Political analysis and commentary shaping the progressive debate in Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on power, policy, and accountability.
I did not really expect to enjoy the justice summit. Too many people, same old stories, probably not much more than a talkfest. But actually, I enjoyed it hugely and it gave me hope for the future. I believe in hope. It springs eternal. And it can move mountains. And maybe the mountains are ready to be moved.
GREEN POLITICS has never been about business-as-usual. Green politics has always been about the salvation of the planet and the reclamation of the human soul from the talons of the Capitalist death-machine. To reduce Green politics to mere environmentalism is to betray a complete misunderstanding of its raison d’être.
Sadly and predictably, however, that is exactly what the majority of New Zealand’s political commentators are doing. They are heaping their praise upon the Green caucus for taking the party back-to-basics with wonderful new policies about re-cycling car tyres and paying ten bucks to whoever before dumping your rubbish.
On Friday evening August 17 at Auckland`s Aotea Centre Cornell West and Douglas Murray faced off.
The National Business Review published its annual celebration of unearned wealth last week with the breathlessly-reported news that this bunch of specialised parasites increased their wealth from a net of $79.9 billion in 2017 to $100.8 billion this year.
A few years ago I wrote an article about a ride on the 486 bus from Symonds Street to Prestons Road (you know, in Otara), and the changing population that inhabited the bus as it moved south. I still remember that ride.
The South Pacific Nuclear Free Pacific Zone Treaty 33 years ago ushered in a radical era for the Pacific, which predated NZ’s own nuclear-free law.
Reflections On The Geopolitical Significance Of India On Independence Day
Evil looks nothing like the artist’s impression: there are no horns, no tail, no cloven hooves, no whiff of sulphur. Life would be so much easier if there were! No, if you really want to know what evil looks like, then examine the faces of the people who live next door; the people on the bus; the people in the lunchroom at work.
At a Waikato DHB meeting last week, staff working in the Mental Health and Addictions Service presented a series of statistics demonstrating the state of Aotearoa’s mental health. It wasn’t a pretty picture and shows the enormity of the task facing the Government, it’s Mental Health Inquiry, and the whole community.
With all the self-flagellation about free speech these last few weeks most people seem to have missed ASB’s record net profit – $1.18 billion. (Net profit means profit AFTER the ASB has done all its dodgy dealings to limit its tax liabilities here – the real profit is much higher).