Kiwiblog

Karl du Fresne blogs a quote from John Hayes about the teacher unions trying to boycott the proposed national standards:

“I spent 30 years working for a range of Governments. Sometimes I agreed with the policies the Government wanted, sometimes I did not. My views were irrelevant. My job as a public servant was to implement the Governments policies irrespective of my personal views. That is how democracy works in New Zealand. If a state employee does not want to implement a particular policy, like National Standards, that’s fine, they should resign and find employment in an environment that suits them better. It is not however acceptable for them to remain on the Government’s payroll and work against the Government’s policies.”

Hear hear.

Tags: John Hayes, Karl du Fresne, national standards

Whanganui had a 3% lead in the party vote in 2005, and this expanded out to 22% in 2008. And the 3,500 majority for Borrows goes to 6,000.

Rangitikei sees a 25% lead in the party vote and Simon Power moves his majority from 9,000 to 11,000.

Tukituki has an 18% lead in the party vote, and a 2,600 majority for Craig Foss gets a boost thanks to Labour’s sacking of the local District Health Board to over 7,000.

Palmerston North has been held by Labour since 1978. The party vote was narrowly won by National but Labour’s Iain Lees-Galloway held off Malcolm Plimmer by 1,000 votes.

Wairarapa has National 17% ahead on the party vote. And John Hayes turns the seat safe with a 2,900 majority converting to 6,300 in 2008.

Otaki was a huge battle. I’ve door knocked Otaki in the past and it is not natural National territory in the Horowhenua parts. So winning the party vote by 8% is good for National after trailling by 3% last time. Darren Hughes put up a huge fight to protect his sub 400 majority but Nathan Guy grabbed the seat by almost 1,500.

In Wellington, Labour does a lot better starting with Mana. Labour remains 6% ahead on the party vote but reduced from 18% in 2005. Winnie Laban’s 6,800 majority shrinks only slightly to 5.300.

Rimutaka was the last hope for NZ First. Labour won the party vote there in 2005 by 11% and in 2008 by 0.3%. On the electorate vote just as narrow with Labour’s Chris Hipkins pipping Richard Whiteside by 600 votes. Ron Mark got a credible 5,000 votes but stll trailed by 7,000.

Hutt South is home to Wainuiomata and Trevor Mallard. Trevor delivered a party vote margin for Labour of 4% and a 3,600 majority for himself. In 2005 the party vote margin was 14% and the personal majority 6,600 so some movement there.

Rongotai is now the home of the Labour Deputy Leader. But even before her ascension, Rongotai gave Labour a massive 11% margin on the party vote – 43% to 32% for National. And her personal 13,000 majority in 2005 was only slightly dented to just under 8,000. If that is her low tide mark, she’ll be happy.

Wellington Central saw in 2005 a party vote for National of just 33%, Labour 43% and Greens around 16%. In 2008 it was National 36%, Labour 34% and Greens around 20%. Marian Hobbs had a 5,800 majority and Stephen Franks cut that to 1,500 against new MP Grant Robertson with some Green party votes giving Robertson their electorate vote to keep Franks out.

Ohariu was assumed by almost everyone to be safe as houses for Peter Dunne. But it got close this time. First on the party vote, National beat Labour 43% to 40% in 2005. This time it was 47% to 33%. On the candidate vote Peter Dunne dropped from 45% to 33% making him vulnerable. National’s Katrina Shanks lifted her vote from 21% to 26% and Labour’s Charles Chauvel from 26% to 30%. The Greens candidate got 7% of the vote and may have ironically saved the seat for Dunne.

Tags: Annette King, Charles Chauvel, Chester Borrows, Chris Hipkins, Craig Foss, Darren Hughes, Election 2008, Grant Robertson, Hutt South, Iain Lees-Galloway, John Hayes, Katrina Shanks, Malcolm Plimmer, Mana, Marian Hobbs, Nathan Guy, Ohariu, Otaki, Palmerston North, Peter Dunne, Rangitikei, Richard Whiteside, Rimutaka, Ron Mark, Rongotai, Simon Power, Stephen Franks, Trevor Mallard, Tukituki, Wairarapa, Wellington Central, Whanganui, Winnie Laban

Three more interviews from the blogmobile, from during the week.

This one was interesting, as we did it while driving. Nikki Kaye was down from Auckland to appears in Back Benchers. Her plane was delayed though and we didn’t leave the airport until 8.40 pm, with the live show starting just after 9 pm.

So we did the interview as we drove from the airport. I drove and asked the questions with Nikki in the passenger seat and Cameron standing up holding the camera. Amazingly it came out okay.

Nikki said the economy was the number one issue in Auckland Central and her first election was at school to become Head Prefect. She goes for McCain but diplomatically also praised Obama and Clinton.

In response to the question on what will she do with her tax cuts, Nikki revealed that sadly she has been a full-time candidate so the tax cuts won’t benefit her at all. And in response to Goff vs Cunliffe, she opted for depression if she had to choose

Then the next day we ran into John Hayes in Wairarapa and interviewed John in front of his vehicle.

We talked about the peacock called Winston and his propensity to shit everywhere. Without hesitation he said the biggest issue in the Wairarapa was Helen Clark, and wanting to get rid of her. John revealed his first election was at Lincoln University for Student Association President, which he won.

On the international front John went for Obama over McCain, saying his head says Obama and his heart McCain. And the final Goff vs Cunliffe question got a response of Shane Jones – definitely a possible contender.

Final interview was Nick Bryant, who was our gracious host on his family vineyard and farm. Nick made some predictions for the parties for the election – NZ First 4%, Maori Party all seven seats and 3%, Greens 7% to 7.5%, Labour 33% to 34%, ACT 2.5% to 3%, National close to 50%.

Nick predicted Obama would romp in, as John looks too much like George. And in response to the traditional Goff vs Cunliffe questions, went for Cunliffe.

Tags: Blogmobile, John Hayes, Nick Bryant, Nikki Kaye