frogblog

Today’s audioblog (mp3, 0.8MB, 6.32 mins) is Metiria talking about whether the Maori seats should be entrenched and why. Enjoy.

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? […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]