon - they tell the true story. While Luxon stands and waffles his way through something or other that doesn't make sense.
I have a feeling she is the National Party President? She was giving a speech at the last Convention probably donated quite a few dollars too I should imagine?
The TOP party have contacted me to let me know that is a fake account, although why they haven’t had it taken down is beyond me. Curiosity the account warns about another account as being fake.
There was 11% undecided/won't say as well... so lots of bluster about nothing much.
If nothing else, Opportunity are getting people talking about tax... and what might be fairer ways to collect tax than simply taxing work. We always have to remember that the wealthiest people are paying the least tax on their income, while poorest pay tax on EVERY cent they earn.
If it's correct that Luxton has 6 ?? media advisers and still makes as many faux pas as he does (including the presser yesterday) it certainly indicates that he is no leader and decidedly not even a passingly good PM. In fact he has proven to be the worst PM in the history of the country. So if there is no one in the National Party better than him why on earth do people continue to vote for such a bunch of incompetents. Back on track. Yeah right.
Am wondering if his advisers will keep the PM away from various media outlets to an even greater degree from now on to limit any more gaffes. It could end up like those awful staged Judith Collins "praying" and "walkabout with her own supporters" appearances.
All that intense media training the PM undertook some weeks ago seems to have been a waste of time. But Luxon always gives off a vibe of smugness and not needing to listen to advice.
I agree with you, Nick! I saw Penk and and my impression of pink was rather positive – a nice change from the usual national party people. I’m glad he’s told them what to do with his seat…
Thanks Nick......Damien O'Connor dropping off popcorn was a highlight for me yesterday:). I don't feel bad about the exit of Chris Penk.....what is it with all the Chris's???....being ex-military (is anyone ever ex-military?), and given his statements about Aotearoa's nuclear position, he sounds like a hawk to me, and I'd be concerned about him reaching senior government positions in the future. I have also read nasty posts by him against Marama Davidson...and he seems to believe a full-term abortion in this country is legal and available. So...see-yaaa. I do wonder whether he has already been offered a place in another political party?
And...of great concern to me today, was a post by I Am Brie Elliot:
"On the same day Chris Penk was stripped of his ministerial portfolios and announced he won’t seek re-election, a judicial review was filed in the Wellington High Court challenging Government approvals for BlackSky satellite launches from New Zealand. Judith Collins, when she was Minister for Space, approved four BlackSky launches.Chris Penk, after taking over the Space portfolio, approved another 26 in April. Both are named in the legal challenge.The plaintiffs say the satellites could provide imagery and intelligence capable of being used by Israel’s military in Gaza, and they are challenging whether the Government properly exercised its legal obligations when approving the launches."
I'm not saying the two events are linked, although nothing would surprise me from this CoC. This is a huge story....Aotearoa could potential be solidly linked to genocide (as opposed to the mealy-mouthed say-nothings and overt Zionist support from our shameless coalition members). And as far as I know, it was either not reported yesterday, or was so low on the priority news list, I missed it!
Thanks for reporting all the weirdness for us Nick, have a great rest of the day!
Yes, I have been wondering the same . . . . . As I read I am Brie Elliot, That is abit of a worry-concern . Judith Collins is Truly a nasty piece and only serves herself !
And why did 'the party faithful', Bishop, Penk, Goldsmith, Willis et all, look as though they only survived the coup by having a carrot inserted up their bottom.
My money's on Goldie. After all the years of taking a hit for ACT, he surely deserves to go off to a nice rural safe seat, He's good enough to pick up all of Penk's portfolios including Minister of Space (snigger). Mind you, Defence and Space do kind of go together given Rocket Lab's military contracts with the US. On the others : Phil T will win Henderson ; the boundaries have changed. I am sure Angee Nicholas will have noticed. Nancy Lu crossed my mind, but I know the now renamed former Helensville electorate (having stood there a long time ago against John Key). They will be looking for a nice white hail me hearties kind of guy. I did wonder whether Penk snitched on Luxon about his using military aircraft! Remember that? Was it only last week?
I like the rear-view mirror cartoon - except, the next picture would be Q on the ground under a mangled bike shortly after Winston flings open the driver door to take her out, metaphorically, of course - shouting Sorry Mate, I Didn't See Q There
Yes, if it wasn’t so painful I would be laughing at what we are witnessing. It’s a wonder the satirists haven’t depicted the group of faces at the stand-up media show. They all reminded me of a group of school children who had just been scolded by scrooge. These people are so good. Thanks so much.
Yes all very interesting. I cannot believe that latest poll though with Luxon ahead of Chris Hipkins as preferred PM. National have had their day. Nothing they do is of benefit to this country.
🫣 Unpopular opinion, but this is the first (& probably last!) time I've felt sorry for Luxon ... I mean, he does come across as an unfeeling brute when it comes to us bottom feeders & all those who aren't wealthy & sorted, but surely inside it must hurt to have to call TWO caucus meetings within months/weeks to plead/beg/grovel to keep your empty title ( we ALL know who is the REAL PM!) & face your family and "friends" knowing that they know that you are such a total numpty in front of the whole country ... AGAIN?😱
And NO! I don't think Q & her fellow possible MP's give me any confidence as a "kingmaker", but YES! it is surely better than NZLast & the racist 💉 who leads them, plus at least we would have real human beings such as Labour, the Greens, & TPM in charge of the country 👍
Let us hope with wider focus leading up to the election, & distractions such as Nats grabbing the headlines for all the wrong reasons, voters will KNOW what each party's values truly are & be judicious with their electorate & party votes. IF they choose to make TOP the kingmaker AND we get the current coalition parties out of our lives, then it has to be better than now... right ⁉️
I wouldn’t feel too sorry for Luxon, Cindy, even once. Everything he has been through has been brought about by himself. He isn’t the man for the job as even Matthew Hooton, former Luxo acolyte, admitted this morning. He still has plenty of time to trip over the feet in his mouth before the election. Let’s hope he makes the most of any opportunity.
As for TOP, some of their ideals are very noble but I think they might be taking things too fast, too soon. They have next to zero political experience across the board and are about to be launched into another very different, demanding and difficult world to the one they’re used to. To believe they can draw right and left wings together and remain centrist is somewhat naive and is fraught with potential problems for all. I can’t help but think that some of this party are bright young people oozing optimism and enthusiasm for a brand new world. I wish them well, with some reserve. Maybe Chloe or Chippy might pop around for a visit and let them know what they’re really in for.
While Penk might have been one of the sharper knives in the drawer he's unlikely to be the biggest. What concerns me more than this fiasco is the ( notoriously untrustworthy Nat skewed ) TV1 Verian poll showing Hipkins behind Luxon in the preferred PM stakes. WTF. He should be miles ahead. As should Labour and the Greens, after weeks of Luxon finding room in his mouth for both feet. Perhaps Polls have taken third place over statistics in the 3 types of lies.
We need to bear in mind, tho, that when asked for preferences for PM, 36% said don't know or refused to answer! That makes the whole thing very questionable!
Yes, I noticed that and maybe there is some hope there.
AND bear in mind the reluctance of the right-wing media to show Chris Hipkins tearing strips of the COC members in Parliament, and many/most of his other activities on the campaign trail - unfortunately the "public" who aren't engaged like Nick's readers equate visibility with effectiveness. There is a period before election day where media have to give fair coverage, so 🤞🤞🤞 Luxon continues to bumble & Chippy gets more air time ...
Watching Luxon bletherin again about unity plus other untruths in his 57 second announcement and refusing to take questions I once again thought "Oma rapeti, oma rapeti, oma, oma, oma" ... ye gods the utter arrogance and cowardice of this mana-less man - like trump his monumental ego will never let him quit for the good of his party and country - roll on November 7th.
Lol, now I can't get that song out of my head. Memories of singing it around the huge kitchen fire place at the Marae. Guitars on the go, Run rabbit run rabbit run run run, Oma rapiti, oma rapiti, oma oma oma...🎸
Glad to engender such lovely memories for you Wikitoria - I wonder if Luxon has ever felt such closeness, joy and sense of community? somehow I doubt it.
Such poignant words. 🙏
He had the perfect opportunity to pause - talk to the press and therefore the Nation hanging waiting and wondering ..... but once again, off he went in his 'i'm much too busy & important to waste my precious time talking to you lot"..... so much so that one can only come to the conclusion that all is not well - the direct opposite of what was coming out of his mouth! And that generally is his attitude when it comes to the press..... unless it's some staged tik tok he's composed himself?
Exactly right Lynda, his body language is always much more eloquent and truthful than his mouth! .... I am really looking forward to the campaign debates where he cannot run and hide, I just hope there are decent moderators appointed!
All of the polls miss the overseas vote, which has reliably given the left a seat boost at the final result.
That is true, we often see the Greens and/or Labour pick up a seat or two while National goes down on the final vote compared to election night. I do wonder how well-informed Kiwis living overseas are about the shortened enrolment period.
I guess a lot of us have relations overseas. Time to get in touch!
Done that!
My two children overseas are more than aware of how this govt are destroying Aotearoa and are both Green supporters. I'm informed that their Kiwi friends overseas are also Green supporters
It's always good to watch the faces behind Luxon - they tell the true story. While Luxon stands and waffles his way through something or other that doesn't make sense.
Love it - it's so comical especially No Boats with her smirky sneery grin - SO FAKE!
who is the other sour dour looking woman on his other side, also nodding her head along to what he was saying. and staring Blankly ahead. Weird.
That was Sylvia Wood, Nat Party President.
I thought so. Why is she there, she's not government?
To make sure the party line is held.
Thank you. Never heard of her
I have a feeling she is the National Party President? She was giving a speech at the last Convention probably donated quite a few dollars too I should imagine?
I was so anxious waiting hoping NOT to see she was PM!!!! Biggest nightmare imaginable!
didn't they look a gloomy lot! And that was BEFORE he dismissed Penk
Yes! I'd never thought of that - those that have left in droves - I doubt would be voting for the nats !
The TOP party have contacted me to let me know that is a fake account, although why they haven’t had it taken down is beyond me. Curiosity the account warns about another account as being fake.
Most peculiar.
They all looked like naughty schoolkids who got told off ....
There was 11% undecided/won't say as well... so lots of bluster about nothing much.
If nothing else, Opportunity are getting people talking about tax... and what might be fairer ways to collect tax than simply taxing work. We always have to remember that the wealthiest people are paying the least tax on their income, while poorest pay tax on EVERY cent they earn.
If it's correct that Luxton has 6 ?? media advisers and still makes as many faux pas as he does (including the presser yesterday) it certainly indicates that he is no leader and decidedly not even a passingly good PM. In fact he has proven to be the worst PM in the history of the country. So if there is no one in the National Party better than him why on earth do people continue to vote for such a bunch of incompetents. Back on track. Yeah right.
Am wondering if his advisers will keep the PM away from various media outlets to an even greater degree from now on to limit any more gaffes. It could end up like those awful staged Judith Collins "praying" and "walkabout with her own supporters" appearances.
All that intense media training the PM undertook some weeks ago seems to have been a waste of time. But Luxon always gives off a vibe of smugness and not needing to listen to advice.
And still dresses so badly. He always looks rumpled and his clothes aren't a good fit.
I think it's because he keeps lying all the time, and it's possibly people believe him.
Says a lot about how incompétent his media advisors must be though we know Luxon refuses to listen to advisors and experts.
I agree with you, Nick! I watched Jack Tame interviewing Penk and was quite impressed with him. He might be valuable for some other party?
I wonder if TOP is eyeing him up???
I agree with you, Nick! I saw Penk and and my impression of pink was rather positive – a nice change from the usual national party people. I’m glad he’s told them what to do with his seat…
Thanks Nick......Damien O'Connor dropping off popcorn was a highlight for me yesterday:). I don't feel bad about the exit of Chris Penk.....what is it with all the Chris's???....being ex-military (is anyone ever ex-military?), and given his statements about Aotearoa's nuclear position, he sounds like a hawk to me, and I'd be concerned about him reaching senior government positions in the future. I have also read nasty posts by him against Marama Davidson...and he seems to believe a full-term abortion in this country is legal and available. So...see-yaaa. I do wonder whether he has already been offered a place in another political party?
And...of great concern to me today, was a post by I Am Brie Elliot:
"On the same day Chris Penk was stripped of his ministerial portfolios and announced he won’t seek re-election, a judicial review was filed in the Wellington High Court challenging Government approvals for BlackSky satellite launches from New Zealand. Judith Collins, when she was Minister for Space, approved four BlackSky launches.Chris Penk, after taking over the Space portfolio, approved another 26 in April. Both are named in the legal challenge.The plaintiffs say the satellites could provide imagery and intelligence capable of being used by Israel’s military in Gaza, and they are challenging whether the Government properly exercised its legal obligations when approving the launches."
I'm not saying the two events are linked, although nothing would surprise me from this CoC. This is a huge story....Aotearoa could potential be solidly linked to genocide (as opposed to the mealy-mouthed say-nothings and overt Zionist support from our shameless coalition members). And as far as I know, it was either not reported yesterday, or was so low on the priority news list, I missed it!
Thanks for reporting all the weirdness for us Nick, have a great rest of the day!
Yes, I have been wondering the same . . . . . As I read I am Brie Elliot, That is abit of a worry-concern . Judith Collins is Truly a nasty piece and only serves herself !
and that Penk was involved in the negotiations and now he's been 'removed'?????
wow that is a huge worry. I agree it is vitally important to keep an eye on this. Good to hear a judicial review was filed.
Luxon..the no-show at Waitangi.
The man that had an opinionless opinion.
And why did 'the party faithful', Bishop, Penk, Goldsmith, Willis et all, look as though they only survived the coup by having a carrot inserted up their bottom.
I guess it must've been the carrot.
My money's on Goldie. After all the years of taking a hit for ACT, he surely deserves to go off to a nice rural safe seat, He's good enough to pick up all of Penk's portfolios including Minister of Space (snigger). Mind you, Defence and Space do kind of go together given Rocket Lab's military contracts with the US. On the others : Phil T will win Henderson ; the boundaries have changed. I am sure Angee Nicholas will have noticed. Nancy Lu crossed my mind, but I know the now renamed former Helensville electorate (having stood there a long time ago against John Key). They will be looking for a nice white hail me hearties kind of guy. I did wonder whether Penk snitched on Luxon about his using military aircraft! Remember that? Was it only last week?
Goldsmith the smiling assassin.
I like the rear-view mirror cartoon - except, the next picture would be Q on the ground under a mangled bike shortly after Winston flings open the driver door to take her out, metaphorically, of course - shouting Sorry Mate, I Didn't See Q There
Yes, if it wasn’t so painful I would be laughing at what we are witnessing. It’s a wonder the satirists haven’t depicted the group of faces at the stand-up media show. They all reminded me of a group of school children who had just been scolded by scrooge. These people are so good. Thanks so much.
Yes all very interesting. I cannot believe that latest poll though with Luxon ahead of Chris Hipkins as preferred PM. National have had their day. Nothing they do is of benefit to this country.
🫣 Unpopular opinion, but this is the first (& probably last!) time I've felt sorry for Luxon ... I mean, he does come across as an unfeeling brute when it comes to us bottom feeders & all those who aren't wealthy & sorted, but surely inside it must hurt to have to call TWO caucus meetings within months/weeks to plead/beg/grovel to keep your empty title ( we ALL know who is the REAL PM!) & face your family and "friends" knowing that they know that you are such a total numpty in front of the whole country ... AGAIN?😱
And NO! I don't think Q & her fellow possible MP's give me any confidence as a "kingmaker", but YES! it is surely better than NZLast & the racist 💉 who leads them, plus at least we would have real human beings such as Labour, the Greens, & TPM in charge of the country 👍
Let us hope with wider focus leading up to the election, & distractions such as Nats grabbing the headlines for all the wrong reasons, voters will KNOW what each party's values truly are & be judicious with their electorate & party votes. IF they choose to make TOP the kingmaker AND we get the current coalition parties out of our lives, then it has to be better than now... right ⁉️
I wouldn’t feel too sorry for Luxon, Cindy, even once. Everything he has been through has been brought about by himself. He isn’t the man for the job as even Matthew Hooton, former Luxo acolyte, admitted this morning. He still has plenty of time to trip over the feet in his mouth before the election. Let’s hope he makes the most of any opportunity.
As for TOP, some of their ideals are very noble but I think they might be taking things too fast, too soon. They have next to zero political experience across the board and are about to be launched into another very different, demanding and difficult world to the one they’re used to. To believe they can draw right and left wings together and remain centrist is somewhat naive and is fraught with potential problems for all. I can’t help but think that some of this party are bright young people oozing optimism and enthusiasm for a brand new world. I wish them well, with some reserve. Maybe Chloe or Chippy might pop around for a visit and let them know what they’re really in for.