Support for Labour and Ardern slips to pre-pandemic levels

Public Policy / news

Labour loses its shine, bleeding a couple of points to National in the latest political poll; ACT holds its ground, after receiving a bump in the last poll

15th Nov 21, 6:58pm by Jenée Tibshraeny

Jacinda Ardern. Press Gallery pool photo.

Support for Jacinda Ardern as prime minister has fallen to its lowest level since before the pandemic, according to the latest 1 News-Colmar Brunton poll.

Support for Ardern slipped 5 percentage points from the last poll in September, to 39%.

However, she remained head and shoulders above her rivals, with support for ACT leader David Seymour as prime minister remaining at 11%, and support for National leader Judith Collins remaining at 5%. Collins' approval rating fell to a dismal -31%.

Former National leader Simon Bridges, who is reportedly whipping up support from his party's caucus to overthrow Collins, was only the preferred prime minister for 1% of those surveyed. Meanwhile Christopher Luxon came in at 4%.

A whopping 26% of those surveyed didn't know who they wanted to be their prime minister - an increase of 5 percentage points since the last poll.

There wasn't too much movement in the poll when it came to the preferred party.

Support for Labour continued to slide to 41%, with it losing a couple of points to National at 28%. Labour is now back in pre-pandemic territory, with it needing the Greens' support to govern.

Having received a big bump in the September poll, support for ACT was stable at 14%. It would have 18 seats in Parliament.

Colmar Brunton surveyed 1001 people between November 6 and 10. The last poll was done between September 22 and 26.

Here are the numbers:

Preferred party:

Labour: 41% (down 2 points)
National: 28% (up 2 points)
ACT: 14% (no change)
Greens: 9% (up 1 point)
NZ First: 3% (no change)
Māori Party: 1% (down 1 point)
New Conservatives: 1% (no change)
TOP: 1% (no change)
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party: 1% (up 1 point)
Don't know: 7%
Refused: 2%

Seats (61 needed to govern):

Labour: 53
Greens: 12
Māori Party: 1
National: 36
ACT: 18

Preferred prime minister:

Jacinda Ardern: 39% (down 5 points)
David Seymour: 11% (no change)
Judith Collins: 5% (no change)
Christopher Luxon: 4% (up 1 point)
Chlöe Swarbrick: 2% (up 1 point)
Simon Bridges: 1% (down 1 point)
Winston Peters: 1% (steady)
Don't know: 26% (up 5 points)
Refused: 2%

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138 Comments

by Fairlyfrank | 15th Nov 21, 7:10pm 1636956637

Next government labour/greens can't wait (sarc)

by nktokyo | 15th Nov 21, 7:11pm 1636956717

Luxton time

by Foxglove. | 15th Nov 21, 7:38pm 1636958280

Labour had ABC = anyone but Cunliffe. National needs ABBA = anyone but Bridges again.

by philthy | 16th Nov 21, 12:42pm 1637019776

I actually don't mind Bridges as an MP, but the Nats shouldn't try him again as a leader, it didn't work last time, and it won't work this time.

by VTHO | 15th Nov 21, 8:26pm 1636961201

Ah yes our bald saviour. He was a big wig in the business world so he must be perfect for the job... *rolls eyes*

by philthy | 16th Nov 21, 12:45pm 1637019925

He does seem like a calm and collected speaker, that would be the best thing in his favour as far as I'm concerned, doing well is a bonus, but shouldn't be the main criteria.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 9:12am 1637007148

Great,Australia would have Scomo from the Horizon Church and we would have "Christopher' as he had to be addressed at Air NZ, now 'Chris' Luxon(man of the people) with his Upper Room Church from Tennessee....is that banjoes I can hear playing and white sheets having eye holes cut in them...

by Chinaman1 | 16th Nov 21, 11:21am 1637014874

Terrible when folks have morals

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 11:38am 1637015906

LOL...morals;

Why is Scott Morrison protecting Hillsong Pastor Brian Houston? (Morrison used to attend Hillsong)

https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/why-is-scott…

by Nifty1 | 15th Nov 21, 7:55pm 1636959342

How Adern's still got that much support is beyond me...

by HouseMouse | 15th Nov 21, 7:31pm 1636957864

Only because the opposition is so useless.

by profile | 15th Nov 21, 8:28pm 1636961308

Nothing another $18 million to journalists - on top of the $100 odd million to date - won't sort out.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/126486810/second-public-interest-journal…

by philthy | 16th Nov 21, 12:48pm 1637020126

This is disgusting, how are they getting away with this?, it's very dubious behaviour, with barely anyone making a peep about it.

I can't believe the nats aren't all over this, they are missing so many chances to point out this governments wrongs.

by linklater01 | 16th Nov 21, 11:54am 1637016885

HouseMouse,

Precisely. If Collins cared anything for the party, she would resign while she can do so with some dignity. Unfortunately, her successor is likely to be Bridges or Luxton and I couldn't vote for either. If they just had the courage to go for one of their younger members of the shadow cabinet, I think they would get my vote and many others.

by philthy | 16th Nov 21, 12:51pm 1637020285

What's so wrong with Luxon, I don't think he's great because he's ex Air NZ, just when I've seen him speaking, he seemed to come across reasonably well I thought.

Chris Bishop is ok, but not really sure if he's leadership material, and they are just wasting valuable time persisting with Collins.

by Waikatohome | 16th Nov 21, 2:35pm 1637026557

Chris Bishop, Shane Reti and Mark Mitchel look capable. National starting to develop a bit of depth and look more credible. They have also got rid of the pervs and weirdos.

by fat pat | 15th Nov 21, 8:22pm 1636960952

How could you not like Labour? They're only wrecking the economy, raising taxes everywhere, and force vaccinating every man woman and child with an experimental thing that, for young healthy people, provides risk with no commensurate benefit. You're obviously not paying enough attention to all the propaganda.

by nktokyo | 15th Nov 21, 8:48pm 1636962498

I don't have Telegram so I'm missing out on child porn and vaccine news both.

by AndrewRiddell5886 | 15th Nov 21, 8:49pm 1636962564

Congratulations - you made four assertions and managed to be wrong on three, speculative on the fourth.

by philthy | 16th Nov 21, 12:56pm 1637020565

Also thanks to Labour now when you go out for a drive you are just about guaranteed to see gang members on your travels, they seem to be everywhere.

But not according the woke commissioner Coster, even though their numbers have doubled recently, there are just less showing as as quitting gangs, which is complete nonsense, and shows he's not politically impartial and is all about protecting the reputation of the government.

The last two weekends in a row, I've had to drive past big congregations of Mongrel Mob, and Black Power members.

It only used to be once in a blue moon you would see these kinds of events, but since Labour they are all the time, because labour are practically encouraging gangs.

by Roark78 | 15th Nov 21, 8:47pm 1636962465

Her ever growing payroll won’t bite the hand that feeds…

by Pa1nter | 15th Nov 21, 9:40pm 1636965651

*looks at how most other countries have been governed for the last year or two*

Yeah it's a tough one.

by Zack Brando | 16th Nov 21, 4:01am 1636988481

Nobody seems to know who's running America, it certainly isn't Joe Biden.

It's a shame what's happened to America. Their once strong, Constitutional Republic really was a "shinning city on a hill" to look to. Now it's a cesspool exporting garbage foreign-policy and culture.

For the sake of the Western-World and the World-in-General, I hope things turn around, but I'm doubtful - it's pretty sad. Virtue-Signalling-Woke-Ideologies has replaced actual Virtues - Doing the Right Thing.

Many people in power probably have reprobate minds and therefore are unable to distinguish proper courses of action.. though being in power is harder than it looks.

by murray86 | 16th Nov 21, 8:22am 1637004162

It is interesting isn't it? America is so big and the structure of it's democracy is so unwieldy that it is virtually unworkable. There are so many vested interests stirring the pot over there that getting anything done is virtually impossible. It's become so bad that corruption has to be the only way to achieve anything.

by Foxglove. | 16th Nov 21, 8:42am 1637005322

Corruption is a gigantic unspoken industry, even larger than the other two, crime & wastage.

by philthy | 16th Nov 21, 12:58pm 1637020717

Can't be worse than it was under Trump, the republican GOP over there has turned into a pathetic dictatorship like cult since Trump took over the GOP.

by Foxglove. | 16th Nov 21, 1:15pm 1637021749

It’s always been bad, very bad. For instance reasonably respected post war presidents such as Grant & Truman ran extremely corrupt administrations. Alexander Hamilton quipped way back, something like - corruption is sewn into the very fabric of the constitution. He met his end by the hands of Burr, widely declared as corrupt, but ironically, in reality, he wasn’t all that bad.

by hum | 16th Nov 21, 1:06pm 1637021180

because she has a nice honest smile and is kind

by Colmolo | 16th Nov 21, 5:35pm 1637037305

Because she is queen of handouts, and there are lots of people who want handouts to do nothing.

by HouseMouse | 15th Nov 21, 7:28pm 1636957700

This is what happens when an arrogant government treats its people with disdain and breaks most of its promises.

'Be Kind', my ass.

by the Joneses | 15th Nov 21, 7:30pm 1636957833

They retain majority popularity?

by HouseMouse | 15th Nov 21, 7:34pm 1636958062

Whoopdy do.

They'll always get a good 30-40% of the population on benefits, that's a given.

then throw in all the tens of thousands of public sector bureaucrats on great salaries, and no adverse outcomes from lockdowns.

I imagine they are bleeding in the critical 'middle' vote. And they will bleed more in the middle by this time next year, once interest rates are X% higher and job losses mount.

by Roark78 | 15th Nov 21, 8:53pm 1636962836

Nailed it. I bet there’s way more against her than is acknowledged - but a distaste for public argument sees many people keep their heads down until they reach the safety and anonymity of the polling booth.

by The Person | 15th Nov 21, 9:14pm 1636964047

So how do you explain their election reults between Clark and Ardern?

by HouseMouse | 15th Nov 21, 9:33pm 1636965212

Easy - they lost the middle.

by ikimpaul | 16th Nov 21, 8:24am 1637004253

I think you'll find the public sector are pretty displeased as well- remember they all got a pay freeze when inflation is running at 5%. They also have the hard job at translating and then rolling out Labours incoherent thought bubbles

by dollar_bill | 16th Nov 21, 12:22pm 1637018559

Not the public servants I know - they all breathed a sigh of relief when the lost lot got booted with their belligerent "corporate" op-ex v cap-ex mindsets and "contractor" mates.

by Sluggy | 16th Nov 21, 9:34am 1637008444

I thought the lower socio economic peeps didnt vote on the whole, much lower percentage than "middle" and upper upper peeps.

by sharetrader | 15th Nov 21, 8:05pm 1636959948

which government are you talking about HC or JK

by philthy | 16th Nov 21, 1:00pm 1637020844

It's be kind to gang members, and people that trash state houses and their neigbourhoods, and never kick them out, no matter what harm they cause to all around them.

by TonyBarnett | 15th Nov 21, 7:38pm 1636958320

It is surprising the government’s polling is not worse.

If the survey included Kiwis stuck overseas it would be a lot worse - rumour has it that less than 10% support Labour.

It is not surprising that the government is looking at banning overseas voting if Kiwis are overseas for more than 3 years.

https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2a…

by Cheetahlegs66 | 15th Nov 21, 7:46pm 1636958779

The current socialist Government in Argentina knows that expats are usually smart, hard working and right leaning voters. They now require citizens overseas to vote in person at the local embassy. This means my family commuting to the capital. Long shot, far fetched that the current NZ goon squad contemplate this move given that prisoners (more left leaning) can now vote?

Go rot Robertson.

by The Person | 15th Nov 21, 9:16pm 1636964210

"expats are usually smart, hard working and right leaning voters."

Funny, i didn't know the Greens were a right wing party.

Nationals share of the vote always drops, and the Greens share always increases after the overseas votes come in.

by Jesse1 | 16th Nov 21, 11:49am 1637016564

Yes there are too many alternative facts in these comments. Feels like an echo chamber of mostly desperate National / Act voters.

by profile | 16th Nov 21, 12:06pm 1637017595

Would be interesting to see how well "No Confidence" would poll.

by philthy | 16th Nov 21, 1:02pm 1637020949

It's becoming more and more obvious why Labour were so keen to allow prisoners to vote again, that's their base now.

Hope the nats reverse that one by lunchtime the next time they get in again.

by Cheetahlegs66 | 15th Nov 21, 7:40pm 1636958425

Where’s Lanthanide? He’s always got a solid defence for the Labour Party.

He’s either a barrister or used car salesman. Can’t figure which.

I hate Ardern.

by Foxglove. | 15th Nov 21, 7:58pm 1636959494

Retired hurt, perhaps. Not so much a Labour disciple but a devout socialist on the hard left. Best summed up by Orwell, something like, - it’s not so much that the socialists love the poor, it’s their hatred of the rich that drives them

by HouseMouse | 15th Nov 21, 8:05pm 1636959915

I don't think he's 'hard left' at all - if he was he wouldn't be so deferential to Ardern's centrism.

by nigelh | 15th Nov 21, 10:59pm 1636970343

That needs updating to more modern times.

it’s not so much that the socialists love the middle class or the poor, it’s their hatred of the rich that drives them.

Remember Cullen, something about "rich pricks"

by murray86 | 16th Nov 21, 8:27am 1637004423

The irony in that is for a socialist to spend any significant time in Government, their pay and benefits inevitably make them one of Cullen's famously derided "rich pricks"! Unless of course they give it all to charity, which I seriously doubt.

by middleman1 | 16th Nov 21, 8:37am 1637005025

Maybe you are correct and Lanthanide is indeed more thin skinned than might appear but he also could be in the same boat as me - frustrated at heavy handed comments moderation on int.co so has moved on to ply his or her trade elsewhere. Personally I enjoyed L's brisk and well articulated contributions.

by Foxglove. | 16th Nov 21, 9:06am 1637006815

Agree good ability to research & argue but from a very fixed platform and inclined to mislead by omission or “disappear” as soon as corrected. But yes the debate was worthy. From our angle(s) perhaps the old guard versus the praetorian guard?

by murray86 | 16th Nov 21, 9:27am 1637008075

I too enjoyed his contribution. Less concerned about the 'fixed platform', as those voices are just as important as any other. More than most, he was usually able to support his view with a reasoned argument, irrespective of whether we agreed or not.

by refactornz | 16th Nov 21, 9:19am 1637007594

Nice sarcasm

by dollar_bill | 16th Nov 21, 12:27pm 1637018847

I suggest Lanthanide was just pushing back against the mindless tribalism shown by all the one eyed cretins.

by HouseMouse | 15th Nov 21, 7:46pm 1636958763

'Don't know' at 26% is pretty telling....

by Carlos67 | 15th Nov 21, 8:21pm 1636960882

Worst PM in the history of NZ and still has a majority lead. She is so lucky, just no decent opposition. Unless National get rid of Collins ASAP, Labour are going to win the next election and that's unbelievable.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 9:16am 1637007387

Worst PM in history...do you have a scientific metric to measure this by?...just asking.

by DD62 | 16th Nov 21, 9:42am 1637008966

Bang on Carlos67!!! Iv'e been stating same since day one of her being placed as PM by Peters. If anyone can't get their head around just how useless she really is then listen to the questions period of her press conference yesterday. Barry Soper kept asking questions with some meaningfulness ( Unlike the rest of the drones!) and she threw her toys out of bed! Her reaction was infantile to put it mildly! She is a pre school teacher at best and even then she would piss all the parents off in 2 seconds flat!

However we must not forget that the severe consequences for NZ of having her as PM can be laid directly at the feet of Peters! What he has done to the country is unforgivable!! make sure he NEVER gets back into parliament!!

by Belle | 16th Nov 21, 10:03am 1637010204

That press conference or whatever one calls it was appalling. She will not answer valid questions. And she gets asked so few. Soper is trying his best to get answers about a new two tier society. She wont answer.

by murray86 | 16th Nov 21, 11:37am 1637015847

Your last comemnt re Winston - rubbish! National had screwed us and had to go. Why do you think JK jumped ship? Labour was the ONLY alternative, and in the circumstances Winston made the right choice. But the real problem is the quality of choice we are getting, which is increasingly poor. I largely agree that Labour needs to go, but who is a credible replacement? None that I can see.

by Foxglove. | 16th Nov 21, 11:51am 1637016702

It is forgotten too that once Dunne & the Maori Party were out of contention National & Act would not have the numbers. Slim chances of a coalition with NZF were then totally scuttled by WP’s perception that National were a big part of the leak of his pension details. Put all that together & National were gone on the day. Our parliament is dominated by a set of lacklustre, self indulgent and unworldly individuals largely academics, student politicians . Old style debaters such as Kirk & Lange and particularly Muldoon would have not only held their feet to the fire but sent them off down the line, colours and other things at half mast.

by DD62 | 16th Nov 21, 6:17pm 1637039839

The only alterative! LOL!!! I would concede that National were less than inspiring in their last term but comparing the abilities and brain power of Bill English to Adhern is laughable. Peters is a vindictive little shit! Met him in the local pub back in the early eighties and took me about 2 seconds to realise he was a self centered TP! In all his time in parliament name one really useful policy he has contributed. Giving him King maker powers enabling Adhern to become PM was a very sad day for NZ. I know you wont agree as an apologist for the current bunch of muppets but you need to take off the rose tinted glasses!

by murray86 | 17th Nov 21, 7:57am 1637089043

They are all self-centred egotists! Politics today makes them fairly vindictive too. You should hear some of the comments about Collins, Clark and JK.

And coming out with personal insults because I don't agree with you makes you vindictive too, given the opportunity. Debate only works when you can argue your perspective on points of logic or reason, and respect another's right to disagree, even if you don't agree with their rationale. Name calling is a reflection of your character, not theirs.

No politician I met who I considered to be a genuine nice person, lasted long on politics because the environment is far too toxic. So I try to look past that part and identify what they are trying to achieve. Part of the problem is they all put themselves first despite arguing (maybe) that they serve the people and country, and their feeding at the trough is truly gluttonous!

by Sluggy | 16th Nov 21, 9:45am 1637009147

Personally, I find all of our politicians at best uninspiring. The Luxor brigade really just want key back, life was soooo good .... bankers will save us.

by VTHO | 15th Nov 21, 8:31pm 1636961493

All the vocal hate for the current government and leader would have you think they were polling in the low 20s. Nope - average joe still seems to think they are doing an ok job.

And Judith only 3% behind Chloe in the preferred PM poll LOL oh dear Judith.

by jeremyr | 15th Nov 21, 9:04pm 1636963488

Judith will go, but not yet. There is no reason to let the leftie media rip into whoever takes over for the next two years courtesy of the corrupt media payout. National just need to continue to let Ardern be Ardern. It would be quite difficult to stuff up more or cause more embarrassment to the government than they are already inflicting on themselves.

Ardern is a loser and always has been. She is just a very good liar, but behind the veil lies a useless loser, with no intellect, who doesn't care, survives on sound bites and is quite happy to turn mate against mate for whatever outcome she has spinning around in her head.

The coming two years, will not be pretty, but at the next election, Ardern will be gone. She knows it already. She may even run away before them in disgrace. People will forget her very quickly. If anything her demise will bring the country closer together.

by Belle | 16th Nov 21, 5:39am 1636994374

I desperately hope thats not just wishful thinking. But with you all the way. A lying deceitful ...oh I could carry on but it would not be printed. Our media has been bought off. Its all such a disgrace. I hope you journalists and editors out there one day understand what you have done. It is you that have stood by and let NZ become a divided anxious poorer nation.

When she finally does go, along with her inappropriate giggling, smiling and laughter as she answers questions on peoples health, jobs and fears, may she be well understood to be the very worst prime minister to ever grace the beehive.

by AndrewPerry | 15th Nov 21, 9:01pm 1636963288

Awful poll for National. Labour are in shambles with a third of the country locked down for three months and an incoherent way out of Delta and they can’t even dent them. Suspect they would get a ten point bump overnight if Collins resigned for the good of the party.

by HouseMouse | 15th Nov 21, 9:34pm 1636965299

Maybe I'm simply a contrarian but she's grown on me I have to say.

by Dale Smith | 16th Nov 21, 8:53am 1637006031

Stockholm syndrome?

by Pa1nter | 15th Nov 21, 9:45pm 1636965936

Its almost as if the current government are making these best of a bad bunch of options and an opposition doesn't have much to offer in the way of credible alternatives.

by nigelh | 15th Nov 21, 11:04pm 1636970675

As you say no credible alternative but I might just vote to get them out, notwithstanding no credible alternative. Not sure the opposition, Nats and Act could do any worse. I think that's a way quite a few NZers vote. Don't like what there so vote for the opposition just to get the current lot out.

by Dale Smith | 16th Nov 21, 8:55am 1637006135

Yes exactly, if there was only a party called 'None of the above.'

by Noncents | 16th Nov 21, 9:00am 1637006455

It's the NZ way. We never vote someone in, we just vote the incumbent out.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 11:11am 1637014298

Which is why ACT has been doing well..I mean really,people go on about Labour ministers having no experience...ACT is a bunch of nobodies witha leader chasing the popular vote,he saw a gap and now is promoting testing rather than vaxing.He is supposed to be the party supporting business etc,most of them want a vacine passport.

I know people in Oz who have rapid antigen testing,been losing 30% of their staff some days to the unreliabilty throwing up false positives.No business wants that.

by Roark78 | 16th Nov 21, 1:06pm 1637021161

How about just let it run? If you’re dead then you’re excused from work that day

by Foxglove. | 16th Nov 21, 8:05am 1637003136

True National are still floundering around, not particularly buoyant but afloat nevertheless and while the government’s incapacity is now undeniably evident they can afford to simply let them work their way down the polls, let the panic set in and self defeat intensify. On the other hand two things by National will surely sink them. Firstly another ugly palace revolution that will strip away credibility once again and secondly the election of a failed and largely lampooned previous leader in Bridges. Don’t think in modern NZ politics a sacked leader has ever been re-instated. It won’t possibly work and would doom National to a very long time in opposition and thence very survival of the party as a political force. Seniors such as Key & English need to intervene fast on this.

by Whatwillhappen | 16th Nov 21, 7:51am 1637002296

You forget that Bridges had them on the run before Covid (in one poll), and that despite ranking low in preferred PM stakes for years Helen Clark became PM regardless.

by sunchap | 15th Nov 21, 9:59pm 1636966750

As this poll was done up to nine days ago, I think she has fallen even further. She has had more death threats than any PM I can remember in the last 50 years. I think she is politically gone.

She has lost major parts of her base ie Maori and the health and teaching professions. What ECE teacher is going to vote for a monster who has just sacked 10% of your entire work force? I believe Jacinda has been destroyed by her complete lack of any scientific knowledge. Her divisive and communistic policies will go down in our history as sheer stupidity.

by Pa1nter | 15th Nov 21, 10:30pm 1636968645

If death threats are high, maybe that's got more to do with the people making them than the subject.

And why do I get the feeling "scientific knowledge" doesn't reach the same conclusions as the scientific method.

by JKB | 16th Nov 21, 9:23am 1637007817

And perhaps more suicides, although we’ll never know as this is being reported by the state owned media

by Waikatohome | 16th Nov 21, 9:27am 1637008043

No politician deserves deaths threats, two UK politicians have been killed in recent years and this kind of language has no place in a democracy.

Under labour we have a strong economy and low unemployment. We have also avoided the worst of the Covid outbreak and should be in a better situation than other countries when we do open up, thanks to high vaccination rates.

I am frustrated by recent poor planning, lack of delivery on affordable homes, under investment in health and education and rising violent crime. But I can make my choice at the ballot box without the need to threaten anyone.

We are not America, Labour are not communists and National would be to the left of the US Democratic party on many issues. New Zealand politics is fairly middle of the road, long may that continue.

by Belle | 16th Nov 21, 9:34am 1637008447

Yet Adern is getting away with threatening then taking away peoples livelihoods. Which will result in deaths. Grant Schofield from auks uni agrees. Public health expert. I never saved the link sorry, brave of him to speak up.

by Belle | 16th Nov 21, 9:37am 1637008643

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=318541603605438&id=10006348…

by Waikatohome | 16th Nov 21, 9:41am 1637008909

They have thrown away their own livelihoods by not getting vaccinated. I'm not completely comfortable with mandatory vaccination but previous generations had to deal with conscription for the good of the nation, so I suppose we are still pretty lucky compared to them. Get the jab and move on with your life, its not worth the stress.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 9:55am 1637009752

And what if that unvaccinated person gives covid to someone else and that person loses their livelihood...it's not all about ME !!

by Belle | 16th Nov 21, 10:08am 1637010528

Yes it is about ME. Me me me look at me I am vaccinated, whoop de woo. Me can transmit the virus as well as the unjabbed, me might be a little safer for all of a month to two months, then me needs another jab. Except me doesnt get one for 6 months, me believes me is safe and transfers it everywhere. Just look at the Auckland resthome. How many infected now? All jabbed.

by Waikatohome | 16th Nov 21, 10:37am 1637012271

They weren’t all fully jabbed. There was an article where the daughter of one of the elderly people said they had held off vaccination to allow others to go first. Yes you can still catch it and pass it on when vaccinated but you are far less likely to end up in ICU. I don’t feel comfortable taking the hospital bed off someone with cancer, a heart attack or a car crash survivor so I got the jab. It wasn’t pleasant and I felt rough for a couple of days but it was the right thing to do. I also get a Flu booster every year, nothing unusual about boosters.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 11:02am 1637013722

Sounds like you need a walk in the fresh air and breathe a little Belle...do you watch the news?

Austria has just introduced lockdowns for the un-vaccinated,Germany is getting out of control,

Holland bringing in partial lockdowns and curfews...and so it goes on...

by Belle | 17th Nov 21, 6:56am 1637085401

Vman I wont let any government dictate my health decisions. Believe me I get lots of walks in the fresh air. Farming in the Central Plateau surrounded by native bush and low flying Kaka. I get perspective everyday, something I think a lot of people have lost. Life and death goes on around me. New life, changing seasons. Death. The western world has gone crazy over this virus. If you think staying home because I am unvaccinated bothers me, you are wrong. No vax certificates needed out here.

by vman | 17th Nov 21, 10:35am 1637098543

I'm all right Jack ;-)

by Rosenstein | 15th Nov 21, 10:30pm 1636968627

What does it matter? We're f***ed.

by Roark78 | 16th Nov 21, 1:08pm 1637021295

All decay makes room for new beginnings

by DTRH | 15th Nov 21, 10:55pm 1636970123

By the time of next election how many booster shots will we of had so we can still work. Who know what going to happen next maybe we can go into the meta universe no COVID there.

by donny11 | 16th Nov 21, 8:31am 1637004690

It looks like one every 6 months so you will have had 3 boosters by next election. Unless you decide to opt out.

by jerry_NZ | 16th Nov 21, 12:13am 1636974792

I do not know 1 person that likes her. Many people is saying that she is just bad person.

Personally i do not like her, i do not like her attitude and would never vote for her.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 1:21pm 1637022096

You must move in a small circle then...39% still like her...

by Belle | 16th Nov 21, 5:48am 1636994902

Taupo is going to burst like an over ripe boil. The Waikato gang member took covid to Masterton then partied in Taupo while crook. There are already several contacts with it. Yet Ardern has moved Waikato to level 2. Our great saviour has decided to let Waikato be the superspreader in November so Auckland cant be blamed when let loose in mid december.

by donny11 | 16th Nov 21, 8:29am 1637004579

The issue is that they can't really open the Auckland border until Covid spreads throughout the North Island. So they basically want it to spread at this point. That is why they arn't putting regions into level 3 as cases arise in these regions. The best covid response is a strong political response.

by Sluggy | 16th Nov 21, 9:52am 1637009573

Im really not sure what the team of 4 million want ? Auckland to stay locked up forever and covid will never come knocking in your neighbourhood ? There seems to be a delusional expectation that somehow everyone else will avoid it.

by Belle | 16th Nov 21, 10:30am 1637011830

My comment was more about political motives than what I think. I am not averse to all levels disappearing. Lets get on with it this summer.

by Stuart Mason | 16th Nov 21, 6:42am 1636998157

According to Grant Robertson, they are only this low in the polls because they are focused on Covid! I'm not sure which bit off this statement to laugh at first.

by Foxglove. | 16th Nov 21, 9:17am 1637007433

Then laugh at this first. Robertson wants, desperately needs to in fact, be PM. The current PM’s popularity plunge, may be his greatest chance. Sounds a bit like one of Shakespeare’s epic dramas shaping up doesn’t it.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 11:16am 1637014610

Is that like Judith Collins,Muller,Bridges,Luxon who want and desparately need to be PM?

by Foxglove. | 16th Nov 21, 11:34am 1637015686

Yes exactly but that particular Labour identity is the current occupant of the box seat isn’t he.

by genericposter23 | 16th Nov 21, 7:05am 1636999512

Broken promises, shattered dreams and hope, and so on.

This seems to be an ongoing issue and this "system" I believe just plain isn't working any where even near the level it needs to be.

I realise I may be asking this in vain, but can our current system of governance be improved upon in NZ? Ideas please...

by donny11 | 16th Nov 21, 8:37am 1637005070

I think a "direct democracy" system similar to that of Switzerland would give far better outcomes to the people of NZ. You can force a binding referendum on an issue with 100,000 signatures.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/critics-force-vote-to-rein-in-the-governme…

The reason this system wasn't uses traditionally is prior to the "digital age" the logistics involved in these systems made them unworkable. That is no longer the case.

by Belle | 16th Nov 21, 8:49am 1637005783

I might trust the Swiss with this sort of democracy. But NZers, nup.

by Noncents | 16th Nov 21, 9:02am 1637006579

true, the unvaccinated would all be living in a Chatham Island's re-education camp right now, if the popular vote was actioned.

by Shoreman | 16th Nov 21, 8:44am 1637005467

MAGA - Make Ardern Go Away !

by alexil | 16th Nov 21, 9:04am 1637006676

Labour party failed on everything. I'm surprised how they ever can get 30%. They could not make even single thing. Everywhere disaster. From housing to jobs and covid pandemic.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 9:21am 1637007692

Failed on everything ??

Maybe you are right,NZ is 3rd from the bottom on this list below...oh,it's the global death rate per capita...perhaps it is good to be at the bottom...

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1104709/coronavirus-deaths-worldwid…

by alexil | 16th Nov 21, 10:00am 1637010010

How many people died from suicide because of what she is doing? How many people did die from vaccine and become disabled? Take into account mental health, so long lockdown for Auckland. You can't visit dentist normally. How much stress it creates? Even if pipe will leak in your house, additional stress. Because of stress parents are hurting they children, child abuse, woman abuse. People start to drink alcohol. So many hidden deaths. We are saving life, but some life is more important than other.

by JKB | 16th Nov 21, 9:21am 1637007700

Wow 55 million payer dollars sure buys a lot of votes.

by murray86 | 16th Nov 21, 9:30am 1637008242

A voice that is missing in this landscape is Winston Peters. He might be biding his time, but it must be getting close to when he starts to build up to the next election, if he intends to run again. I'd love to hear his perspective on what is going on.

by Cheetahlegs66 | 16th Nov 21, 10:23am 1637011380

Under no circumstances trust Winston. I regret giving NZ First my party vote in 2017. If there is one thing I dislike, it's sell-outs. His decision was 'What is best for Winston.' All so he could be Deputy PM and acting PM (He would have assumed Ardern would get pregnant).

Winston, Ardern and Swarbrick need to go on a fishing trip in a 3m run-about when a 1m swell comes down the Firth of Thames.

by Bananafishbones | 16th Nov 21, 12:59pm 1637020749

National in their arrogance tried to screw one of the few potential allies they had.They got what was coming to them.

If they have any brains they should declare asap that they are prepared to work with NZF again.

by MLSmith1 | 16th Nov 21, 9:28pm 1637051301

Ahh you mean Winnie First Party…

by FCM | 16th Nov 21, 9:31am 1637008311

The only pols that matter will be the ones closer to 2023. By then the full pain of the incompetence should be felt by the 53% who still think the honey will keep flowing.

by HouseMouse | 16th Nov 21, 11:16am 1637014597

Yep, by then the economy will be in a rocky state, Labour always loses when that occurs.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 11:17am 1637014669

Economy poised for solid rebound in 2022 - Westpac

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/economy-poised-for-solid-rebound-in…

by Roark78 | 16th Nov 21, 1:09pm 1637021385

What on earth are they smoking

by Belle | 16th Nov 21, 10:15pm 1637054135

Talking it up. Bet they are crapping themselves.

by dumbthoughts | 16th Nov 21, 10:55am 1637013344

National is rubbish too, but at least with National you know they hate you unless you're a property investor or big business owner/investor.

It's always better to know where you stand.

I'd rather be punched in the face than stabbed in the back.

by HouseMouse | 16th Nov 21, 11:18am 1637014704

Exactly, at least you know where you stand with the Nats, even if you don't like it.

With Labour you can only ever be mightily disappointed, as they break promise after promise.

by philthy | 16th Nov 21, 1:25pm 1637022354

But then they tell the RBNZ to effectively not really worry about inflation and print money, and then property prices go through the roof like never ever before, after spending 9 years moaning about high property prices under the nats.

by donny11 | 16th Nov 21, 12:14pm 1637018047

One way of looking at at. Another is at least with labour they throw the odd bone towards the non "property investor class". It isn't a lot but at least its something.

by alexil | 16th Nov 21, 1:04pm 1637021043

JK was same, just lie and deny. At least when JK was PM people did not die... and did not loose jobs for injections....

yesterday someone was selling fish and chips

and now own 25 million $

maybe anyone in NZ can sell fish and chips and on next day have 25 million $

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 1:24pm 1637022289

Jeez,when did interst.co.nz become an outlet for right wing conspiracy theorists?

by alexil | 16th Nov 21, 1:36pm 1637022970

Are you troll?

It's obvious that current gov is complete failure. They should bring level 4 to Auckland and stop vaccine mandate.

It is like watching how train will fall from cliff in slow motion.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 3:14pm 1637028847

Are you an idiot?

by dollar_bill | 16th Nov 21, 1:38pm 1637023105

Ardern is still one of the most charismatic and progressive members of parliament. Put up or shut up.

No, I did not vote for her but will this time. If nothing more than to rub conservative noses in it.

NZ still one of the best Covid responses.

by alexil | 16th Nov 21, 1:44pm 1637023470

do you enjoy people are miserable and suffering? all what they are doing destroying NZ economy. and printing money like no tomorrow. as result we will get high inflation.

by Waikatohome | 16th Nov 21, 2:20pm 1637025600

By most measures the economy is still going well. Printing money is not unique to NZ or to left leaning governments. It has been used globally by many governments on the left and right. Not everyone is miserable and suffering, its all about perspective. I don't think things would be much different under National or Act. All of the opposition parties support vaccination and make broadly similar decisions on the economy. That's been the main problem for National, how do they set themselves apart from Labour and still capture the centre vote needed to win an election.

by vman | 16th Nov 21, 3:16pm 1637028967

How about you look at facts,check out NZ's death rate per million on this list...

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1104709/coronavirus-deaths-worldwid…

by philthy | 16th Nov 21, 3:34pm 1637030076

Under this government the term "progressive" seems to have turned into a synonym for things that are so ridiculous that no normal government would do them.