Here is the speech I gave to the Wellington Central campaign planning day yesterday. It was great to have an enthusiastic bunch of people come and contribute their ideas.
Archive for February, 2008
Does it really matter who is in government?
February 25th, 2008Key- making it up as he goes along
February 20th, 2008When we look for a leader, be it in politics or sport or business or whatever, we look for someone who has a clear set of values that we can readily identify, has sound judgement, can handle a crisis and articulate themselves clearly. These traits have been the hallmark of Helen Clark’s leadership, and a reason why people no matter what side of the political fence they are on have admired how she has done her job.
My fear that we really do not know enough about who John Key is or what he believes in has been exemplified in three examples that have come to light in recent days
- Key has been caught out saying to a business audience in the Far North that he would love wages to drop. Check out the article here. His expressed concern for workers wages seems to be a message for that audience, with a different message for a business audience.
- Key has been reported by the Southland Times as proposing a Muldoonist style subsidy for the meat industry in the form of a suspensory loan. The description of how this happened, on the hoof, with Bill English wandering aimlessly around a farm, would be hilarious if it were not such a disturbing insight into Key’s style of work.
- Thirdly we have reports saying that National will support amending the repeal of Section 59 Act that they helped put through Parliament last year. This is extraordinary, only months after Key helped find a compromise that was widely supported.
I have long suspected the things that made John Key a successful money trader- following the wind, taking the best deal today, and a different better deal tomorrow, are the very things that should make all New Zealanders wary of his leadership.
It is bad enough in terms of making policy, but what would he do faced with a crisis or a big call like commiting New Zealand troops or intervening in a humanitarian crisis such as the Tampa?
Just not ready to lead.
That summer feeling
February 19th, 2008
What a fantastic weekend in Wellington. There is always plenty happening in Wellington in summertime, but this weekend was exceptional. For me, Saturday included spending time at the Pasefika Festival, the Greek Food Festival and Te Papa’s 10th birthday. Sunday saw me and a crew of supporters taking part in the Round the Bays (there’s even a video on YouTube to prove it) and then I helped release giant weta at the Karori Sanctuary.
The atmosphere at all of the events was overwhelmingly positive. It has been a great summer in Wellington (the upside of the very serious drought conditions elsewhere in NZ) and people are really enjoying it. Wellington feels like a city that is just getting better and better.
In the spirit of those positive feelings, I was particularly struck by this post by Simon Grigg last week (hat tip Russell Brown). Simon is confused by some of the negativity he has encountered on a visit back to NZ. He points out that New Zealand is a much better place than it was 10 years ago, better than the grey, divided and depressed place that Labour inherited in 1999.
I know exactly what Simon is saying. I left NZ to work overseas in early 1999, and to be honest I wanted to go. I felt alienated and disillusioned by the unfairness and inequality that the National government seemed to want to perpetuate. Nine years on I feel a sense of opportunity and success. For sure there are things we need to keep working on, people who still need to get their fair share of success and prosperity- but we have come a long way.
The obvious question is to ask what is causing the waning of some people’s ‘summer feeling’ towards the government. Much can be explained I believe by three factors- natural voter fatigue after nine years, some misteps last year and a campaigning media.
My feeling is that Labour is moving past these. We have selected some great new candidates, with more to come on the list, the caucus are aware of the discipline needed to win the election and we are addressing issues with fresh and new ideas.
Housing affordability, a massive increase to community funding and measures to reduce tagging. Practical solutions, based on the values of fairness, opportunity and security. These are the kinds of policies and values that have underpinned the positive progress NZ has made in the last nine years. I am glad to be working to keep that positivity going.
Round The Bays
January 1st, 2008| February 17, 2008 | ||
| 9:00 am | to | 12:00 pm |
How do I register?
Then click on the link for Individual Registrations. Under “Category Selection” click “Individuals” then “Adult” and continue.
Team ID – GR4WC
Team Access Password – GR4WC54
Please select “Michael Fowler Centre pick up” (the entire team has to pick their packs up from the same place).
Entries close on Wednesday 13 February at
What’s the cost?
What do I wear?
T-shirts are being organised for all who enter and participants will be contacted about these once registrations are closed.
If you need more information or help registering, please contact the Team Manager for the event, Rachel Boyack on 021 250 3903, or by email.
