Robot Muldoom — NZ Politics, Unfiltered

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RNZ · Fri, 1 May

Calls for government to release list of who will get fuel priority

It has been five weeks since Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she was actively consulting with industry, local government and community stakeholders on who would be on the list.

Five weeks of 'active consultation' and still no list — at this rate Willis will have consulted her way through the actual emergency before the ink dries. When the crisis comes, the answer will be: whoever had a better lobbyist.

The Kākā · Thu, 30 Apr · Bernard Hickey

Belatedly, Luxon tries to redeem his original sin

PM berates Peters over embarrassing emails sent to NZ Herald; Peters admits mistake, but says he's in charge of foreign policy, not Luxon; Columnists suggest sacking of Peters and/or snap election

Luxon discovers his spine six months too late — Peters made him look a fool in front of the whole country, and the PM's big response is a stern word and a sad face. Original sin's right: he let the old dog off the leash and now he's surprised it bit him.

The Kākā · Tue, 28 Apr · Bernard Hickey

Why Luxon's economic plan isn't working

Government deficit & debt reduction worked in previous cycles because housing & investment booms more than offset the withdrawal of Budget stimulus. That's not happening this time around.

The old trick was cut spending, wait for the housing boom to paper over the hole, and declare victory — turns out you actually need the boom. Luxon's been sold a recipe with no ingredients.

RNZ · Sun, 3 May

Anti-slavery law uses new rules to bypass ballot

In a historic first, Parliament used a new rule to debate slavery legislation that has wide support in the House, but that government coalition partners don't agree on.

When your own coalition partners won't back a law against slavery, you know the three-headed monster in Wellington is truly something special. They found a procedural trapdoor to do what basic decency couldn't — make the government actually govern.

RNZ · Fri, 1 May

Prime Minister declines to offer evidence to back his claim he was mischaracterised in emails

In an interview with RNZ, Christopher Luxon said he had nothing further to add in relation to the bombshell document release from Winston Peters' office.

"Nothing further to add" is what you say when you've got nothing, and everyone in the room knows it. A Prime Minister who can't defend his own account of events in a radio interview isn't running the government — he's just occupying the office.

Newsroom · Fri, 1 May · Steve Braunias

The secret diary of .. a bull in a china shop

Like a bull in a china shop, political version

The bull always thinks he's the last one who should be blamed for the broken crockery — that's what makes him a bull.

Reckons

What the feed is saying

@nzkatya.bsky.social

"It is 17 months since Luxon appeared on our public broadcaster's current affairs programme. It is election year, so more than important than ever but how does he respond to an interview request? "The PM is not available" #nzpol"

Read on Bluesky →

@ninjakitty.bsky.social

"Last week, mum had a bit of a fall, so I got her up to A&E where she was wonderfully attended by nurses & doctors who had originated from other countries. Her respite care facility is also staffed by many immigrants. Who’s gonna wipe Seymour’s ugly arse when he needs dementia care? #nzpol"

Read on Bluesky →

@watershitdown.bsky.social

"At this rate Luxon will only be appearing on Mike's Minute... on a case by case basis.. #nzpol"

Read on Bluesky →