NZ Centre for Political Research

This week's poll asks:

Is there room in New Zealand politics for a Tea Party-style movement?

*And the sooner the better. But it needs money and at the moment ordinary people have most of theirs stolen by govt. Lech

*Foreshore and Seabed issue should not even be a subject to debate. It belongs to ALL NZ Residents and should be protected by the Crown. John

*And we also need a harbour we can chuck the vermin into after F&S Act II becomes Law. Graeme

*Are New Zealanders passionate about their politics to engage in Tea Party-type politics? Probably not so far but as the implications of the Marine & Coastal Area bill sink in perhaps people will start to demand responsibility from their politicians before they do any more damage in the name of political expediency. Monica

*In the USA, the powerhouse of the world, most Americans swear allegiance to their flag, have pride in their nationhood and have a commitment to hold their politicians to account via the ballot box. Not enough of our people that have wisdom in abundance are game enough to put themselves forward, for fear of failure or criticism, which the 'holier than thou' brigade are swift to put to the sword via our media, if not a Labour or National acolyte. In NZ,with our small population,it is easier to leave; go to Australia,get a better pay packet, better lifestyle and get far better public services & facilities for themselves, and to hell with our blinkered politics. Will the last Pakeha to leave please turn off the lights. Vic

*Definitely yes. The two 'old' parties have not the best policies for NZ and NZers but rather what is best for the party. Donald

*Yes, there is room, but it won't happen. We have become sheeples, devoid of personal responsibility, & far too afraid of the tall poppy syndrome to actually do something. This afternoon I went to John Boscawen's Foreshore & Seabed presentation in Tauranga. There were around 40 people, mainly superannuitants like myself, present. According to John, this was one of the best attendences he'd had in the current road trip. Despite the very scary message that was put across, very few people will actually take action, will write to Ministers, will contact the Maori Affairs Committee – even though our own MP is a member of that committee - and raise their justifiable concerns. And why ? Because were too used to being ignored, too used to being patted on the head & told, “Don't concern your pretty little head about it; leave it to us, we know best, It's far too complicated for you to understand.“ So yes, there is a need for a Tea Party here. But please remember it was “Red Indians” that conducted the Boston Tea Party - & we can't risk being considerd “rascist” by our good Joris, can we? Dave

*We sure need something, all political parties in N.Z. are a joke. Alan

*Absolutely there is - in fact it's essential if we want true democratic representation in this country. National are a disgrace, and have sold out, and continue to sell out, those who put them into power. How many pre-election promises have they broken? - appalling!!! Kris

*If the govt spending continues unabated we will have two choices: a 1980's radical reform or join OZ. It is time for a lock on spending both central & local govt. John

*So many attacks on our freedoms have been introduced by both Labour and National governments that it is time we took them to task and made them responsible for the unbridled destruction of the freedoms we thought we had. Jim

*Once elected goverments become dictors. Alfred

*As you say one country. One people. John Key, you will not get my vote again. We must do away with mmp and all the list mp's this is the evil. Chris

*Yes but it will never happen. Those that aren't snout in trough are too apathetic or have been beaten into submission. Murray

*I think this is called the LibertariaNZ party. Margaret

*There is, most definitely. Whether or not people will overcome their apathy and join one remains to be seen. I'd certainly be a starter. GW

This week's poll asks:

Is there room in New Zealand politics for a Tea Party-style movement?

*There certainly is good cause for a 'tea party' movement in New Zealand; but I'm afraid the public — dumbed down by government TV as their only source of information — will be too lethargic to move until it really hurts. Rob

*But there is room to get rid of MMP. Steve

*Tea Party - something stronger than that is required!This gummint is out of control - they're completely irresponsible, without direction (other than to hell in a handcart - with us in the basket) bent on buying Maori whatever the cost, and now, on the back of the Cantabrian earthquake victims, demanding carte blanche to do whatever each minister sees fit - no questions asked. Ron

*The whole issue is devisive. The interlinking issues of such an 'apartide' type law will create further links to other issues for even more ' special, separatist laws. I don't see Minto's objection here. Barry

*We need to urgently stop the political arrogance and control of NZ politicians (John Key). Jennifer

*Definitely! Go on Muriel, I'd vote for you....Esther

*If they stand to cut government spending. I would back them. And get rid of unnecessary bureaucracy. Jamie

*And well overdue! Time to kill-off (figuratively) a gross or two of shiny-bum bureaucrats, policy ANALysts and parliamentary BENEFICIARIES (especially RACIST, DEAF ones like bennett, key, cun[silent-T]liffe, dunne, sharples, hone-the-tool et al). Mark

*In fact a "Tea Party" movement cannot happen quick enough. Ced

*Sounds like a good idea. In some ways this web site reflects the discontent voters have in NZ. Hugh

*If National continue to behave the way they are then NZ may as well return to Labour because now both parties have ruined the country! Greg

*However these people need to be people of integrity in every aspect of their lives. Fiona

*Yes absolutely, how else are we to make these people listen. Peter

This week's poll asks:

Is there room in New Zealand politics for a Tea Party-style movement?

*Yes, there is definately a place for a Tea Party type movement. I believe that a "Baby Boomer" based party would be appropriate for New Zealand. We are so often told that the Baby Boomers (me) are weilding more influence that ever before in all areas of society and that they are very large in numbers. I also believe that Baby Boomers are of "right thinking" philosophy, values and morals. In saying that, we also are only human, and have all probably been on the wrong side in all 3 of those areas. So... Tea Party.... I think we shoud go for it! Neil

*It's gradually forming ...John

*We no longer live in a democracy, we are being led by the nose by the self interests of a minority. Trixie

*I thought ACT NZ had that job? Alec

*It becomes essential and now is not too soon with next year's general election beginning to touch our peripheral vision, though Key and Co have been been furtively preparing ever since they came to power, evident in the way they continually suck up to the separatist Maori Party! So roll on the NZ Tea Party movement! Frank

*With Nats, Labour and Greens all determined to be left of centre, we need a broad based centrist party without baggage. (world stage centrist, not NZ centrist which is skewed pretty far left now). Jonathan

*Even Labour people I know cannot believe John Key is keeping the fascist smacking law and every week someone brings up at work how this law is so bad and wrong. Lorna

*Heaven help us if the nats get another innings!, DICTATORS always have been look at Shipley! For gods sake, some of us have long memories. Rick

*We have had "ginger groups" before. Ron

*Let's get started. The sooner the better for all of us. Vern

*Come the next election the choices are otherwise going to be virtually nil........just dumb or dumber! Roger

*We already have such a movement; it's called the ACT Party, Despite its recent troubles, it can - and must- lead the charge for liberty. Go for it Rodney! Go for it, Sir Roger! David

*Don't like the tea Party name much.... better would be the NBS Party. Max

*The way this Govt is going is not what I expected. They are not listing to the people that put them into power. John

*Now that the ACT party has seemed to have imploded it is a perfect time for a fresh new party to emerge to protect NZ citizens from the bureaucrats. Many people have given up on the politicians and now feel helpless to make any change at all. Its time to fight back. Terry

*NZ is to small for the current style of government and this govt is not a democracy and the tea party movement can start the new NZ revolt against it!!!!!!!!!!! Steve

*Kick the bums out,start a revolution! I need to come home and get it started! Ian

*Not only room for Tea Party Movement it is an urgent necessity to restore democratic Government. Peter

*With the selection we have at the moment its just the same old same old. So its time for a new and radical (not socialist) aproach. John

*And please establish it before the next election. This government is a major disapointment and has let most New Zealanders down very badly. John

This week's poll asks:

Is there room in New Zealand politics for a Tea Party-style movement?

*Where do I sign up. I have had enough of government interference in my life and their misuse of my taxes. I have no objection to health, education and a bit of welfare but the situation we find ourselves in is just unsustainable. Charmaine

*Such a movement might prevent the generality of the populace falling for all the diversionary tactics in vogue. Catherine

*We should rely on our scientists to tell us about climate change. This country does not have the money to pay for the tea party and their tom foolery. Everyone knows that winters are getting colder and that some countries are getting hotter along with n.z. There is more to do to keep the planet than have a tea party goons wasting time and money. Helen

*Anything supported by someone as nuts as Sarah Palin should be avoided like the plague. THis is not sensible liberal free market this is the wacko right bible bashing gun toting nutcases. Ray

*Love to support it. Chris

*Where is it? I would like to sign up..tired of politicians ignoring so much that encroaches on our lives,and making decisions that do not include us..the voting public. Jane

*I have supported National for about 40 years never again will they will they get my vote. John

*Yes but in a better form than now in use in the USA. Brian

*But with great caution! We do need to stop being so apathetic and we do need a Party who will stand up for the 'people' and make Government far more accountable and to be prepared to listen to the people, instead of riding rough shod over us and ignoring our wishes! I am a little weary of the Tea Party though as I think they are rather extreme and possibly could be called Red Necks, so as I said earlier - with caution, a similar Party might be able to succeed. Dallas

*I been waitring for it for years and will be one of the first to join and work in it. Ron

*It would be great to see! It could involve everyone who reads and comments on this site - I feel like I "belong" when I read this site! Out there is becoming more and more ludicrous - who is voting these people in?? Peter

*We couldn't have a Tea Party outfit in New Zealand because we don't have enough idiots. We do have some idiots but they are mostly left wing loonies. K

*Yes, the thought had already crossed my mind and I have already sent out the suggestion to those I have encouraged to put in a submission on the foreshore and seabed debacle. Neil

*Isn't that ACT? PDM

*There is room, but New Zealanders can't even cope with ACT so anything more extreme has almost no chance of success. Are New Zealanders the most apathetic nationality in the world when it comes to the future of their country and the basics of democracy like one law for all, equality, individual responsibility and the three pillars of the state (not to mention the fourth estate which, in NZ, is close to abysmal). NZ is fast becoming the last outpost of good, old fashioned socialism of the Soviet persuasion. Fast becoming time to move to Australia. There's no point in flogging a dead horse still being led by the blind, stupid and self-absorbed. Gary

*The difficulty would be to galvanize "Jo Average" to commit. The Govt. and its bureaucrats have been quite clever in ensuring that "Jo" has other things to worry about. John

This week's poll asks:

Is there room in New Zealand politics for a Tea Party-style movement?

*It's already here, Muriel, under the non-politically-aligned 100 Days-Claiming Back New Zealand banner - see www.100days.co.nz. Subscribe to this site to be kept informed of details of the strategy for holding politicians to account at the next election - and beyond - until we claim back a democracy. Amy

*Definitely YES. So many of us are disillusioned with our elected representatives and their 'tin ears' that we need a strong group to demonstrate how serious we in our opposition to their arrogant antics. Dorothy

*Why is the media not alerting the public to the changes to the foreshore and seabed act? It is a train smash waiting to happen. Nigel

*My only hope is that J Key and the The Attorney General are ticking boxes for their cv's and will soon move on. Another pot of tea please for the Vicar? Wiremu

*But at the risk of radicals also with tin ears. John

*ACT already fills that spot to a large extent. Gert

*With National giving up all pretenses to any sort of democracy, a grass-roots drive for massive reform is essential Peter
Yes,Only if that party would call a vote of NO CONFIDENCE in this Nat.Gvmt's actions on G/W and SB&FS, before it is too late.! John

*Yes, there is definitely an opportunity for a Tea Party Revolution. It seems I never have a conversation these days without arriving quickly at the point where there is agreement regarding Government arrogance on 1. The ETS, 2. The anti-smacking thing 3. The Foreshore and seabed and Maori getting special privileges everywhere.
Each conversation arrives at this point quickly. As few as 3 years ago, such frankness would have been avoided by most. Not now. People are quietly very angry and the anger is smouldering just below the surfce. Dianna

*Yes, absolutely. We're sick and tired of being rammed & jammed with no democratic process. Bruce

*Another great well timed article. In addition to the four fascisms mentioned in my soapbox article there is another expensive, destructive one which meets the fascist criteria. Lets call it femofascism. It covers the DPB, anti smacking laws and other sexist regs and laws. Michael

*Absolutely there is - You bet!!

All politicians should be held accountable as long as they live. That's not said mockingly, after all consider those still being held accountable for their actions in WW2.

We need a ruling party with the guts to overturn the bloated system that now exists and which will take measures to hold accountable ALL politicians who have actively opposed the democratic majority vote of the citizens who voted them into power.

Let that accountability be in the same vein as the government now requires of innocent people to pay legal bills for police investigations that are found to be non-events. Or the millions "extorted" from the taxpayers to fund an increasingly bloated arrogant government system of bureaucrats. Send the debt collectors in to recover those costs to the public. Walter

This week's poll asks:

Is there room in New Zealand politics for a Tea Party-style movement?

*Absolutely, I'm in, where do I sign! Ray

*The point of insurance is to spread the risk. The point of Government is to spread the load of helping the less endowed or fortunate. Unimpeded access to health, education and welfare. This is not available from The Tea Party. Shaun

*Are Kiwi's mad, voting for a party that is bringing on the darkest days in NZ history. Why can people not see that NZ does not have an autonomous Govt. The New world order is alive & well. Neil

*It would be nice, we could start with an independant media that does stories from more than one perspective, example, almost every outlet has done a story exposing the huge burden being imposed by the GST increase but not a word on the larger burden being imposed by the carbon tax. John

*Like a spreading tree, government and its beaurocracy need pruning. Willy

*To get this underway we need a party like the Libertarianz. Murray

*Oh yes - there is ALWAYS room for a new political movement to wash away wicked, corrupt "career politicians" with tin ears. The time for revolution in NZ is NOW! Peter

*I have voted NO here. ACT should have been such a party but it has failed. Apart from questions such as Rodney Hide's acceptability as the face of an organistation large numbers of people could bring themselves to vote for, it's also clear that even larger numbers of people don't have the intellect to understand how ACT's policies will improve their lives. Sadly. David

*Absolutely! I'm tired of politicians who totally ignore the opinions of the people who voted them in to Govt in the 1st place. Stuart

*The groundswell has begun - bring it on!! Lawrie

*Without a doubt! The more people that know about what is actually going on in the NZ government, the better! Emma

*Unfortunately, the Tea Party has an historical base that is not part of NZ's culture. I wonder if a political movement referring back to our ANZAC heritage would be a better base for disaffected voters- 'the NZ way of life our armed forces went to war to protect' heritage. I'm sure the ANZACs didn't risk life and limb overseas to bring about what we have now!Richard

*Long overdue. I had hoped the ACT party would fill this role but they seem unable to get their act together. Bernie

*It can't come quick enough but as with everything else, will it make any difference? Brainwashing, starting from creche regarding "Green" and Maori culture, political correctness and the idea that the government (taxpayer) is a fairy godmother is so deeply entrenched in the minds of most sheeple that it is hard to imagine whether anything will shake the majority out of their stupor... In the US people are concerned about the growing national debt and the course the country is taking, whereas in NZ its just a way of life! Shirley

This week's poll asks:

Is there room in New Zealand politics for a Tea Party-style movement?

*Hell yes! When government's stop listening and start acting like dictators then they definitely need to be challenged. Labour got like that under Clark and National is starting to go the same way. They need to be kept on their toes. Pat

*With the demise of ACT, conservative voters who cannot stand the arrogance of National need an alternative. Bring on a tea party party! Geoffrey

*Do any governments ever listen to voters outside of election year? Having said that I made the mistake of thinking National under Key would be different. How wrong I was. Sue

*Yes - we definitely need something that keeps politicians in tune with voters and the promises they made. Look at National and their promise to reduce government spending. All they have done is increase it!

*It has been interesting to watch the tea party shake up the republicans in the US. I guess it would work here as long as there were sufficient people to give it momentum and critical mass and good people to lead it. It is after all democracy in action! Rebecca