If the polls are even worse, Goff will be off...

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeIf the polls are even worse, Goff will be off...

Goff has handled the " Darren Hughes affair" badly and may yet be deposed as leader of the NZ Labour Party.

The question to be asked is this: If Labour can't win the elections with Goff as leader, why keep him on?

I believe a change in leadership would give Labour a huge boost -  it is because Goff is seen as a loser.

With the right leader Labour can still win with coalition partners. National may not have any partners.

Act NZ will be very lucky to continue as a political party in Parliament, and the Maori Party will be well censored by their voters this year. They may end up with only two MP's. And Hone Harawira may throw in his lot as a coalition partner of Labour, along with the Greens, and NZ First. Jim Anderton will be replaced by a Labour MP this year, because he is not standing any more. He will retire. And blame the first Christchurch earthquake for Jim not winning the mayoralty down there.

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National down in the polls - turning green...

Image via Wikipedia  Goodbye Anne Tolley.
Support for National down:


Support for National has taken a hit in the latest Colmar Brunton poll..

It's survey of over a thousand voters shows support for the National Party's dipped four points from last December to 51 per cent.

However its loss has been the Green Party's - and not Labour's - gain.

The Greens are up three and a half points to eight percent while Labour remains static on 33 per cent support.

The other mover is New Zealand First.

Its support has been increasing since August and is now at 3.6 six per cent, a half point rise since Christmas.

KR says:

NZ First received 4.5% at the last elections - they are nearly there again 9 mths out!

I don't think Labour is too concerned that the Greens have taken back some of their election vote. Labour has not lost any support. Labour will take seats from the Maori Party and South Island general electorate seats. Act will lose their only seat and into oblivion! Peter Dunne could also lose his seat to Labour. National is nearly gone already on paper. Add Anne Tolley to that list too!  And Labour still attracts a majority of potential  Maori voters.

National is losing the key to power!



Acknowledgements: © 2011 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

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Maori Party leaders ban discussion on Hone Harawira...

Image via Wikipedia
Maori Party leaders ban discussion on Hone Harawira...

Maori Party co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples. (Right)
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the ban on discussing matters involving MP Hone Harawira comes from their party organisation.

Party president Pem Bird has announced a complete media ban until the disciplinary process for Mr Harawira is complete next week.

Mrs Turia says she's had nothing to do with that process or whether it needs to be open and accountable.

"To be honest with you, I haven't given it any thought given that I haven't been party to any of that process," she said.

Acknowledgements:   Newstalk ZB


So this is what a dead dwarf star looks like?  No wonder Hone Harawira questions his future there?

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Maori Party faces new rebellion - are they dog tucker?

Image via Wikipedia

Maori Party faces new rebellion  -  are they dog tucker?



Tamaki Makaurau elders have moved a vote of no confidence in the party's support for the Marine and Coastal Area Bill


Maori Party leaders are facing a rebellion from some of their strongest supporters, over the new Marine and Coastal Area Bill.

Tamaki Makaurau elders have moved a vote of no confidence saying the party's support for the new legislation, in the face of substantial objections is like trampling on the mana of their ancestors.

Spokeswoman, Ngaire Te Hira, says the new bill isn't what people marched the length of the country for back in 2004."This is not just about the Maori party" she told Newstalk ZB, "This is about the bill that has violated against every Maori and every New Zealander."

Meanwhile, the Maori Party's also moving to clarify how it'll handle the complaint against Hone Harawira.

Its disputes and disciplinary committee began proceedings in Wellington this week, but adjourned to allow Mr Harawira the weekend to discuss issues with his electorate.

Committee Chair, Te Orohi Paul, says the disputes committee won't be present at a hui in Te Tai Tokerau, but it's hearing for Mr Harawira will continue early next week.



Acknowledgements: © 2011 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

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John Key announces election date for New Zealand...

Image via WikipediaJohn Key has announced that the general elections will be held on November 26 2010, at the end of this year. He also stated he would not consider any coalition with Winston Peters and NZ First.

Well Winnie hasn't actually said that he and NZ first will stand this year, but you can bet they will announce their future some time.

Is he contemplating another another alliance and coalition with the (Fascist) ACT NZ Party and the brown middle class in the Maori Party?

Act is totally dependant on Rodney Hide winning his electorate seat, and the Maori Party actually surviving to the elections, let alone getting elected. There is now the spectre of Hone Harawira hanging there above them like some New Zealand version of the Sword of Damascus.

What does this do for Phil Goff and Labour? Despite the earliest call for an election date ever, Goff will have the best possible preparation by an opposition ever. Has he the nous to pull this off?  The wider electorate is quietly hoping he can - surely Kiwis have had enough of the separatist policies of the last couple years.

Key's announcement to partially privatise four state energy companies has to benefit Labour, any way you look at it. Kiwis don't want their assets/family silver privatised.

Reducing taxes for the rich and increasing GST by 2.5% to 15% hurts the lower paid and those on fixed incomes.

We don't know of or can think of any surprises he could have at present. The SAS will have one more rotation in Afghanistan, although these special forces super-stars will have their numbers reduced by half.

Key wants cuts to the defence budget and all other public service departments. Really?  But the other half of the present rotation in Afghanistan is being saved for the Rugby World Cup tournament - what dangers is he expecting for world leaders who attend the RWC?

I presume Johny Key will announce massive increase in the number of jobs created by his bicycle - ways; this was his pet project when first elected? Yeah right!

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Foreshore and seabed bill around the corner...

Image via Wikipedia





Foreshore and seabed bill around the corner?



The Government have made good progress on a bill designed to repel the existing law and guarantee access to the foreshore and seabed for all New Zealanders.


Prime Minister John Key says New Zealanders will find out what rights they have to the foreshore and seabed next week.



The Government has been seeking feedback on a proposal to repeal the existing law and replace it with a public domain regime where no one would own the foreshore and seabed.



Mr Key says the bill will likely be introduced into Parliament next week.



He says good progress has been made with the bill, and when it's released it will guarantee access to the foreshore and seabed for all New Zealanders.


Key can say what he likes. Will Maori support him? The Maori Party was formed because greedy radical Maori want it for themselves. They don't seem to understand they are not the owners of this land, just the caretakers of their few hectares.  Maori are not indigenous to NZ anyway; their ancestors came from East Polynesia. Nobody can own the land below the high-tide mark anyway!

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PM gives Maori Party ultimatum - like it or lump it - Bwana Key has spoken...

Image via Wikipedia

PM gives Maori Party ultimatum - like it or lump it...





Maori Party given an ultimatum by PM John Key - accept the proposals for a new Foreshore and Seabed Act or the staus quo remains


The Government is moving closer to finalising its plan for replacing the controversial 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act.



The issue was discussed at Cabinet yesterday.



John Key has laid things on the line for the Maori Party. He says if it does not agree to his proposals to replace the foreshore and seabed act, the 2004 act will stay the same until a later government can find a resolution..



The Prime Minister believes negotiations are nearly complete. He says while in theory he may get approval for the government's plans from other parties, he is insisting he has to have Maori Party support.



There are three conditions for the Maori Party - that the 2004 act is repealed, Maori customary rights are restored and iwi are given the right to go to court or negotiate with the government directly over the foreshore and seabed.


So there Maori Party, like it or lump it - Bwana Key has spoken!



Acknowlegements. © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

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A foolish prime minister and his cannibal joke...

Image via Wikipedia

PM makes Tuhoe cannibal joke - just a foolish man...




Prime Minister John Key has joked about Tuhoe being cannibals during a speech to a tourism audience in Auckland.



Mr Key angered Tuhoe this week when he ruled out the return of the Urewera National Park as part of the iwi's proposed treaty settlement.



The row has dogged the Prime Minister all week, with Tuhoe accusing him of betrayal and Maori Party Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia accusing the Government of acting in bad faith.



In a speech on Thursday to about 200 people from the tourism sector, Mr Key alluded to the dispute in a joke.



"The good news is that I was having dinner with Ngati Porou as opposed to their neighbouring iwi, which is Tuhoe, in which case I would have been dinner," he said, "which wouldn't have been quite so attractive."



Asked about the comment after his speech, Mr Key said he was sure Tuhoe will get the joke, but Tuhoe negotiator Tamati Kruger says it was in poor taste, and that the relationship between the iwi and Mr Key is getting worse each day.



"I'm just astounded that the Prime Minister can make light of what we regard as a very, very serious situation regarding ... our future relationships with the Crown.



"I don't think it's becoming at all of a Prime Minister."



Tamati Kruger says Tuhoe is still waiting for contact from the Crown, following John Key's decision to rule out the return of Te Urewera.



The Maori Party MP for Waiariki, which includes Tuhoe country, says the joke is unfortunate.



"Well the first thing to say is, it's probably correct, and the second thing is (it's) probably not wise in the current climate," says Te Ururoa Flavell.



Mr Flavell says Mr Key is generally a happy-go-lucky person and uses humour in a good way, but he's underestimating the treaty discussions with Tuhoe by treating it as a joke.



The Prime Minister has defended the Government's decision on the Urewera National Park, saying vesting it in the iwi would be a step too far for most New Zealanders.


The fact of the matter is John Key is a fool and not a prime minister's backside!

Acknowledgements: Radio NZ

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The NZ National Party show their true colours, tinted with racism...

Image via Wikipedia

The NZ National Party show their true colours, tinted with racism. The Tuhoe claim for the Urewera National Park has been rejected by John Key - might get part management of the lands?

The credibility of the so-called Maori Party has to be questioned too!  How can they continue to prop up these racists in the National Party?

Ngapuhi should also get the message - they will get  nowhere with their inverted racist claims as well.

There is only one nation - New Zealand - and only one New Zealand Government. Its just the National and Act parties which are so rotten!

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Foreshore and Seabed attitudes hardening. Really?...

Image via Wikipedia

Foreshore and Seabed attitudes hardening.  Really?


"Hone Harawira, Maori Party MP, says proposed customary rights which are determined by Crown are hardly what Maori want.



Maori attitudes towards the Government's foreshore and seabed proposals may be hardening if feedback given to Maori Party MP Hone Harawira is anything to go by.



The major elements of proposals being discussed include vesting the zone as a public domain and allowing Maori to go through the courts to establish customary title.



Last month Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples spoke positively about how customary title could work for and potentially be accepted by, iwi.



"If they get customary title basically, they've got the run of the roost over all decision of occupations and control over the beach."



However, MP Hone Harawira, says Maori he has spoken to makes it clear that Maori want property title resolved in the final legislation.



"As long as those customary rights can be determined by the Crown and extinguished by the Crown, then they are hardly the customary rights that Maori want anywhere in the country."



Consultation on the foreshore and seabed proposals is due to finish at the end of this month."



KR's Opinion:





The question that should be asked is: Which Maori attitudes are hardening?  Nobody should own land below the high water mark. The majority of Maori live away from their home maraes and wouldn't be regularly involved in their affairs. It is the Maori Party, which has a minority of the total Maori vote, that is pushing the Foreshore and Seabed Act change. Maori do not have the legal right to ownership of the F&S. Maori are not indigenous to New Zealand; they are the first immigrants to this country. Maori are entitled to continued customary usage and perhaps a role as guardian and caretaker of the lands therein. Non-Maori are also legally entitled to access to the beaches and coasts that they have enjoyed since 1840 as well.

It is the State not the so-called Crown,  that should own and mange the Foreshore and Seabed. The public domain is a legally wishy washy sort of title for the land below the high water mark in my opinion.







Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

NZ Govt prepares for Foreshore and Seabed legislation and other matters...

Image via Wikipedia

 
Govt clears decks pre-Easter on foreshore and seabed, ECan, and CRIs . The State should own and manage all land below the highwater mark...



The government's preferred solution for resolving the foreshore and seabed issue will be issued as a discussion document before Easter, along with decisions on whether to sack the regional councillors on the board of Environment Canterbury, Prime Minister John Key said today.



Speaking after Cabinet, Key said the government would allow four weeks for consultation on the foreshore and seabed document, which follows a ministerial review last year. Legislation to fix the vexed issue remains targeted for introduction to Parliament in August.



Repeal of the previous government's 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act is part of the coalition agreement between the National and Maori parties, but exactly what form the government is proposing for resolving the issue remains unclear. Indications from Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson suggest a pan-Maori approach to resolving the issue is not favoured, and that capacity for local iwi solutions to local issues will be possible.



The Maori Party "seems happy with progress", said Key, who promised a "thoughtful" document which would offer a "credible way forward". The issue has polarised because of its perceived threat to rights of access to the foreshore for non-Maori, and Maori anger over the theft of entitlements relating to foreshore and seabed created by the previous government's legislation.



Meanwhile, Key said Cabinet had made decisions relating to the future of Environment Canterbury at Cabinet today, and these would be announced by the environment and local government ministers Nick Smith and Rodney Hide "in the next few days".







A review led by former National Cabinet Minister Wyatt Creech recommended sacking theECan councillors, replacing them with a commissioner, and the creation of a new special water authority to deal with water allocation and storage issues in the stressed catchment.



Key also announced today that the government would implement all of the key recommendations of the Crown Research Institute taskforce, including a greater proportion of non-contestable funding, and a move to more meaningful measures of Crown science contributions to national outcomes. This includes a "financial viability" test rather than a commercial return test for the CRIs' financial performance.

If the National Government cannot sort out this mess, the incoming government of the left will do it for them once and for all!  The State should own and mange all land below the highwater mark - end of story. As an immigrant people Maori are entitled to what they can settle for in the Waitangi Treaty settlement process. There will be a change to republicanism in this country and Maori would need to sort out their problems during the next few years, because the majority in this country are losing patience with minority interests.











Businesswire.co.nz

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