Archive for August, 2005

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  Maori seats

  
  
  
  Today’s audioblog (mp3, 0.8MB, 6.32 mins) is Metiria talking about whether the Maori seats should be entrenched and why. Enjoy. read more
  August 31, 2005 6:14 pm - 3 Comments
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  TV3 poll

  
  
  
  National has jumped into the lead in tonight’s TV3 poll, with a two-point lead over Labour: 41% plays 39%. The Greens and NZ First are both on 6%. As I suspected it might have been, Molesworth and Featherston’s calling of the election for Labour appears a little premature What does this poll tell us? [...] read more
  August 31, 2005 6:08 pm - 11 Comments
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  Moving New Zealand

  
  
  
  It’s nice of the Dominion Post to call Labour’s transport policy a “Green Party-look-alike” and “a watered-down version of the Green Party’s transport policy”. The Greens have had a significant influence on transport policy over the past three years, which has seen very large increases in the public transport and overall transport budgets. We’re looking [...] read more
  August 31, 2005 11:29 am - 5 Comments
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  How happy is Bill?

  
  
  
  During the current blow-up over Don Brash’s inbox, I have been wondering what Bill English must be making of the current state of his party. Is he still bitter about how a more extreme leader emerged to take over the National Party, propelled by Business Roundtable and Act types? Mr English has been dutifully silent [...] read more
  August 31, 2005 11:03 am - 4 Comments
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  Get out to vote

  
  
  
  If you’re not going to be in your electorate on September 17, I’d suggest you investigate casting an advance vote. Today is the first day advance votes can be cast, and a list of polling places, by electorate, can be found here. read more
  August 31, 2005 10:49 am - 6 Comments
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  Is victory around the corner?

  
  
  
  Respected tipsheet Molesworth & Featherston has called the election for the LPG team. Its latest edition says: Yes, yes, nothing is ever over until it’s over and a week, not to mention three, is a long time in politics. But the initial reaction to the tax cut package from National, added to the email leak to [...] read more
  August 31, 2005 10:23 am - 4 Comments
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  Voting students

  
  
  
  Talking about “the student vote” is a little demeaning, because it can suggest that students vote as a bloc and only care about “student issues”. Nevertheless, journalists – because shorthand is inevitable in the media – continue to go down this path. For example, it has become fashionable to say that Labour’s student loan policy [...] read more
  August 31, 2005 9:26 am - 3 Comments
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  Audioblog mark two

  
  
  
  Today’s second audioblog (mp3, 1.3MB, 11.23mins) is a wide-ranging interview with Rod. Speaking from Christchurch, Rod discusses various issues that have arisen on the campaign trail today, including attacks on the Greens from National. read more
  August 30, 2005 4:52 pm - No Comments
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  Cause and effect

  
  
  
  Today’s audioblog (mp3, 0.6MB, 4.55mins) is Sue K talking about the Greens’ health policy, which was released today. I talked to her about renaming the Ministry of Health, tackling the root causes of ill health, and helping prevent people from having adverse reactions to the medicines they’re taking. read more
  August 30, 2005 3:26 pm - 11 Comments
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  Don vs Jeanette

  
  
  
  It’s becoming very clear that New Zealanders face a stark choice on September 17 when it comes to the sense of national identity they want projected by their government. Don Brash and Jeanette have had a bit of a duel on this subject today. Don started with a speech in Tauranga, in which he said: We stand [...] read more
  August 30, 2005 2:26 pm - 2 Comments