Dave Gee: Life from Right Field

While Labour and the Unions are scrambling to come up with reasons to rebut National's tax plans, critics on the correct side of National are disappointed at the scale of the planned tax cuts.

London-based blogger Clint Heine is well-unimpressed, particularly with National wimping out on abolishing New Zealand's top tax rate, with plans to drop it by just 2% (to 37%) by 2010. He rightly describes this as "madness and sheer gutlessness" from Key and English.

This is the "rich prick/envy" top tax rate of 39 cents in the dollar that Michael Cullen introduced in 1999, promising it would apply to "only the top 5% of income earners". That promise was never kept, with over 12% of workers now being forced to pay it.

More than a year ago, the Centre for Independent Studies revealed a person on the average wage of $36,000 in 2000 was now paying an extra $2,400 in tax each year (in real terms) because of Cullen's inaction and refusal to adjust tax thresholds.

The 3-year tax plans by both Labour and National fail to even compensate fully for this initial loss in real earnings since 2000.

Over-taxing many hundreds of thousands of New Zealand workers every year helped Cullen give the public and the media the false impression that he was capable of balancing the country's books. It has taken 9 years of bad policies to truly reveal that the emperor has no clothes.

Heine proposes a simple two-tier PAYE tax system, with 0% tax up to $20,000, and then an 18% flat tax rate from $20,000 upwards (dropping as the economic conditions improve). Not a bad idea, although I note that the Maori Party are even bolder, and want the first $25,000 of personal income to be tax-free.

ACT leader Rodney Hide says John Key has "failed to provide any economic leadership or direction". Hide says it proves that while a vote for National would get rid of PM Helen Clark, it would also be a vote to stick with the failed economic policies of Dr Cullen...

"I can see now why John Key doesn't want Sir Roger Douglas in his cabinet," said party leader Rodney Hide. The man he sees eye-to-eye with is (finance minister) Michael Cullen.

"What is needed is a recovery package that includes capping government expenditure, slashing red tape, and an immediate abolition of Cullen's 39 cent envy tax."

It is rumoured that National slashed over $2 billion from their original tax cuts package after the Government's books were opened, opting to give workers less of their own money back, rather than taking the bold (and actually quite simple) approach of cutting wasteful state spending.

The Hive revealed today (via The Independent) that New Zealand taxpayers are paying $36.9 million a year on public-sector communications staff and contractors.

Not PC has a very good message for the National Party: Stop the Spending!, while Pacific Empire has compiled a handy list of 407 (407!!) "government departments, state-owned enterprises, councils and quangos" that could help kickstart a good discussion around the caucus table of the incoming Government...
Rodney Hide notes that John Key has chosen to "cynically chase votes" rather than address the country's out of control spending and strangling red tape under Labour.

"[John Key] has fiddled while the economy burns... Key's lack of any plan, vision or leadership verges on the irresponsible. A Party vote for ACT and only ACT will see Cullen's 39 cent envy tax gone by Christmas"

* Scoop: Hide Slams Key's Economic Policy
* Clint Heine and Friends: Totally taxing Mr Key!

A new entrant in silliest headline of the year... NBR: Greens mull which major party to back. Yeh Right!!

With Aussie-socialist-import Russel Norman leading the party, and unemployed bludgers activist Sue Bradford writing policies, there is no doubt the Green Party would "prefer to work with" Labour Party after the election.

Aunty Jeanette and Norman claim their would "assess Labour and National's policies over the next few weeks", and base their decision on a balance "between environmental and social concerns."

(Sorry, I can't remember where the billboard graphic originally came from... I'll hat tip No Minister, but let me know if I'm wrong on that...)

Sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Bebo are still the most popular in the online world of Social Networking, but a growing number of websites are aiming to make their mark by targeting niche groups.

One of the latest is a Sports Social Networking Site aimed specifically at athletes and sport fans. SportsGist.com is designed to help athletes link up to discuss events, training methods, and even the competitive world of College Recruiting.

The sports social networking site encourages its sporty users to stay in touch by uploading photos, videos, and blogs. Sportsgist.com is looking to attract users through good coverage of High school sports live and video highlights from college athletic events.

Users can join groups specific to their sports or interests, and check the Stats of friends (or rivals) across the network. Members can also connect with experts in their sports, to help them "take their game to new heights", with Podcasts from top Coaches and athletes, and useful information on nutrition, strength & conditioning, and injury prevention and rehab.

The website is aiming to become a serious promotional and network tool for athletes looking to take their sporting hobby to the next level, by letting other coaches and talent scouts see their talent in sports videos, and by offering College recruiting video for athletes looking for future opportunities.

After the revelations this week of the extent of damage Cullenomics has done to the New Zealand economy over the last 9 years, the National Party has largely held their ground and confirmed its package of tax cuts, planned to come in over the next 2 1/2 years if it wins the election.

Admittedly it's not the most ambitious or innovative tax package National could have come up (but then ambition and innovation have never been National's strong points), but it's probably not too bad considering all the other Labour-lite policies Johnboy has adopted over the last year.

National Leader John Key says the changes would leave the average worker better off by a reasonable $47 a week by 2011. National's package include adjustments in the thresholds that higher tax rates kick in, as well as small drops in the actual tax rates.

National plan to introduce the biggest cuts on April 1st next year, to boost the economy...

- Income up to $14,000 would be taxed at 12.5%
- Income $14,000-$48,000 would be taxed at 21%
- Income $48,000-$70,000 gets hit with 33%
- and a top tax rate of 38% for income over $70,000 (currently 39%)

Thresholds and tax rates will be adjusted further on April 1 2010, with the second band rising to $50,000, and the top rate dropping to 37%.

A year after that on April 1 2011, the 21% tax rate will be lowered slightly to 20%, with "medium term" plans to cap New Zealand's top tax rate at 33% (as it was before Cullen introduced his "envy tax").
It is interesting to see National trying to balance out things for single people and couples without children, with plans for a tax rebate of $10-15 a week for those earning $24,000-$50,000 who don't receive anything from Working for Families.

However I suspect it would have been cheaper and simpler to just ditch/cut the whole 'Working for Families' system (which rewards those who breed like rabbits), and instead give the money back directly to both groups through larger tax cuts, rather than wasting some of that money by having to put in place another "rebate" system.
Johnboy Key says National wouldn't have to borrow any additional money to pay for the expanded tax cuts programme, because of changes to the KiwiSaver scheme. National would cap maximum subsidies to 2%, and remove the employer tax credit.

Key says together with dropping Labour's planned "research and development" subsidy, National's changes would save $5.9 billion over the period to 2011/2012... against the cost of increased tax cuts of $5.7 billion.

Roarprawn has discovered a good Tax Calculator (Excel-based) at the NZIER website, which allows you to compare the differences National and Labour's tax policies would have on your annual income...

* Full National tax cuts package and analysis at Kiwiblog
* NZ Herald: KiwiSaver changes to help fund National's tax cuts
* Stuff: Nats trump Labour's tax package

While the New Zealand Parliament was formally dissolved last Friday afternoon, the Labour Party are intent on extracting every last cent out of the country before the General Election in November.

Yesterday, when high winds temporarily closed Wellington Airport, Labour leader Hillin Cluck called in the NZ Air Force, so she could attend a Grey Power meeting and visit other groups in Invercargill. The cost of a chartered flight from Ohakea to Invercargill would be around $15,000.

Critics including ACT's Deputy Leader Heather Roy have labelled the behaviour as "an abuse of her position as Prime Minister". Cluck claimed she was there as the PM rather than the Labour leader (stretching, considering Parliament has been dissolved).
Roy said the Labour leader was "there for electioneering purposes, pure and simple" and has called on Labour to pay back the air force for the cost of flights, and declare it "as an election expense under the Electoral Finance Act".

* NBR: Act lashes out at Clark's air force flight
* Stuff: PM Clark defends use of air force plane to fly to city

Meanwhile, soon to be ex-Labour MP for Dunedin South, David Benson-Pope has joined with other Labour MPs in distributing 50-page promotional booklets, labelled an "information kit for the Over 60s" around his electorate.

The orange coloured booklets feature the name and photo of the MP sending it out. Dunedin South has a high number of superannuitants, with DBP ordering 1,500 booklets.
Other Labour MPs like Phil Goff have printed up to 4,000 copies with their name and face, all paid for by Parliamentary Services (at a cost of 91c per booklet - a total of $3,640, plus postage).

It does seem to go against the whole argument for the draconian "Electoral Finance Act", and National Party deputy leader Bill English says Labour is using a loophole in the law, meaning the booklets don't have to be declared as election spending.

* ODT: Benson-Pope distributing booklet for the over-60s
* NZ Herald: Labour kit has National crying foul

Prolific North Otago blogger Homepaddock has been spending too much time in the kitchen, and has posted a breakdown of how each political party in Parliament might cut up the "Tax Cake". Here's a taste of what's on her menu...

National: for every dollar in tax cuts there is almost a dollar for increased expenditure on priority issues dear to the public’s heart – this is the nearest you’ll get to having your cake and eating it too. (Hmm, this one sounds a tad biased, and could possibly give me heartburn... but I'll let her have it ;)

Labour’s policy will take the cake you’ve baked, share it around and, when pressured, give you some of the leftovers.

ACT will provide no cake. They will however, give the tax cuts needed to enable you to purchase a dietary plan of your choice which depending on how well you manage your allowance may or may not include cake.

The Progressive Party will nationalise all the bakeries then force you to eat badly made state-baked cake.

* Check out the full post here - Homepaddock: Cutting the tax cake

I'd add my own little slice to the bottom of that list...

The Family Party: Cake will provided to families only, based on a traditional recipe handed down unchanged through the generations. 10% of every cake must be kept aside for Bishop Tamaki.

New Zealand-based Hong Kong singing sensation Wing is set to make her New York City debut later this month at the famous Birdland jazz club in Manhattan.

Wing will perform in a special "One Night Only" performance at New York’s premier concert venue on Monday October 20th, as part of the Broadway at Birdland series.

While Wing is beloved by "the kiwis" in New Zealand, she is also a global phenomenon, having performed live and on television and radio shows around the world. Wing has released an impressive 16 CDs, and even got to play herself on the hit Cartoon Network show South Park.

As the producers note, Wing has achieved cult status through her unique vocal stylings... mastering hit songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, ABBA, the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Mariah Carey, AC/DC, and so many more!

This unique live event has been organised by my old Stagedoor Manor summer camp mate Andy Sandberg, in association with Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com.

As Andy says, "GET YOUR TICKETS NOW, because the CDs do not do this wonder woman justice!!!"

(I would love to be there for this amazing concert, but unfortunately haven't yet managed to persuade my employer to foot the bill for the flights over to cover this great event... :-( Any alternative offers gratefully accepted! )

Event Details: Wing - Live at Birdland! (315 West 44th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues, New York City).

You can purchase Tickets online @ www.birdlandjazz.com. More information at Facebook - WING - Live at Birdland!

If you haven't heard Wing, you haven't lived... Check out her unique voice (and vocal arrangements) here in her unique rendition of the Abba classic song Mamma Mia...

Want more? Here's Wing singing the Beatles' hit I Wanna Hold Your Hand!...

Kiwiblog has a post listing the 21 political parties officially registered to contest this year's general election in New Zealand. (Parties still need to file party lists, so the final figure could potentially be less).

I was very pleased to see The Bill and Ben Party (B&B) has made it onto the list for the upcoming election...

Founded by Jamie “Bill” Linehan and Ben “Ben” Boyce this year, the pair have the advantage of good media saturation, with their satirical sports show Pulp Sport about to return to TV3.

Bill & Ben say they were "fed up with politicians calling each other childish names" and because they already have childish names, they decided to put themselves forward.

They have yet to announce any official B&B Party policies, but say they're looking forward to the free Air New Zealand flights, and their own motorcade to rugby games at Eden Park!

Bill and Ben say they're aiming to "put the party back in political party". Wikipedia describes them as a "joke political party", but I encourage any disgruntled voters who're considering supporting that "bad joke political party" known as the Greens, to instead vote for the fun and freedom that Bill & Ben are offering.

The Bill and Ben Party's Facebook profile notes that they have already received the generous support of the NZ Hospitality Association, who have erected B&B signs right across the country, conveniently located outside Bed and Breakfasts... ;-)
Bill and Ben are embarking on their first "political rally" this Wednesday, leaving by rally car from Auckland and travelling on to Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Taupo over the week.

* The Bill and Ben Party's Facebook page
* NZ Herald: No one's left right out in battle for votes

The country's largest airline - Air New Zealand - has announced major cuts to its trans-tasman international flights from regional airports in both Hamilton and Dunedin.

From late March until October next year, Air NZ will ground its international flights from Hamilton to Sydney and Hamilton to Coolangatta. The airline will continue its Hamilton to Brisbane flights, albeit with just two flights a week.

Air New Zealand will also cut back its trans-tasman schedule in the south, with the Dunedin to Brisbane and Dunedin to Sydney services reducing to five flights a week (currently seven a week).

The cutbacks come as Air NZ focuses on trying to increase profits as passengers numbers fall. The airline says it is responding to "unprecedented demand" by adding another 18 Pacific Premium Economy seats to its eight Boeing 777-200ER aircraft (making a total of 36 seats).

The Premium Economy seats offer more leg room and personal space, along with business-class style service including food and wine. (Air NZ charges more for its Premium Economy ticket, while some international airlines like United offer free upgrades to their "extended leg-room" services for regular customers).

Meanwhile, Nathan Agnew from Air New Zealand is heading a team tasked with trying to "reinvent economy class". That could include a total redesign of the plane seat, and splitting Economy into three different classes (Premium, Standard, and Lite).

* Stuff: Air NZ axes Hamilton international flights

* NZ Herald: Air NZ to double its premium economy seats on 777s

* The Australian Business: Air NZ's Nathan Agnew leads economy-class redesign team

Apple's iPhone has been a big hit worldwide, but competitors have until very recently been slow to come up with their own alternatives.

Now Mobile phone giant Nokia has announced its answer to the iPhone, the touchscreen Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. The 5800 will be released this month in the UK, but most markets (including the USA) will have to wait until early 2009.

The 5800 smartphone will come bundled with a 12-month subscription to Nokia's "all-you-can-eat" music download service in the UK. The Nokia phone will be less than half the price of Apple's comparable iPhone.

Nokia's new phone has a similar full-length touchscreen and virtual keyboard as the ground-breaking iPhone, but lacks the multi-touch "pinch" technology to zoom in on images and websites.

The 5800's screen is slightly smaller than the iPhone, but Nokia's phone includes a 3.2 megapixel camera which can also shoot video (iPhone's camera is just 2 megapixels, and doesn't do video).
The 5800's Symbian OS web browser also supports the common Adobe Flash web technology, which is notoriously absent from even the latest versions of the iPhone and iPod Touch. Nokia's inclusion of Flash could help force Apple's hand, with the company having refused to give in to user demands up until now.

Treasury has opened the New Zealand Government's books, revealing the country is set for a massive $30 billion deficit over the next 5 years... if the programme set down by the Labour-led minority coalition isn't altered.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen seemed rather proud of the grim figures, with the Government's operating balances predicted to enter the red for the first time since 1994, hitting $3.2 billion in the 2012/2013 financial year.

Cullen blamed "skyrocketing global oil and food prices over the past 18 months", and international credit costs for the impact on the housing market and business here... but didn't accept any blame for massively increasingly Government spending or increasing New Zealand's tax take over the past 9 years.

It has taken the Labour-led administration almost a decade of putting on hundreds of brakes, but they have finally succeeded in sending the country into high speed reverse, after hard work by previous administrations to put New Zealand on the right path.
Being the proud socialist that he is, Cullen tried to claim this was the not time for "a slash and burn response" to government spending... although he did admit there would have to be a review of "low priority" spending.

That is the big problem New Zealand faces, even if the National Party succeeds in leading the next Government. Under Johnboy Key, National have agreed to continue Labour's crazy spending spree, and have shown little interest in slashing Government spending to much more prudent levels.

The ACT Party and the Libertarianz have both suggested lists of government departments that could be easily closed, without affecting how the country runs. (ACT's policy under Roger Douglas is unfortunately far less ambitious than the Libertarianz, but at least it's a start).
State spending and bureaucracy is out of control, and the incoming government needs the Guts to do what's Right. Let hard working New Zealanders keep more of their own money, and stop flushing it down the toilet on wasteful state spending.

This weekend PM Hillin Cluck revealed her utter arrogance and lack of understanding that it is other people's money she is recklessly spending, as she visited the Auckland markets.
A NZ Herald article reports she told shoppers at the Avondale yesterday to "reject and laugh at National's tax policy - regardless of the size of cuts"!!

Cluck has presided over some of the largest increases in state spending since the Muldoon era, and has very little to show for the extra billions her administration has stolen from ordinary kiwis.

* No Minster has a good post and a summary of the mood of the blogosphere here... (albeit with some false hope that the TV media will actually understand the real problem, and "explain tonight how Liarbour got us into this mess". Fat chance!)

* NZ Herald: Government set for $30b deficit over next five years

* The Libertarianz have a great Tax Calculator that will simultaneously shock you and make you cry at the unnecessary wasting of your hard-earned money... Just enter your annual income, and click "Pillage" to find out exactly how Liarbour First are wasting your own money!!

(The Libertarianz note that the 3rd largest category in Government spending (after Social Security/Welfare and Core Govt Spending) is described as 'No Functional Classification'... which covers such things as 'Provision for Retirement and Long Service Leave' by the Department of Conservation, and 'Acquisition of Textphone Equipment' by the Ministry for Economic Development...)

* A GAME for the Whole Family: Whack both Hillin Cluck and Johnboy!...

The Sunday Star Times has a (rare) good article this morning, about ACT Party leader Rodney Hide. The paper followed him as he campaigned on the streets of Remuera for ACT and for his re-election in the seat of Epsom.

Hide, 51, leader of the Act Party, MP for Epsom, moved along the pavement with pretty little steps and a winning smile on his tanned, tight-skinned dial. He asked: "Vote for me?" He handed out Act leaflets. Few resisted.

Many welcomed the chance to shake his hand. He was among friends; when Hide won Epsom in the last election, he beat his opponent, National's Richard Worth, at all six polling booths in Remuera.

Sporting his eye-catching Yellow suit jacket, ACT's Rodney Hide proved he has supporters of all ages, and both male and female...

"Hello, sir. Vote for me?" The [elderly] man replied, "I bloody well will. Keeping sticking it to Winston. Get him out of parliament and into jail. It's where that bastard belongs..."

Next, a young man in a striped shirt and wraparound sunglasses. Hide had barely opened his mouth when the man said, "Fantastic! Nice to meet you, actually. I'll tell you why I'm voting for Act. First, your policy of zero tolerance on crime. Secondly, what you're always saying about less bureaucracy. And I love your stance on Winston."

Next, a middle-aged businessman who waved away Hide's offer of a leaflet and said, "It's all right. You don't have to bother. You've got my vote." Hide said, "Good on you!" The man replied, "No, good on you. We need someone right of centre in parliament instead of that lesbian government we've got."

Now that's what I call real New Zealanders. People who really care and want New Zealand to become a great country... not just the embarrassing little Pacific Island Dictatorship that it has become over the last decade or so.

Hide isn't always right... He does tell the reporter that he has "huge respect for Helen Clark. I think she's an amazing woman. I have huge respect for Michael Cullen, too. And I've always liked Annette King. There's no one in Labour I disrespect."
However he does admit he "struggles with Trevor Mallard. I think he's just nasty for the sake of being nasty." Yup. There's at few more sitting Labour MPs you could add to that list. (Thankfully, Steve Maharey has already exited the building).

Reading the article, I must admit I get frustrated by New Zealand's current voting system. The problem with a "democracy" (that's the theory of what NZ has anyway), is that it assumes the majority know what's good for them.

And as the sensible people know, the majority often don't really know what's good for them... and unfortunately they are easily distracted by attractive-looking bribes, without realising they'll actually be paying for those bribes through increased taxes/duties/fees/other-socialist-controls.

I do have some sympathy for New Zealand's original electoral system, which restricted voting to Land Owners, or those paying rent over a certain amount. Back in the 1850's there were no separatist "Maori seats"... something only introduced in 1867 as a "temporary measure".

We can at least take heart from an article in yesterday's Dominion Post, which revealed the upcoming General Election drew "a collective yawn from many potential young voters" in Wellington.

While perhaps disappointing (and probably a reflection on New Zealand's falling education standards, and lack of focus on "real" subjects in school), it does save the country from several thousand "protest" votes from young voters ticking "Green" simply because their teachers have drilled them in the false religions of "Climate Change" and "Political Correctness".
* Sunday Star Times: Who can say no to Rodney Hide?

In a rare of unity, the National Party and the Labour Party this week refused to share the stage with any of the minor parties in TV debates this election campaign.

The backroom deal has already seen TV3 cancel its planned 90-minute Leaders Debate (set down for October 9), although the network admits a head-to-head debate between John Boy and Madam is still being considered.

For Labour and PM Cluck, the demands were perhaps understandable. As ACT leader Rodney points out, she doesn't want to have to defend Winston Peters in a nationwide prime-time TV debate, and certainly doesn't want to be tripped up by tricky questions or responses from the minor party leaders.

However, National's decision to agree to the deal reflects the lack of savvy media and communications heads in the party, and could end up backfiring on them. Despite what some in the party seem to believe, John Key is pretty ropey when talking "on the fly" and is easily tripped up.
The National Party are obviously still clinging to the very faint hope that they may be able to govern alone, and fear losing support to minor parties like ACT and United Future if Rodney Hide and Peter Dunne impress the public in a tv debate.

As Colin Espiner (political editor of The Press) points out, "for the minor parties, TV debates are a one-time shot to get the sort of publicity they couldn’t hope to buy in a million years." It was Dunne's "worm-turning" performance that boosted his party to 8 seats in 2002.
Dunne says TV3 was "craven to buckle" (meaning they lacked courage), while Jeanette Fitzsimons says TV3 were "bullied by National and Labour to gag the MMP parties", and believes it "shows how similar the two old parties are."

TVNZ has also expressed disappointment at Key and Cluck's stance, but have decided to hold two separate prime-time debates... a head-to-head between National & Labour, and a second debate with the minor party leaders, who could hold the crucial balance of power come November.

* Stuff: Debate cancelled after Key, Clark bow out
* Stuff: Colin Espiner - TV3 puts ratings ahead of MMP leaders’ debate

Rarely were 3 more sensible words ever spoken... Don't Vote Greens.

That's the name of a new website, launched in time for the NZ election campaign, and aimed at "informing the public of the damaging nature of the Green Party."

As the site owners point out, they are not supporting any other party - just saying "Don't Vote Greens", and "Don't give them the opportunity to waste another 3 years of New Zealand's history".

The latest political poll out this evening (the traditionally left-leaning 3 News poll no less) had National still well ahead on 49%, with Labour down one to 36%. ACT and the Maori Party had 2% each (both will be back thanks to electorate seats), but NZ First's 3% will see it kicked out of Parliament in November with no safety net.

Support for the "Green" Party slipped slightly, but unfortunately they still managed to gain 5% - just on the MMP threshold. (The good news is that much of the Greens' support comes from younger voters, who are notoriously apathetic about actually casting their votes on election day).
There are many many good reasons for not voting for the Green Party... as the Don't Vote Greens website points out, "They want to ban everything. Let's ban them from Parliament."

The site, which definitely qualifies for our 'Website of the Month' pick, has a list of reasons why voting Greens is a very very bad idea.

As well as making free speech illegal in NZ during an election year (WTF?! This isn't China!), the Greens have helped created a nanny state and taken away citizens rights.
Sue Bradford and the Green Party have invaded our homes and rights as parents by promoting and passing the anti smacking bill, they denigrate and ridicule church groups who have different values and morals, and they encourage dependence on Welfare (1 in 4 Kiwis collect a Government benefit).

Check out the full list of reasons why you should Not vote Greens under any circumstances here.

Runner-up for 'Website of the Month' would have been Labour's newest (unofficial? ;-) website, Labour08.co.nr, but it has unfortunately already been "taken down by the fun police". A shame, it was a slick looking site...

ACT's Dunedin South candidate is determined to continue the fight this election, despite having his newly-signwritten car stolen and torched while he was out for dinner.

Colin Nicholls was out for dinner on Saturday night in Caversham (not far from the Carisbrook ground), but when he returned later that evening, his car had disappeared.

Police discovered the burnt-out shell of his sign-written Ford Laser in Green Island (about 10 minutes away) on Sunday morning.

Nicholls says it could have been a random act of vandalism, but suspects it was more likely to have been a pre-planned attack on his ACT Party car, because the culprits would have needed a second vehicle to return from Green Island.

Given the demographics of Dunedin South, I reckon it was probably a cowardly Liarbour supporter, scared that a change of government involving the ACT Party would force them to actually do some real work and not rely on free handouts from the state.

The seat of Dunedin South (currently held by David Benson-Pope) is one of the poorer electorates in the country, and the core suburb of South Dunedin makes the likes of West Auckland seem a bit like Epsom in comparison.

A recent comment over on Kiwiblog on DBP's possible campaign plans hit the nail on the head, describing Dunedin South as real “tiger country”...

"I love Dunedin, did tertiary ed there but that South Dunedin/Mosgiel area has some strange people there, some willing to die for the Red Flag and still fighting the old class war."

Anyway, back to ACT's candidate for Dunedin South Colin Nicholls, who says the attack has made him even more determined to ensure that ACT gets a good party vote, to ensure more ACT MPs are elected in November.

* Channel 9 Television report: ACT Candidate Target Of Crime


* ODT: Act candidate's car stolen, torched

I'm sure most of you reading this are well aware of the monthly New Zealand blog rankings compiled by Tumeke.

I'm not sure that he quite realised what he was getting himself in for he compiled the first NZ Blogosphere Rankings of kiwi political and news blogs back in January this year!

Tumeke's latest survey includes an impressive 187 New Zealand-penned blogs. He points out that blogs are now becoming more widely accepted by the regular media, and some have even been mentioned by MPs in the Beehive.

My busy schedule has resulted in fewer posts recently here on Dave Gee: Life from Right Field, but the blog still held up quite well in the August survey, falling just 3 places to #24.

That's 4 places ahead of my old mate Clint Heine, but we're both aiming to be back in the Top 20 rankings by Christmas! ;-) Meanwhile, North Otago blue blogger Homepaddock is deservedly up another 4 places to #12, thanks to some prolific posting on unique issues.

It is extremely rare for New Zealand's union movement to come out with anything that makes much sense, but they have managed that rare feat this morning.

The PSA (Public Service Association) has launched a newspaper campaign claiming that tax cuts for ordinary New Zealanders will lead to job cuts amongst the state sector. (In fact they claim "every 10 cents a year in tax cuts represents the jobs of seven public servants!?!)

We can but only wish!! Earlier this year, we heard that the fastest growing sector since 2000 (the reign of PM Cluck's Liabour-led regime) has been Government administration.

The Labour Party itself has more "communications" staff than any Government has ever had, in a bid to try and control the direction and focus of the national media.

Back in March, National leader John Key said putting a cap on the number of bureaucrats would save the government $500m dollars. Unfortunately even National aren't talking about slashing the state sector at this point, which could save the country billions of dollars more.

Annual salaries in the core public service (which excludes the likes of schools, hospitals, police, armed forces) rose to $56,619 for the year to June 2007 (I couldn't immediately track down the latest figures).

That is considerably higher than the national average salary, but as anyone who has ever dealt with the public service knows, that does not translate to better or more efficient staff and operations.
The PSA and other Unions are planning to engage on a full-on election year blitz to try and save the Labour Party from being obliterated on election day. There are plenty of loopholes in place to ensure the combined Union message gets out, while legitimate groups are severely constrained by the new spending rules.

Green co-leader Russell Norman continued the spin (bought by the mainstream media) during his appearance on Sky TV/Prime's "Campaign '08" show on Sunday night.
The "Left" (and the media) believe it is wrong for businesses and special interest groups (like the Exclusive Brethren) to campaign against their socialist and country-destroying agenda... but see absolutely nothing wrong with the well-funded Union movement mounting vicious campaigns of lies and misinformation against parties on the "Right".

* ODT: Union says tax cuts will put jobs at risk

Last Friday was officially "National Nude Day" in New Zealand, but it seemed to be a relatively quiet one by usual standards in the south.

One streaker did manage to interrupt NZ First leader Winston Peters, as he was speaking to students on campus at Otago University, while the famous Gardies Tavern was no doubt as busy as ever.

But the passing of National Nude Day hasn't meant the end of nudity in Dunedin. Things are heating up in the local radio promotion, "How to Look More Good Naked 2".

The original More FM radio promotion last year saw individuals posing nude (tastefully of course ;) on billboards around the city, with contenders being progressively eliminated as time went on.

The sequel has 5 Couples (of various makeups) pairing up for a new billboard campaign (drive by Andersons Bay Road in Dunedin if you live in the south, to check out the new naked billboard).
Anyone can register online to vote (once a day) at the More FM Dunedin website. Eliminations began today, with Team A the first to leave the competition. (The next elimination round is Wednesday at 5pm).

My friend Jade was a finalist in the original Naked Billboard promotion, and she has teamed up with another female finalist from last year to try and take out the top prize this time as TEAM B.
Jade and Alana are one of only 2 all-girl pairings in the competition, and should be hot favourites to take out this year's naked title.

They need your support now as the competition enters its final stages...

So to help do your national duty, and ensure a hot girl-on-girl nude billboard graces Dunedin's main streets, please Vote for TEAM B at the More FM Dunedin website (register, then click under 'Competitions' and follow the links from there). :-)

** Update: Team B have also entered a 'teaser video' in TV's Sports Cafe Nude Day video competition, responding to Marc Ellis' promotion of a rival (co-ed) team on last week's show...

There's also lots of other great Dunedin entries you can support in the Nude Day video competition, at the World Nude Day website...

The crazy guys at EepyBird (the ones beyond the famous Diet Coke & Mentos soda fountains) have come up with a new hobby...

They've covered an office with cascading packs of coloured Post-it notes (well actually, they've used "Z-Notes" to be exact... they're the ones that are sticky on alternate sides, so they pop up easily from a dispenser)...

* Hat tip: b3ta.com

I meant to do this last week but got busy and never got back to it...

A "meme-ish" type of blog award called the Brillante has been doing the rounds of kiwi weblogs, and fellow Otago blogger Homepaddock kindly added me to her nomination list recently (hers is a great blog, despite being one of those dodgy mainstream Nats ;-)

Homepaddock admits it is a kind of "chain letter" sort of thing, but the idea behind it is good, so like her I'll indulge in it to spread a little "linky love" to some of my favourite blogs. (Homepaddock received her award from In A Strange Land, who managed to trace it back another 5 generations...)

Brillante recipients are encourage to spread the happiness by passing it on to at least 7 other blogs... (Homepaddock must have a lot of spare time... she managed to nominate an impressive 19 other blogs, which does slim down the potential list for me!)

The rules go like this:

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to these blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominator on her/his blog.

My 7 Brillante blog nominations are:

* Clint Heine and Friends - Fellow former-student activist and all-round genuine crazy guy. Living in the northern hemisphere has given him a clearer perspective on just how much damage the Liabour axis has done to the Pacific republic of Nu Zild. His co-authors also offer good common sense arguments on how to solve NZ's woes.

* Silent Running - Led by former US-prison-detainee Rick Giles, this blog's banner description proudly sums up the content you can expect... "If you are offended by strong right wing views and bad language, you should probably fuck off and go hug a tree". I think he's talking to you Tane.

* Whale Oil Beef Hooked - Still holds the award for best name in the NZ Blogosphere by a country mile. Cameron's very popular blog is kindof an "unleashed" version of the country's leading site Kiwiblog. Good analysis and regularly breaks stories, but isn't afraid to throw in a bit of humour or to offend sensitive readers.

* Mulholland Heeft Meer Mmmmmmmm... - Blair also manages a good mix of topical stories, critical discussion, biting humour, and a bit of retro-music. A solid ACT Party campaigner, albeit after backing down on his plans to stand as a candidate himself this election.

* Not PC - One of the main hubs for NZ's Liberterianz Party, Peter's blog is good at exposing the extreme bias of the so-called "mainstream media", the dodgy dealings of the current minority coalition government, and the gutlessness of the potential replacements (led by Johnboy's namby-pamby version of the National Party). Peter also has a strong focus on US politics, and a healthy fondness for "Real Beer".

* No Minister - The blog infamous enough to get banned by NZ Government departments ;-) A very good right-thinking group blog, full of insightful commentary and discussion. Another that is good at breaking fresh stories, and often very quick off the mark with hot news. I'd have them in my cabinet any day of the week.

* The Matthew Hooton Blog - A recent and welcome addition to the New Zealand blogosphere, Matthew makes up the right half of "The Policy Blog", alongside lifetime leftie Chris Trotter. Unfortunately for some reason, I cannot seem to get a sidebar feed for just Matthew's posts, so sometimes find myself doing a double-take before I realise I'm actually reading Trotter's rantings instead.
(Edit: Has somebody changed some settings somewhere? The feed link now does take me direct to Matthew's posts, bypassing CT's ones...)

Tina Fey - star and writer of the Emmy award winning sitcom 30 Rock and movie Baby Mama - returned to her old tv show last week to play Sarah Palin in the season premiere of Saturday Night Live.

Fey was an SNL cast member from 1997 through until 2006, when she left to star in NBC's 30 Rock. But her striking resemblance to Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin made her an obvious choice for the season opening sketch, opposite Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton.

In the skit, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and jilted Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton join together in a "nonpartisan message" to plead for "the end of sexism in the presidential campaign"...

“Tonight we are crossing party lines to address the now very ugly role that sexism is playing in the campaign” Fey-as-Palin said.

Poehler-as-Clinton chimed in: “An issue which I am frankly surprised to hear people suddenly care about.”

Poehler-as-Clinton: “I believe that diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy” to which Fey-as-Palin responded: “And I can see Russia from my house.”

And on global warming: “I believe global warming is caused by man” Poehler-as-Clinton said. “And I believe it’s just God hugging us closer” Fey-as-Palin said.

Airline JetBlue apparently ensured tv screens were fitted to Sarah Palin's charter plane during the SNL broadcast, to let the GOP candidate watch the skit along with her staff and travelling press...

* Wall Street Journal: Tina Fey Returns to ‘Saturday Night Live’ to Play Palin

Yarr, shiver me timbers... Fer today (Friday September 19th) is officially "International Talk Like a Pirate Day!"

Avast me hearty mateys! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! Ensure ye dress up in yer best Pirate hats 'n' costumes, 'n' address yer mateys in Pirate language (begin by starrtin' each sentence with "Arrr, me hearrty")...

Check ou' th' links below fer more details on this important tide, or fer help in speakin' more Gentleman o' fortune-like.

Fer th' iPhone users amongst ye, help be available in th' form o' th' ayePhone application, which can assist ye in avoidin' th' critical mistake o' speakin' like a land-lubber on this important tide.

* The Original Talk Like A Pirate Day website
* How To Be Speakin' Pirate-Like (Talk Like A Pirate Day UK)
* Dave Gee's Blog translated into Pirate-speak