Setting the Agenda

Political analysis and commentary shaping the progressive debate in Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on power, policy, and accountability.

Chris Trotter · Most Recent Blogs · Setting the Agenda

Time For The Media To Become “Relentlessly Positive”
ByThe Daily Blog 2 September 2017

This clear popular endorsement of Ardern’s political tactics places the media in a difficult position. What social and political influence it retains is based largely on its representation of itself as the public’s first and most reliable line of defence against the banality, venality and downright stupidity of elected politicians. Without us, say the media, there would be no one to protect you from all this despicable trickery and all these terrible lies. You may not like us, but, by God, you need us!

Read More Time For The Media To Become “Relentlessly Positive”
Most Recent Blogs · Setting the Agenda

Media Statement form Waikato DHB Member: DHB deficit is real – It cannot all be ‘saved away’, Minister Coleman
ByThe Daily Blog 1 September 2017

A Waikato DHB member has criticised his DHB’s Chair and the Minister of Health for claiming in media interviews that Waikato DHB will be returning a ‘break-even’ budget for the 2017/8 year.

Read More Media Statement form Waikato DHB Member: DHB deficit is real – It cannot all be ‘saved away’, Minister Coleman
Chris Fowlie · Most Recent Blogs · Setting the Agenda

Medical Cannabis March – the election special!
ByThe Daily Blog 1 September 2017

NORML and Auckland Patients Group are holding their 5th Medical Cannabis Rally this Saturday 2nd September, and this time – since it’s the election – we are marching down Queen Street too.

Read More Medical Cannabis March – the election special!
Frank Macskasy · Most Recent Blogs · Setting the Agenda

Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (tahi)
ByThe Daily Blog 1 September 2017

So many little occurrences and huge events have transpired over the last couple of months, to brand this as one of the most intriguing (and tumultuous) of election campaigns in my life. Only the 1984 and the 2014 General Elections rank as memorable. In all three, there were two threads weaving through the campaigns;

Read More Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (tahi)
Mike Treen · Most Recent Blogs · Setting the Agenda

Stunning poll lifts prospect of a change in government
ByThe Daily Blog 1 September 2017

…if the Maori Party were to get two seats like now, which is certainly possible, then that would theoretically be enough to forms a Labour/Greens/Maori Party government. I believe the Maori Party would be desperate to form a government with Labour to prove they can go with either party – that they aren’t National’s poodle.

Read More Stunning poll lifts prospect of a change in government
Keith Locke · Most Recent Blogs · Setting the Agenda

Monarchy still constraining democracy in Tonga
ByThe Daily Blog 31 August 2017

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.

Read More Monarchy still constraining democracy in Tonga
Chris Trotter · Most Recent Blogs · Setting the Agenda

Tales From A Possible Future: The Mother Of All Scandals Breaks
ByThe Daily Blog 30 August 2017

THE STORY APPEARED FIRST on an offshore blog. After that, not even the best legal brains at Crown Law could prevent the voters from learning about the “Mother of All Scandals”. The Internet, as always, prevailed over the frantic machinations of desperate politicians.

Read More Tales From A Possible Future: The Mother Of All Scandals Breaks
Curwen Rolinson · Most Recent Blogs · Setting the Agenda

WTF – [W]inston’s Pension; [T]he #MotherOfAllScandals; and [F]ilthy Politics in 2017
ByThe Daily Blog 30 August 2017

Look “behind the curtain”, if you will.

The timing of events is, in politics, almost never coincidental.

Read More WTF – [W]inston’s Pension; [T]he #MotherOfAllScandals; and [F]ilthy Politics in 2017
Most Recent Blogs · Setting the Agenda

Public Statement on call by Prof Annette Beautrais for silence on Suicide
ByThe Daily Blog 30 August 2017

The attitude of Professor Annette Beautrais, of Canterbury University, and a suicide prevention co-ordinator for the South Canterbury DHB, is one of the primary reasons why it has been so hard to change the culture of silence about suicide, where news of it, and issues about it are swept under the carpet.

Read More Public Statement on call by Prof Annette Beautrais for silence on Suicide
Chris Trotter · Most Recent Blogs · Setting the Agenda

Winston’s Latest “Scandal”: Bureaucratic Bungle, or “Political Hit-Job”?
ByThe Daily Blog 28 August 2017

THIS LATEST POLITICAL “SCANDAL” involving Winston Peters reminds me of The Godfather. Not the famous scene in which Sonny Corleone is assassinated at the toll booth, but the earlier scene in which Michael Corleone realises that there are no staff on duty in the hospital where his wounded father is being treated. The empty nurses’ work station, the silent corridors, the overwhelming sense of something being “off” – all of it communicates a single, unmistakeable message to Michael. This is a hit.

Read More Winston’s Latest “Scandal”: Bureaucratic Bungle, or “Political Hit-Job”?