About
Contact
Advertise

Facebook
Twitter

September 29, 2026 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 29 September 2026

Like this:

Like Loading…

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Comment193

Uncategorized
General Debate

Comments (193)

Login to comment or vote

KKNZ2025

While we question the property rights of supermarkets, the UK goes full Marxist.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/angela-rayner-government-labour-england-david-lynch-b3057040.html
16 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:01am
- imalwaysright
  
  Hopefully they mean to prevent houses becoming derelict and running down property values.
  However, this is Labour, they are experts on the thin ends of wedges….
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 12:41pm
Yvette

Waitangi Tribunal
Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith has stated that the New Zealand Government rejects Treaty of Waitangi settlements containing an “agree-to-disagree” sovereignty clause, because under the 1840 Treaty Maori ceded sovereignty to the Crown.

The Waitangi Tribunal has previously concluded in historical inquiries (such as the Te Paparahi o Te Raki inquiry) that Māori chiefs did not cede sovereignty when signing te Tiriti o Waitangi
Minister Paul Goldsmith labeled the wording “constitutional adventurism” and refused to progress settlements that dispute the Crown’s current authority and sovereign status.

So, has the Tribunal now “painted itself into a corner” in that it must, in its own consistency and honesty, agree with tribal sovereignty clause claims, but also knows full well that the Crown will not accept them.

• Would a Left Coalition agree with “agree-to-disagree” sovereignty clauses?

• Those wanting to dis-establish the Tribunal need a cut-off date, when possible settlements, that become “hung” by sovereignty clauses, are dismissed.
35 1
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:03am
- Benedict Yu
  
  This goes to my comment yesterday. New Zealand cannot be a stable democracy if we cannot even decide whether parliament is sovereign. It must be resolved.
  
  Certainly in the far north of New Zealand, Maori sovereignty or independence, declared in 1835, is presented widely. Certainly within local government and by iwi.
  
  https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/declaration-of-independence-taming-the-frontier
  
  Well that’s interesting but what does it mean for modern New Zealand?
  
  39 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:20am
  - Yvette
    
    Benedict I fully agree. To have a “Nation’s Founding Document” which simply doesn’t make sense, is just embarrassingly weird.
    
    ACT’s proposed “Sovereignty Statement” bill, that “All New Zealand have equal rights and responsibilities, the Parliament naturally has the right to govern, proper procured private property is protected, and Government and all it service are neutral regarding culture and spirituality” could sort a lot of what unproductively occupies quite a portion of New Zealand life.
    
    35 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 8:55am
    - RoboRob
      
      Yes, and that is why a lot of people were understandably upset with the coalition absolutely refused to engage in any discussions. We had a real chance to create a proper constitutional document.
      
      There is also the partnership issue. How can a government be sovereign and in a partnership at the same time? I am not in a partnership with the government, like Maori and everyone else in the country I do have a ‘relationship’ with the government. However a ‘partnership’ implies shared decision making, which you cant have with a sovereign government*
      
      * yes Iwi (and any one) can have input, feedback and recommendations to the government but we dont have veto rights or the power to initiate our own laws, that a partnership implies.
      
      23 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 9:29am
      - David Garrett
        
        Robo: There is also the partnership issue. How can a government be sovereign and in a partnership at the same time?
        
        Spot on; this is logically and legally impossible. An analogy would be a “partnership” between Queen Victoria and the cockneys in London.
        
        18 0
        Report
        September 29, 2026 10:16am
- Damocles11
  
  If the Left get in then any racial division we have seen to date will look like a Sunday school picnic by comparison. The Left will make the 2 tiers of citizenship explicit. 85% of New Zealanders will be put in their place: serfs, casting votes for ‘Crown’ entities that then govern New Zealand in conjunction with Maori tribal bodies. We may even see the Waitangi Tribunal given full veto powers over Parliamentary legislation. The rent seeking and ticket clipping will go into overdrive, sinking the economy under a weight of grift & graft.
  
  36 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:28am
  - R
    
    Damocles, such a scenario won’t matter to a large segment of NZ. They will have just voted for a change of govt to one they like, incompetent and economically illiterate it may be; but it won’t have Christopher Luxon, nor any people of proven management ability. Envy of motivation and success will have prevailed…..UTOPIA!
    
    14 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:25am
  - septic skeptic
    
    All true enough from what I can see. Yet somehow the badly defined cost of living crisis and supermarkets seem to be the most important issue for voters. It’s not just frogs that can be boiled if you do it gradually.
    
    16 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:26am
  - Paulus
    
    But the so called media will have achieved that they have wanted – a more divided nation than they have portrayed more and more, all the time.
    What makes them so more clever than us mere mortals ?
    See today’s Herald, Dann is one of the worse pretendiong to be neutral.
    At least Higgins article on Kiwiwsaver Managers is one of the best high lighting the money that Manager’s make on innocent investors.
    
    10 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:37am
- RoboRob
  
  ‘Would a Left Coalition agree with “agree-to-disagree” sovereignty clauses’
  
  Yes. I’m pretty sure Chris Hipkins has already said as much.
  
  However lets be honest here, can you have the government ‘sovereign’ (in control and making the decisions) while it is also in a ‘partnership’ with Iwi? A partnership implying shared decision making. Labour, Greens, TPM and National all currently believe they are in a partnership with Maori.
  
  15 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:23am
  - septic skeptic
    
    Of course you can’t be sovereign over a partner. Yet in rejecting the TPB parliament was near unanimous in confirming two classes of people. Tangata tiriti subjects and tangata whenua partners. That ship has already sailed. Maybe it’s not too late to change course. Maybe. I’m not hopeful.
    
    6 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:39am
  - imalwaysright
    
    “… a ‘partnership’ with Iwi? A partnership implying shared decision making.”
    
    Here is another area where the assumptions of each side are different.
    Is the partnership 50/50, or is it 18/100?
    
    If it is 18/100, then that partnership already exists through the vote, as it does for everyone else.
    
    If the intention is 50/50 then NZ will cease to be a democracy.
    
    10 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:41am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Sorry 18/100 should be 18/82.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 11:01am
    - RoboRob
      
      18/100 implies that a party would have 18% of the vote on any decision.
      
      Currently most NZ citizens have a 0% vote on decisions.
      
      Yes we can vote for representatives once every 3 yrs and sometimes the government decides to allow a referendum on a topic. Neither of these imply any percentage of partnership control.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 11:09am
  - Yvette
    
    • Scope of the Treaty of Waitangi and Treaty Principles
    Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi creates constitutional duties and obligations strictly between the Crown (the government, ministers, and public sector agencies) and Māori (iwi, hapū, and whānau).
    
    Private entities and individuals are not legally or constitutionally bound by Treaty principles such as partnership, active protection, or duty of good faith.
    ________________
    
    • In Article 3 of the English text, the Crown promises to Māori the benefits of royal protection and full citizenship. In the Māori text the Queen agrees to give Māori the same rights and duties of citizenship as the people of England: ‘nga tikanga katoa rite tahi ki ana mea ki nga tangata o Ingarani’ – Waitangi Tribunal
    
    Article 3 grants the same rights and duties of citizenship – subjects, not co-sovereignty.
    ________________
    
    • Luxon said National’s election policy is that the role of the Waitangi Tribunal will “have to change”.
    Set up to investigate potential Crown breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Tribunal initially could only investigate grievances from 1975.
    However, in 1985, a law change extended the Tribunal’s jurisdiction back to 1840, when the Treaty was signed.
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036026/nz-election-2026-live-updates-politics-campaign-news
    
    9 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:44am
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      When was the last time Maori sold Maori land, and was it offered to the Government?
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 10:18am
      - rouppe
        
        Those flats in Wellington and I presume the government was able to bid three times the price they’d just sold it to them for
        
        2 0
        Report
        September 29, 2026 2:17pm
    - Paulus
      
      Ow Gawd – if Luxon wins he will set up a Committee !
      
      1 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 3:30pm
  - plc
    
    The only partnership is the part where whitey ships in the money
    
    8 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:51am
- imalwaysright
  
  “agree-to-disagree” isn’t good enough.
  The Crown disagrees and that must be the end of it.
  
  What’s next, do we agree to disagree that murder is a crime, or that Parliament is the sole lawmaker?
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 2:15pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

Yesterday’s Verian poll tips the Greens to return 19 MPs.

Check out the top 19 …. if you are brave enough.

https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/parties/green-party
11 1
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:06am
- RoboRob
  
  The Greens strength is a reflection of Labours and TPMs weakness. I pray that voters moving from Labour to the Greens either dont show to vote or move back to Labour. As bad as Hipkins and co are, they are nothing on the Greens.
  
  15 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:32am
- septic skeptic
  
  5 apparently white males in that 12 to 19 bracket. And some of them appear to have actual jobs before politics! That must be a huge concern for their voter base!
  
  11 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:46am
- Burtland
  
  13% polled did not know or refused to say who they would vote for
  
  5 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 12:17pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

RNZ reports that Lady Moxon is agitating for the return of a separate Health Authority just for Maoris. They describe her as “chair of the National Urban Māori Authority (NUMA) and managing director of Te Kōhao Health”.

What they don’t say is that she was formerly a List candidate for TPM in 2020 and 2023.

Given her criticism of the Government’s policy and the proximity of the election, you’d think that this information is relevant.

Radio NZ – very poor.

http://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/1632730/very-short-sighted-lady-tureiti-moxon-hits-back-at-rejection-of-stand-alone-maori-health-authority
26 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:06am
- RoboRob
  
  Thats the MSMs standard mode of operation. Any policy they disagree with, they go and find an ‘expert’ that will oppose it. The easiest way to do so is to rollout someone associated with a left wing party or a select group of hard left academics. Of course you never mention political / union associations just their job title or qualifications.
  
  A prime example was TVNZ Breakfast yesterday who had a ‘discussion’ about Labours student loan policy. The entire ‘panel’ was someone from the student union and a long term phd student. That’s sure to give a variety of opinion right?
  
  20 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:36am
NeverMindTheBollocks

So, despite being incessantly shamed by the MSM for how so many people are struggling to keep our heads above water, especially families with kids, they meekly report that Friday last, being the day of school holiday break up, is the busiest day at Auckland Airport.

That’s not to suggest that some people aren’t doing it hard, as always, but it provides an alternative view to the usual doom and gloomsters.

And – it’s also two fingers to the climate change brigade.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/travel-news/school-holiday-travel-air-new-zealand-prepares-to-fly-850000-people/
16 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:07am
- R
  
  The fact that Air NZ is preparing to fly 850,000 people to somewhere during the holidays is surely a sign of the improved economy under this coalition government. 850,000 people can afford to travel, credit to the dconomic management of the National lead government, shows what aptitude and collective ability can achieve,
  
  9 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 10:41am
  - Paulus
    
    Must be a Lie as we are told continuously we have no money due to only money to spend on other things.
    Simply “too rich to vote Labour, and not Maori enough to vote Greens”.
    Hope families have great holidays overses these school holidays.
    
    1 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 3:43pm
Simon

People around here struggling with the idea there could be a Labour led govt by Christmas.

Everyone knows a Labour govt would be society wrecking but around here a lot dont understand why they could be govt.

This is why. One in eight working age are on permanent welfare. Another one in four are employed directly or indirectly via NGO / private contractors by the legions of various state entities.

That is a base from which Labour can work from. There are other factors. But Labour have a solid base of bone idle to work with.

What base does National have?? Out of touch boomers. But its hardly compares.

National have done nothing for the hard working productive over the last 3 years. They have been taken for granted by National and have been left alone to carry Labour’s base.
19 7
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:09am
- RoboRob
  
  The right in NZ has taken a leaf from the Dems in the USA. The Dems have bought in a lot of South Americans who tend to vote left. In NZ we have bought in a lot of Asians, especially Indians. Indians in particular seem to be right leaning voters.
  
  I realised this when I was out walking last night and the only houses on my 5k route with National signage were those of an older wealthy couple and a young Indian family (courier driver).
  
  12 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:40am
- smttc
  
  The hard working productive do not need government assistance. Just so long as the government doesn’t get in their way.
  
  11 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:47am
- Flossie
  
  You’ve done your best to help the Left Simon.
  
  16 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:55am
  - septic skeptic
    
    I don’t agree. Simon is over the top in his criticism of National, but the key issue is that National are steering us down the same road as Labour. Just better at missing the potholes along the way. National are part of the problem, not the solution.
    
    11 5
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:06am
    - R
      
      The potholes are a direct result of past socialist governments, which the present coalition has been endeavoring to repair. The real problem, now becoming more apparent, is the ssocialist/Marxist leaning public servants; listen to Fleur Fitzsimmons.
      
      9 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 10:46am
mike

Random election question:
Does the National Party campaign team really think Christopher Luxon’s picture on billboards will win votes?
6 28
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:14am
- Benedict Yu
  
  I don’t care.
  
  34 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:21am
- Damocles11
  
  He’s the leader, for better or worse, so he goes on the billboards.
  Labour are in the same boat with the dreadful Hipkins.
  
  25 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:23am
- rjay
  
  According to last night’s poll he is the most preferred polititan for PM.
  
  16 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:23am
  - RoboRob
    
    By quite the lead too!
    
    Labour down to 28%, National stable on 28%. Hipkins down to 14% in the PM race, Luxon stable on 19%
    
    Its the trend that matters.
    
    14 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:42am
- Boy Geoff
  
  I’d prefer to watch a tv advert of Chloe Swarbrick explaining PREFU. It would be way more entertaining…
  
  17 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:29am
  - R
    
    The comprehensible bit of her explanation would be very short; if it could be identified within the green/deep red word salad
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:49am
    - Boy Geoff
      
      I guess for Chloe it would be too easy – as Minister of Finance, she could just cancel PREFU…
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 11:58am
- Yvette
  
  Will Christopher Luxon’s picture on billboards win votes?
  Not unless he changes his shirts from the almost straight across, full cutaway collar line, to classic.
  The first, or wide spread, is not feng shui for people of Christopher Luzon’s overall dimensions and shape.
  
  The collar height needs to be proportionate to your face, while the spread mitigates the overall shape, and stops it looking too extreme. In other words it doesn’t help to look like a stuffed shirt.
  
  Refer to
  https://www.permanentstyle.com/2020/08/the-guide-to-shirt-collars-and-what-suits-you.html
  
  16 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:29am
  - pdm
    
    Too late for wardrobe and probably any other beneficial change too Yvette.
    
    National and Labour both appear to be on downward spirals.
    
    It is what happens when you do not keep your pre election promises.
    
    15 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 8:46am
    - septic skeptic
      
      I think the point stuff are making maybe valid. They are so busy chasing the centre each are setting their stall to attract the others voters. Turning off their own voters in the process.
      Electorate vote National. Party vote ACT (or NZF if you must).
      
      10 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 8:54am
    - Prince
      
      Do you know the limitations of MMP ?
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 9:11am
  - RoboRob
    
    I actually agree with you Yvette and disagree with the detractors. While I am no expert on these things, I think your advice is sound. I am surprised nobody in National has picked it up as I am sure you have mentioned it before.
    
    It costs next to nothing to change his wardrobe and whilst people hate to admit it, looks matter a lot. A change of style might be worth some votes. Do people not remember Helen Clarks ‘makeover’, even though we knew she didn’t actually look like that, it likely helped Labours polling.
    
    13 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:46am
    - R
      
      Dishonesty is not in Luxon’s persona!
      
      1 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 11:34am
      - RoboRob
        
        All politicians lie, its a requirement of the job. Even if it is just by omission.
        
        A good example is that when you are wanting to challenge for leadership and are asked if you support the current leader, you do. Right up to the point where you stab them in the chest.
        
        Another example would be cabinet, where you are bound to support the collective agreement. If 11 or 20 decide on a policy, the remaining nine will publicly support the policy, even though the really dont.
        
        3 0
        Report
        September 29, 2026 3:28pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    His tight suits are also a liability.
    
    8 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:53am
    - In Vino Veritas
      
      Could be worse. He could have ginger hair and cry on TV.
      
      3 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 12:00pm
  - R
    
    Christopher Luxon’s sartorial elegance is a sign of self-discipline, self-respect, and SUCESS; the bit that socialists detest. This is not something that can be said for most of the opposition.
    
    5 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:56am
  - Ghost
    
    Nothing wrong with his suit, but alas, that is where we are now I guess. Policy doesn’t matter, idiotic comments on the way he dresses.
    
    1 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 3:57pm
- septic skeptic
  
  I seriously doubt that billboards do anything to increase support or inspire your supporters to turn out and vote for you. Especially the tired old version with two grinning faces, a party logo and a lame election slogan.
  
  9 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:48am
  - pdm
    
    Interesting point septic s.
    
    You will notice that ACT have a lot of Billboards that just focus on the issues eg:
    reduce debt
    one law for all
    lock Labour out
    lock in New Zealands potential.
    etc etc etc
    
    Will be interesting to see if they are influential in boosting the Party Vote for ACT.
    
    19 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:16am
    - septic skeptic
      
      I will keep an eye out. There have been good ones in the past such as the Iwi/Kiwi one National ran. But there is an awful lot of chaff.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 10:32am
      - David Garrett
        
        septic: The “iwi/kiwi” series twenty years ago – all the work of one John Ansell IIRC – were the most effective billboards I have seen since first voting almost 40 years ago.
        
        But then there is some absolute dross such as “Let’s do this” which worked pretty well for Labour.
        
        5 0
        Report
        September 29, 2026 11:35am
    - RoboRob
      
      Haven’t actually seen many (any?) Act billboards on my limit travels yet. Seen National, Labour & Greens so far. One pamphlet in my letterbox, from Labour.
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 11:24am
      - Quail
        
        Some Green Billboards in our area appear to be just last elections, rinsed and put up again.
        Pretty scruffy some of them, like their party!
        
        1 0
        Report
        September 29, 2026 2:42pm
- Dudley Quaffquaff
  
  It helps to ensure that people who want to vote for Luxon, know which party to vote for. Same goes for Hipkins. Yes, there are people that stupid, and they have the right to vote
  
  10 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:19am
  - RoboRob
    
    I wonder if some Labour voters might get confused and tick pink at the ballot box. Hipkins face on a mostly pink billboard means I tick pink for Hipkins right?
    
    5 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:48am
  - septic skeptic
    
    That’s arse about face. People support a party but they need to scroll down for the logo to identify which individual to tick in the electorate section.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:53am
- Hugh Jarse
  
  Well I guess on any measure he has a better back story than Hopkins who appears on the Labour ones. He has had global jobs while Hipkins worked for Mallard as a staffer, he hasn’t refused to appear before a Royal Commission or explain his actions during Covid, has yet to lose an election, has been PM for three years, navigated three years of a coalition government, has amassed a nice little kitty through his own jobs and endeavours instead of a bach at Waikanae and was the last successful CEO of our national airline. Oh and most importantly he is the leader of the National Party.
  
  5 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 12:28pm
  - Quail
    
    HJ,
    Apart from that he dismissed the important issue to many ,by far , in NZ ,saying. quote “ there is nothing I like in that bill”
    It is not about Luxon it is about the political health of NZ.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 2:49pm
    - Hugh Jarse
      
      Quail, my tightly focused comment in response to Mikes post was my direct comparison between the suitability of Luxon and Hipkins to be on their respective advertising posters with a few examples, not the much wider political health of New Zealand. If you disagree then who do you suggest is on the National posters ?
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 5:01pm
    - R
      
      ‘nothing I like…….that bill’ is a political quote very relevant to the future health of NZ. As presented to the public by Seymour, the wording was wide open to future subtle changes by a Marxist opposition over a period of time.
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 5:07pm
Damocles11

Let’s not ignore the latest poll showing the Greens on 16% and the Left bloc in pole position to become the next government.
If the Left bloc become the next government then the New Zealand we have known is gone. Fiscally, societally, economically, racially, constitutionally, judicially….all norms will be erased, a war on wealth will commence, the NZD will be eviscerated, the housing market will crater, Maori will be elevated to the level of governing overlords in a racist coup d’etat against our constitutional framework. New Zealand will be renamed Aotearoa in short order. The economy will be devastated. Capital flight will kick in. Our best entrepreneurs and those with wealth will flee. Foreign investment capital will give this place a very wide berth. Government borrowing will go into overdrive.
We can listen to people like Key and Luxon – whose dithering (lack of) leadership and acceptance of the Labours incremental destruction of our country has played a large part in getting us to this place. Or we can wise up and stop the Left in its tracks. Every centre-right voter has a part to play in enacting a strategy that can prevent calamity.
35 1
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:21am
- Ra Henare
  
  If the left bloc wins. Maybe its time to take a 3-year holiday without all the rulez, regulations, 2 peoples,etc etc etc etc
  
  I recommend SE Asia, specifically Cambodia.
  Retain your sanity.
  Temperatures today 24-29°C, like most days of the year, sunny.
  
  Go home in time for the next election.
  
  For those serious souls.
  This is said in jest, as I know you will stay and moan every day.
  
  3 5
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:20am
  - septic skeptic
    
    3 year holiday? Just one term then until the muppets voting for this see sense? I have to say I don’t share your optimism.
    
    7 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:55am
    - R
      
      The Muppets won’t have an opportunity to vote again, as under Marxist governance there won’t be another democratic election.
      
      10 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 11:02am
      - Pope Punctilious II
        
        There will be other elections. It’s just that they won’t mean much if we have an unelected iwiocracy upper house.
        
        0 0
        Report
        September 29, 2026 6:48pm
  - kowtow
    
    Talking of elections ,how did the Cambodian govt come into power……..
    
    7 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:16am
    - Ra Henare
      
      You mean after Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese occupation?
      1993 UN-administered ELECTIONS restored the monarchy and created a coalition government.
      
      Just like Singapore, Cambodia has elections every few years, and the governing party remains in power. Giving long term stability and a sort of Dictatorial way of ruling.
      
      You, of course, know how to use Google! Dont you?
      
      But nice attempt at distraction.
      
      0 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 30, 2026 1:58am
  - NZer In Exile
    
    RH that appears to be a pretty good idea. Would be tragic if NZ became irreparably wrecked and one wanted to come back “home”. I kind of have a sense of that feeling with my situation.
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 7:44pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  . Or we can wise up and stop the Left in its tracks.
  
  And what’s Plan B in case Labour-Greens-TPM-Top form the next Government?
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:24am
  - RoboRob
    
    Pray that they are so incompetent and lazy they cant pass their agenda.
    
    9 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:49am
    - pdm
      
      No surprises they they will get the crap stuff through.
      
      Building roads and houses and filling in potholes not so much.
      
      6 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 10:18am
  - Ian Boag
    
    One has to do a bit of head scratching re $$$.
    
    It appears that ACT have as much as all the rest put together and are polling 10-ish. Dunno what NZF have but they are also 10-ish.
    
    In 2023 ACT got up to 15+ and were all up themselves about sitting on the cross benches and keeping the Nats honest. Then their 15+ turned into 8 on the day ….
    
    Greens have diddly squat $$$ by comparison and are polling 16.
    
    National have like 2x what Labour have and are polling about the same.
    
    Funny old world …..
    
    8 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:46am
    - R
      
      Media influence Ian!
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 11:04am
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        Greens and TOP have youngish Female leaders…
        
        The other parties – Na
        
        4 0
        Report
        September 29, 2026 11:23am
    - RoboRob
      
      Well there are a lot of reasons for the various polling percentages, but money isn’t one of them. From what I can see Act is yet to spend much in the way of advertising. If money was the key factor then National and Act would win almost always and Act would be a major party.
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 11:27am
- RoboRob
  
  I will be voting right and I am ensuring my son studying overseas votes too. He is a good right wing man. So at least one special vote that wont be for Labour or the Greens.
  
  My youngest son, however is a concern. Currently he is unsure who to vote for. Worrying times.
  
  12 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:51am
  - R
    
    Time for a very serious Dad to Son discussion about his future prospects Rob.
    
    12 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 11:05am
    - RoboRob
      
      I’m all for explaining my opinions and views but would like my kids to make their own decisions. I don’t pretend to be perfect.
      
      Both are well aware of what I think but both are intelligent and capable of making up their own minds. My youngest is much further left then I am, thats his choice 🙂
      
      7 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 11:32am
- Hugh Jarse
  
  I think you can safely ignore that result. There is no way those muppets are going to get 16% on the 7th November.
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 12:32pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

Shell Lane (The Terrace) bike rack report:

At 8.24am, just the one bike today.

A cool, calm, dry morning in the Capital, ideal for cycling.
15 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:24am
- Prince
  
  I wonder how many hits the $600K Library ‘website’ gets today !
  
  11 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:13am
  - imalwaysright
    
    Here’s the link to the Wellington Central Library.
    https://www.tematapihi.govt.nz/
    
    I found a search bar and typed in ‘Shakespeare’ but no results.
    Same for ‘engineering’.
    
    It doesn’t seem to have much to do with books.
    
    9 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:05am
    - R
      
      Should ave tried typing FANTASIES, may get a result. Good weather for frivolous activities
      
      3 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 11:08am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    Whoops – FFD – apologies!
    
    2 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:16am
- Steve Todd
  
  @NeverMindTheBollocks @ 8:24AM
  
  You forgot to mention it’s also gloriously sunny, Bolly, with not a cloud in the sky.
  
  2 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 10:20am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    True that!
    
    And apologies for the downtick. There’s something wrong with my fingers today.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:48am
    - Steve Todd
      
      You’re forgiven.
      
      2 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 1:30pm
  - RoboRob
    
    Did all the clouds get blown away by the gale-force winds 🙂
    
    1 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 11:33am
    - Steve Todd
      
      Now, now, Robo.
      
      There is a very gentle zephyr wafting over the city. My phone says the temperature is 17 degrees. It’s hard to imagine how the day could be more perfect.
      
      3 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 1:38pm
- R
  
  Good to hear that the Terrace bike rack is still available.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 11:06am
David George

The British police have now “released on bail” the five suspected terrorists of RAF Fairford.
No explanation given only that they were “British nationals” and that investigations were continuing.
In this interview with the farmer that first reported them she says there were nine or ten of them and that the police hadn’t even spoken to her yet.*
It’s all so bizarre; what’s going on?
*https://x.com/PeteBritish/status/2104591253140594867/video/1
23 1
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:24am
- Gary Benner
  
  I’m sure the Americans will be watching this closely, given they use this base.
  
  Or was this the local dogging campsite busted instead?
  
  13 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:36am
  - kowtow
    
    Not to mention the murdering Mullahs and possibly Putin.
    
    5 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:15am
- Im Right
  
  I agree David, there is much information not being given, I believe there is much more at play here than we all realise.
  UK govt will say nothing as the ones arrested are not white….had they been white, their names and addresses would already have been supplied to all news sources.
  
  20 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:47am
  - Ra Henare
    
    As always in these situations, MSM (and social media) are full of assumptions and opinions.
    
    Its a good guideline to wait 48 hours after the event for the dust to settle and some facts to get exposed.
    
    A fact is information minus emotion.
    An opinion is information plus experience. Ignorance is an opinion lacking information.
    Stupidity is an opinion that ignores a fact.
    
    11 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:27am
    - RoboRob
      
      Very sound advice, especially with news from the US. Wait 48hrs and see what the real story is.
      
      8 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 9:53am
      - kowtow
        
        Why esp US.
        
        The UK Establishment is now notorious for massaging the message and downplaying issues until the full story ultimately emerges emerges .
        
        Another reason why there’s so little trust in institutions there.
        
        7 1
        Report
        September 29, 2026 10:19am
- MCōs
  
  I expect the British media is full of this story
  From the BBC
  ‘a farmer who called police after noticing “a large group of hooded and masked men” lingering near the treeline.
  A police officer blocks a road near the RAF Fairford airbase, which hosts United States Air Force (USAF) personnel, in Fairford,
  “When they saw me they ran ahead of me – some into the field and some towards the neighbouring village,” she said. “I then realised that something highly unusual was taking place.” ‘
  
  It’s clear that there were no explosives in the vans.
  Despite what Trump might say these particular men were not under surveillance.
  You’d have to think if you were intent on blowing up an airfield you’d try and draw less attention to yourself
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:17am
  - HeatherW
    
    The other version is that they were trying to steal diesel from the farms. The vans had decals for fuel delivery but with American logo colours and name.
    
    Their route there would have passed another gate to the airbase that would have been better for causing damage than the side access they were found nearby.
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 30, 2026 10:32am
- Philview
  
  Easy to imagine the young men were the most surprised no explosives were found in the vans. It is like a Guy Ritchie movie and the local Pikies robbed the vans before the police showed up.
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 10:46am
- Dudley Quaffquaff
  
  The US is attacking Iran. Presumably we accept that Iran, like any country being attacked by another, has the right to self defence and to counter attack.
  
  If those rights do not extend to attacking bases that are being used to launch attacks on Iran – what do we think Iran can legitimately do under the circumstances?
  
  2 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 12:33pm
  - Don Beckett
    
    Iran has been subversively attacking the US & Israel since 1947 when the mad mullahs took over. I won’t repeat the long list of atrocities they have perpetrated, as they have been listed before. They & their proxies have been attcking their neighboring Arab states as well.
    They are now getting their just deserts, & the issue will be done & dusted in the next few months. The popular uprising has started in the South East, & currently the university students are protesting in several major cities.
    
    2 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 3:03pm
    - Don Beckett
      
      I checked up by asking Google, & here is the reply [ Mod : AI dump – you either summarise it or provide a link]
      
      2 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 3:14pm
    - Northshoredoc
      
      Your ‘mad mullahs’ didn’t appear on the scene until well after 1947.
      
      The tragedy of modern Iran started with the toppling of Mohammad Mosaddegh.
      
      2 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 3:32pm
- Squeek
  
  Unlikely to be much factual information coming out. This is the Venn diagram intersection between the Police (first to arrive), Military and Intelligence (last to arrive but totally in control).
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 1:15pm
Sensible moderate views

It seems that NZME attempts to demonise Labour have simply led to a surge in support for the Greens. Total own goal!
8 2
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:33am
Maggy Wassilieff

Barbara Edmonds or Chloe Swarbrick for Minister of Finance?

https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/18/chloe-swarbrick-why-wouldnt-i-want-to-be-finance-minister/

https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/barbara-edmonds-sacrifice-and-success/
7 2
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:41am
- imalwaysright
  
  Edmonds would be handy for cooking the books…
  
  15 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:47am
  - Gravelroad
    
    None of the baking experts round here have ever seen a recipe for cooking books in the Edmond’s book, but I am sure one could be developed and included in the next edition…..
    
    7 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:37am
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      “Sure to rise”… (prices, taxes, inflation)
      
      14 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 10:20am
- pdm
  
  How about Tod Stephenson or Craig Stobo?
  
  4 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:48am
- Im Right
  
  This is awesome Maggy, what a dilemma for the soft Labour voter, Edmonds who has been the Labour opposition finance minister, Vs Swarbrick, who quite frankly would ensure Labour/Greens would never be elected into government in a generation as she would bankrupt the whole country, giving out billions to every sector she deems worthy of it! (Maori/environment groups/LGBT etc etc)
  I don’t want to endure the 3 years of a steep slide into bankrupt NZ just to get the satisfaction of them never getting back into power for 5+ elections.
  Personally…IMHO, will never happen…she will get environment or climate change, some ‘Green’ portfolio, which they can’t complain about really, as it’s their party name eh! Lol
  
  11 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:58am
  - Prince
    
    You’re assuming there will be another election. Look at the history of socialist republics.
    
    12 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:16am
- David Garrett
  
  I saw first-hand what it looks like to not have all too much control of the envelope …
  
  Surely she didn’t actually say this? She normally speaks much betterer than this.
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 10:25am
greybeard

Does anyone really believe that 16 in every 100 New Zealanders want the Greens in a Government?
Does anyone really believe that 8 in every 100 New Zealanders would like to see Chloe Swarbrick as Prime Minister ?
This is fairytale stuff. Out and out dishonesty.
23 3
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 8:58am
- Prince
  
  Our schools and unis have been churning out Green party advocates over the lest 20 years.
  Something’s gotta stick.
  
  18 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:17am
  - Flossie
    
    I’ve mentioned before that first year uni student granddaughter tells us her fellow students are going to vote Green.
    
    11 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 9:53am
    - David Garrett
      
      Flossie: My daughter, aged 25, says she is tossing up between voting ACT or for the Greens. And she’s a law student, so has a few clues. She confirms that many of her friends are voting Green.
      
      6 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 10:27am
      - Flossie
        
        Our girl is no slouch either DG. She’s doing a science degree (and acing it so far!)
        
        4 1
        Report
        September 29, 2026 11:08am
      - RW Capitalist
        
        I would ask her
        If your friends put their heads in a gas oven, would you?
        Except with the Greens their would be no gas for the oven.
        
        4 0
        Report
        September 29, 2026 12:04pm
      - Philview
        
        I will give Chloe Swarbrick credit that she doesn’t hide what she stands for. This is why smaller parties are picking up support.
        
        0 1
        Report
        September 29, 2026 1:15pm
      - Damocles11
        
        Between ACT and the Greens? Completely opposite ends of the political spectrum. ‘Error: does not compute.’
        
        2 0
        Report
        September 29, 2026 1:50pm
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      A very good reason why the voting age should be set to 24. Both because we’re told that the human brain does not mature until about then; and because it means undergraduates will have entered the workforce and are no longer living in the playing-at-being-adults world of tertiary education.
      
      7 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 10:40am
- septic skeptic
  
  Chris Hipkins is a pretty uninspiring option for a lefty, just as Luxon is for those on the right. So people are migrating to what were once minor support partners and may now be genuine coalition partners with real power. The “major” party that wins this election is going to have to make significant compromises and yield major portfolios.
  That said, the Greens traditionally get way less than their polling on election day. That usually comes up a bit once the overseas special votes are added in. I suppose graduates on their OE vote green hoping that the country will be clean and unspoiled when they come back for a holiday. Bless them.
  
  11 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:17am
- MCōs
  
  Nobody believes the Greens will be the Government outside a few diehard supporters within the party itself.
  Same applies to the other minor parties
  The poll on TV1 yesterday asked for a preferred PM and quite frankly the results for all prospective leaders were pitiful including the two obvious candidates
  If the choices was widened to include all citizens those people would probably trail Tina from Turners
  
  5 8
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 9:48am
  - septic skeptic
    
    I would have thought if you widened the field that much everyone would get exactly one vote in support 😁
    
    2 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:00am
  - OlderChas
    
    Only the original one MCos
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 10:02pm
- David Garrett
  
  grey: bloody frightening yes…but dishonest? I think our host’s polling is coming back with similar numbers.
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 11:19am
- Northshoredoc
  
  You are not down with the hi kids grey?
  
  1 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 3:35pm
- Benedict Yu
  
  I believe it. Not sure they will get 16 percent but something close.
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 5:14pm
Yvette

Regarding the general tenor of earlier comments, above, on the validity of the Treaty being a ‘sacred’ Founding Document of the Nation, making Maori supposedly partners rather than British subjects, the announced policies of te Pati Maori could be looked at, and whether the constitutional changes that would be required to the ‘unchangeable’ Treaty are valid or not –

Te Pāti Māori focuses its policy platform on achieving mana motuhake (Māori self-determination) and constitutional transformation based on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Constitutional Reform & Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti Entrenchment: Proposes making Crown obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi legally binding and enforceable, and making Waitangi Tribunal recommendations binding on the government.

Independent Oversight: Establishes an independent commission to investigate Crown decisions and enforce compliance.

Justice and Social Policy
Abolishing Prisons: Campaigns on a long-term goal to abolish prisons, shifting resources toward a Māori Justice Authority, healing, and community prevention.

Mokopuna Māori: Aims to end state practices that remove Māori children from their whānau and communities.

Economy & Cost of Living
• Tax Fairness: Advocates for tax system overhauls to ensure high-income earners pay a larger share while giving relief to lower-income families.
• Kai Sovereignty: Pledges a $3.1 billion plan to support traditional food gathering, community production, and combat corporate supermarket monopolies.
• Energy Sovereignty: Plans to shift electricity generation and ownership into the hands of whānau, hapū, iwi, and local communities to lower power costs.

Health and Communities
Māori-Led Health: Rebuilds and strengthens autonomous, culturally safe, whānau-centered health and disability services.
Mana Takatāpui: Commits $200 million over three years to establish an independent, takatāpui-governed commission to protect and support diverse gender and sexual identities within Māori communities.

And how far will other Left parties go towards accommodating this?
8 1
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 10:55am
- R
  
  As far left as is required to capture, for eternity, the seat of treasury and government.
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 11:18am
Flossie

It’s pretty outrageous that a tiny party with not one skerrick of political experience could decide which way our next Government goes, and be demanding bottom lines.
21 1
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 11:10am
- RW Capitalist
  
  I’m not so concerned about anyone’s political experience.
  It’s more about their actual life and economic experience.
  Are they competent to run anything, let alone a $200billion country?
  
  7 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 12:02pm
- Burtland
  
  MMP for ya
  
  7 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 12:40pm
- greybeard
  
  I agree: very arrogant attitude.
  But remember: “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” .
  
  6 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 12:59pm
- Gravelroad
  
  Here is your a average TOP/Green voter:
  * I want a guaranteed income every week with no work or effort involved. Just money straight into my bank account, thanks. I deserve it.
  ^ I don’t like rich people or old people. Why should they have money and assets that I don’t? Tax them.
  *. I like the idea of the citizens assembly/aka working groups. I would like a free trip to Wellington or Queenstown so I can go and tell people how “things are not fair”. Then have a holiday.
  * TOP/ Greens say they are going to do something about the supermarkets and “the environment”.
  * As long as I get something out of it, that’s good enough for meeeeeeeeeee.
  
  16 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 1:33pm
- Steve Todd
  
  @Flossie @ 11:10AM
  
  Hey, Flossie. Did you check out their (five) bottom lines before you posted this comment? I suspect not.
  
  Given that they are political newbies, which Qiulae Wong acknowledges, they seem pretty reasonable to me.
  
  See the bottom lines here: https://www.opportunity.org.nz/bottom_lines. Note that the party’s land tax and UBI policies are not included.
  
  See a quick extract from Qiulae Wong’s press conference this morning, here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gpZTwYnepuQ [1:23].
  
  0 9
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 2:49pm
  - Flossie
    
    I did. And still seems very arrogant of new boys/girls on the block to be making any demands.
    
    6 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 3:36pm
    - Steve Todd
      
      I’m glad to hear it.
      
      But why is it arrogant? If both blocks require Opportunity’s six to eight seats, to form a government, why shouldn’t Opportunity make it clear, beforehand, what they would expect in return? Did you object when Winston Peters spent eight weeks playing off National and Labour in 1996? Was he arrogant, in your view?
      
      Qiulae Wong has said, repeatedly, that Opportunity will negotiate first with the party that receives the most votes. If the Right block accommodates Opportunity’s bottom lines, then that’s it, we will have a centre to centre-right four-party government. Wouldn’t you prefer that to a centre-left to left four-party government?
      
      I believe your objection is based purely on the fact that Opportunity are seen – particularly here on Kiwiblog – to be a Left-leaning party.
      
      0 6
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 4:07pm
      - Benedict Yu
        
        What do you mean they seem to be a “left leaning party”? Seriously?
        
        6 1
        Report
        September 29, 2026 5:16pm
      - Steve Todd
        
        Read my last sentence again, Benedict.
        
        0 4
        Report
        September 29, 2026 5:22pm
  - Steve Todd
    
    Well, well, well. HdPA agrees with me. She reckons both blocks can live with Opportunity’s five bottom lines, and that Luxon made a mistake in ruling out Opportunity. I agree.* He will have egg on his face if he has no choice but to contact Qiulae Wong on Sunday, 8 November.
    
    * Especially as Opportunity have made it clear for weeks now that they won’t be insisting on their land tax and UBI policies being implemented in their first term in government. They would likely be phased in over two or three terms.
    
    1 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 6:01pm
    - Ghost
      
      I agree, those bottom lines can place them with either party. They aren’t as stupid as some bottom lines
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 6:06pm
- Dougal10
  
  They may have published some bottom lines , but what their ag spokesperson was talking about on radio the other day those published bottom lines are all smoke and mirrors .
  
  1 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 7:39pm
- Quail
  
  Flossie ,
  It was MMP that gave the world Hitler .
  Who knows who MMP is about to foist on New Zealand this election ?
  
  1 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:37pm
  - Ghost
    
    MMP was 1949, PR was before that.
    
    1 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 8:46pm
RW Capitalist

According to Mr Google.
“The Overall Spending Breakdown
• Total Spending Pledges: Political analyses by the opposition and independent trackers place Labour’s current policy promises between $21 billion and $22.72 billion.
• The Funding Shortfall: Labour has proposed a capital gains tax on residential and commercial properties, which is estimated to generate $2.8 billion in revenue. According to opposition costing models, this leaves a funding gap of approximately $18.2 billion that would require financing through additional borrowing or further tax adjustments.
• Macro Spending Target: Under its official fiscal strategy, Labour has set a medium-term core Crown expenditure cap at 33 percent of GDP. The National Party estimates that choosing a 33% GDP spending target over their proposed 30% target represents an extra $10 billion a year in public spending.”
The only thing they say will pay for this extra, is a Capital Gains Tax on residential and commercial properties.
How ever No CGT has collected any money for the first 5 years and Australia’s CGT only collected about $1.2b in first 8 years.
These we all COMPREHENSIVE CGT’s (ie from far more areas than just real estate)
So Mr Hipkins where is the money coming from.
1. The other 8 Taxes proposed by you coalition partners?
2. Borrowing?
3. or have got a rainbow with a friendly leprechaun lined up?
9 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 11:43am
Warren Murray

Stuff reported that Ardern and Gayford sold their Auckland home for $2.15 million. Having bought it in 2018 for $1.77 million in 2018, that’s a $380,000 / 21.5% capital gain. Seems nice enough until inflation of 24% over the same period is factored in.

So, they went backwards. When Labour & Co come to power a similar scenario will see them paying $106,400 in tax because as they’ve been living elsewhere for so long, it’s questionable whether it can be classified as being their ‘home’.
9 3
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 12:31pm
- Quail
  
  WM,
  Great to see you identifying the effect of inflation.
  It affects every saver, particularly the elderly who can no longer work.
  On one hand ,great to know it affects perpetrators like the ex PM and her ilk , but there are now many others who are having their worked for heritage funds stolen from them.
  People who do not have time left to rebuild.
  Failing to address NZ inflation is the coalitions biggest failure.
  IMHO.
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 3:09pm
Burtland

Susie Ferguson exits RNZ

“One of RNZ’s top names and most celebrated broadcasters has left” – Herald

Im guessing her maori language skills werent good enough to compensate for no maori genes.

Now they just have to get rid of Paddy Gower
6 1
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 1:28pm
- MCōs
  
  I can’t think of any of RNZ’s main presenters who are Maori?
  
  1 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 7:07pm
Gary Benner

Maurice Williams gave a great analysis on the Duncan Garner show as to why and how strategic will affect this election, more so than the last ten MMP elections.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEukhrhnnuY

In essence under current polling, becuase National is so strong in electorate seats, they would have to increase their List vote maybe 20% before they could get another List seat. But putting that 20% to either NZFirst or ACT would create another 5 or 6 seats for the C-R coalition.

MMP is about coalitions, not parties.
12 1
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 1:47pm
- plc
  
  In other news, “water is wet”
  
  2 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 4:45pm
- MCōs
  
  “putting that 20% to either NZFirst or ACT”
  Apart from that being exactly what Yoda lectured the faithful not to do a true National supporter wouldn’t stomach voting for those backstabbers.
  Btw
  20% of the party vote represents 24 seats whatever the party
  If the Nats went from 1-2 list seats for 28% of the party vote they’d go to 25-26 with 48% (which is beyond credible)
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 7:28pm
  - MCōs
    
    20% of Nats voting elsewhere is also beyond credible
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 7:30pm
waripori

Not sure they need another 20% . That would get them to 58 seats and I doubt they will win that many electorates. 35% would get them to 42 seats and might just squeak Nicola Willis in off the list.
1 1
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 1:55pm
Mobile Michael

PREFU is out showing a promising Fiscal outlook, but economic prudence is still needed, yet Labour and Greens respond by promising fiscal recklessness. If they win, it will show a level of economic ignorance by voters that means they will get what they deserve.

For the rest of us, could the last one out turn off the lights?
6 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 2:11pm
David Garrett

I just saw a comment from Cannabis Chloe to the effect that Labour would have no choice but to make her finance minister…It is an extraordinary comment to make…Just as ACT has no other possible coalition partner than the Nats, the “Greens” – I put the name in quotes because they are so such thing – have no options other than Labour. They will take what Labour will give them, or sit on he cross benches – where the pay is nowhere near as good.
15 2
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 2:26pm
- RW Capitalist
  
  In the Labour/Green parties…
  Is there anyone not in danger of suffocation..due to a lack of brain function?
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 2:50pm
- MCōs
  
  All the minor parties have painted themselves into a corner or been painted into a corner with only one option to save their skins from a vindictive electorate and that is to back whichever main party they have nailed their colours to.
  
  6 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 3:20pm
  - plc
    
    Don’t dismiss Peters’ capacity to justify options
    
    2 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 4:46pm
    - MCōs
      
      Peters & Jones have made their party completely incompatible with the Greens whose votes Labour would need in some form to establish a majority in the house
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 6:57pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Chloe’s history of running businesses is dire..
  
  I reckon she’d bail within 1 year of being Finance minister.
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 3:43pm
  - rouppe
    
    No chance. She’d be completely insulated from the effects, any failure will be because of previous neo liberal policies and anyway there’s an endless supply of opm.
    
    She’s a nasty person so her office will start seeing turnover and rumours.
    
    The smirk… That would send me stratospheric.
    
    11 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 3:51pm
  - David Garrett
    
    Mags: I respectfully disagree…the “Greens” would never accept any responsibily for anything. With Cannabis Chloe as finance minister there would be runaway inflation and interest rates within a year…if that. And she would blame anyone or anything other than herself for that.
    
    For owners of freehold property that would be wonderful…for people who still have to pay a mortgage every month – like me – not so much.
    
    6 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 4:06pm
  - artemisia
    
    Question Time would be highly entertaining though.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 4:42pm
  - R
    
    Maybe!….but which world country would bail BUNKRUPT NZ out?
    
    4 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 5:28pm
  - MCōs
    
    There’s no way Chlōe will be Finance Minister in the next administration
    No doubt about it
    
    2 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 6:43pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    In this universe anyway hopefully that will never happen. Not sure she’d have enough gas in the tank to last the distance anyway.
    
    1 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 7:27pm
- crash
  
  So if Labour finish up as the leading party in Parliament (ie with the most seats, but not an absolute majority), Hipkins needs to consider who he would prefer as his junior coalition partner. The Greens? The Maori Party? Even he must cringe at those options. That leaves who? Labour-lite of course (aka National).
  
  Assuming National get no list MPs (they only got 5 in 2023 with 39% of the party vote) their current list-only MPs are gone (includes Willis) so with Luxon as Deputy PM (until he is replaced by the new National leader), Edmonds will be Finance Minister.
  
  This assumes that Hipkins has the mental capacity to think outside the square. It would also mean that for the first time in the MMP era no minor party is part of Government.
  
  You heard this first from Crash on Kiwiblog 😉
  
  1 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 6:07pm
  - Ghost
    
    can hear it a million times, it won’t happen. As much as you want to push it Labour and National are not a compatible partnership, and it won’t ever happen. For many reasons, one that DPF has blogged about before is it would be the end of both parties.
    
    5 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    September 29, 2026 6:17pm
    - crash
      
      Thats old thinking from the FPP era, when National saw their role as the crusher of Socialism and Labour the crusher of capitalism. Then National failed to repeal the welfare state after WW2 and Labour pioneered the post-Muldoon economic reforms.
      
      Both parties are very different now.
      
      0 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      September 29, 2026 8:17pm
      - Ghost
        
        you are showing that you have no idea about the policies of either party if you think you are compatible. Just tax alone would rule them out. Chuck in industrialisation relations, social welfare. Hell, capital gains tax. Your fantasy will never become reality. Never going to to happen, I’d say you read it here first, but it is pretty much commonsense
        
        2 0
        Report
        September 29, 2026 8:30pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/361039871/chef-moved-cities-and-paid-auckland-house-deposit-losing-job-after-one-week
This week’s first instance of “How to rip-off your fellow man”.
Maybe Winston has got it right….
4 1
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 3:33pm
KKNZ2025

Another drunken thug that could have easily killed his victim walks from a NZ judge without a conviction.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/army-intel-officer-arthur-finegan-ordered-to-pay-1500-for-assaulting-queenstown-taxi-driver/DNCGOYS6ONH6LMCOALYYVYJZ7U/
1 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 6:18pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

The CEO of Tauranga Council has gone.

http://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1653403/tauranga-city-council-chief-executive-marty-grenfell-steps-down
2 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 6:28pm
Rumblestrip

I’m pleasantly surprised to see Grenfell resign, although disappointed he did not resign the same day the report was released.

Resigning was the right thing to do and shows there is still a sense of accountability somewhere in the public sector.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361040084/tauranga-council-ceo-marty-grenfell-resigns-after-damning-landslide-review
2 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 6:37pm
Ra Henare

Another nail in Journalism reporting.

Headline. Army Intell Officer.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/army-intel-officer-arthur-finegan-ordered-to-pay-1500-for-assaulting-queenstown-taxi-driver/DNCGOYS6ONH6LMCOALYYVYJZ7U/

Bloody hell. He is a ferkin PRIVATE!!!
2 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 7:10pm
- Rumblestrip
  
  So he is simultaneously an “officer” with a “high security clearance” and also an 18 year old private who had “completed basic training!”
  
  My god, the Gell-Mann Amnesia will take a while to dissipate this time.
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 11:36pm
NZer In Exile

I’m guessing this could be quite common in NZ. Has anybody experienced this?

Went to a newish food shop today (in Melbourne Aus) and bought an item. Tried to pay with cash. “We don’t take cash. Do you have a card?” I pay with a debit card on their unusually large eftpos screen. After payment there is a prompt to get a receipt either by entering my mobile number or email address (and I notice a “privacy policy” link at the bottom of the screen). I refuse to have key private info skimmed when buying stuff. I presume they get discount eftpos fees for having data brokers and other internet cockroaches getting my data. I ask for a printed receipt. They say “we can’t do that”.

I will never shop there again. Anybody else see a problem with this sort of crap?
2 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 7:19pm
- graham
  
  If they claim they can’t print a receipt, I’d suggest you ask for a hand-written one.
  
  “Oh, that’ll take far too long …”
  “That’s okay, I’ll wait.”
  
  1 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 29, 2026 8:26pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361040084/tauranga-council-ceo-marty-grenfell-resigns-after-damning-landslide-review
He will get a nice payout and very soon we will see his name as CEO of some other publicly-funded trough.
As did the ex-CEO of Wellington Water.
2 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 7:35pm
Quail

Tonight’s News
R B Australia has just increased its OCR to 4.6 %
Compare that to RBNZ figure at 2.75%
Then look at NZD exchange rate vs the AUD 0.8078
And vs USD 0.5674.
These figures on their own help explain the NZ inflation problem. Sound Dollar yield management is vital for stability.
Once NZD was par with AUD and if we go back far enough ,better than par with the USD.
NZ economic woes are worse than Australia and yet no apparent effort has been made to cut wasteful Government deficit budgeting and spending.
RBNZ has done little to halt the downward spiral of the exchange rate.
Apparently Government induced inflation control is simply forgotten in the re-election rush to keep their seats.
Tradeable inflation has much to do with very weak (NZ) exchange rates.
If the OCR in NZ does not reflect world monetary trading conditions ,particularly with our trading partners .NZ has much to worry about!
1 0
Log in to Reply
Report
September 29, 2026 9:58pm

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Login to comment or vote

« A great man – a great NZer – and a great friend.

What Paul Henry was told is quite possible »

Donations

You can now donate to Kiwiblog

Exclusive content from DPF on Patreon

Become a Patron!

Never miss a post

Email Address

Join 14.7K other subscribers

Highlights

Target achieved II
Good progress on attendance
Health Target 5 – elective treatments
Health Target 4 – Specialist appointments

Links

A victory for trans kids!
No Right Turn
A debate might have been revealing. I'd like to have seen one.
Not PC
I was recently inside our public health system, those staff deserve more than the contempt National have treated them with
The Daily Blog
Daily review 21/10/2026
The Standard
Introduction to Microeconomics – Government Cartels – Murray rothbard
Utopia
What Rusty can teach the smaller parties about grabbing the attention of mainstream media
Point of Order
Weathervane elections.
Kiwipolitico
Word of the day
Hompaddock
“I do not cry for enemies.”
No Minister
Bunnings NPC Predictions for the Final
Stats Chat
Tensions flare as Labour seeks to win back Green votes by backing rival gang
The Civilian
“NZ had this very dubious title of being most likely to prescribe puberty blockers”
Bob McCoskrie's McBlog
Cultural Capture
NZCPR
Sheep, speech, and the DMCA
Offsetting Behaviour
What I’d do
Croaking Cassandra
THE WORKING FROM HOME RACKET BY PUBLIC SERVANTS
No Punches Pulled (Bob Jones)
The Accidental Engagement
Imperator Fish
Legal Beagle: Election '23: The Special Votes
Public Address
Get Vaccinated Tomorrow Or Shut Your Pie Hole
Cactus Kate
Making this movie might have been a mistake
Liam Hehir

[email protected]

PO Box 12270, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

Facebook
Twitter
FourSquare
Instagram
LinkedIn
Google+

Archives
Disclosure Statement
Editorial Policy
Privacy Policy
Complaints Policy
Comments Policy

Design by cre8d

%d

Share this:

Like this: