Ridiculous eh. We don't bounce well, especially headsI can't think of anyone that is wanting the "freedom" of not having to wear a bike helmet
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
The thread centers on New Zealand's upcoming election, primarily debating the economic management and policy differences between the center-left Labour government and center-right National/ACT opposition. Key criticisms target Labour's fiscal stewardship, citing ballooning government expenditure #7#272, housing unaffordability, and unfulfilled promises like KiwiBuild and dental care expansion #16#12. A user #7 highlighted Labour's annual 9% spending growth versus 1.5% under previous governments, arguing this fueled inflation. National's tax-cut policy faced scrutiny over funding gaps and legality, with user #215 questioning Luxon's reliance on "trust me" assurances.
Leadership competence emerged as a critical theme, particularly in later posts. Luxon drew heavy criticism after a contentious interview where he struggled to defend policy details #194#199#211, while Willis faced backlash for her economic credentials. Hipkins garnered fleeting praise for articulation but was ultimately seen as representing poor governmental outcomes #45#119. A trusted user #308 presented expert economic analysis contradicting Treasury optimism. Infrastructure issues—like Wellington's water crisis and the dental school staffing shortage—were cited as examples of systemic mismanagement #235#12. Notable policy debates included road-user charges for EVs #220, immigration impacts on rents #299, and coalition scenarios involving NZ First #182#258. Early fringe discussions on candidates' rugby allegiances gave way to substantive policy critiques, culminating in grim Treasury forecasts discussed in posts #271#304#308. User #168 also revealed concerns about Labour rushing regulatory changes to entrench policies pre-election.
Economic Policies, Housing Crisis, Leadership Competence
Ridiculous eh. We don't bounce well, especially headsI can't think of anyone that is wanting the "freedom" of not having to wear a bike helmet
MMP good?? Why on earth do we want the minorities having far more influence than their vote deserves?I think that MMP is very good as it gives both those further on the left and right a voice…. it’s not great though that it’s meant the more centrist parties have had to go further to the left or right than they would probably like in order to form governments.
That said, National should learn a thing or two from Labour in negotiating after elections to only have confidence and supply agreements with those parties “further out”. I think the current government would have been better served with only having a coalition partner with NZ First and not giving up as many things as it had to to ACT.
Next time around, if National is able to form a government, Luxon should (if he’s still leader) grow a pair and not give up as much as he has especially to ACT.
Not a legal requirement on push bikes in the UKI can't think of anyone that is wanting the "freedom" of not having to wear a bike helmet
Plus, it's disgraceful that we have 50 people in our parliament who got there on the the whim of a party committee.MMP good?? Why on earth do we want the minorities having far more influence than their vote deserves?
And with too much sayPlus, it's disgraceful that we have 50 people in our parliament who got there on the the whim of a party committee.
The electorate MP's aren't that flash but the listers are really scraping the bottom of the barrel in most cases
I can’t recall since mmp came into play any minor parties having the influence over the major party that they have in this government. Winston has decided a few elections, but policy wise they really have got far more through than what their portion of the votes would indicateMMP good?? Why on earth do we want the minorities having far more influence than their vote deserves?
Well Winston should never ever have had the opportunity to decide an election result when the runaway most popular party ended up losing. Losing Bill English’s leadership for a total flake like Jacinda was a huge step back… & now we have Luxon who as you point out is weak.I can’t recall since mmp came into play any minor parties having the influence over the major party that they have in this government. Winston has decided a few elections, but policy wise they really have got far more through than what their portion of the votes would indicate
That's because freedom is a concept becoming entirely foreign in Australia and NZ. I'm personally not in favor of removing helmet laws, but I am coming around to the core concept. Norway was particularly eye opening in regards to freedom v safety argument.I can't think of anyone that is wanting the "freedom" of not having to wear a bike helmet
Well Winston should never ever have had the opportunity to decide an election result when the runaway most popular party ended up losing. Losing Bill English’s leadership for a total flake like Jacinda was a huge step back… & now we have Luxon who as you point out is weak.
Or his shonky sidekickI wouldn’t believe a word from Winnie on the subject
That applies to most politicians on most subjects by my estimation, though I have made my views around Winston clear on here many timesI wouldn’t believe a word from Winnie on the subject
Potentially would come down to the particular officer’s discretion. Like on the road, one officer might give leeway of driving at 110, but another officer might pull someone up at 108On the bike helmet thing. The question should be how often is the rule being enforced?
I cycle. when I'm on my road bike and go out and forget my helmet, it feels weird as it is ingrained now to ride with a helmet. I have often turned back to go get it. On the road bike as you are clipped into the pedals, higher speeds the helmet is more necessary.
I have another bike I ride around town or with the kids. Even on that bike going for a ride around the creek in summer and potentially stopping for a swim I've forgotten it and circled back to get it. It feels weird without one now. But my thinking is If I carried on I'd be the one guy the police decide to pullover.
The reason for the question on enforcement is you see more and more people now not wearing one. Even police driving past people and not bothering to stop and remind them.
It was probably enforced heavily when it was first brought in and as slowly levelled off since.
Most of the country if they were standing outside and asked him about the weather would still look up.![]()
Peters writes his own history on backing Labour in 2017
A rehashed claim from the NZ First leader on a televised debate to defend his backing of Labour in 2017 is dismissed as a "fabrication" by Sir Bill Englishnewsroom.co.nz
Hard to take him at his word but he says that English confiding in him that he was about to be rolled was why he went with labour in 2017. The current settings paint a similar picture with not a lot separating the left and right block and leaders not hugely popular of the two major parties
I get that. It is just from riding a lot I tend to look at the helmet usage quite a lot. It has definitely dropped over the years.Potentially would come down to the particular officer’s discretion. Like on the road, one officer might give leeway of driving at 110, but another officer might pull someone up at 108
He’s decided 3 separate elections so he’s certainly accomplished in the role. He mentions that Judith Collins was the name floated to take over, perhaps that played apart in his decision? The country seemed quite satisfied with his decision judging by results in the following election, but unfortunately Winston wasn’t repaid for his decision to go with labour and wasn’t apart of the next coalition and national went through Bridges and Muller before finally getting to Collins. Covid too changed everythingMost of the country if they were standing outside and asked him about the weather would still look up.
Or even standing next to a red car and asking him the colour of the car would probably have most of the country not trusting him to answer properly.
That English comment does seem odd. Logic would be if he went with English then National are in government and him getting rolled is less likely. Or if it were to happen it would be latter in the term and less likely something to be discussed. If he went with Labour he is more likely to have been removed as leader.
Labour was going to be a one term govt with Winston turfed out going by polling until Covid hit and the rest is history.He’s decided 3 separate elections so he’s certainly accomplished in the role. He mentions that Judith Collins was the name floated to take over, perhaps that played apart in his decision? The country seemed quite satisfied with his decision judging by results in the following election, but unfortunately Winston wasn’t repaid for his decision to go with labour and wasn’t apart of the next coalition and national went through Bridges and Muller before finally getting to Collins. Covid too changed everything
It’s also law for someone on a farm bike to wear a helmet when on the road but I’ve driven past them not wearing one. Things like that can only be enforced if the right people are around to enforce it.I get that. It is just from riding a lot I tend to look at the helmet usage quite a lot. It has definitely dropped over the years.
My home town had a video clip go viral with this kid doing a wheelier around town. It was longer than I could ever do. The impressive thing was he had no front wheel.
I also noticed he wasn't wearing a helmet.I doubt anyone looked at that video and decided to find the kid.
I think most felt English a competent finance minister, but he never seemed a strong personality to hold that leadership. I wouldn’t be surprised there were murmurs to roll him. He was close to key as his deputy and Collins and key clashed considerably during later years of his leadership. Stripping her of her portfolios around the oravida scandal would have been the reasoning likelyLabour was going to be a one term govt with Winston turfed out going by polling until Covid hit and the rest is history.
It would be fascinating to know what an English/ Peters govt would have been like up to and during covid. English had good vision (eg social investment) but bad timing.
We would probably have had less extreme left and now extreme right shift and a Labour govt now in power (pretty much every govt gets thrown out post covid worldwide).