Sunday, September 21, 2014

The last hurrah

Last night was like no election night we can ever remember. The 2014 General Election may just as well have been a First Past the Post election as National stormed to an outright majority; 61 seats in a Parliament of 121 MP's. New Zealand will have the stable, centre-right government it needs.

The sideshows were largely ignored, and people focused on the Big Game. A friend posted a list on Facebook this morning of ten things we have learned from the 2014 election campaign; #10 read thus:

10) that, in the end, you can trust the New Zealand public to get it right.

The New Zealand public sorted out the wheat from the chaff and the sheep from the goats when they started going to the polls on September 3rd. The spectacular failure of the Moment of Truth on Monday was definitely a factor, and National has reported its internal polling surged a couple of percentage points in the last days of the campaign. But the public did indeed "get it right".

And they didn't need our help. We were silent for the last four weeks of the election campaign after being caught in the crossfire of the Hager book. Today, we want to thank Mr Hager for doing us a favour!

"How so?" you may ask. Blogging can become an obsession, and we were in grave danger of that when fate, in the form of Hager, intervened. In the last four weeks we have rediscovered some balance in our life. No longer do we head straight to the computer when we get out of bed in the morning. We can read articles now without mentally trying to find an angle to blog about. We're in a much better head-space.

We said some time ago we might take a sabbatical after the election. It is in fact going to be a permanent sabbatical, and this will be the last post on Keeping Stock; our last hurrah.

We were just going to quietly fade away, but we have had a number of e-mails and comments from long-time readers enquiring as to our welfare and our future plans. We're very grateful for those, and it has reinforced that we have provided an avenue for discourse over the last few years.

We're far from perfect, and we have made mistakes along the way. For that we apologise without reservation. But what's done is done, and if there are consequences, we will own them.

We've often said we, like Oscar Wilde, can resist anything except temptation. But our resolve is strong, and this is definitely Keeping Stock's last hurrah. Any future endeavours, unlikely as they are, will be open, transparent, and with a name attached.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has visited, commented and interacted over the last seven years; your support has been very much appreciated. But now it's time for us to move on. The country is in the very best of hands, and our raison d'etre has ceased to have any meaning. 

This is our last hurrah; it's been nice knowing you all.


Tony



UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a comment. There are too many to respond individually, but we will be in touch with those for whom we have e-mail addresses at some point. 

We commiserate with our Green friend Dave bsprout Kennedy; at 7pm on Saturday night he may have had dreams of becoming an MP, and good luck to him for trying. But those dreams were quickly dashed. And we almost feel sorry for David Cunliffe this morning; almost!

That's it; retirement awaits us...

49 comments:

Mark D said...

I read often, commented seldom, but just want to say thank you. I appreciated hearing your voice over these last years and value what you had to say.

gravedodger said...

There is still a gap in the address bar InV2 and you played no small part in last nights amazing reflection of the real NZ and its success.

All the very best for whatever the future holds, well done and kia kaha.

Every kindest wish I have regards Murray.

smttc said...

Always enjoyed your blog posts and your blog.

All the best Tony.

Anonymous said...

oh, what a shame, but fair call.

Time for other things and the real world, I know what you mean.

An awesome result last night, yay.

Best. thanks

Lara

Lou Taylor said...

Hi Tony
You did your bit for freedom of speech in this country with style, grace and humour.

The left have attempted to steal the word 'fair" from our vocabulary but you have epitomised the true meaning of the word with your contribution to our country.

Best wishes for the future and thanks
Lou Taylor

Rich Prick said...

Thanks for many years of enjoyable reading. Well done and best wishes for the future.

Ross said...

Tony,

Thank you for this last posting, and for the blog that has been Keeping Stock over the last 6 years or so.

I have often found it a voice of sanity in the noise of the Left of politics (including an increasingly biased mainstream media) in this country.

Truly enjoy where life takes you next.

Thank you for what has been a quality contribution to the political discourse in this country.

All the very best Tony.

Ross

workingman said...

All the best and I am going miss your comments. Your restraint in the abuse from some of the left who posted on here was in marked contrast to their bitterness.

There was a member of the greens who used to post on here, who was standing the elections. Can you remind me of his name and where he was standing so I can check the results.

Last nights results were great, and reading, whilst holding my nose, some of the horrendous abusive comments on the left blogs last night and tonight, I do not think we have seen the end of hatred that the left holds so close to it.

Best wishes for the future.

Quintin Hogg said...

Tony,
Thanks for your blogs hitch gave me many good reads over the years.
It Was my go to blog. Now, well never mind.
con va dios.
QH.

workingman said...

I was just reading the comments on the nzhearald article about you and the last comment is just great.
"A survey of 206,000 people by TVOne has shown 24% of people are changing their vote because of this book, and I bet it's not to vote for National either!" Well it certainly was not Labor or the greens they went to.

J Bloggs said...

Thank you for your blog, and for letting us play and pontificate here. All the best for the future.

Budgieboy said...

All the best mate, you've been a bloody legend these past seven years, you were much appreciated and will be very much missed.

Lofty said...

Many thanks Tony, you have played a fine part in this election, and you did it with grace and good manners.

I wish you well in your future, and I still hope to have a beer with you at some stage.

All the best.

Ray said...

Well you will be missed, your Blog was the first on my reading list plus it lead to a couple of others
But life balance is important
Thanks for your time, you will be missed but I am sure your occasional comments in other blogs will keep us all on track:-)

macdoctor said...

Yes, unless you are completely obsessed, like David and Cam, you get to the point where you have simply had enough! Thanks for all your insightful and wise words, Tony, and all the best for a less blog-driven life.

Grendel said...

I had not realised you had been 'outed' as i avoided all the hager stuff, but that explains where you went.

sorry to see you go, your blog was the nice calm one in the storm.

from one business owner to another, good luck with the future in all its forms.

Chris Bird said...

I will be sorry that you will no longer be continuing this blog as I have always enjoyed your comments. Best wishes for your future and good luck with your business.

pdm said...

All the best Tony. I have been a reader and commenter since day one (or almost) of Keeping Stock and will miss your contributions in so many areas.

I think you have my email address from days past so when you are inclined flick me an email and we can continue to exchange views on things really important (and of mutual interest) to you and I like cricket and rugby. Perhaps we might even enjoy a beer when you visit Hastings or when we visit Wanganui, which we do from time to time.

Kind regards and best wishes - Don.

Simo said...

Thanks you for your comments and discussion of things political in the last few years. We will be ever thankful for the ability to provide comment on your blog site, and most of all we have read some excellent discussion and opinion. All the best for the future. Cheers John

ZenTiger said...

I enjoyed your blog and found your posts thought provoking. Best wishes for the future.

Ray said...

Keeping Stock has always been an oasis of dignified reason and sanity, while managing to touch more than a few leftist nerves.
You will be missed.
As Douglas Adams so aptly said.....
"So long and thanks for all the fish".

fredinthegrass said...

KS,
If you are interested, you will do what is convenient;
If you are committed, you will do whatever it takes.

Thank you for your commitment - you did what it took. Now relax, and enjoy - you have earned it.

Nick K said...

Don't go!! I was outed too but don't give a stuff. Admittedly it was when I blogged under a pseudonym and now under my real name, but I don't believe id write anything too obnoxious that would cause me pain. You're in the same boat, Tony. But most importantly, I'm not letting Hager win. Definitely not. Stuff him and the horse he rode in on.

All the best.

Nick K.

Teletext said...

Hi Tony
Thanks for all your insightful ruminations over the last few years. You will be missed. Thanks for publishing my few pieces.
Don't forget that game of golf when your in Auckland

Dave Kennedy said...

Tony, I come from opposite end of the political spectrum but I have enjoyed throwing in an alternative view to keep the discussions lively. I also appreciated you giving me a guest post and linking to my blog, I have had steady traffic from yours to mine over the past year or so.

Obviously I'm disappointed that the Greens did not get enough votes to get me into parliament so I intend to continue my own blog until the next election. I have found many of your followers have have commented on my posts and I hope many will continue to do so in your absence.

Perhaps we may actually meet in person at some stage in the future as we both share an interest in education.

All the best.

Anonymous said...

Thank you. Take care. All the best!

Cadwallader

Allan said...

KS having followed your blog with interest and sometimes commented about what was said; I just want to say thank you for your thought provoking postings. You will be missed. All the best.

Cheers Allan

Paranormal said...

All the best for the future and thank you for creating a must read blog.

In the future I do hope temptation gets the better of you. We need more calm voices of reason like yours on the blogosphere to keep the bs of the left at least a little balanced.

In the meantime enjoy the peace and quiet.

Sthn.Jeff said...

All the Best Mate

I have always enjoyed your blog for its wide variety of subject content and your reasoned commentary on events.

It is a read I will miss and wish you all the best with whatever the future brings you.

We never did catch up for a beer but would like to at some stage if the offer is still there.

Cheers and up the mighty Nix. It will be our year soon!

nellie said...

Dear Tony,

Thank you for being a beacon of sanity in a blog world full of crazies.

I will certainly miss your thoughtful musings.

All the best for you, your family and your business (you do need to expand more into AKL though)

Take care..

Ciaron said...

Gutted.

Let me know when you're in Christchurch with your clubs, I'll tee up a round somewhere :)

Missy said...

I will be sorry to see your blog go, from when I first found it, it has been one of my favourites. I would have liked to comment more, but unfortunately as a public servant it was inappropriate to comment on some of the posts, but I did always read them all.

It is sad that Nicky Hager's book has led to this decision, but you must do what is right for you and your family. I wish you all the best, and hope that you don't let the whole 'Dirty Politics' saga weigh on your mind, your blog was always a good read and will be missed in the blogosphere.

SHG said...

KS was on my daily reading list, sorry to see its conclusion. Best wishes for the future, Tony!

Rafaella said...

By chance I came across keeping Stock about a year ago.

I enjoyed your well written analysis of politics, sport and other topical events.

These depicted the values of ordinary N.Z er's without resorting to ugliness or nasty name calling.

From the recent dirty politics, I now know of the business you run so will give you my support with online purchases. One small positive outcome.

So thank you very much for the contribution you have made especially as MSM is falling short of great journalism. Enjoy your time with whanau - it would be great to see you back in the future.

Anonymous said...

Good luck Tony and thanks for the challenge and opportunity of scribbling a bit occasionally.

See you around.

alloy said...

A great pity, but I understand the necessity of walking away.

Good luck.

Anonymous said...

I'll miss this blog. Thanks for your efforts.

Anonymous said...

All the best Tony,
Hope to see you one other blogs with your wit and wisdom.

Mr E

Anonymous said...

you built up a good blog KS .. will keep in touch but in the mean-time RELAX and enjoy the next 3 years (and beyond of course).
John (jabba)

bobux said...

Thanks, KS, for your many years of effort. You have always been up-front about your beliefs, and have managed to discuss issues with a degree of civility rare in the political blogosphere.
If yu ever return to blogging, your many readers will be grateful.
All thee best for your well-earned 'retirement'.

Barry said...

I, too, am sorry to see you go. Thanks for all of your posts - and best wishes to you.

Unknown said...

Really sad. Good luck in your next life

Anonymous said...

Hi KS have been travelling and just seen your last post

Sad that you have been outed as such - what a poisonous little man Hagar is.

I have commented every now and then but like most regulars, would look forward to my coffee and toast in the middle thing as I opened the computer to you insightful and thoughtful items.

Balance in life is everything and enjoy your "retirement " -

Thanks
DD

AndrewENZ said...

Hi Tony,

I'm saddened to hear that you are giving it all up but I totally understand. Yours has been my default go to blog for the last few years and I've really enjoyed your perspective and the general civilized tone here.

Best wishes for the future!

Andrew

Unknown said...

You will be missed. I greatly enjoyed reading your blog, especially in regards to cricket and politics. But I understand your reasons for stopping. I wish you well with whatever else you do in your life.

flo said...

was so sorry to read this....really enjoyed reading your blog and hope you may write again ...one day!

Anonymous said...

All the very best for your future endeavours...

NX said...

I've enjoyed reading your blog over the years - right from the very beginning I think.

I think even Nicky Hager would concede his aim wasn't to kill your political blogs His target was WhaleOil & KB.
It would be expecting too much for Hager to appreciate the injustice.

If I ever meet you in person, I'll shake your hand.

All the best.

P.S. I miss you on Twitter too!

Nookin said...

There is a gaping hole in the blogoshere, KS. Hopefully, one day soon, you might get the urge to pen the odd comment about the world at large.

In the meantime, relax and unwind. There are some people best ignored