Saturday 17 September was the big day - General Election Day here in New Zealand. I stayed up past midnight watching the election coverage on TV. It was looking good for National at the start of the night, but then Labour caught up and overtook National. Here's the percentage of votes on the night:
Labour 40.7%
National 39.6%
New Zealand First 5.8%
Greens 5.1%
United Future 2.7%
Maori Party 2.0%
ACT 1.5%
Progressives 1.2%
Labour as you can see got the most votes (just) but of course not enough for a majority. So they have the first opportunity to try and form a coalitiongovernment.
I think the losers on the night were NZ First, United Future, ACT, and the Progressives. NZ First lost a few seats including Winston Peter's seat of Tauranga (who he lost to Bob the testicle man). United Future lost quite a few seats but fortunately Peter Dunne won Ohariu-Belmont which allows them to get back in. And ACT were huge losers. If it wasn't for Rodney Hide winning Epsom they would have been out of there! And of course Jim Anderton got back in in Wigram, but he's the only one from his party now.
The winners on the night were National and the Maori Party. National doubled their party vote from last election, and the Maori Party increased from 1 to 4 seats.
Labour stayed about the same as last time, and the Greens only lost a little. However, the Greens are just hovering above the 5% threshold and there are still the special votes to count. The special votes make up about 10% of the votes so there may be some changes. We'll just have to wait until October 1st to find out the final result of the election and who the new government will be!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Friday, September 16, 2005
Tomorrow is the big day
The campaigning and mud slinging is over, and now it's time for the country to decide who will be the government over the next 3 years. It appears to be a two horse race between National and Labour, but remember, neither of them will be able to govern on their own. They will need a support party.
My vote is going to New Zealand First as they are not going into a formal coalition with National or Labour. Winston Peters is the only person that talks any sense. Go Winnie!
Let's look at the other minor parties. Besides NZ First, the Greens may be the only other party that will make it over the 5% threshold. A Labour-Greens government would be ghastly! We'll all be riding around on bicycles smoking who knows what! United Future are a sensible party, but unless Peter Dunne wins Ohariu-Belmont then they are gone. ACT are just weird! Let's hope Rodney Hide does not win Epsom - then they will be out of there! I'm sure Jim Anderton will win Wigram again, and that may give his party, the Progressives, a couple of seats (yeah, who cares!) And then there's the Maori Party - I don't think we'll go there.
So vote very wisley tomorrow and I will give a report after the election.
My vote is going to New Zealand First as they are not going into a formal coalition with National or Labour. Winston Peters is the only person that talks any sense. Go Winnie!
Let's look at the other minor parties. Besides NZ First, the Greens may be the only other party that will make it over the 5% threshold. A Labour-Greens government would be ghastly! We'll all be riding around on bicycles smoking who knows what! United Future are a sensible party, but unless Peter Dunne wins Ohariu-Belmont then they are gone. ACT are just weird! Let's hope Rodney Hide does not win Epsom - then they will be out of there! I'm sure Jim Anderton will win Wigram again, and that may give his party, the Progressives, a couple of seats (yeah, who cares!) And then there's the Maori Party - I don't think we'll go there.
So vote very wisley tomorrow and I will give a report after the election.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Bush must resign
President Bush said Tuesday he takes responsibility for the federal government's failures in responding to Hurricane Katrina.
See: www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/13/katrina.washington/index.html
If that's the case then he must resign as president. The director of FEMA resigned on Monday, now it's Bush's turn to resign.
See: www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/13/katrina.washington/index.html
If that's the case then he must resign as president. The director of FEMA resigned on Monday, now it's Bush's turn to resign.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Don Brash visits Te Wananga o Aotearoa
We had a surprise visit at work in Te Awamutu this morning - a visit from National Party leader Don Brash, along with National MPs Gerry Brownlee, Bill English, and Murray McCully. Apparently Don Brash only wanted a quick visit to the Wananga but he was welcomed with a full-on powhiri of course! I only caught the end of the powhiri so I didn't hear Brash's speech, so here's a transcript of it from www.scoop.co.nz:
“I have come here today to deliver a message. A message that I hope will assist in putting the past behind us and building a great future for this place.
“This place has become a symbol of much that is wrong with the tertiary sector under the Helen Clark Government and a monument to the political correctness which has seen our country lose its way.
“And while those who have previously occupied positions of responsibility here must shoulder some of the blame, the real culprits are to be found in Wellington. In 1999, the annual funding provided by the government for the wananga was $5 million. Last year that had grown to a massive $239 million.
“If a National-led government is elected on Saturday, and I am elected Prime Minister of this country, the face of tertiary education is going to be very different.
“First, we are going to remove any distinction based on race. Helen Clark and her colleagues in the Labour Party hold the separatist view that this institution should exist to focus on Maori students and so-called Maori needs.
“In doing so, she and her ilk would condemn Maori to a future that is second rate, and New Zealand to a future that is second-class.
“In 2005, New Zealand has no need for separate tertiary institutions based upon race. In 2005, New Zealand should be funding tertiary institutions solely on the basis of their ability to deliver high quality courses which represent good value for money for taxpayers and for students.
“That does not mean that institutions like this one have no future under a National Government. To the contrary, institutions like this have a bright future under a National Government.
“Under a National Government, funding will be delivered on the basis of merit, not race or political correctness. Over recent months, major changes have been made to this institution. I welcome the advances being made.
“Today, I want to say to all of those involved, that if we have a change of government on Saturday, there will be a different path forward for the tertiary sector in New Zealand. One which focuses on standards and quality and on value for money,” said Dr Brash.
So what does this really mean for the Wananga? Will it continue if National becomes the government on Saturday? I totally agree with him that funding should not be based on race, however I don't think the Wananga falls under this category. The Wananga invloves staff and students from all races - over half the students are non-Maori, and a lot of the staff (including myself!) I just hope I have a job next year!
By the way, after the powhiri I got to give Don Brash, along with the other National MPs, a handshake and a hongi! That was a bit of a buzz!
“I have come here today to deliver a message. A message that I hope will assist in putting the past behind us and building a great future for this place.
“This place has become a symbol of much that is wrong with the tertiary sector under the Helen Clark Government and a monument to the political correctness which has seen our country lose its way.
“And while those who have previously occupied positions of responsibility here must shoulder some of the blame, the real culprits are to be found in Wellington. In 1999, the annual funding provided by the government for the wananga was $5 million. Last year that had grown to a massive $239 million.
“If a National-led government is elected on Saturday, and I am elected Prime Minister of this country, the face of tertiary education is going to be very different.
“First, we are going to remove any distinction based on race. Helen Clark and her colleagues in the Labour Party hold the separatist view that this institution should exist to focus on Maori students and so-called Maori needs.
“In doing so, she and her ilk would condemn Maori to a future that is second rate, and New Zealand to a future that is second-class.
“In 2005, New Zealand has no need for separate tertiary institutions based upon race. In 2005, New Zealand should be funding tertiary institutions solely on the basis of their ability to deliver high quality courses which represent good value for money for taxpayers and for students.
“That does not mean that institutions like this one have no future under a National Government. To the contrary, institutions like this have a bright future under a National Government.
“Under a National Government, funding will be delivered on the basis of merit, not race or political correctness. Over recent months, major changes have been made to this institution. I welcome the advances being made.
“Today, I want to say to all of those involved, that if we have a change of government on Saturday, there will be a different path forward for the tertiary sector in New Zealand. One which focuses on standards and quality and on value for money,” said Dr Brash.
So what does this really mean for the Wananga? Will it continue if National becomes the government on Saturday? I totally agree with him that funding should not be based on race, however I don't think the Wananga falls under this category. The Wananga invloves staff and students from all races - over half the students are non-Maori, and a lot of the staff (including myself!) I just hope I have a job next year!
By the way, after the powhiri I got to give Don Brash, along with the other National MPs, a handshake and a hongi! That was a bit of a buzz!
Friday, September 09, 2005
Leaders debate
Last night on TV One was the leaders debate, with the leaders from the 8 politic parties currently in parliament. (See: http://www.tvnz.co.nz/view/page/576182/609851) I think Winston Peters did very well this time around. He's the only one who really speaks any sense out of all the leaders. He's still the man! And I must admit that Pita Sharples, co-leader of the Maori Party, did quite well. He didn't waffle on about the treaty like Tariana Turia would!
One issue that was brought up during the debate was that of the Maori seats. Each leader was asked whether we should keep the Maori seats. Here's their responses:
SHARPLES: Totally committed. Yes.
FITZSIMONS: Yes, until Maori want to get rid of them.
ANDERTON: Same for me.
CLARK: It is a question for Maori. Maori should make that choice.
BRASH: I want to abolish them.
HIDE: It’s a question for all New Zealanders, and they should go.
DUNNE: What we should be doing is starting a process of dialogue about what the future for those seats should be, but not making any definitive decisions until Maori have had their say as well.
PETERS: Look, we’ve got six people with Maori in their background in our caucus—But one thing I don’t want to let slide by, and that’s this – the Maori seats are important, and I’ll tell you why. No, I’ll tell you why. We’re out to prove that the Maori seats are not necessary, but don’t just go and take it off them – demonstrate under MMP that they no longer need them.
It appears to be quite split amoungst the policticians. I personally think they should go. Sure, there was a purpose for them over one hundred years ago so that Maori could have a definite voice in parliament, but they are not needed now. There should not be separate seats based on race. However it's decided they should go, by referendum or the governmemt deciding, they need to go!
One issue that was brought up during the debate was that of the Maori seats. Each leader was asked whether we should keep the Maori seats. Here's their responses:
SHARPLES: Totally committed. Yes.
FITZSIMONS: Yes, until Maori want to get rid of them.
ANDERTON: Same for me.
CLARK: It is a question for Maori. Maori should make that choice.
BRASH: I want to abolish them.
HIDE: It’s a question for all New Zealanders, and they should go.
DUNNE: What we should be doing is starting a process of dialogue about what the future for those seats should be, but not making any definitive decisions until Maori have had their say as well.
PETERS: Look, we’ve got six people with Maori in their background in our caucus—But one thing I don’t want to let slide by, and that’s this – the Maori seats are important, and I’ll tell you why. No, I’ll tell you why. We’re out to prove that the Maori seats are not necessary, but don’t just go and take it off them – demonstrate under MMP that they no longer need them.
It appears to be quite split amoungst the policticians. I personally think they should go. Sure, there was a purpose for them over one hundred years ago so that Maori could have a definite voice in parliament, but they are not needed now. There should not be separate seats based on race. However it's decided they should go, by referendum or the governmemt deciding, they need to go!
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Petrol continues to go up and up
Petrol prices have gone up yet again. (See: http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=79750) It's now 155.9 cents/litre - unreal. But it is very good to see that Gull has not raised its price (well, not today anyway!) Isn't this how it's supposed to be? Isn't there supposed to be competition amoung the petrol companies? Yeah right!
Now it is very strange that petrol prices have gone up today considering that the price of oil has gone down about $5 a barrel since last week - it just doesn't make any sense does it? (See: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=%1E%FB%F8%C5%29%B7%BD%40)
Even though I did not buy any petrol on Monday, the petrol boycott didn't seem to work. (See: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=%1E%FB%F8%C5%29%B3%BAB) Bugger! What can we do to get the price of petrol down? I don't think we can do anything. The oil barrons just want more and more money!!
Now it is very strange that petrol prices have gone up today considering that the price of oil has gone down about $5 a barrel since last week - it just doesn't make any sense does it? (See: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=%1E%FB%F8%C5%29%B7%BD%40)
Even though I did not buy any petrol on Monday, the petrol boycott didn't seem to work. (See: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=%1E%FB%F8%C5%29%B3%BAB) Bugger! What can we do to get the price of petrol down? I don't think we can do anything. The oil barrons just want more and more money!!
Does the National Party want Te Wananga o Aotearoa?
With the election just over a week away I thought I had better ask the National Party what their policy is on Te Wananga o Aotearoa. After all, I do want to keep my job after the election!!
Here's the first email I sent to them on 26 August:
From: Adam Claydon
To: hq@national.org.nz
CC: bill.english@national.org.nz
Date: Friday - August 26, 2005 10:07 AM
Subject: Taxathon - Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Hi
I thought that I would send you an email today to say that I particuarly like your "Taxathon" campiagn. I agree that the Labour Party have been taxing us far too much.
I have been seriously considering voting National for the first time, however I received a copy of your Taxathon flyer and I was very unhappy to see my workplace, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, listed as one of Labour's "charities".
I am Pakeha and a university graduate and I tutor adult students in the National Certificate in Computing Levels 2 & 3 - an NZQA qualification. I feel that the course I am tutoring, along with many other courses at the Wananga, are of high quality and are very valuable to the local community. There may have been money wasting by some people here at the Wananga, but I am unaware of any of this, and it's not really a concern with my job. My job is to provide a course of the highest quality and I feel it is. I would not be working for Te Wananga o Aotearoa if I felt it did not provide quality education.
I would like to know the National Party's policy on Te Wananga o Aotearoa so that I can still consider voting for National this year.
Thank you very much
Adam Claydon
I received a response quite quickly:
From: Marsha Yamshikova
To: Adam Claydon
Date: Friday - August 26, 2005 10:18 AM
Subject: RE: Taxathon - Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Dear Mr Claydon
Thank you very much for taking the time to write and share your concerns with us.
I have forwarded your e-mail to Gerry Brownlee MP, our Maori Affairs Spokesman.
If you give your Party Vote to National this election in order to change the socialist politically correct Labour government, we will be proud to count you among our supporters.
Kindest regards
Marsha yamshikova
Executive Assistant
I never heard any more about it until this email I received today:
From: Kirsty MacDonald
To: Adam Claydon
Date: Wednesday - September 7, 2005
Subject: RE: Taxathon - Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Dear Mr Claydon
Thank you for your email regarding Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Your concerns are best addressed by the National Party Education spokesman, Hon Bill English. Therefore I have forwarded a copy of your email on to his office for consideration and response.
Kind regards,
Kirsty Macdonald
Executive Assistant to Gerry Brownlee
Deputy Leader of the National Party
MP for Ilam
I wonder if I'll hear back from Bill English? I'll keep you posted...
Here's the first email I sent to them on 26 August:
From: Adam Claydon
To: hq@national.org.nz
CC: bill.english@national.org.nz
Date: Friday - August 26, 2005 10:07 AM
Subject: Taxathon - Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Hi
I thought that I would send you an email today to say that I particuarly like your "Taxathon" campiagn. I agree that the Labour Party have been taxing us far too much.
I have been seriously considering voting National for the first time, however I received a copy of your Taxathon flyer and I was very unhappy to see my workplace, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, listed as one of Labour's "charities".
I am Pakeha and a university graduate and I tutor adult students in the National Certificate in Computing Levels 2 & 3 - an NZQA qualification. I feel that the course I am tutoring, along with many other courses at the Wananga, are of high quality and are very valuable to the local community. There may have been money wasting by some people here at the Wananga, but I am unaware of any of this, and it's not really a concern with my job. My job is to provide a course of the highest quality and I feel it is. I would not be working for Te Wananga o Aotearoa if I felt it did not provide quality education.
I would like to know the National Party's policy on Te Wananga o Aotearoa so that I can still consider voting for National this year.
Thank you very much
Adam Claydon
I received a response quite quickly:
From: Marsha Yamshikova
To: Adam Claydon
Date: Friday - August 26, 2005 10:18 AM
Subject: RE: Taxathon - Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Dear Mr Claydon
Thank you very much for taking the time to write and share your concerns with us.
I have forwarded your e-mail to Gerry Brownlee MP, our Maori Affairs Spokesman.
If you give your Party Vote to National this election in order to change the socialist politically correct Labour government, we will be proud to count you among our supporters.
Kindest regards
Marsha yamshikova
Executive Assistant
I never heard any more about it until this email I received today:
From: Kirsty MacDonald
To: Adam Claydon
Date: Wednesday - September 7, 2005
Subject: RE: Taxathon - Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Dear Mr Claydon
Thank you for your email regarding Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Your concerns are best addressed by the National Party Education spokesman, Hon Bill English. Therefore I have forwarded a copy of your email on to his office for consideration and response.
Kind regards,
Kirsty Macdonald
Executive Assistant to Gerry Brownlee
Deputy Leader of the National Party
MP for Ilam
I wonder if I'll hear back from Bill English? I'll keep you posted...
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Petrol...Would you have the strength to do it?
It has been calculated that if everyone in New Zealand did not purchase a drop of petrol for one day at all the same time the oil companies could possibly choke on their stockpiles.
At the same time it would hit the entire industry with a net loss at the current prices of $1.50 per litre (30 litres for a full tank) $45.00 x a conservative estimate of 2,000,000 vehicles in NZ that would equate to $90 million dollar loss (one day) to the oil companies and hit their profit margins.
Therefore Monday September 5th has been informally declared "Stick it up their butts day".
Motorists of New Zealand should not buy a single drop for that day!
The only way this can be done if your forward this e-mail to as many people as you can to get the word out.
Waiting on this Government to step in and control prices is not going to happen and there is an Election coming so why not throw them into a panic.
BOTH PARTIES HAVE REFUSED TO REMOVE THE EXTRA 0.05 CENT SURCHARGE ON PETROL INTRODUCED ON 1st APRIL 2005.
Remember one thing about raising gas prices:
· Airlines are forced to raise their prices
· Trucking companies forced to raise their prices
· These prices affect the cost of shipping
· Flow on effect that your GROCERY BILL goes up
· Flow on effect on clothing, building, medical supplies!
· It effects all of us in every area while companies can write off these expenses, consumers cannot.
Who pays in the end?
WE DO - The consumer!
We can make a difference if they don't get the message after one day we will do it again and again.
Enough of these ridiculous excuses that the oil companies use to justify their increases everything from President Bush missing a golf stroke on the 9th hole to Aunt Fanny's artificial leg falling off.
If you are sick of this manipulation vote with your car and do not buy a drop. Spread the word and mark the date on your calendars.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU CAN!!!!
At the same time it would hit the entire industry with a net loss at the current prices of $1.50 per litre (30 litres for a full tank) $45.00 x a conservative estimate of 2,000,000 vehicles in NZ that would equate to $90 million dollar loss (one day) to the oil companies and hit their profit margins.
Therefore Monday September 5th has been informally declared "Stick it up their butts day".
Motorists of New Zealand should not buy a single drop for that day!
The only way this can be done if your forward this e-mail to as many people as you can to get the word out.
Waiting on this Government to step in and control prices is not going to happen and there is an Election coming so why not throw them into a panic.
BOTH PARTIES HAVE REFUSED TO REMOVE THE EXTRA 0.05 CENT SURCHARGE ON PETROL INTRODUCED ON 1st APRIL 2005.
Remember one thing about raising gas prices:
· Airlines are forced to raise their prices
· Trucking companies forced to raise their prices
· These prices affect the cost of shipping
· Flow on effect that your GROCERY BILL goes up
· Flow on effect on clothing, building, medical supplies!
· It effects all of us in every area while companies can write off these expenses, consumers cannot.
Who pays in the end?
WE DO - The consumer!
We can make a difference if they don't get the message after one day we will do it again and again.
Enough of these ridiculous excuses that the oil companies use to justify their increases everything from President Bush missing a golf stroke on the 9th hole to Aunt Fanny's artificial leg falling off.
If you are sick of this manipulation vote with your car and do not buy a drop. Spread the word and mark the date on your calendars.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU CAN!!!!
Friday, September 02, 2005
Katrina's impact
A few days ago Hurricane Katrina hit the southern United States. It of course has been very devastating for all the people involved. I cannot believe that there are people living (and dying) on the streets in those areas. What's Bush and his crazy government doing about it? Perhaps Bush is still on his 5 week holiday at his ranch in Texas!
The effects of the hurricane have been felt here in New Zealand with petrol now over $1.50 per litre for the first time ever. How can something like this that happened in the States affect petrol prices in NZ - any excuse for the oil companies to put the price if petrol up I guess!!
But on the lighter side. My wife's name is Katrina, so we've had a lot of fun teasing her about this one!
The effects of the hurricane have been felt here in New Zealand with petrol now over $1.50 per litre for the first time ever. How can something like this that happened in the States affect petrol prices in NZ - any excuse for the oil companies to put the price if petrol up I guess!!
But on the lighter side. My wife's name is Katrina, so we've had a lot of fun teasing her about this one!
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