Why workers who are Pakeha benefit from positive action for Maori
Sometimes in my union job, I get asked why we are helping people from minority groups – like Maori or immigrants – when we should be looking after the majority.
Setting the Agenda
Political analysis and commentary shaping the progressive debate in Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on power, policy, and accountability.
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Dave Macpherson: End of dispute between Nicky Stevens’ family and Waikato DHB means a new phase of the mental health work starts
Most readers will be aware that my family’s long-running (four and a half years long) ‘dispute’ with Waikato DHB is now over.
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The only cannabis poll that counts is the Referendum itself
It’s easy to get caught up in a roller coaster of elation and despair, writes NORML president Chris Fowlie, but we need to focus on the only poll that counts: the Referendum itself.
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Real Fascists Don’t Use Swastikas
ONE OF THE MOST puzzling features of contemporary New Zealand fascism is its self-imposed failure. When fascist groups are discussed,…
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Dr Liz Gordon: Opening up our prisons
All of our prisons in New Zealand are high security in the sense of razor wire, single entry, lots of staff, strong security focus, stab-proof vests and so on. There is an inescapable dehumanisation about our prisons, whether intended or not. They are really expensive to run but not so good at development or rehabilitation, or family contact and job-finding.
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Judith Collins – Foot in Mouth Award? Or something more sinister?
Former Police, Corrections, and Justice Minister in the previous John Key government, Judith Collins, has been ridiculed on social media after posting a comment on Twitter that was patently untrue;
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Time for emergency measures?
It is great that the Government intends paying attention at last to the broken welfare system. But has it left its run too late?
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The quiet desperation of low-income families Vs middle-class angst
It’s a sad truth that in our daily political discourse the struggle of people on low incomes doesn’t rate much.
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The coming economic crisis, “unorthodox” monetary policy, and Donald Trump
A new surge in the price of gold in US dollars would force the Federal Reserve to reverse course and start hiking interest rates and reversing easing once more. Trump would then have the choice of firing the Federal Reserve and forcing his changes, as he hinted at doing in late 2018, or having an election-year recession. This would provoke a political and economic crisis of historic proportions.
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Upholding The Accused’s Right To Write.
THE SHOCK/HORROR expressed at the Christchurch Shooter’s letter from prison is unworthy of a grown-up nation. A bold assertion, to which the cynical will undoubtedly reply: “True – but this is New Zealand we’re talking about!” Beleaguered liberals will chuckle ruefully – and move on. Because who now believes that the shock/horror “deplorables” are in any way redeemable? And, who really cares?