Category Archives: Democracy

National’s problem – more ‘glass ceiling’ than ‘complacency’

Posted on 5th Jul, 2014 by Puddleglum

  I agree with John Key and Steven Joyce on a couple of points they stressed to the party faithful gathered in Wellington for their recent election year conference. Yes, as John Key argued, this election will be closer than … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology | 2 Comments

The real story in the Fairfax polls

Posted on 22nd Jun, 2014 by Puddleglum

There’s an aspect of the political polls that I suspect many people are unaware of. As percentage support for each party is reported, most people probably assume that more people are supporting the parties that show an increase in percent … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Labour, New Zealand Politics, Political Polls | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Selling rope

Posted on 29th May, 2014 by Puddleglum

There’s an anecdote, probably apocryphal, that in the early 1920s Lenin claimed that capitalism would provide the rope to hang itself. When some wag (reputedly Grigori Zinoviev, a close associate) responded by asking ‘Where will we get the rope?’ – at … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Labour, Maori, Media, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology, Poverty | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wafer-thin socialism in nouvelle cuisine budget

Posted on 18th May, 2014 by Puddleglum

It was obviously a budget for political foodies. As pointed out by Christ Trotter, Liam Dann predicted (or advised Bill English to deliver) a ‘cheese and toast‘ budget – comfort food, Kiwi-style. Gordon Campbell, by contrast, hitched his analysis to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Foxes, hens, the ‘hard left’ and the myth of the ‘time warp’.

Posted on 2nd Mar, 2014 by Puddleglum

It’s easy to feel a bit giddy – even queasy – after reading and hearing the reaction of politicians and commentators to the appointment of Matt McCarten as David Cunliffe’s Chief of Staff. John Armstrong has invited a picture of … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Labour, New Zealand Politics, Political Polls, Political Psychology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Flagging interest in ‘folly’ of vexillology

Posted on 2nd Feb, 2014 by Puddleglum

John Key seems like an unlikely vexillologist – or should that be vexillographer?. That aside, what was John Key ‘flagging’ when he proposed a referendum on New Zealand’s national flag to coincide with this year’s election – without having already … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, National Identity, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Pennies from heaven – or, a ‘Corpse’ Flower by any other name …

Posted on 24th Jan, 2014 by Puddleglum

  The education proposals outlined by John Key in his State of the Nation speech have blossomed spectacularly today – like Auckland’s ‘Corpse Flower‘ – attracting a surprising band of over-awed onlookers. The intent of the education initiatives is clear … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Education, New Zealand Politics, Poverty | 18 Comments

Be-Knighted Mayors

Posted on 4th Jan, 2014 by Puddleglum

The year got off to a worryingly surreal start in Canterbury politics. Before the year even began, news was released that highly controversial two-term, ex-mayor of Christchurch Bob Parker would from now on officially have to be referred to as … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, Local Government, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , | 59 Comments

‘How Green was my East Frame?’

Posted on 9th Nov, 2013 by Puddleglum

It looks like the green highlighter that was used to ‘Wow’ the population of Christchurch in the original Central City Blueprint has faded already. The images above can be found in the online article from The Press ‘Green space shrunk … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Great minds? Or just something in the Veuve Clicquot?

Posted on 14th Oct, 2013 by Puddleglum

No sooner than I clicked the ‘publish’ button for the previous post, along comes a strong echo of almost exactly the same refrain. This time, Rodney Hide – after complimenting Len Brown on his stewardship of the Super City – … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Fascism, Freedom, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments