Northland transitioned to Red on 2 December and as I write this we remain at ‘Red’ while the rest of NZL went to Orange on 30 December. 46 days and counting. The supposed rationale for this was Nortland’s low vaccination rate. Cobblers to that. MoH data (as of today) show that Northland is 85.1% double vaccinated … not too different from Tairawhiti (Gisborne) at 87.3%. A cynic might opine that Tairawhiti’s gain is all to do with a certain (non white) wedding scheduled at some billionaires crash pad in the next little while. I couldn’t possibly comment.
Meanwhile Northland’s economy suffers. The Kerikeri/Paihia/Russell axis is dead. Streets are empty. Hospitality venues are running on empty. A double whammy of Red along with Hone’s message to the rest of the country to stay away. They have.
Does Jacinda care? Does Kelvin Davis care? Does the invisible Willow-Jean Prime care? Does Dr (of the some doctors make you better … others make you sick … variety) Emily Henderson care?
Labour working for Northland … not.
No Minister 
And it’s all because of that nice Mr Peters!
Hi Vet,
Am curious as to what your theories as to the Gov’t’s end-goals are (or look to be) based on what you’ve seen to date.
Or is it too early to ask?
To put it in perspective, it’s taken me months to realise what was happening and even then I’m still wondering if I’m stuck in a nightmare.
Vet you are so right it’s more than they don’t care. It’s “collective punishment’ which I was led to believe is illegal under international law. I know you are strong National, so why are they missing in action.
They should be screaming for freedom from the roof tops. Their silence, as we are divided and having our freedoms stripped, is very telling.
OC …you need to keep up with the play. On 15 December Luxon said NZL should ditch the traffic light system with the caveat that it could be reimposed should the circumstances so dictate. You might argue that is a step too far with the Omnicron variant knocking at our doors but certainly you can cogently argue that maintaining Northland at Red makes no sense at all..
Vet sorry my bad but not surprising given the dreadful dishonesty of the paid off media. I totally agree Northland has been mistreated. Having a business up here I know first hand how destructive it’s been.
Doesn’t alter the fact that National has been a disappointment. I always thought they stood for freedom and the individual
The evidence is I was wrong, when you have people like Wayne and the idiot Bishop on the same page as HRH pushing boosters and mandates and worse supporting going after our kids.
I did note however a lesser known MP showing signs of a backbone, but I’m sure she’s been slapped back into line by the collective.
OC – the way Luxon dealt to Harete Hipango suggests that, just like Labour caucuses (for ever), there is not much freedom of expression in the National Caucus at the moment which is disappointing.
I don’t think its overly smart for an MP to align himself/herself with Brian Tamaki’s mob.
Probably not Vet but there was a time I am sure when National MP’s could `mix and mingle’ with whomever they wanted to provided they supported final decisions taken by caucus or cabinet.
A prime example is Muldoon and Black Power – even if it was ill advised.
Vet I understand that Tamaki is a crazy but so are those pushing for the “vaccination” of little kids with an experimental drug.
So if it’s ok for National MP’s to align themselves with jab happy lunatics then surely it’s fine for them to align with a lunatic like Tamaki.
The protest against the mandates is larger than Brian Tamaki’s “mob”.
It includes people like me that are not affiliated with him at all.
National seems elitist and extremely out of touch with people on the ground.
It is admitted in the link below that the traffic light system was designed around getting the vaxx numbers up, not about stopping or slowing covid.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/10/new-zealand-not-prepared-for-omicron-outbreak-expected-in-matter-of-weeks-experts-warn
I posted earlier on a bucket list ticking trip to Milford Sound where we encountered a mere 15 vehicles between Te Anau and Milford (over 100 Kms distant), arrived to empty bus parks and a very limited menu at the recommended eatery for a lunch. Never saw a single coach to park in the copious areas available.
Of course to a fish and chip counter person and a VUW student body accounts person such devastation to a once major component of the The New Zealand economy wouldn’t be possible to relate to, that would require some cognitive skills that are absent from the entire Ardernearly administration.
Of course today we hd graphic coverage of Defence Minister Henare with his finger on the pulse as regards Tonga from a selfie via the mirrored wall in a gym, only exercising his fingers though
Five years ago such incompetence across the board would have been the basis for satirical treatment by comedians everywhere, now with the tightly controlled media grip of socialist control most citizens are entirely unaware of their incompetence.
Sheesh the long time apparent coverage of NZ affairs under a duty minister during the new year shutdown has even disappeared from the political landscape. Not that that is entirely a bad thing as the cockups have declined only to be filled by an errant squeeze making stupid with alacrity
GD Milford Sound Bus park was empty on the day we arrived in late April/early May and there were only two buses there when we returned from our cruise.
Just a question. I presume the covid compensation package (wage subsidy and fortnightly business support) remains in place. Could someone enlighten me on this point.
I know it is not a real substitute for the market, but if it is in place, I would presume it is defraying the worst aspects of the Red Light limitations, especially for tourism and hospitality businesses.
I have just come back from the South Island which is all Orange. Places were moderately busy, but not like it was when overseas tourists were about.
Wayne – Tourisim and Hospitality are both pretty much out of favour as far as help from the Government goes. Not sure Minister Nash even knows they exist and are in deep deep trouble.
Wayne … the Transition Support and Resurgence Support Payments have closed off. The Small Business Cash Flow Loan scheme remains in place but (1) ts a loan which has to be repaid and (2) attracts an interest rate of 3% if not repaid within two years. Not a lot of help if you’re in Red.