Winnie Wins, Ardern Takes a Hit.

A great day in NZ politics yesterday. About time too. It was getting a little boring.

Opinion by Martin Harris

Jacinda Ardern returned from her Grand Japanese Kiwifruit Adventure, and the moment she stepped off the ‘plane she was took a hit. Well, more like a wrecking ball smack on the face. Shouldn’t be any surprise, though, the news that she’s continued the freefall plummet in the polls, now being overtaken by Men In Suits (The National Party).

Ardern put on her smile, expressed her intent to run a third term (delusional?) and “stands by” all that Labour has done over the last few years. That statement alone should be her downfall. There have been plenty of lies and plenty that will come back to haunt her. Contrast her vile and cowardly treatment of the Freedom protestors at Parliament contrasted with that of former co-leader (first term coalition government) Winston Peters below. Aid to Ukraine? Humanitarian aid to the victims of war, all good. Funding for weapons? Very bad. But that latter funding decision will get full treatment by myself in an upcoming item. Stay tuned on that, it should be epic.

On the theme of decisions that come back to haunt, how about House Speaker Trevor Mallard, the man who gave literal meaning to the term “pour cold water upon”. With a piped dressing of Barry Manilow. As if his idiocy and notoriety weren’t already his undoing, he has trespassed veteran politician Winston Peters from Parliament grounds for two years. For any overseas reader unaware, Peters was the only top-shelf politician with the balls and political savvy to tour the protest occupation at the aforementioned grounds, unmasked and full of chat and handshakes.

Peters has a known history of laying low for extended periods and then thrusting himself into the media spotlight at the right time and place. And they take the bait hook, line and sinker every time, as Useful Idiots do.

Winton’s gambit paid off. The trespass notice (for attending a perfectly legal protest which other politicians distanced themselves from in cowardly fashion) has put him firmly and solidly on the media centre-stage, right at the moment when Ardern gets her “wrecking ball” poll results. Masterful manipulation.

It will interesting to see if Winston peters returns to his role as “king-maker” in the next elections (which can’t come soon enough).

Regarding the MSM coverage of Winston’s trespass notice and ban, I heard a new phrase mentioned. It was commented that Peters had spoken to (gasp, horror) “several fringe media journalists”. Fringe Media? Now I’m guessing they mean independent and alternative news media. Not government funded. Uncensored News Media like us. I’ll be looking out for further usage of that term, and I think in response I’ll refer to the MSM as “puppet media”. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?