MP Annabel Young is just back from 7 days on National’s Campaign Bus.
“I had a terrific trip… great politics in stunning scenery. This is a real whistle-stop tour. We pick up the local team and the candidate or MP as the bus enters their electorate and then drops them off we leave. It is a great chance to meet and greet the local people in every electorate.”

“It’s thirsty work on the campaign trail so we visited a lot of pubs on the way. It creates a sensation when half a dozen politicians pour in through the pub door to chat over a pint, especially if the politicians include the Prime Minister or Cabinet Ministers."

“We are giving out leaflets wherever we stop. The “nocrap” leaflet is very popular. Many first-time voters have already accessed the website and recognize the graphics on the leaflet. The “nocrap’ message really connects with the voters.”

National MPs, candidates and Party workers are rostered onto the bus but many are enjoying themselves so much that they don’t want to leave when their scheduled time ends. “By the last week of the campaign we may have 1000 people competing for a place on board.”

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Gordon Campbell: On The Government's Assault On Maori

This isn’t news, but the National-led coalition is mounting a sustained assault on Treaty rights and obligations. Audrey Young in the NZ Herald has compiled a useful list of the many ways Christopher Luxon plans to roll back the progress made in race relations over the past forty years. He has described yesterday’s nationwide protests by Maori as “pretty unfair.” Poor thing. More