National Watchman

15/11/2023

Newly released figures from Statistics New Zealand show migration levels have surged to the highest level on record - up 83 percent in the year to September 2023.

The data showed 237,100 migrants arrived in the September 2023 year. Meanwhile, 118,200 people were shown to have departed New Zealand for good - up 33 percent.

The overall net gain was mainly driven by migrants from Asia - notably being India, the Philippines, and China.

On the other hand, New Zealand citizens are leaving at near record levels. For the same period, the data showed there was a net loss of 44,700 New Zealand citizens.

Experts have cited pressures on infrastructure, housing, education, and the workforce, in urging for intervention.

As immigration has surged, the number of job listings have continued to decline at a rate of four percent month on month, while inflation has remained a near record-high of 7.2 percent.

Furthermore, migrants now make up a significant proportion of residential property buyers in New Zealand - now expected to contribute to an eight percent increase in house prices next year.

Westpac warns that migration and skyrocketing house prices will continue to fuel inflation into the foreseeable future.

"Population growth is running at multi-decade highs and is adding to demand as well as the productive capacity of the economy,” said Kelly Echoed, the bank’s chief economist.

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

12/11/2023

Official polling data has revealed the number of prisoners voting is on the rise since the controversial Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Act was passed into law over three years ago.

In 2019, the Government announced its decision to repeal a National-era law that removed voting rights from all sentenced prisoners.

Those over the age of 18 and sentenced to less than three years imprisonment are eligible to cast their vote from within correctional facilities across the nation.

On Election Day, 5,593 were either on remand or serving a sentence of imprisonment shorter than three years, therefore eligible to enrol to vote providing they met the other eligibility criteria.

An insight into voting behaviour from behind bars revealed a shocking trend.

Preliminary polling data from Invercargill Prison showed over 60 percent of support for the Labour Party. That figure was over 80 percent at Otago Corrections Facility.

The trend remained similar across other polling booths at correctional facilities across the country, with National struggling to break even 50 percent of the vote.

Preliminary polling data showed National receiving a mere one vote from those on the Māori roll.

In 2019, National vowed to rescind prisoner voting rights.

"We're talking about people who have possessed multiple child sexual abuse images; who've indecently assaulted multiple children; who have been involved in serious male assaults female [cases],” said former National Party Leader Simon Bridges.

"This is not for very minor offending."

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

10/11/2023

Concerns have been raised over New Zealand’s steadily declining school attendance rates following a new report that found just 47 percent of students are attending regularly.

The new statistics were for term two of this year, which ran from April 24 to June 30.

While up 7.2 percent over last year, critics argue the data is incomparable on account of poor attendance rates last year being the result of a documented spike in COVID-19 cases.

It’s a sad day for New Zealand when 40 per cent of students are still not attending school regularly, says National’s Education Spokesperson Erica Stanford.

“It speaks to how dire the school attendance crisis has been under Labour and the harm it is causing to children around the country.

“According to the Education Review Office, countries we often compare ourselves with have regular attendance rates well above 80 per cent.

“Labour has failed a generation of children with its misguided approach to education that has seen achievement in the basics plummet, in addition to abysmally low attendance.

“Not only are 63,000 children still chronically absent from school, but half of Year 10 students cannot pass a foundational reading, writing and maths test set at a level the OECD says is necessary to succeed in further learning, life and work.”

In an interview with Ryan Bridge on the AM Show on Friday, Stanford dubbed outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins “the worst Education Minister we have ever had”.

Meanwhile, Labour MPs have continued to shrug off criticism, arguing that the Government has worked to rectify the issue.

“We would really like to have a cross-government set of targets because it's great to kick this around as a political football, but the real ones missing out are the young people learning, so we want to make sure we're doing everything we possibly can to increase those attendance rates,” said outgoing Police Minister Ginny Andersen.

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

10/11/2023

The Electoral Commission has come under fire for its handling of the 2023 General Election following questions over voting booth locations - most notably, one being placed at Manurewa Marae, where Te Pati Māori candidate Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp is the chief executive.

The final votes, released last week, would reveal that Kemp defeated Labour MP Peeni Henare by a margin of four votes in the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate.

An investigation is now formally underway following a series of concerns and complaints.

Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne says he is confident that the election was fair.

“We try to provide a range of voting opportunities for people where they live and work, and that includes in marae and we do a careful assessment," Le Quesne told AM on Friday.

However, Le Quesne admitted that he was aware of concerns raised over the offer of food in exchange for voting.

"We're looking into those at the moment," said Le Quesne.

"They're generally about the activities and the food that was offered and, while we're looking into those [complaints], it's not really appropriate for us to talk further about that."

The Electoral Commission is also facing backlash over voting irregularities and a delay in the announcement of the final results.

Last week, Prime Minister Elect Christopher Luxon said “big questions” will be put to the Electoral Commission over its handling of the election process, citing heavy delays and poor performance.

“I think there are a lot of good questions, to be honest, after a Government is formed about the Electoral Commission and what we learnt from this experience," he said.

“I think the fact that we didn't have the how-to-vote cards out early, the fact that there were challenges on the day. I do think three weeks to count special votes is too long, personally.”

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

09/11/2023

Labour MP and former Police Minister Ginny Andersen is at the centre of a formal party investigation into allegations that she bullied a teenage volunteer over the course of three years.

Labour Party President Jill Day received the complaint - made by a parent - detailing numerous instances involving Andersen.

The parent alleged that during the election night, Andersen berated their daughter and son, “yelling” at them for not enough volunteering and singling them out to blame for her electoral defeat.

Furthermore, the complaint outlines additional incidents, including one during Christmas in 2020 when the daughter mistakenly confused house addresses. It is alleged that Andersen referred to the teenage volunteer as “useless” and made her feel insignificant.

In another instance, Andersen angrily reprimanded her over the phone, leading other volunteers to undermine the teenager's confidence.

In a statement Andersen said: "I'm aware a complaint has been made about comments I've made in the past."

"I'm really sorry if my comments caused hurt," she said.

"I'm committed to fully engage in the Labour Party process to resolve the matter."

The Labour Party has confirmed it has received a complaint.

General Secretary Rob Salmond said the complaint was made from a member regarding comments made to them about Andersen.

"Complaints and the process to investigate them are confidential, so we can't say anything more at this time."

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

04/11/2023

It has been revealed that the man accused of leaving a dairy worker in critical condition following a brutal stabbing had a history of breaching bail conditions, and that on the day of the attack, the Department of Corrections had neglected to investigate his bail bracelet going offline for an hour and a half.

Mitchell Lam, who has since died in police custody, left the owner of a New Windsor dairy critically injured last month.

On the day of the attack, Corrections said it had received “no communications” from Lam’s ankle bracelet, however had decided against investigating on the basis that he did not possess a record of tampering.

However, Corrections admitted that Lam had breached bail conditions five times and had been arrested on numerous occasions.

Victim advocate Ruth Money said the stabbing was easily preventable and called the breach unacceptable.

“For them to use an excuse of how many alerts they got in a day - that's their job - it's like saying you've received too many phone calls in a day… it's your job to receive those alerts and monitor those risky offenders… and keep us safe, and they have failed woefully.

"I think it's stretched to call it a monitoring service right now, we know people are putting foil, we know people are going out of service with low battery and nothing is happening, well certainly nothing is happening to the offender but plenty is happening within the community.”

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

03/11/2023

In a humiliating pivot following the release of the final election results, Te Pāti Māori has backtracked on its criticism of National and says it could consider working with the centre-right party.

The final election results confirmed Winston Peters is back as kingmaker as Te Pāti Māori and the Greens triumph, while National mourns the loss of two seats.

Te Pāti Māori has picked up two extra seats after the special votes were counted on Friday, meaning the party now has a record six seats.

“We are celebrating the most successful election result in the Te Pāti Māori’s history, following the announcement of the final vote count today. Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Takutai Moana Kemp have now won in Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau, tripling the size of our caucus,” stated the party in a tweet.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer told the Herald that a deal was potentially on the table should Luxon be open to the possibility.

National campaign chair Chris Bishop responded with bemusement, categorically ruling out any arrangement with either Te Pāti Māori or the Green Party - affirming Luxon’s commitment earlier in the campaign.

"The Greens spent most of the election campaign attacking the National Party. In fact, they ruled the National Party out themselves about three or four months ago.

"There's no chance of that happening, they don't get to lambast us for month after month and say, 'Oh, we're interested in a deal' - that's not going to happen.

“…the Māori Party has spent most of the last two years attacking the National Party left, right and centre.

"We're not doing a deal with the Māori Party. Look, the voters have sent a really clear message - they want to change the Government; they want National to be the bulk of that Government, they want ACT as part of the mix and they also want Mr [Winston] Peters and New Zealand First as part of the mix."

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

03/11/2023

A ‘frustrated’ incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says “big questions” will be put to the Electoral Commission over its handling of the election process, citing heavy delays and poor performance.

The final election results on Friday confirmed Winston Peters is back as kingmaker as Te Pāti Māori and the Greens triumph, while National mourns the loss of two seats.

Speaking to reporters following the results, Luxon lashed out at the Electoral Commission.

“I think there are a lot of good questions, to be honest, after a Government is formed about the Electoral Commission and what we learnt from this experience," he said.

“I think the fact that we didn't have the how-to-vote cards out early, the fact that there were challenges on the day. I do think three weeks to count special votes is too long, personally.”

It is unclear as to whether an incoming Government would launch a formal inquiry, however Luxon promised reform before the next general election in 2026.

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

03/11/2023

The final election results have confirmed Winston Peters is back as kingmaker as Te Pāti Māori and the Greens triumph, while National mourns the loss of two seats.

On Friday afternoon the Electoral Commission announced the final results as follows:

National on 48 seats (38.06 percent), down two from the preliminary election results.

Labour on 34 seats (26.91 percent).

The Green Party on 15 seats (11.60 percent), up one from the preliminary election results.

ACT on 11 seats (8.64 percent).

New Zealand First on eight seats (6.08 percent).

Te Pāti Māori on six seats (3.08 percent), up two from the preliminary election results.

Te Pāti Māori now has more electorates than the number of seats it is entitled to from its party vote, resulting in an overhang and bringing the total number of seats in Parliament initially to 122 seats.

One additional seat will be added following the Port Waikato by-election in November.

Both the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori have hailed historic election gains, while National - requiring 62 seats to form a government - will be needing both ACT and New Zealand First.

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

02/11/2023

The second annual survey on academic freedom by the Free Speech Union affirmed fears of a clamp down on academic freedom, with academic staff expressing fear of repercussions amidst the tide of cancel culture.

The survey, conducted in partnership with Curia Market Research, polled hundreds of respondents across the country.

The overwhelming majority of academics at five out of eight of New Zealand’s universities disagreed they were free to express controversial opinions.

Across all eight universities, a mere 46 percent agreed they felt free to question given narratives and express unpopular opinions.

Conversely, 64 percent of academics who identified as ‘very left’ and 70 percent of those who identified as “left” felt free to state controversial or unpopular opinions.

The survey found treaty and race issues were the subjects academics were most uncomfortable discussing.

Free Speech Union President Jonathan Ayling described the result as negative for intellectual diversity.

“It is important because free and open debate around issues we do not agree on is how societies move constructively forward. Indeed, this is the process of science,” said Professor Grant Schofield.

“This research is important because we want to know the extent to which those charged with being the critic and conscience of society and fulfilling that important responsibility feel free to do so.

“It is important because free and open debate in this manner is what helps us come together. Stifling debate, necessarily aimed at preventing us coming together, has the paradoxical failure of setting us apart, creating echo chambers, virtue signalling, bullying and a cancel culture.

“None of us should agree, whatever our opinions, that these are good things.

The Education and Training Act, passed into law in 2020, ensures that academics are free to express their opinions openly.

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

02/11/2023

Te Pāti Māori is facing criticism following its ‘ludicrous’ call for the expulsion of the US ambassador to New Zealand, citing human rights concerns in Gaza.

It says the United States is complicit in the human rights abuses in Gaza and has called for the Government to not only recognise the State of Palestine, but also end the occupation and confiscation of Palestinian land.

Days earlier, the party issued a press release urging the Government to also expel the Israeli ambassador.

“Aotearoa can no longer be complicit to the killing of innocent people. We can no longer provide political cover for US-funded imperialism,” the party stated in a press release.

“We can no longer act as a Pacific spy base for the Five-Eyes Alliance.

“The United States have poured billions of dollars into Israel’s Military and this brutal occupation will not stop as long as they continue to do so.

“Te Pāti Māori have called for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador until the Israel implement an immediate ceasefire. We are now adding the United States Ambassador to that list.”

The call has been slammed as “grossly insensitive” and a mouthpiece for “anti-semitic” narratives by critics.

“Shows how little Te Pāti Māori understand history. Past and present. They've been indoctrinated rather than educated.”

“So, murdering babies and grannies is nothing to Te Pāti Māori? Taking hostages as well?”

“Why expel the victim?”

Others criticised the party for attempting to ‘meddle’ in foreign affairs, arguing it wasn’t New Zealand’s place to dictate the narrative.

Political commentator Jason Walls said it is unlikely New Zealand would expel their US ambassador and distance themselves from their closest international allies.

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

01/11/2023

The Mongrel Mob is reportedly seeking out legal advice over one of National’s election pledges which would see gang members with face tattoos be forced to cover up or face prosecution.

Tokoroa lawyer Arama Ngapo confirmed to The New Zealand Herald that she had been asked by the Mongrel Mob to investigate whether the incoming government’s gang policy is constitutional.

“If Mr [Prime Minister-elect Christopher] Luxon thinks the solution to gangs in Aotearoa/New Zealand is to ‘Thin Lizzy’ the problem away, he is ignoring over 100 years of colonisation and systemic racism which left Māori in a cycle of poverty that led to the creation of gangs.”

Ngapo is arranging for a Zoom hui with gang members to offer a legal view and possible next steps in pursuing a potential class action.

Last week National’s police spokesperson announced that National could look at having gang facial tattoos banned.

“Our policy does not include the banning of gang tattoos,” said Mitchell.

“We are aware the Mongrel Mob have been making public statements that gangs will use face and neck tattoos to expose the public to their patches and gang insignia.

“I have highlighted the way the Western Australian government dealt with gang tattoos was to ban them. They have successfully charged and convicted gang members for displaying gang tattoos in public.”

Free Speech Union chief executive Jonathan Ayling has accused National of “grandstanding”, arguing the policy could be in direct breach of fundamental rights.

Meanwhile, Kiwis for Public Safety - a tough on crime public pressure group - has openly expressed support for National’s policy, welcoming a departure from the former Government’s ‘soft on crime’ approach.

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

01/11/2023

As New Zealand’s population continues to soar, migrants now make up a significant proportion of residential property buyers in New Zealand - now expected to contribute to an eight percent increase in house prices next year.

The latest figures from Statistics New Zealand show the number of residential sales to residence visa holders has almost doubled over the last four years, now accounting for over 14 percent of purchases - a far cry from the eight percent in September of 2019.

On the other hand, residential sales by residence visa holders have continued to decline.

Meanwhile, Westpac warns that migration and skyrocketing house prices will continue to fuel inflation into the foreseeable future.

"Population growth is running at multi-decade highs and is adding to demand as well as the productive capacity of the economy,” said Kelly Echoed, the bank’s chief economist.

“Higher long-term interest rates will restrain future house prices to some extent, but the impact of the surge in population will be significant. On balance, we expect house prices will rise by 8 percent over 2024.”

Similarly, Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen has warned, “Adding any additional demand to the economy at the moment does seem to be a challenge for New Zealand given that inflationary pressures are still high.”

New Zealand’s migrant numbers are set to hit a record this year, with economist forecasting total net arrivals to hit 100,000 should current trends persist.

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

01/11/2023

In a threatening tweet, former MP Tau Henare promised retribution against councillors who voted against Māori wards on Auckland Council last Thursday.

Citing a lack of support - with an overwhelming 68 percent of public submissions against the proposal - councillors voted down an amendment to expand the council’s governing body to include Māori seats.

Henare, the deputy chair of the Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB) said: “To those 11 councillors who vote no on Māori wards…I now will vote no and oppose everything you put forward at any one of my committees which are planning and CCOs. I will also raise that strategy with our board at the next meeting.”

The board has nine members, appointed by a selection process, whom hold voting rights on council committees.

“This city is over 150 years old and still can’t bring itself to recognise the place of Māori in this society and so I’m just going to use the tools I have in my small little toolbox,” Henare told the Herald.

Councillor and former National MP Maurice Williamson described Henare’s comments as “outrageous” in an interview with NewstalkZB.

“You cannot be on the IMSB and putting out a statement ‘I will vote no on everything no matter what’.”

Maurice has called for the IMSB to review Henare’s tenure and whether he should be permitted to stay on as an independent voice.

Auckland councillors voted to defer the issue of Māori representation, with a report expected by December 31, 2024.

Follow National Watchman, New Zealand’s leading conservative voice - delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

01/11/2023

Introducing New Zealand's newest face to the news business.

A team of independent journalists, opinion leaders, and pundits from across the country; we seek to excel as New Zealand's leading conservative voice, delivering reliable news coverage, opinion, and analysis.

Now let's do this! 🇳🇿

New Zealand’s leading conservative voice, delivering news coverage, opinion, and analysis. 🇳🇿