All posts tagged Felix Marwick

Blog exclusive – Bill English on drought

This is an exclusive for YourNZ – about the media links in a minor story.

TVNZ Q + A:

On Q+A this Sunday, NZ’s in the midst of a drought so how will it affect you and me and our pockets? We speak to the Finance Minister Bill English, and a climate scientist who says we have to no option but to adapt.

(story not yet online)

Stuff (Fairfax):

Finance Minister Bill English says the costs of the drought are headed toward $2 billion.

English said the Government was getting updated advice over the next few weeks from Treasury but the latest estimates indicated ”somewhere between one and two billion will be knocked off our national income”.

English told TVNZ’s Q+A the drought had potential to knock 30 per cent off New Zealand’s growth rate in a year.

NZ Herald:

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bill English is now saying the estimated cost of the drought has gone up from $1 billion to $2 billion, Fairfax Media reports.

Newstalk ZB chief political reporter in Twitter:

‏@felixmarwick

just seen a Herald story referencing Bill English comments from a Fairfax story about comments the Minister made on @NZQandA #convoluted

YourNZ: The final convolution?

I watched Bill English on Q + A so didn’t need to read the Fairfax report on that, or the Herald report on that,so knew the story.

But when Felix  Marwick commented on the convolutions I responded “Sounds interesting, I must blog on your tweet on it.”

Felix replied “why? it’s hardly earth shattering. Just a bit quirky”

So here’s a bit more quirk to the convolutions. Exclusive to Your NZ.

TVNZ HAve the English interview online now:

Corin Dann interviews Bill English (13:05)

Political editor Corin Dann interviews the finance minister Bill English about the drought, the Budget

by Pete George on March 17, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in General
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Posted by Pete George on March 17, 2013

http://yournz.org/2013/03/17/blog-exclusive-bill-english-on-drought/

Trotter versus Marwick

Following on fronm the previous post, there’s been some discussion on Trotter’s blog Bowalley between him and NewsTalk ZB chief political reporter Felix Marwick -  from Running Dogs:

Felix Marwick said…

“Even from the Media Table, the animosity directed towards caucus members who spoke in favour of the rank-and-file’s resolutions (the most effective of whom, by far, was Lianne Dalziel) was unmistakeable.”

Really Chris?

I recall us being surprised (and for news purposes) quite happy that MPs and delegates were expressing the views that they were. Generally we’ve been excluded from such debates in the past.

I certainly don’t remember any of my colleagues expressing animosity at those that were critical of the hierarchy.

I do, however, recall you going and high fiving with delegates when the 40% caucus vote remit was passed. I also recall you telling a political editor to “get f**ked” when they joked that perhaps the remit should have had support of 60% of the conference.

And I do wonder how it’s consistent that the Shearer camp, which had been derided at the time by its critics inept and incompetent, suddenly became Machiavellian enough to co-opt the entire press gallery to their cause?

For the record; I do not give a flying bollock as to who leads the Labour Party. I, unlike you, am not a player in that game.

Felix Marwick
Chief Political Reporter
Newstalk ZB

Chris Trotter said…

Sorry Felix – badly worded.

I meant that the animosity was clearly visible from the media table which was quite a long way from some of the bitterest speeches.

And, yeah, I did speak harshly to Brent. I was really angry – and just didn’t get the joke. I’ll apologise personally the next time I run into him.

You have to remember I was a Labour Party man long before I was a political columnist – and although I haven’t been a member for more than 20 years, I was still disgusted at the way the caucus responded to the rank-and-file’s assertion of their rights.

Obviously there are different views on how things happened. Some were observers, some seem to have become quite agitated.

by Pete George on March 1, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on March 1, 2013

http://yournz.org/2013/03/01/trotter-versus-marwick/

Shearer/’Voice of Reason’ rule out Labour leadership challenge

Going by the majority of comments at The Standard many party members want Labour leadership to go to a party decision next month. Word from the current leader is they won’t get that chance, David Shearer has virtually ruled out any chance of a challenge going any further than caucus.

On Saturday ‘Eddie’ launched a speculative play at The Standard – Shearer to put it to the vote…

Word around the traps is that David Shearer is going to use his state of the nation speech next weekend to announce that he will put his leadership to full membership vote in February.

Yesterday IrishBill quashed hope of that in Drive-by posting…

Unfortunately the source on Shearer’s plan to put his leadership to the party didn’t pan out so well. He’s confirmed to Vernon Small that he does not intend to let members vote (I’m not surprised).

This referred to a tweet from political journalist Vernon Small (Dominion), and there was another from Felix Marwick (Newstalk ZB):

Vernon Small ‏@VernonSmall

Stand easy Labour. Shearer says he will put leadership to caucus vote not straight to full electoral college.

Felix Marwick ‏@felixmarwick

contrary to some speculation in the blogosphere David Shearer won’t be putting his leadership on the line for a partywide vote

Marwick expanded on this on Newstalk ZB:

Chances of Labour vote slim

The chances of the wider Labour party membership getting to vote on the party’s leadership look to be slim to none.

Left-aligned website The Standard has suggested current leader David Shearer might put his job on the line when it comes up for caucus consideration next month.

But Mr Shearer’s all but ruling that out indicating no-one else in the caucus is likely to put their name forward.

“I’m not expecting any problems at all.”

Mr Shearer says he’ll follow what is in the party’s constitution and won’t step outside the rules that are in place.

Of course any party leader would play down a chance of a challenge to their leadership.

But over past weeks at The Standard a Labour Party delegate has been saying frequently that there definitely won’t be any challenge. ‘Te Reo Putake’ (aka ‘Voice of Reason’) repeated this yesterday. In response to a party member saying…

Colonial Viper

Sigh. Is there a reason that Labour insists on doing everything the hard way? If caucus decides to give the members a say in February, it’s crucial that we get a full bodied Primary Process up and down the country.

Colonial Viper is blog famous for being the party member identified and gagged by Clare Curran, but he is back commenting this year after his few weeks apparently enforced break.

Te Reo Putake

You’re dreaming, CV. Leaving aside that the whole thing was a fantasy anyway, who is going to pay for a “full bodied Primary Process up and down the country”. You? And given that Shearer is the only candidate, exactly who was he going to debate? An empty chair?

I hate to say I told you so, but the new democratic process is working according to the rules set by conference. And its working to Shearer’s advantage, which is clearly an unintended consequence for Camp Cunliffe.

Te Reo Putake
23 January 2013 at 7:39 pm

Er, no, they didn’t Elizabeth. The affiliates voted for a system that might get them a say. Might. If a particular set of circumstances came about. Which doesn’t appear to be happening this electoral cycle because Shearer has the numbers in caucus. That’s the democratic system affiliates voted for, and it’s working as designed.

In other words, the affiliates and party members might get a say – if Caucus lets them.  And they won’t.

Te Reo Putake has repeated similar frequently, and for that has been accused of being a head office mouthpiece (there’s been a lot of infighting amongst party members on The Standard). He has repeatedly made it clear that:

  • Shearer has the numbers (60%+) in caucus to prevent leadership going to a party decision
  • There is no one who will challenge for leadership.

It’s curious how one party delegate seems to know with certainty what the results of a future supposedly secret caucus ballot is going to be.

Of course it could be all bullshit and bluster. A common political tactic is to keep repeating something over and over and over so that eventually people believe it will be true – ex Labour president Mike Williams mentioned that tactic on Radio NZ (Nine to Noon) on Tuesday.

But it could also be an indication of how caucus ‘democracy’ works. Promises of rewards for compliance and threats of repercussions (bench rankings, assigned caucus responsibilities, poor party list placings) are all talked about.

Some at The Standard still hold hopes that wider party democracy as determined at last year’s conference will prevail. And a number of them say their views are shared by many more in the wider party.

Mike Williams also referred to people at The Standard as:

 “the wacko nutter who used to stand up at the Waikikamukau local meeting”

There’s a few nutters on blogs for sure, but to dismiss all with that put down shows extreme ignorance or it’s a deliberate insult. IrishBill posted:

Now I know we’ve had a few wacky posters here over the years such as Robinsod and that short lived conspiracy theorist, Batman, but the last time I checked most of us were slightly left of center social democrats and Labour party members.

If David Shearer and Te Reo Putake are correct and the ‘secret’ caucus ballot is already whipped into place and sewn up then the majority of Standard Labour Party members will be disappointed, further disillusioned, angry, angrier, despondent – and very vocal.

And this won’t be confined to The Standard, or the blogosphere, or social media. It will be out in the electorates, in the LECs (some Standard commenters are in LECs), and in the wider voting public.

The problem is not just what Shearer and his caucus supporters are doing – more importantly, it is how they are doing it.

They are seem as domineering, dismissive, out of touch, selfishly holding power by any means possible.

Shearer and Te Reo Putake may win the February battle. But the festering and discontent will remain.

If Shearer can’t win the support of the left of the political blogosphere then more and more voters might start to believe what the bloggers keep repeating and repeating – that they have no confidence in a Shearer led Labour winning enough support in the 2014 election.

by Pete George on January 24, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in General
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Posted by Pete George on January 24, 2013

http://yournz.org/2013/01/24/shearervoice-of-reason-rule-out-labour-leadership-challenge/

Felix the splat

Felix Marwick is chief political reporter for Newstalk ZB. He thought things were winding down for the year. He reported in late this morning.

All retweets from me today. Sorry. Work capacity have been inhibited by a small matter of car vs bike.

Felix must be a sporty or a greeny.

intersection of chaytor and raroa

small asian man in a van

I’ve had better days

Obviously.

Felix splat

Maybe he’s a sporty greeny. Or a leprechaun on wheels.

every cloud has a silver lining. Today I’ve had some awesome drugs, and injuries mean I’m incapable of nappy duty for 6 weeks

I’ll be at the party, just have to get thru surgery tomorrow. Plus I only need 1 arm to drink

this explains the pic I posted earlier. And why I’ve been off work today

Good journo that he is he had the tape rolling.

Ouch.

I hope he recovers quickly. And bad luck for someone if there were any party stickers on the car.

by Pete George on December 10, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Politics
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Posted by Pete George on December 10, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/12/10/splat-day-for-a-political-journo/

Tau Henare auditioning for Speaker?

Nationa list MP Tau Henare announced via Twitter recently that he’d like to be considered for Lockwood Smith’s role as Parliament’s Speaker.

Felix Marwick (Newstalk ZB) collated and posted audio of some of Henare’s comments in parliament yesterday:

@felixmarwick

Earlier today @tauhenare gave the gallery a serve for not being in the chamber to cover Treaty Bills. We have video feeds to the office.

Here are some of @tauhenare ‘s interjections from the ZB audio archive. Just to prove we do pay attention

http://t.co/m4uJHgmC

He’s not demonstrating much gravitas there. But was sensitive to criticism and ‘nastiness’ on Twitter:

But there may be a less well publicised side to Henare, as these comments in parliament during speeches on the WAITAHA CLAIMS SETTLEMENT BILL yesterday indicate:

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: “I can say this, in the sure and certain knowledge that under the excellent chairmanship of my friend Mr Henare it is going to be dealt with efficiently and effectively…”

RINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga): “I am looking forward to making my contribution as part of the Māori Affairs Committee, under the great leadership of my whanaunga Tau Henare over there.”

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations): “All I want to say is that the bill should proceed to the Māori Affairs Committee without delay and that, under the great leadership of Mr Henare and ably assisted by the other members of that committee…”

Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Labour): “We have certainly heard under the stewardship of that great leader—Tau Henare of the Māori Affairs Committee…”

LOUISA WALL (Labour—Manurewa): “Kia ora, Mr Assistant Speaker. E ngā mana, e ngā whānau o Ngāti Manuhiri, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. It is my pleasure to speak on this bill as a member of the Māori Affairs Committee and I want to tautoko what our chair, the Hon Tau Henare, has just said.”

Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA: “I want to commend the chair of our Māori Affairs Committee, the Hon Tau Henare, who is starting to grow both in vigour and in ability every time he stands up and makes a speech. He led the select committee well—he led the select committee well against a whole lot of tensions.”

RINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga): “I am very pleased that the select committee, under the very capable, excellent leadership of Tau Henare, very Speaker-like in his control of our committee—very Speaker-like.”

by Pete George on September 21, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Politics
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Posted by Pete George on September 21, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/09/21/tau-henare-auditioning-for-speaker/

The Mana plantation owner

There’s quite a bit more to what Hone Harawira has said than a bit of abuse. From a Newstalk ZB interview: Harawira on his ‘house n****r’ comments

Marwick: Now the attendance or non-attendance of both National Party Maori MPs and the Maori Party MPs at the hui organised by King Tuheitia seems to have ruffled your feathers somewhat. What is your objection to them not attending?

Harawira: No, actually I’m not objecting to them not attending, I’m objecting to the fact that John Key is telling them they can’t.

The fact of the matter is, people are jumping up and down about a phrase I used, right, but if people want me to stop using terms from Alabama in the 1950s then they should tell the Prime Minister to stop acting like a plantation owner from Alabama in the 1950s.

There’s a number of Maori MPs in his party, two of whom are high ranking ministers, they have their own mana, and they have their own standing in Maori society, and he should show them the respect that they deserve and allow them to make their own decision as to whether or not they’ll attend the national hui on water.

Marwick:: Do you think it was right to use such a pejorative term thought, because I know if I used it people would probably thump me and they’d be right to do so.

Harawira: Ah look Felix, you have to live with the things you say and I’m comfortable with the things I say.

My comment was about how the way in which the Prime Minister showed an appalling lack of understanding of the mana that his Maori MPs have. It’s an insult to them, (they should) make up their own mind.

What’s the point of having ministers that you want to rank highly in your cabinet, if you’re going to do all their thinking for them, particularly Maori ones.

And understand this, they’re not being invited as National Party MPs, they’re not being invited as Cabinet Ministers. It’s a national hui on water for Maori. It’s not an Iwi Leaders hui, it’s not a claimants hui, it’s not a Maori Council hui. It’s an open hui for Maori. They are Maori. They should come.

Marwick: Why should they?

Harawira: Because the issues that are going to be discussed there will probably lead to some of the most important decisions that Maoridom will make in my lifetime, and your lifetime for that matter. That’s why. It is that important.

Water, and the status of water to Maori and to the nation are at stake here, and it’s important that everybody’s point of view is heard. They bring a different point of view to the table, like everybody else. They should come, and John Key should not be telling them not to.

Marwick: What impact then do you think this hui could have on government policy, given the position that the Government’s already put out there?

Harawira: I’m really not sure. All I want to see is that Maori see water as an important issue, to make a decision on, that they set a timeframe on which that decision can be made with as wide a participation as possible from Maori people, and that they not be locked into a timeframe gerrymandered by the Prime Minister to facilitate the sale of assets that most New Zealanders are opposed to.

Aside from important issues like:

  • what 1950′s Alabama has got to do with slavery or New Zealand?
  • why “some of the most important decisions that Maoridom will make in my lifetime” will come from a hui organised at very short notice
  • if water is such an important issue for the country why is the hui so maori dominated
  • on what basis Harawira speaks for the hui
  • how representative of Maori as a whole the hui will be
  • how representative of the whole country the hui will be

…there’s a key point to take from this.

Harawira’s main objection regarding the National Party Maori MPs seems to be that “the fact that John Key is telling them they can’t“.

So he says “They should come, and John Key should not be telling them not to.“

As Harawira says, “they have their own mana“. Maybe they can decide for themselves what they do and who they listen to. Why should National Party MPs take their orders from the Mana plantation owner?

by Pete George on September 8, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Issues, Politics
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Posted by Pete George on September 8, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/09/08/the-mana-plantation-owner/

Interviews with Hone Harawira

Felix Marwick’s interview with Hone Harawira yesterday:

Harawira on his ‘house n****r’ comments

Chief political reporter Felix Marwick talks to Mana Movement leader Hone Harawira about his use of the term ‘house niggers’ in a Facebook post in relation to Maori MPs and the issue of a national hui on water rights

Online report: Harawira denies calling MPs ‘n*****s’

TV One on Breakfast (video):

‘I didn’t call anyone a house n*****’ – Harawira

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says he “didn’t call anybody a house n*****”, and New Zealand needs to “mature”.

News report: I have ‘nothing to apologise’ for – Harawira

TV3 Firstline (report and video):

Hone claims win for Sharples’ hui u-turn video

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says his “house nigger” comment on Facebook yesterday led to the Maori Party’s u-turn on attending a hui on water ownership.

Despite admitting his choice of words was questionable, Mr Harawira is claiming victory for convincing Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples to attend.

Campbell Live (Thursday – report and video)

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says his ‘N-word’ slur was never directed at his former Maori Party colleagues.

by Pete George on September 7, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Issues, Politics
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Posted by Pete George on September 7, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/09/07/interviews-with-hone-harawira/

Dunne has given Key a get out of Super free card

John Key surprised many when he painted himself into a Super corner, saying the age of entitlement would never go up while he’s Prime Minister. Our Super is an escalating cost issue that screams for a cross party discussion and solution. Key backed further into his corner, until a Dunne deal.

Peter Dunne has not only proposed a potential way out, partly at least, he has ensured National must discuss it. United Future’s Flexi-Super has not only met with Key’s approval to consider – PM open to ‘flexi-super’ idea – it is written in the National/UnitedFuture Confidence & Supply agreement to address it.

Confidence and Supply Agreement

The government notes that United Future has been committed to its “Flexi-Superannuation” proposal as a key part of its retirement policy and agrees that a government discussion document investigating this issue will be developed.

Developing this discussion document is scheduled for next year.

Flexi-Super may be cost neutral, and Key likes the idea that it gives people options on the timing of their retirement.

But there are other benefits that may help pay for Super. If more people choose to work longer before taking up Super they will still be earning taxes, which are needed to fund Super.

And with a rapidly aging population and diminishing younger population we may need the older contingent staying in work for longer, or our workforce will keep shrinking.

Flexi-Key

Flexi-Super may be the key to giving Key the flexibility to start to address Super without having to back off his position of not raising the age of eligibility.

And this doesn’t rule out taking this further. It gives key an opportunity to at least introduce some flexibility into our Super scheme, it starts the ball rolling, which will hopefully lead to more discussions with more parties on how to deal with our Super properly for the long term.

Flexi-Shearer?

And if David Shearer is serious about a cross-party  approach (there’s no reason to doubt that) then he should at least get on board the Flexi-Super start. He may be the leader that has to carry on with a comprehensive look at Super.

NOTES:

  • Peter Dunne and United Future are often criticised (ignorantly) for being a waste of space in parliament. Flexi-Super, written into the C&R, further disproves this by providing a sensible toe in the door, and could be the catalyst that leads to finally addressing Super properly.
  • @felixmarwick BTW I demand royalties for the use of “flexi super”
    @PeterDunneMP Happy to acknowledge you!
by Pete George on May 22, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Issues
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Posted by Pete George on May 22, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/05/22/dunne-has-given-key-a-get-out-of-super-free-card/

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