27 Comments

So true Nick. I missed that breakfast segment ; will have to go find it now. I really rate Kieran, but you are right about Chippy too. What we need from opposition now is pushback and intelligent arguments, not any internal fighting, and definitely not corporate CEO (ala Luxon) speak. I admire journalists who are prepared to call this out, and you are right ; ABF is outstanding. We have time to rebuild on the Left and prepare for government again, because while we all hope for this government to fall, it's certainly not gonna happen until Winston has a "come to Jesus" moment. In the meantime, we should not let them off the hook for anything. And batton down the hatches, because we are in for a rocky ride.

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I heard luxaflake tell everyone this morning that the cost of building in NZ was 50% high than Australia and that he was going to allow building materials in from overseas. Was he hiding under a rock when Grenfell went up? Leaky homes anyone.

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Apr 4Liked by Nick Rockel

Agree we must give Chippy a chance- he is a man of integrity and a real politician- not someone pretending that it’s their real job! And as you said prior to the election people were looking for a change but now once the realisation has hit they are scrabbling to find a positive from all the crap coming out now

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Apr 4Liked by Nick Rockel

Yes Nick, many people went (or didn't go) to the ballot box with their eyes wide shut. I think there is still a worrying level of political naivety in the general population. I sensed a much greater political awareness amongst younger Maori this last election and that has to be a good thing.

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Apr 4Liked by Nick Rockel

Very good read. It's interesting that this lot are now saying that the "back office" cuts are now due to a recession. It wasn't that long ago that we were told that the " back office " cuts were necessary in order to help pay for tax cuts for the "hard working squeezed middle".

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Yep, that's the way it works, more dollars = more votes. Trot out the mantra "bakontrack" enough times and people - well, some will believe it! It's called behavior modification, the main aim of all advertising! We do as we are told!

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Sorry Nick, I’m not ready to apologise to Chippy yet. His time in charge was spent cancelling or watering down any policy that might risk the ire of focus groups or the elusive median voter. We need a Labour leader who believes, not just reacts.

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Just saying, Luxon is in fact 'project' managing the country. He uses the terminology of Prince2 ... somewhat out of date too I should add (I qualified in 2009)! It was designed to ensure government projects could deliver what their business cases promised. ... I don't think any of what the Government is doing could pass a responsible decision gate. For a start, all the pieces have to be validated, not just steam-rollered through in haste based on cost. So he can't even get that right. But why am I surprised?

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Apr 3Liked by Nick Rockel

Absolutely factual!!

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Luckily, our television died.

I was always threatening to Throw it out the window. ! Hideous Vile thing.

Not so sure people of "not Aotearoa, its New Zealand", are Sensible.

Gullible, easily manipulated and We want Change brigade, My goddess I was sick of that mantra !!

Scary shit going on out there.

this coalition of cock-ups seem to relish bringing as much damage and destruction to the Beautiful Aotearoa/New Zealand,

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Wow. I love your take on this. Thank you for keeping it real AND funny. Im really struggling to understand how anyone could think that National and coalition friends have the experience kindness and wisdom to lead a country. Instead I see self serving people with heads in the trough

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I agree that those few journalists are subjecting the government to more scrutiny than they did when in opposition; maybe that’s the point. However to let any opposition get away with blatant untruths and to repeat them as facts in their editorials turned out to be very undemocratic in the lead up and result of this election. The media still fails to challenge the description of Labour’s economic management as “ vandalism”.

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I enjoy your Koreros Nick. They're always thought provoking. However, unlike you, in large parts I do blame the media for spreading roundup on a feild that was growing crops to feed ALL KIWIS. As a result we now have a right-wing government with a 3 year mandate, determined to plant and grow feed for a VERY select few.

Western democracies are deeply flawed because the owners of corporations have bought mainstream media and control the narrative. When a mostly ill-informed, uneducated, anesthetized public is fed a narrative that says if you're poor it's because Maori are given preferential treatment that keeps you poor. When you're ill, Maori will be first in line for hospital space. When your water supplies fall into disrepair it's the fault of Te Tiriti o Waitangi who want Maori to have more, than their fair share of access to clean potable water, then don't be surprised if the same ignorant and now frightened people vote to replace their perceived oppressors.

I have commented before that National were handed power on a plate by a media that never challenged the lies spread at the hustings, and instead focused on the tittle tattle of some Labour ministers and now Greens who for whatever reason dropped their respective balls. The 'Gotcha' bullshit has absolutely nothing to do with exposing the disgraceful agenda that the current government signaled well before the election and is now carrying out. The bleatings of leading media personalities now, concerning just how awful this coalition is, is too little and way too late.

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Warning: Salesmen at work. Proceed with caution.

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But the media can only lead the horse to water. I know it’s hard to expect a lot from the public. Especially when they’re drinking from the fire hose of stupidity offered by ZB, the Platform or Reality Checked out long ago Radio. But the onus is on us.

This.

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Dead right!!!

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