Political analysis and commentary shaping the progressive debate in Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on power, policy, and accountability.
The Mike Hoskings of this world are telling New Zealanders not to believe the numbers thrown up by Newshub’s Reid Research poll. They simply cannot accept that the social solidarity which was asked for, and given, during the period of Lockdown has paid such handsome political dividends. Clearly, they are no historians.
On Saturday I attended the Alternative Aotearoa meeting in Wellington. This was a fantastic event, organised by my friend and fellow Daily Blogger John Minto. I think what stood out for me was the large number of young people, pākeha, Māori and Pacifica who spoke passionately about the need for change in so many aspects of New Zealand life.
A UK charity, Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR), that works to protect and promote Palestinian human rights and the international rule of law, has recently published its Child Right Bulletin for 1 May-30 June 2020. Some examples from the bulletin reveal a little of Israel’s contemptuous violations against Palestinian minors, even young children.
ANTI-RACISM IS BIG at the moment – very big. Why, then, are so many on the left of politics, both here and overseas, climbing aboard the Western powers’ New Cold War Express?
Over the weekend, NZ First did something rather remarkable for a smaller party. They turned 27.
Judith ‘the Crusher’ Collins dispenses with any attempts to sing by Jacinda’s songbook. She’s confident enough in her own beliefs and her own ideologies to carry not just her own luggage (and baggage), but to do it with chutzpah. She is apologetic to no-one for her views, her past, her ambition, her policies, her eye on the end prize, or her decisiveness.
What a difference a week makes! From unelectable, it now seems like we will be facing a resurgence in National’s chances under Judith Collins.
In the current crisis we have the absurd situation of the government-owned companies continuing to behave like profit-maximising private companies and sacking as many workers as they think will help achieve that goal.
JUST WHEN YOU’RE THINKING Labour’s activists have become smart, caring and (almost) wise; they prove themselves to be anything but. A pseudonymous contributor to The Standard, Te Reo Putake, has seized the opportunity created by Nikki Kaye’s resignation to demand that the Greens pull Chloe Swarbrick from the Auckland Central race.
I was looking back at three blogs I’ve done on Judith Collins in earlier years and can’t see any reason to change my assessment of her politics.