Of course the Greens got slammed on all sides for daring to lay out a plan that turned the usual approach on its head. But at the moment they are the only party saying anything worth considering.
- Increase tax on the very high income levels: earn over $1M? Good, pay your share
- Go after the mega corps transferring their revenue offshore such as Meta, Alphabet, big multinationals - buut no clever ideas on how to, sorry.
In other words get the tax revenue stream beefed up to pay for Health & Education by targeting that very small minority of the rich. The problem will be that those targeted have the funds to mount an agressive campaign against Labour.
We need to change the mindset of tax to be a badge of honour so the more you pay the bigger the kudos you get. "The wealthy Victorian Gentleperson who has the wherewithal to support those beneath"
👍 As I keep saying at every opportunity (hoping someone with the ear of someone who can do it 😁) DON'T call it a "Capital Gains Tax" as that has some real political baggage from years of mis/disinformation by those opposing it. DO have a comprehensive Tax package INCLUDING some form of capital gains, but call the whole thing "Fairness in Taxation" - the abbreviation FIT goes well with "FIT for purpose" "FIT for today" etc. & so hard to get up and say "I am opposed to Fairness in Taxation" ⁉️
How do we change that mindset without middle -upper wealthy don't feel threatened but feel proud and that it is a responsibility that comes with financial success? As for the uber-rich (think Zuru owners) - tax 'em so that an Uber rich class no longer exists.
And she did. Bang on, Janet. If Labour doesn’t hurry up and energise itself it will be too late, especially with Peters free to start campaigning and Seymour lying and riding roughshod over us all. More like this please, analysts and commentators.
The “vision” thing is always tricky this far out from an election. I agree with some of the comments about Labour’s campaign in 2023 : but Chippy took over as PM just nine months before. There is usually a well baked in plan and manifesto done by then but Jacinda leaving made it really hard (I don’t blame her). I also remember what we lost and continue to lose every day and things particularly dear to me ; Fair Pay Agreements, decent minimum wage, Living Wage for govt contractors, Pay Equity, Health & Safety protections - to name a few - all gone, I also know that Labour members take the policy formation process seriously. They are deep in it now and everywhere I look there are forums, conferences, local meetings, union discussions and of course tax is on the agenda. It is easier I imagine for smaller parties like the Greens with their alternative budget, but you see what happens. It gives ammunition to the right who will from now until the election try to scaremonger about a Lab/Green/TPM alternative. Yes I know it’s rubbish, but I am never convinced there is one big line that will “inspire” people. It is hard slog ; on the phones, on the doorsteps, in the community, in the workplace. Nor will you ever convince me that changing the leader is a good strategy. I read Jacinda’s bit about David Cunliffe. And she is dead right as proven in the 2014 massacre.
Absolutely Darien still time to go so that Cluxton and his crew don't have so long to shoot down everything Labour are offering. For me it's good old fashioned be Labour and look after the workers doing the mahi.
I'm amazed at Janet Wilson's scathing comments about her Party - good on her for telling it like it is!
However I don't share the view that others have when bewailing the fact that Labour hasn't published any major policy details yet.
What's the hurry?
They are either still working through them, or are keeping them under wraps until they can be more certain of how they need to respond to the heartless destruction of every decent law we have that protects us from the greed of the corporate / libertarian / selfish people who support the drastic changes this current government has been systematically introducing.
If Chippy announced policies now that he might have to change later he would be ridiculed and accused of flip-flopping.
Such early notice would also give information to the right wing and thus more time to campaign against the proposed policies.
I'm happy to wait. As the saying goes...."good things take time".
Agree, we know how well resourced the right wing are, particularly with some big media players happy to give them a boost. Labour would be stupid to give out details before laying the groundwork and having their strategy organised
Agree - Chris Hipkins even said to produce details now would be based upon what the CoC do right now and therefore wasted effort as they’ll just move the goalposts again meaning that Labour would too - better to wait.
I guess we’re all ready to dump the CoC right now with a snap election instead!
Fair comment, Lesley, but overreach, sadly. We're not 'all' ready to dump the CoC, as seen in the latest polls. All of us on here might be, but the opposition needs to work away at continuing to highlight the CoC failures and getting the ambivalent engaged. It's a hard ask. Perhaps by the end of this year, when 2025 budget is starting to be felt and understood by those dozing on the sidelines, there will be hope. Sorry, I'm a bit out of sorts with our humanity at the moment.
I do understand your comment but I never wanted the CoC government in the first place as many others here on the post comments proffer too, so for me it’s no overreach rather an extermination of bad politics affecting the poor, health, jobs, environment and infrastructure, not forgetting diplomacy either.
The latest polls do nothing to convince me it’s what the public believe - it’s just a snippet - who do they actually poll!?
I agree that there is a large group of people who are steadfast National, NZ First or god help me Act supporters but they’ve shown their true hard far right colours and we’re seeing a change in attitude toward them, that is slightly encouraging but still have work to do in supporting kiwis and not the Atlas Think Tanks pervading our economy.
People will always come first and I’m voicing my stance with many of Nicks (and others) left and central leaning ideologies.
Thing is, I remember the Muldoon years who wreaked havoc on our infrastructure creating a massive headache for Lange who took over for Labour after piggy almost bankrupted the country. All my super disappeared as many others will also recall. The same thing is happening with the current CoC parties but I have little faith in CoC to do otherwise. Since Muldoon there has not been one Nat politician who I’ve considered worthwhile backing due to the politics they offer.
I look forward to the day all parties can sit down and discuss issues to benefit all, not just the wealthy - I’m sickened by the non answers from Luxon, tired of Seymour’s lies and simply had a bellyful of ignorant Māori haters who refuse to understand co-governance and different cultures to express their viewpoints.
Willis’ ego and arrogance in full view when a take over of the ferries could have been done on a bi-partisan agreement, just as one example, but they won’t and I’m not sitting back and letting them stuff up this beautiful country!
My point, Lesley, is that this (Nick's) community are like-minded people. It's those (polled 11% undecided/no comment in particular) who are not, and that we need to educate/wake-up about what this CoC are doing to destroy the fabric of our beautiful country. ...Apologies, if I failed to communicate that clearly.
All good Annie - just frustrated I suppose with the machinations of the CoC and yes I did see your point! 🌸
It’s feels good to stick together with likeminded peoples through Nick and Gerard - information is invaluable with protest dates and relevant information - would troll the opposition but prefer to keep my sanity!
You may be right Mary but a lot of people feel like democracy is dying in the dark! It’s high time Labour worked with the Greens, adopted David Parkers tax reforms & spoke with a loud voice. We need hope & we need people to engage, people who don’t usually vote. Labour has had time to work on policy & it must be good for everyone. People don’t watch Parliament Live. They are too busy just getting by! The Left must work together with kindness & empathy showing how different they are from the coalition.
Can't say I agree with keeping your powder dry, that's for paintball games. How about starting with a grounded philosophy (as per the green 4 pillars), stating your actions to achieve that philosophy. Shout it from the roof tops and defend it.
Oldies such as myself, lived and worked in a pre neoliberalist utopia (compared to now) and really most of what the Greens proposed was what we had prior to Douglas. Dental nurses at the murder house in almost every school etc. Luxon and his CoC are actually a great advertisement for a labour led coalition at the moment, its perhaps a bit premature for chippy to show his hand while Luxon is destroying Aotearoa. There does need to be a major point of difference from a left coalition and I have confidence that the left have formulated a united plan.
As a Green member I am biased, but I do think the built in assumption that the current major parties will always be the major parties needs to be tested and not just repeated by pundits and taken as inevitable by voters. Look, for example, at the UK. Not sure we'd want that outcome but major parties can fall and new ones can rise.
Greens even on 25% could be transformative. I'm somewhat convinced I might live to see that, and will certainly be doing all I can to make it a reality.
TPM, I feel are looking at a huge boost next election, they represent 20% of the population with a growing, articulate, politically aware youth base that has been untaped. I agree with you regarding the Greens, they are growing by the year, again it is new blood from new voters.
National has vacated the center right and as you say Labour is slow and fuzzy. Difficult to get excited about even though Labours ministers are generally head and shoulders above the COC's.
I am concerned that Luxcon is not saying that RSB submissions are able to cancel the bill rather alter it slightly before it is passed. Even a slightly diluted RSB bill will be a significant win for Atlas and the puppet masters.
I have no doubt that politicians of all stripes are well aware of the predicament the planet and ourselves are in, but to maintain favour with their supporters, they have to support the status quo. Perhaps it will take a disaster or two to press home the point, and convince even the worst petrolhead antiwoke redneck that there may be something wrong.
There will be apathy and demoralisation in voters by the time the next election rolls around. We will need to see a clear vision backed by sound, costed credible policies and commitments that offer an improved everyday reality — to inspire and engage enough voters to get them to actually vote.
Exactly right, sure Chippie will be a better pm than cluxon, but bloody hell that's a low bar. And, like you, I want to see a proper plan as to what your going to do tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. Not some daft slogan of Jobs, Health, Homes. Or worse still 'getting back on track'.
Yes, the Atlas machine scuppered three waters and Australia’s voice and I am sure they were fully expecting that they would be able to do the same with the Treaty Principles Bill and “force” (LOL) Luxon and co to “change their minds” and make it law.
The amazing number of active and focused and well organised supporters of the Toitū te Tiriti mobilisation will have been a shock to them. They’re being played in the game they thought, with their huge financial support, that they could never lose.
And there’s more to come with opposition to the Regulatory Standards Bill.
Hopefully, given the very small voter numbers of the rich and “powerful” who have been used to calling the tune, these push-backs will give Labour confidence to get on with the CGT and/or wealth tax.
While I agree with pretty much everything that’s been said, one vital point is missing. To gain any traction before the next election, Labour has to appeal to and woo the increasing immigrant population away from the right, whose promises of wealth and prosperity were found to be just more lies, last time. The human face of AotearoaNZ is changing rapidly and to ignore the opportunity to reach out to those new voters is self defeating. Like Gerard, I don’t have the magic answer, but there’s a wealth of good people behind Labour, Greens and TPM who could perhaps engage with each other to find a solution to the current situation.
Chippy needs a hard-man sidekick- if he were to try and pull such a thing off himself it would come across as insincere. Unfortunately the Labour party weeds these types out at selection level. The only place you'll see the appropriate feisty demeanour is in TPM, and unfortunately the tikanga of their protests doesn't necessarily carry much of the 'less culturally sensitive' pakeha working-class population (i.e. the voters that Labour needs, but that risk being attracted to the far-right) along with it.
He is probably the most likely candidate. Also, as a declared 'socialist' probably the most receptive to essential ideas that might not align with the 'recent tradition' within Labour higher-ups of forelock-tugging to the neoliberal consensus.
They've got Willie Jackson for hardman sidekick. He did a great job this afternoon scuttling the faux rage emanating from ACT and Winnie the pooh in particular.
Of course the Greens got slammed on all sides for daring to lay out a plan that turned the usual approach on its head. But at the moment they are the only party saying anything worth considering.
Totally agree. And I like their plan.
Agreed
For Labour to win:
- Capital Gains tax: It's time, Moriarty!
- Increase tax on the very high income levels: earn over $1M? Good, pay your share
- Go after the mega corps transferring their revenue offshore such as Meta, Alphabet, big multinationals - buut no clever ideas on how to, sorry.
In other words get the tax revenue stream beefed up to pay for Health & Education by targeting that very small minority of the rich. The problem will be that those targeted have the funds to mount an agressive campaign against Labour.
We need to change the mindset of tax to be a badge of honour so the more you pay the bigger the kudos you get. "The wealthy Victorian Gentleperson who has the wherewithal to support those beneath"
👍 As I keep saying at every opportunity (hoping someone with the ear of someone who can do it 😁) DON'T call it a "Capital Gains Tax" as that has some real political baggage from years of mis/disinformation by those opposing it. DO have a comprehensive Tax package INCLUDING some form of capital gains, but call the whole thing "Fairness in Taxation" - the abbreviation FIT goes well with "FIT for purpose" "FIT for today" etc. & so hard to get up and say "I am opposed to Fairness in Taxation" ⁉️
Love this FIT ✅✅
Absolutely! Tax is Love!
How do we change that mindset without middle -upper wealthy don't feel threatened but feel proud and that it is a responsibility that comes with financial success? As for the uber-rich (think Zuru owners) - tax 'em so that an Uber rich class no longer exists.
And she did. Bang on, Janet. If Labour doesn’t hurry up and energise itself it will be too late, especially with Peters free to start campaigning and Seymour lying and riding roughshod over us all. More like this please, analysts and commentators.
The “vision” thing is always tricky this far out from an election. I agree with some of the comments about Labour’s campaign in 2023 : but Chippy took over as PM just nine months before. There is usually a well baked in plan and manifesto done by then but Jacinda leaving made it really hard (I don’t blame her). I also remember what we lost and continue to lose every day and things particularly dear to me ; Fair Pay Agreements, decent minimum wage, Living Wage for govt contractors, Pay Equity, Health & Safety protections - to name a few - all gone, I also know that Labour members take the policy formation process seriously. They are deep in it now and everywhere I look there are forums, conferences, local meetings, union discussions and of course tax is on the agenda. It is easier I imagine for smaller parties like the Greens with their alternative budget, but you see what happens. It gives ammunition to the right who will from now until the election try to scaremonger about a Lab/Green/TPM alternative. Yes I know it’s rubbish, but I am never convinced there is one big line that will “inspire” people. It is hard slog ; on the phones, on the doorsteps, in the community, in the workplace. Nor will you ever convince me that changing the leader is a good strategy. I read Jacinda’s bit about David Cunliffe. And she is dead right as proven in the 2014 massacre.
Absolutely Darien still time to go so that Cluxton and his crew don't have so long to shoot down everything Labour are offering. For me it's good old fashioned be Labour and look after the workers doing the mahi.
I'm amazed at Janet Wilson's scathing comments about her Party - good on her for telling it like it is!
However I don't share the view that others have when bewailing the fact that Labour hasn't published any major policy details yet.
What's the hurry?
They are either still working through them, or are keeping them under wraps until they can be more certain of how they need to respond to the heartless destruction of every decent law we have that protects us from the greed of the corporate / libertarian / selfish people who support the drastic changes this current government has been systematically introducing.
If Chippy announced policies now that he might have to change later he would be ridiculed and accused of flip-flopping.
Such early notice would also give information to the right wing and thus more time to campaign against the proposed policies.
I'm happy to wait. As the saying goes...."good things take time".
Agree, we know how well resourced the right wing are, particularly with some big media players happy to give them a boost. Labour would be stupid to give out details before laying the groundwork and having their strategy organised
Agree - Chris Hipkins even said to produce details now would be based upon what the CoC do right now and therefore wasted effort as they’ll just move the goalposts again meaning that Labour would too - better to wait.
I guess we’re all ready to dump the CoC right now with a snap election instead!
Fair comment, Lesley, but overreach, sadly. We're not 'all' ready to dump the CoC, as seen in the latest polls. All of us on here might be, but the opposition needs to work away at continuing to highlight the CoC failures and getting the ambivalent engaged. It's a hard ask. Perhaps by the end of this year, when 2025 budget is starting to be felt and understood by those dozing on the sidelines, there will be hope. Sorry, I'm a bit out of sorts with our humanity at the moment.
I do understand your comment but I never wanted the CoC government in the first place as many others here on the post comments proffer too, so for me it’s no overreach rather an extermination of bad politics affecting the poor, health, jobs, environment and infrastructure, not forgetting diplomacy either.
The latest polls do nothing to convince me it’s what the public believe - it’s just a snippet - who do they actually poll!?
I agree that there is a large group of people who are steadfast National, NZ First or god help me Act supporters but they’ve shown their true hard far right colours and we’re seeing a change in attitude toward them, that is slightly encouraging but still have work to do in supporting kiwis and not the Atlas Think Tanks pervading our economy.
People will always come first and I’m voicing my stance with many of Nicks (and others) left and central leaning ideologies.
Thing is, I remember the Muldoon years who wreaked havoc on our infrastructure creating a massive headache for Lange who took over for Labour after piggy almost bankrupted the country. All my super disappeared as many others will also recall. The same thing is happening with the current CoC parties but I have little faith in CoC to do otherwise. Since Muldoon there has not been one Nat politician who I’ve considered worthwhile backing due to the politics they offer.
I look forward to the day all parties can sit down and discuss issues to benefit all, not just the wealthy - I’m sickened by the non answers from Luxon, tired of Seymour’s lies and simply had a bellyful of ignorant Māori haters who refuse to understand co-governance and different cultures to express their viewpoints.
Willis’ ego and arrogance in full view when a take over of the ferries could have been done on a bi-partisan agreement, just as one example, but they won’t and I’m not sitting back and letting them stuff up this beautiful country!
My point, Lesley, is that this (Nick's) community are like-minded people. It's those (polled 11% undecided/no comment in particular) who are not, and that we need to educate/wake-up about what this CoC are doing to destroy the fabric of our beautiful country. ...Apologies, if I failed to communicate that clearly.
All good Annie - just frustrated I suppose with the machinations of the CoC and yes I did see your point! 🌸
It’s feels good to stick together with likeminded peoples through Nick and Gerard - information is invaluable with protest dates and relevant information - would troll the opposition but prefer to keep my sanity!
Love your thoughts agree 💯
You may be right Mary but a lot of people feel like democracy is dying in the dark! It’s high time Labour worked with the Greens, adopted David Parkers tax reforms & spoke with a loud voice. We need hope & we need people to engage, people who don’t usually vote. Labour has had time to work on policy & it must be good for everyone. People don’t watch Parliament Live. They are too busy just getting by! The Left must work together with kindness & empathy showing how different they are from the coalition.
I agree with you, Kathy, particularly your last sentence.
I have been advocating that for years.
Can't say I agree with keeping your powder dry, that's for paintball games. How about starting with a grounded philosophy (as per the green 4 pillars), stating your actions to achieve that philosophy. Shout it from the roof tops and defend it.
My thoughts exactly, Mary.
Well said Mary.
Oldies such as myself, lived and worked in a pre neoliberalist utopia (compared to now) and really most of what the Greens proposed was what we had prior to Douglas. Dental nurses at the murder house in almost every school etc. Luxon and his CoC are actually a great advertisement for a labour led coalition at the moment, its perhaps a bit premature for chippy to show his hand while Luxon is destroying Aotearoa. There does need to be a major point of difference from a left coalition and I have confidence that the left have formulated a united plan.
As a Green member I am biased, but I do think the built in assumption that the current major parties will always be the major parties needs to be tested and not just repeated by pundits and taken as inevitable by voters. Look, for example, at the UK. Not sure we'd want that outcome but major parties can fall and new ones can rise.
Greens even on 25% could be transformative. I'm somewhat convinced I might live to see that, and will certainly be doing all I can to make it a reality.
TPM, I feel are looking at a huge boost next election, they represent 20% of the population with a growing, articulate, politically aware youth base that has been untaped. I agree with you regarding the Greens, they are growing by the year, again it is new blood from new voters.
National has vacated the center right and as you say Labour is slow and fuzzy. Difficult to get excited about even though Labours ministers are generally head and shoulders above the COC's.
I am concerned that Luxcon is not saying that RSB submissions are able to cancel the bill rather alter it slightly before it is passed. Even a slightly diluted RSB bill will be a significant win for Atlas and the puppet masters.
Labour has moved into that vacated space, at least part-way.
Now they need to start rattling some cages.
I have no doubt that politicians of all stripes are well aware of the predicament the planet and ourselves are in, but to maintain favour with their supporters, they have to support the status quo. Perhaps it will take a disaster or two to press home the point, and convince even the worst petrolhead antiwoke redneck that there may be something wrong.
There will be apathy and demoralisation in voters by the time the next election rolls around. We will need to see a clear vision backed by sound, costed credible policies and commitments that offer an improved everyday reality — to inspire and engage enough voters to get them to actually vote.
Exactly right, sure Chippie will be a better pm than cluxon, but bloody hell that's a low bar. And, like you, I want to see a proper plan as to what your going to do tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. Not some daft slogan of Jobs, Health, Homes. Or worse still 'getting back on track'.
I miss feeling hopeful instead of struggling. Things were far from perfect before, but it seemed to me there was always hope.
Janet Wilson. Wow!
How will she vote in 2026?
Yes, the Atlas machine scuppered three waters and Australia’s voice and I am sure they were fully expecting that they would be able to do the same with the Treaty Principles Bill and “force” (LOL) Luxon and co to “change their minds” and make it law.
The amazing number of active and focused and well organised supporters of the Toitū te Tiriti mobilisation will have been a shock to them. They’re being played in the game they thought, with their huge financial support, that they could never lose.
And there’s more to come with opposition to the Regulatory Standards Bill.
Hopefully, given the very small voter numbers of the rich and “powerful” who have been used to calling the tune, these push-backs will give Labour confidence to get on with the CGT and/or wealth tax.
Good newsletter Nick - agree with you but hope Labour will come through with the goods. Very moving song for so many reasons.
While I agree with pretty much everything that’s been said, one vital point is missing. To gain any traction before the next election, Labour has to appeal to and woo the increasing immigrant population away from the right, whose promises of wealth and prosperity were found to be just more lies, last time. The human face of AotearoaNZ is changing rapidly and to ignore the opportunity to reach out to those new voters is self defeating. Like Gerard, I don’t have the magic answer, but there’s a wealth of good people behind Labour, Greens and TPM who could perhaps engage with each other to find a solution to the current situation.
Yes agree with you Nick. Labour, to win, needs not to be timid but bold like a lion and roar into everyone's consciousness.
Chippy needs a hard-man sidekick- if he were to try and pull such a thing off himself it would come across as insincere. Unfortunately the Labour party weeds these types out at selection level. The only place you'll see the appropriate feisty demeanour is in TPM, and unfortunately the tikanga of their protests doesn't necessarily carry much of the 'less culturally sensitive' pakeha working-class population (i.e. the voters that Labour needs, but that risk being attracted to the far-right) along with it.
Keiren McNaughty?
He is probably the most likely candidate. Also, as a declared 'socialist' probably the most receptive to essential ideas that might not align with the 'recent tradition' within Labour higher-ups of forelock-tugging to the neoliberal consensus.
He was my first thought.
They've got Willie Jackson for hardman sidekick. He did a great job this afternoon scuttling the faux rage emanating from ACT and Winnie the pooh in particular.