National is the party of economic responsibility. New Zealanders deserve a government that takes its economic responsibilities seriously, not one that hides the bill.

Here we go again. Appearing on Q A, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere told Jack Tame that their public transport fare cap policy will be funded by taking money from road maintenance — including the repair of potholes. Under the last Labour government, potholes became such a serious problem for road users that National campaigned heavily on the issue and since the coalition government took office, there has been clear and significant progress. Labour taking money from road maintenance will undo all that work.

Good grief. This is a must listen! Labour’s Transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere has had an absolute shocker of an interview this morning on ZB with Heather du Plessis-Allan. Either he wasn’t across the numbers, Labour announced a major policy with zero modelling, or they’re too embarrassed to reveal the real cost to taxpayers — and how few people will actually save the amount they’re claiming. When HDPA pressed him on how many commuters would actually hit the $20 weekly fare cap, and what the true subsidy burden looks like (already ~87% on some services), Utikere dodged, deflected, and just repeated preset talking points. A two and a half year wait for this half baked cost of living “relief” stunt and Labour still has no idea what it’ll actually cost or how many people will truly benefit — is insane. Absolute amateur hour from Chris Hipkins and the Labour Party.

Labour booked a stall at Fieldays and literally failed to turn up.

The only reason Minister Mark Mitchell is trying to smear Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo is because he's now a Labour candidate and Mark is scared of debating a former Police Officer in the election! As the Ethnic, Iwi and Communities national partnerships manager at New Zealand Police, Rakesh has enormous mana and respect from the frontline of how we deal with crime in the community. Mark is so desperate to smear Rakesh, he's trying to suggest he's seen sensitive Government policy which is garbage. Mark is scared that National's tough on crime rhetoric will get taken to pieces by a former Superintendent who has just come from the community policing frontline. National need to stop attacking the person and debate the issues. Kiwis want to feel safe from crime but also from the causes of crime and because all Mark Mitchell knows how to do is punish, he's lashing out trying to attack a former Police Superintendent of outstanding service who has been named at No 13 on the Labour party’s tremendous list . Mark Mitchell should focus on why so many cops are leaving rather pick on someone who has huge community support. This is the ugly side of this National party and I hope Kiwis are taking note of this attack on a great cop who deserves to be treated so much better than the rubbish that is being dished out to him now.

This just gets worse by the day - confirmed it was discussed "... over several months ...". Rakesh had to know the timetable for the Labour list selection. It could end up costing him his job, place on the Labour list, and Chris Hipkins his leadership. nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/l…

So Labour conspired with Naidoo over many months to run a special process just for him, to hide his intentions from Police. Hipkins has made this far worse, by stating they didn't follow their normal process. nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/l…