NationStates Jolt Archive

Yeah, that's right.. There is another country having ourselves a good ol' election soon! Saturday November the 8th is the special day......


Annnnd I couldn't care less. Whilst generally being extremely interested in politics and studying it at university, NZ politics is horrible. The two main parties are so centrist aka boring. Both parties have deserted their former base in an attempt to grab a few more votes. The only motivation I have for voting is that I dislike the probable PM. The incumbent is fine, but this new guy-*shudder*. John Key comes across as rather untrustworthy.

Sigh, so does ANYONE care about the NZ election?!

Poll coming for fun.

Having read up on your political parties, I would agree with your statement that the main parties are "boring".

Were I elegible to vote, I'd probably vote Green, despite not liking their stance on genetic engineering.

luckly your don't take months

I think that's what a lot of people will be doing on Saturday-leaning towards a few of the minor parties.. Just 'cause the main two are so similar on policy it's ridiculous. This could have a good effect in the long run, I guess. Make the coalitions more interesting if the minor parties have greater influence.

hey bro! wheres da fush and chups party bro? that'd be a fully sick party bro!

sorry, habit...

hey bro! wheres da fush and chups party bro? that'd be a fully sick party bro!

sorry, habit...

G'day mate! Throw a few shrimp on the barrrbie mate and we'll have a few cold fosters mate. Beauty mate.

Yeah.... Fair enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAub94aLp3s
What about Black people?
-they don't like you either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs_rXxi0zhM
our accents are completely different!

Flight of the Conchords... Indeed.

G'day mate! Throw a few shrimp on the barrrbie mate and we'll have a few cold fosters mate. Beauty mate.

Yeah.... Fair enough.

think you got yourself mixed up there,it's the Americans who say shrimp

think you got yourself mixed up there,it's the Americans who say shrimp

Lies... Aussie propaganda!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs_rXxi0zhM
our accents are completely different!
:tongue:

New Zealand accents are insane. Pretty much the only times I've ever heard a New Zealand accent was when watching "Eagle and Shark" and "Flight of the Conchords" and when they were interviewing some Kiwi band on the radio that was talking about "fashionable reggae" and pronounced it like this (http://www.nationstates.net/fishnibble_reegay).


And I'd just vote green. It's what I do here. *nod*

I find it amusing that "Obama?!" has as many votes as Labour and National.

Which reminds me... Jolt is a UK server, it says... so why does it make the red dotted line appear under "Labour"...?

I find it amusing that "Obama?!" has as many votes as Labour and National.

Which reminds me... Jolt is a UK server, it says... so why does it make the red dotted line appear under "Labour"...?

It doesn't. You're crazy. Stop being crazy, crazy man.

It doesn't. You're crazy. Stop being crazy, crazy man.

Seconded. Labour. No red line. Good. Although, as Labour is the 'red' party in NZ, it would be fitting...

Which reminds me... Jolt is a UK server, it says... so why does it make the red dotted line appear under "Labour"...?

It doesn't matter what server you're on, it matters what language your browser is installed in, which is probably US English.

Hopefully the Maori Party. Why? Because I like the Maori, and their language and their music and Oceania and why in tarnation ins´t there a Hobbit Party in NZ?! :eek:

Hopefully the Maori Party. Why? Because I like the Maori, and their language and their music and Oceania and why in tarnation ins´t there a Hobbit Party in NZ?! :eek:

Heh, whilst polling at below 3%, the Maori Party could hold the balance of power.. Depends on how many of the Maori seats they win. But should get 4-6 seats in Parliament. Going to be interesting if they get all of them-whoever they want to work with should be able to form a coalition. But yeah, Maori party is cool.

I watched the NZ news the other day actually Channel 3 or something I think.

Anyway from what I could make understand which was hard enough it seemed as though Clarke and her party was going to lose the election. But I don't know who will win...

Clarke might get some of that lucky pixie dust left over by the Obama win. But she could have to go back into a coalition.
Some sort of coalition looks likely given the proportional voting system in NZ.
The conomy is probably hurting Kiwis and that could see the Nationals (NZ's current opposition party) cobbling together a centre-right coalition.

Lefts win. Next.

Poll coming for fun.

I voted "Pie."

When do I get my pie?

Hopefully the Maori Party. Why? Because I like the Maori, and their language and their music and Oceania and why in tarnation ins´t there a Hobbit Party in NZ?! :eek:

Maori did well, relative to Australia or US natives. They got a treaty with their invaders.

Yes, I respect that outright. Well played. But I must say, they had unique advantages following from the terrain of NZ. Mountains, forests and harsh weather favoured the traditional owners.

Um, Hobbits? Aren't they extinct?

Um, Hobbits? Aren't they extinct?

Not according to Peter Jackson they're not.:tongue:

Not according to Peter Jackson they're not.:tongue:

They live in the UK, in caves... :eek:

They live in the UK, in caves... :eek:

They live in NZ, in Hobbiton!!!:mad:

They live in NZ, in Hobbiton!!!:mad:

That's what they want you to think...

<_<

>_>

Did you not notice the hobbits accent? :D

That's what they want you to think...

<_<

>_>

Did you not notice the hobbits accent? :D

<.<


>.>
Bitch please.
*facepalms*
Have you not heard NZ's accent?

:D

<.<


>.>
Bitch please.
*facepalms*
Have you not heard NZ's accent?

:D

Erm... in all honesty? No. :(

Erm... in all honesty? No. :(

Listen to Peter Jackson, B! He's the director of the LoTR trilogy. He's a New Zelander. :wink:

Listen to Peter Jackson, B! He's the director of the LoTR trilogy. He's a New Zelander. :wink:

Then I stand corrected. :(

...But there are still hobbits in the UK. :D

Then I stand corrected. :(

...But there are still hobbits in the UK. :D

They live in NZ and should vote on the next election.:eek2:

They live in NZ and should vote on the next election.:eek2:

Perhaps we shall send them there. :D

I just thought of a wittier post I could have made in this thread than my original one :(

Perhaps we shall send them there. :D

<.<
Are you mocking me, Brit?
The Hobbits have as much of a right as any New Zelander to vote. Damn England and the commonwealth!:mad:

You know I lurvs j00.:fluffle:

<.<
Are you mocking me, Brit?
The Hobbits have as much of a right as any New Zelander to vote. Damn England and the commonwealth!:mad:

You know I lurvs j00.:fluffle:

hahahaha! Of course I duz! :D

:fluffle:

Obama is winning the poll, good that. President of USA and PM of NZ, what a man.

Obama is winning the poll, good that. President of USA and PM of NZ, what a man.

:p Funny. Guess he's really is that popular.

Just an update.

Election is tomorrow! Haha I kinda wish we had the same craziness as experienced in America. Would make it far more interesting.. I guess that relates to my OP-hardly anyone cares enough. Oh well.

I saw this awesome sign today. It was very basic, just in black writing and said, "would Obama vote for Key?". John Key is the leader of the centre-right party and the answer is a pretty clear, fuck no. Key had tried to use Obama's election as a draw-card for his party, "maybe the NZ people are ready for a change?", but that comment is ridiculous. America moved towards the left, not the right! Sigh, a bit annoying, but the fool looks pretty certain to be our next PM. Hmm!

Except according to many Americans on this forum have said while the democrats are left of the Republican party they are still center right, so yes maybe Obama would vote for Key.

It looks like the Nationals are going to win it and with quite a large majority too, maybe they won't need to form any coalition.

Except according to many Americans on this forum have said while the democrats are left of the Republican party they are still center right, so yes maybe Obama would vote for Key.

It looks like the Nationals are going to win it and with quite a large majority too, maybe they won't need to form any coalition.

Is that right? Wow, crazy, I've always just assumed democrat=left, republican=right. Guess really shouldn't make those kind of assumptions anymore.

Hmm, I don't think so. Because Greens are gonna get a large number of seats and will side with Labour, National will probably go with Act and United Future anyway.

Yeah I know a bit crazy but that's America for you :p

Yeah, well you live there mate so I presume you would have more info about it than me.

I don't know maybe the nationals will have to still form a coalition, but on SkyNews today they were talking about it and saying the Nationals had a large lead maybe because you have a PPM system they will need to form one but I suppose we will find out tomorrow.

I did see NZ3 News the other day and they were saying that Labour had very little support and the chances of her getting a fourth term was very low.

Oh I'm almost at the point where I'm sure National will form a government of some sort.. Who knows, perhaps they will be able to govern alone, and that could be for the best (for a leftish, Labour supporter) as it will keep Act out of government.. But I think they will have to just because of the Greens.

Wait and see I guess!

Salute Helen Clark as she passes - she's had a dog of a year.

There is nothing wrong with a different party getting in. Recently it's happened in Australia and America. It probably will happen in the UK - Gordon Brown is struggling to win over the voters.

I am voting Labour!!! I really want Helen to get back in. After 9 years I know where she stands and she has kept a coalition together and I see nothing wrong with the way I live or with New Zealand. I really DONT trust john key or the national party they say one thing in public and another thing in Private (The secret tape recordings reveal this :P)

Besides ACT is too far right for me and if they have to align with National it would be horrable. Dont they want to get rid of New Zealands nuclear free policy?

I was going to vote greens but Labour really needs the votes. And just a thing on Winston Peters. After all the harasment and allegations from ACT and stuff he is the ONLY politicians that can truly say he is completly honest and innocent having had the Serious fraud office investiagte him and find nothing so he is the only politician that has clean hands and has the serious fraud office confirm it. My dad is voting peters even though he is a party member of the Greens hahaha

AND that FUCKWIT rodger Douglas is with act and he will get in parliament if there is an ACT-National Coalition and he used "rogernomics" in the 80's even the rest of the world discredited his methods and said that we should learn never to use those methods in the economy having seen it ruin the only two countries that tried it and they were Chile and New Zealand. Well thats what a guy I work with said to me. Personally I dont know much about the economy in the late 80's but I'll take his word for it

Well let's hope the Kiwis don't "Roger" themselves today!

why in tarnation ins´t there a Hobbit Party in NZ?! :eek:
because they fell short of the requirements to form an offical political party... so they just had a party.


seriously tho. I hope your elections go well and post the results!

Helen Clarke has lost the NZ election. The Nationals are close to being able to govern in their own right.

Congrats PM Key
Commisserations Helen Clarke - give her a cheer as she leaves the crease dragging her bat. .... she got lost in the blizzard of the Wall St Crash

Helen Clark has lost the NZ election. The Nationals are close to being able to govern in their own right.

Congrats PM Key
Commisserations Helen Clarke - give her a cheer as she leaves the crease dragging her bat. .... she got lost in the blizzard of the Wall St Crash

She has also resigned as leader of the Labour Party. She did quite well; she was the longest serving Labour leader, to date, she is the only Labour leader to win three elections, she was the first woman Deputy PM, the first woman leader of a New Zealand major party, the first elected woman Prime Minister.

However, I am looking forward to more tax cuts under the new administration.

BTW, her surname is Clark, not Clarke. I corrected it in the quote.

Sigh, so does ANYONE care about the NZ election?!

No.

Yeah, that's right.. There is another country having ourselves a good ol' election soon! Saturday November the 8th is the special day......


Annnnd I couldn't care less. Whilst generally being extremely interested in politics and studying it at university, NZ politics is horrible. The two main parties are so centrist aka boring. Both parties have deserted their former base in an attempt to grab a few more votes. The only motivation I have for voting is that I dislike the probable PM. The incumbent is fine, but this new guy-*shudder*. John Key comes across as rather untrustworthy.

Sigh, so does ANYONE care about the NZ election?!

Poll coming for fun.
Clearly Obama is going to win it. Everyone in the world seems to love him, after all.

Salute Helen Clark as she passes - she's had a dog of a year.

There is nothing wrong with a different party getting in. Recently it's happened in Australia and America. It probably will happen in the UK - Gordon Brown is struggling to win over the voters.
Perhaps, but the Conservatives have shot themselves in the foot with the recent economic problem, insofar as "shut up and pretend we haven't been screaming 'degegulation' for the last eleven years" has allowed the government to look like they are actually doing something, and the US election has distracted everyone anyway. In short, Labour are becoming competative again, but whether they can keep it up remains to be seen.

I can't say I know much about New Zealand politics, but the Nationals and ACT seems like a rather toxic combination, but they can't be any worse than the Conservatives over here. Luckily, we don't have any of those ACT mentalists, although now Clegg is leader of the Lib Dems, they perhaps come close. Either way, they've lost my vote.

So, is Canada the only country whose government seems capable of surviving the economic downturn? Considering Harper, that really is worrying.

So, is Canada the only country whose government seems capable of surviving the economic downturn? Considering Harper, that really is worrying.

To be fair, Australia's election took place long before this meltdown and the economy wasn't the issue that resulted in the change of govt..

The OP's description of New Zealand politics sounds an awful lot like British politics.

Anyway, I like New Zealand. Nice place :)

I think what the issue is that many of these governments have been in power for a long time, and they are starting to seem old and tired. In Australia, the Liberals had been in since 1996; in Britain, Labour have been in since 1997; in New Zealand, Labour had been in since 1999. The economy is just making the shift from voters much easier; but the truth is that there is a mood for change.

Just reading about how the Nationals won the election.

One of the key things that lost labour the vote was the fact that they wanted to bring in a CTS very early well before the rest of the world. Which is pretty stupid considering NZ cutting their emissions will do jack all. But that was a key factor.

Can any of our Kiwi's confirm this? Is there anything else as to why Labour lost the election?

I cant believe national got in it was really sad to see helen go!

When they interviewed some voters it was like this

"So why did you vote labour?"

"Because I know were we stand after 9 years and she is a strong and good leader and I trust her and Agree with her"

and then they turn and ask some national supporters

"And why did you vote national"

"Um becuase it was national and they are different and I want change"

and in central auckland Judith Tizard a labour party usually wins that area and the labour supporter was like

"I've meet her she is friendly and has done a lot etc"

and then the national supporters were like

"I dont even know the national candidate is I just two ticked national so yeah... for change"

So basically some idiots are risking to flush our country down the toilet becuase they want change without even knowing anything or even looking into the national party. It made me so angry that I sort of want john key to not keep his promises and to fuck up the country so I can say "haha I told you so! serves yourself right for voting national!"

but thats what I though when the results were announced Now I sort of hope that but i'm like i'll just have to see what happens. I would of preferred labour though

AND that FUCKWIT rodger Douglas is with act and he will get in parliament if there is an ACT-National Coalition and he used "rogernomics" in the 80's even the rest of the world discredited his methods and said that we should learn never to use those methods in the economy having seen it ruin the only two countries that tried it and they were Chile and New Zealand. Well thats what a guy I work with said to me. Personally I dont know much about the economy in the late 80's but I'll take his word for it

It has been denmonstated over and over again the a country that goes overboard on 'free market " economics sacrifices its stability and sovreignty to speculators - particularly a small country like New Zealand. Th emost recent example of a country's economy to collapse through surrendering its sovreignty to the market has been Iceland.But there have been numerous casualties beforehand: Peru, Albania,Argentina.
NZ was lucky that it wasn't rogered by Rogernomics but he seemed to be losing against the National candidate when I checked last night - however NZ polling seems a lot more complicated then Australian with a mix of two systems apparently.
Well you can only hope! The world has had a big scare and I doubt theat PM Key will be doing anything too radical for a while. The pendulum has definitely swung away from greed to fear. Coalition governmnets are somewhat unstable abd Key will have to compromise with ACT (and I suspect other parties.)

I managed to survive 12 years under Howard here in Australia and his departure was like a great burden being lifted off Australians' shoulders (I suspect that Americans are feeling even more relieved). However, Labor governmnets need a while in opposition to reflect on where they are going.
They tend to take the electorate for granted and become "just another governmnet."
Helen Clarke looks like she can do with a holiday anyway.
My advice Bulg - enjoy your life and don't get caught up in the "winning and losing" game. Democracy is what you do with your life every day.
Long live anarchy!:)

Just reading about how the Nationals won the election.

One of the key things that lost labour the vote was the fact that they wanted to bring in a CTS very early well before the rest of the world. Which is pretty stupid considering NZ cutting their emissions will do jack all. But that was a key factor.

Can any of our Kiwi's confirm this? Is there anything else as to why Labour lost the election?

Hmm, I don't think that's much of an issue to be honest (CTS). Some particular groups were a bit disgruntled by it, but to the general populace I don't think it was too important. Key, in the end, supported the view that something needed to be done.

I think in the end, sadly, the American election was quite a big decider. Us wee Kiwis seeing Americans voting for change lead a lot to thinking well, why don't we have some change too? Of course the economic climate comes in to this -- similar to how the Republican party suffered. I think a lot of people believed that as Key has a lot of experience in finance and business, this bodes well for him dealing with the recession.

As I said earlier, because these parties ended up so close to the centre, there were not too many issues which were massively decisive, apart from perhaps economy. There was also a bit of disgruntlement with Labours over-involvement in normal Kiwi lives - - 'nanny state' if you will.


However at the end of the day, we now have a man named Rodney Hide in government. The leader of the Act party, it's a bit scary. Alas, we'll have to wait and see how this goes.

Oh and Roger Douglas...... Fuck.

Hmm, I don't think that's much of an issue to be honest (CTS). Some particular groups were a bit disgruntled by it, but to the general populace I don't think it was too important. Key, in the end, supported the view that something needed to be done.

I think in the end, sadly, the American election was quite a big decider. Us wee Kiwis seeing Americans voting for change lead a lot to thinking well, why don't we have some change too? Of course the economic climate comes in to this -- similar to how the Republican party suffered. I think a lot of people believed that as Key has a lot of experience in finance and business, this bodes well for him dealing with the recession.

As I said earlier, because these parties ended up so close to the centre, there were not too many issues which were massively decisive, apart from perhaps economy. There was also a bit of disgruntlement with Labours over-involvement in normal Kiwi lives - - 'nanny state' if you will.


However at the end of the day, we now have a man named Rodney Hide in government. The leader of the Act party, it's a bit scary. Alas, we'll have to wait and see how this goes.

But Act has only five seats to the Nationals IIRC 57 or something, they will be a minor member of the coalition or something I can't see them having to much say in the party room. They will have some I know but they wouldn't be able to get a whole lot of there policies implemented.

But Act has only five seats to the Nationals IIRC 57 or something, they will be a minor member of the coalition or something I can't see them having to much say in the party room. They will have some I know but they wouldn't be able to get a whole lot of there policies implemented.

True, but Key will give Rodney Hide, and shockingly maybe Roger Douglas, a cabinet portfolio.. Without Act, National wouldn't quite have the majority in parliament.

True, but Key will give Rodney Hide, and shockingly maybe Roger Douglas, a cabinet portfolio.. Without Act, National wouldn't quite have the majority in parliament.

yeah that's true they will get one. I don't know how things really work in NZ but if they are similar to Australia (and since you are our little brother :p) it would mean that they would still need a lot of their policies to be approved by the Nationals.

Of course the other smaller parties could side with the Nationals and try and would be more successful in getting their policies through and Act wouldn't come into the equation.

But you would know more about it then me.

yeah that's true they will get one. I don't know how things really work in NZ but if they are similar to Australia (and since you are our little brother :p) it would mean that they would still need a lot of their policies to be approved by the Nationals.

Of course the other smaller parties could side with the Nationals and try and would be more successful in getting their policies through and Act wouldn't come into the equation.

But you would know more about it then me.

Yeah Act will struggle to get many of their policies through, but they still have a bit of weight in cabinet so it'll be interesting.

Only one other party will definitely be a part of the coalition and that's United Future. They only have one MP, leader Peter Dunne.. He was a minister in the former government too, but shouldn't have much of an effect.

There is the chance that the Maori party, with their 5 seats, will also be asked to be part of the coalition. They won five of the seven Maori seats, with Labour getting the other two. It's hard to tell whether or not they will be in there, I believe they're meeting early this week.

Well I suppose we should wait and see till a new government is sworn in and who gets what ministerial positions.

Indeedy!

Thank you for your input to the thread.

Quite alright mate we made it to five pages, lol.

I'm sure I will come back when the new government is sworn in.

True, but Key will give Rodney Hide, and shockingly maybe Roger Douglas, a cabinet portfolio.. Without Act, National wouldn't quite have the majority in parliament.
National wouldn't have a majority, true but they are close enough to having one that they could very well be a minority government. There's 122 seats in NZ Parliament and National has 59. It would mean that every other party there would have to vote against them in order for their proposals to fail getting through Parliament. That definitely will never happen! Can you imagine any National-sponsored bill that would be abhorrent to both Act AND the Greens (and also Labour, Maori, Progressives and United)?

So plus side is that Act's influence will be heavily diluted - especially with Peter Dunne throwing his unconditional support behind National. That means they only need 2 more votes to give them a clear majority. One portfolio to Act should be all they could/should hope for.

That's being hopeful of course. Reading through Act's policies, many of them appear totally contrary to what National's. eg. Act wants out of the Kyoto treaty and to scrap Emissions Trading, while National says it's committed to both (though does say it wants to make changes to both). Likewise Education. Act wants a voucher system (which has never worked anywhere, but the right-wing love it regardless and are always optimistic it 'will work THIS time!') and increased funding to private schools at the expense of public schools while National doesn't (or at least says it doesn't).

What it all means is that if National brings in these Act policies, they'll make themselves very easy targets for Labour to accuse them (and rightly so) of lying on their election promises; in two major areas which concern NZers. They would become a 1 term government. I think Keys is too smart for that. He doesn't need Act, but they're hardly going to ever vote against him - at worst I guess they'd abstain, which gives National the majority anyway.

Now if National had just 56 seats, it would be a vastly different story...

To be fair, Australia's election took place long before this meltdown and the economy wasn't the issue that resulted in the change of govt..
I wasn't really thinking of Australia (since it happened before the crisis) but, having thought about it, the Spanish government was reelected this year.

because they fell short of the requirements to form an offical political party... so they just had a party.

That sucks. Little people count too!!:mad:

But I also share JuNii´s sentiment. I hope your NZ elections go well.:)

Just reading about how the Nationals won the election.

One of the key things that lost labour the vote was the fact that they wanted to bring in a CTS very early well before the rest of the world. Which is pretty stupid considering NZ cutting their emissions will do jack all. But that was a key factor.

Can any of our Kiwi's confirm this? Is there anything else as to why Labour lost the election?

I would say that there were many things that caused Labour to lose this recent election, and some of it goes back to 2005 where National narrowly lost.

The first thing would have to be tax cuts. It was never a good look for Cullen to have large surpluses for such an extended period of time and not give tax cuts - there was a perception among New Zealanders that Cullen was a sort of Scrooge who wanted to hoard more and more of New Zealander's money. That nearly cost Labour the 2005 election, and while tax cuts came in October, nevertheless, it was seen as too little too late.

The second thing would have to be the Section 59 Repeal, a.k.a. the Anti-Smacking Bill. For a private members bill from the Green Party, it was given a lot of support from the Labour Government. It was also a very unpopular piece of legislation; something like 80% of the population did not support it according to a range of polls (indeed, enough signatures were obtained that we are going to have a referendum on it in next year). On top of the Prostitution Reform Act of 2004 and the Civil Unions Act of 2005, it was viewed by the public as part of a social engineering agenda, as well as further interference into people's lifes.

The third thing would have to be the Electoral Finance Act. There was the perception from New Zealanders that it would restrict freedom of speech during the electoral year, and this was emphasised by the media as well. Indeed, the New Zealand Herald published the names and photos of all the MPs that supported the law every month after the bill was passed. It was also viewed by many as a desperate attempt by Labour to retain power.

There were also minor things that had an impact; the Emissions Trading Scheme, the proposal to limit shower heads and their water flow, the fact that Labour couldn't bribe a significant section of the electorate like they did in 2005 with the interest free student loans. The result of this election was inevitable, Labour was going to lose.

National wouldn't have a majority, true but they are close enough to having one that they could very well be a minority government. There's 122 seats in NZ Parliament and National has 59. It would mean that every other party there would have to vote against them in order for their proposals to fail getting through Parliament. That definitely will never happen! Can you imagine any National-sponsored bill that would be abhorrent to both Act AND the Greens (and also Labour, Maori, Progressives and United)?

So plus side is that Act's influence will be heavily diluted - especially with Peter Dunne throwing his unconditional support behind National. That means they only need 2 more votes to give them a clear majority. One portfolio to Act should be all they could/should hope for.

That's being hopeful of course. Reading through Act's policies, many of them appear totally contrary to what National's. eg. Act wants out of the Kyoto treaty and to scrap Emissions Trading, while National says it's committed to both (though does say it wants to make changes to both). Likewise Education. Act wants a voucher system (which has never worked anywhere, but the right-wing love it regardless and are always optimistic it 'will work THIS time!') and increased funding to private schools at the expense of public schools while National doesn't (or at least says it doesn't).

What it all means is that if National brings in these Act policies, they'll make themselves very easy targets for Labour to accuse them (and rightly so) of lying on their election promises; in two major areas which concern NZers. They would become a 1 term government. I think Keys is too smart for that. He doesn't need Act, but they're hardly going to ever vote against him - at worst I guess they'd abstain, which gives National the majority anyway.

Now if National had just 56 seats, it would be a vastly different story...

Very good points. It's almost a shame National didn't get majority-just so we wouldn't have to have Act in government. I'm suprised John Key is still going to meet with the Maori party tomorrow, especially after his '5-headed monster' calls during the campaign. With the Maori's on board, that would make his coalition a 4-headed monster -- surely not much better?

I would say that there were many things that caused Labour to lose this recent election, and some of it goes back to 2005 where National narrowly lost.

The first thing would have to be tax cuts. It was never a good look for Cullen to have large surpluses for such an extended period of time and not give tax cuts - there was a perception among New Zealanders that Cullen was a sort of Scrooge who wanted to hoard more and more of New Zealander's money. That nearly cost Labour the 2005 election, and while tax cuts came in October, nevertheless, it was seen as too little too late.

The second thing would have to be the Section 59 Repeal, a.k.a. the Anti-Smacking Bill. For a private members bill from the Green Party, it was given a lot of support from the Labour Government. It was also a very unpopular piece of legislation; something like 80% of the population did not support it according to a range of polls (indeed, enough signatures were obtained that we are going to have a referendum on it in next year). On top of the Prostitution Reform Act of 2004 and the Civil Unions Act of 2005, it was viewed by the public as part of a social engineering agenda, as well as further interference into people's lifes.

The third thing would have to be the Electoral Finance Act. There was the perception from New Zealanders that it would restrict freedom of speech during the electoral year, and this was emphasised by the media as well. Indeed, the New Zealand Herald published the names and photos of all the MPs that supported the law every month after the bill was passed. It was also viewed by many as a desperate attempt by Labour to retain power.

There were also minor things that had an impact; the Emissions Trading Scheme, the proposal to limit shower heads and their water flow, the fact that Labour couldn't bribe a significant section of the electorate like they did in 2005 with the interest free student loans. The result of this election was inevitable, Labour was going to lose.

Mmmm, ok thanks for that, quite a lot of crap it seems that Labor was doing.

Very good points. It's almost a shame National didn't get majority-just so we wouldn't have to have Act in government. I'm suprised John Key is still going to meet with the Maori party tomorrow, especially after his '5-headed monster' calls during the campaign. With the Maori's on board, that would make his coalition a 4-headed monster -- surely not much better?

One less mouth to feed. :p

I would say that there were many things that caused Labour to lose this recent election, and some of it goes back to 2005 where National narrowly lost.

The first thing would have to be tax cuts. It was never a good look for Cullen to have large surpluses for such an extended period of time and not give tax cuts - there was a perception among New Zealanders that Cullen was a sort of Scrooge who wanted to hoard more and more of New Zealander's money. That nearly cost Labour the 2005 election, and while tax cuts came in October, nevertheless, it was seen as too little too late.

I always forget about tax cuts -- mainly because I'm a student and tax really doesn't concern me! Also my immediate family seemed rather content with the amount of tax they were paying under Labour. But this is true, tax cuts certainly played a part.


The second thing would have to be the Section 59 Repeal, a.k.a. the Anti-Smacking Bill. For a private members bill from the Green Party, it was given a lot of support from the Labour Government. It was also a very unpopular piece of legislation; something like 80% of the population did not support it according to a range of polls (indeed, enough signatures were obtained that we are going to have a referendum on it in next year). On top of the Prostitution Reform Act of 2004 and the Civil Unions Act of 2005, it was viewed by the public as part of a social engineering agenda, as well as further interference into people's lifes.


Hmm, I'm not too sure on this one. In the last PM debate on channel 3, both leaders tried to claim that they were the reason the anti-smacking bill got through. Whilst true that it was unpopular, it was not as if National made an issue of discussing it or opposing it openly. As for the prostitution and civil union acts, I'm not too sure how many people really consider these too important any more.. They've both been pretty successful and NZ should be proud of our stance on human rights.

The third thing would have to be the Electoral Finance Act. There was the perception from New Zealanders that it would restrict freedom of speech during the electoral year, and this was emphasised by the media as well. Indeed, the New Zealand Herald published the names and photos of all the MPs that supported the law every month after the bill was passed. It was also viewed by many as a desperate attempt by Labour to retain power.

Indeed. That was a silly piece of legislation. I'm not too sure how many people really understood it either, which never helps. It was unnecessary and chances are it cost Labour a fair amount of votes in the end.

There were also minor things that had an impact; the Emissions Trading Scheme, the proposal to limit shower heads and their water flow, the fact that Labour couldn't bribe a significant section of the electorate like they did in 2005 with the interest free student loans. The result of this election was inevitable, Labour was going to lose.

Hmm.. Lots of people also didn't understand the shower head debacle either. It was never actually going to become law -- just recommendations coming from the Greens and supported by Labour. But still, another example of a badly handled issue by the Labour government at the end of it's run.

I think now that the decision to send Mike Williams over to Aussie to try dig dirt on Key was horribly bad. I mean, if you're going to go, you MUST come back with something. Pretty shitty look for the president of the party.

One less mouth to feed. :p

But I like feeding the monsters, and the more the merrier. :tongue:

Very good points. It's almost a shame National didn't get majority-just so we wouldn't have to have Act in government. I'm suprised John Key is still going to meet with the Maori party tomorrow, especially after his '5-headed monster' calls during the campaign. With the Maori's on board, that would make his coalition a 4-headed monster -- surely not much better?
Maybe Keys is just playing hardball with Act. By still meeting with the Maori party - who Act can't stand (they have, afaik, as one of their policies the abolition of the Maori seats) - Keys is putting Act firmly in it's place. He's sending them a message that National really does not need them, so they better not start demanding too much.

Over our side, I do like the reporting of your election:
NEW Zealanders have voted for change - a leap from Left to Right - with all the enthusiasm and reasoning power of a doped slug.

As the rest of the world struggles with the excesses of capitalism and free-market worship, our dearly beloved neighbours suddenly think a former investment banker can make them ruch, as well as thuck.

Think of the dazzling US election - then think of its antithesis, and you have the Kiwis' "defining moment".

You might not have noticed their election campaign, let alone Saturday's "historic" and "fascinating" (as claimed by Sky News) election.

Don't feel guilty -- it resembled a domestic squabble over whose turn it was to put out the garbage, only without the heat and sense of urgency.
...

Bring Barack Obama to mind -- strip him of charisma and vision, then douse him in White King -- and you've got NZ's new PM.

This wasn't about desperately needed change, as in the US, but change for change's sake.

New Zealanders just got bored.

Instead of doing the sensible thing about it, like reading a good book or moving to Australia (which 11 per cent of Kiwis have already done) they decided to turn out in their tens and vote for a new government.

:tongue:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24625807-5000117,00.html

Is that an opinion piece or an actuall article?

Over our side, I do like the reporting of your election:

:tongue:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24625807-5000117,00.html

Haha check out this link. (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10542186) Nice wee article about how a few other papers felt about our election.