This week there was a fascinating article about how Labour and National are essentially the same. Tweedledum and Tweedledumber. The article writes: How did we end up with two main parties that are basically pretending to do things differently? One economist, Harold Hotelling, wrote a … [Read more...]
What happens to political parties when they get into power:
This week there was a Webinar organised by the Community Housing Sector. All the political parties were invited to discuss Community Housing policies. They were all there; except Labour. Before the last election it was my job to arrange for all of the political parties to speak about Community … [Read more...]
Hospital parking raised in the election campaign, again:
The promise by Judith Collins that National will build a new car parking building if National get elected this year is interesting. I reflected on phrases like this from Gerry Brownlee: “It will be an instruction to the Ministry of Health to get a car park close-in to the hospital.” Then he … [Read more...]
Last Week – James Shaw
How many times have we sat listening to an MP who just blathers on with general statements and sounds off about how fantastic their party is? Well, last week we had a talk by James Shaw, co-leader of the Green Party, which demonstrated just what a class act he really is. His presentation was … [Read more...]
Let’s make Housing an election issue:
I’m fed up with the two biggest political parties playing games with housing. I say this to them both. Stop it. Stop the pettiness. Be brave. Change your dialogue. Give the little person a fair suck on the sav. It is possible for us to achieve, with a population our size, decent housing for all. … [Read more...]
A summary of the last week in politics by an old mate of mine:
Mike Williams was Labour Party President, and I have had a lot to do with him over the years. Mike and I have a deep love of politics. We both have a heap of friends in different parties. We share with them the joy of debating ideas, and often agreeing to disagree. Then having a drink to celebrate … [Read more...]
David Hall on Consumer Decision Making, Nudge Theory
This week’s article from Steven Moe: Steven has continued his wonderful commitment to promoting ideas in our society. It is an admirable task and he really has some impressive people who talk with him. Here is the latest: David Hall on Consumer Decision Making, Nudge Theory, Political … [Read more...]
A note from Eileen Hennessy:
I received this epistle from Eileen Hennessy who is an attendee at the Tuesday Club when they come to NZ each year. From the porch of a little wood house in the Tennessee, America- countryside. Met by an early am birdsong. I opened your letter and read David’s poem. How fitting after a night … [Read more...]
Clean rivers petition:
I was sent this message by Marnie Prickett from Choose Clean Water: Clean healthy water is essential to our lives. In Aotearoa we are blessed with beautiful rivers, lakes, springs and streams, but as we all know the health of our waterways is under threat.1,2,3,4 During the 2017 election … [Read more...]
Are “communications” consultants a blight on democratic society:
I wonder if it’s time for us to review the number of PR advisors there are around? I regularly bristle over articles in the paper which are so obviously re-runs of what PR people have written for a stretched journalist to write as “their” article. I say “stretched” because newsrooms are really … [Read more...]