NZ visa requirements too tough on former “criminals”

By Keith Locke  /  August 31, 2018  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  8 Comments

In the world today, restrictions on political speakers visiting other countries affect left-wing speakers more than conservative speakers. But we should also defend the right of conservatives, like Canadians Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux, to speak here. Otherwise we undermine our case.

Defence policy statement edges NZ closer to Trump’s America

By Keith Locke  /  July 7, 2018  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  33 Comments

So much for New Zealand’s independent foreign policy. The Strategic Defence Policy Statement, released today, puts New Zealand firmly in the American camp. It portrays China as a threat, warning of China’s “ability to quickly deploy a range of additional capabilities in and around key international shipping lanes.”

Reducing the prison muster rather than building a new prison

By Keith Locke  /  June 21, 2018  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  9 Comments

I am heartened by the way Labour and the Greens are talking up justice reform and the need to reduce prison numbers. Justice Minister Andrew Little told TV3’s Nation last week that everything is on the table, including reform of the bail, parole and sentencing legislation.

Ardern wrong to “accept” US-led air strikes on Syria. The Greens get it right

By Keith Locke  /  April 16, 2018  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  67 Comments

Prime Minister Adern has made a serious mistake in saying that she “accepts” why the US, UK and France have bombed Syria.

Why Green MPs shouldn’t give their parliamentary questions to National

By Keith Locke  /  March 19, 2018  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  33 Comments

There are several reasons why it is wrong of the Green caucus to hand over some of their Parliamentary Questions to National.

Why NZ should withdraw its troops from Iraq

By Keith Locke  /  February 13, 2018  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  15 Comments

Prior to the last election Labour, NZ First and the Greens all opposed the current deployment of New Zealand troops to Iraq. Labour specifically promised to withdraw them, but nothing has happened yet. Now Australia is leaning on our government to extend the deployment beyond its current end date in November. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop made that plain during her visit here last week.

Jim Anderton played a critical role in changing our electoral system

By Keith Locke  /  January 9, 2018  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  4 Comments

Jim Anderton made a great and irreplaceable contribution to our society and democracy. Without his leadership of NewLabour and the Alliance – and his support of MMP – we might still be stuck with a narrow, two-party, first-past-the-post political system – like Britain, Australia, Canada and the United States. We owe Jim a lot.

$639 million upgrade poses question of whether we need frigates

By Keith Locke  /  December 15, 2017  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  19 Comments

The frigates Te Mana and Te Kaha are a huge drain on the taxpayer. They cost hundreds of millions of dollars a year in running costs and regular upgrades. The current electronics upgrade is now priced at a whopping $639 million.

Kiwi prominent in ICAN, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner

By Keith Locke  /  December 10, 2017  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  5 Comments

New Zealand has a long history of active anti-nuclear NGOs, several of whom are involved in ICAN via their international parent bodies. These include the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and Pax Christi – all of whom are represented on the ICAN international steering committee.

Golriz Ghahraman has answered her critics well

By Keith Locke  /  November 30, 2017  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  15 Comments

In summary, Golriz has never hidden her defence role in the Rwanda and former Yugoslavia Tribunals. She has spoken about those experiences many times, and put them on her LinkedIn CV. It has been good to see the legal experts such as Andrew Geddes and so many progressive people coming to her defence.

Monarchy still constraining democracy in Tonga

By Keith Locke  /  August 31, 2017  /  Keith Locke, Most Recent Blogs, Setting The Agenda  /  1 Comment

Tongan politics are so poorly reported in New Zealand that it is hard to judge the actions of the various players in the latest political crisis.

However, we should be concerned that the monarch, King Tupou VI, has sacked the elected government headed by Akilisi Pohiva, an advocate of greater democracy.