Political analysis and commentary shaping the progressive debate in Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on power, policy, and accountability.
Alongside bribery, corruption and outright theft of Maori land, the forced payments of rates and dog taxes by local authorities in the past has left Maori dispossessed of land and economic development opportunities.
The potential for another round of capitalist theft of Maori land has activists up in arms and their pressure has won the day so far.
In light of the Greens’ recent ideological contortions on the subject of immigration, it is possible to interpret Metiria’s attack on NZ First as being driven by internal – not external – considerations. It is possible that the immigration issue has become a symbol of the increasingly bitter divisions that have opened up between idealists and pragmatists within the Green Party. If so, then NZ First has been made the whipping-boy for offences much closer to home.
If I am fortunate enough to be elected to Parliament, I will work tirelessly to force a Royal Inquiry into the systemic abuse of New Zealander’s at the hands of the State.
I intend to propose a ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ model where those who have been abused at the hands of the State can go on the record of the harm, hurt and damage our Government services have caused them.
Election promises can cost a lot of money. Here are some ways the Greens in government could raise some extra cash. All these proposals are consistent with existing Green policy.
It is hard not to be angry. No needy child gets any benefit out of National’s grand plan until April next year. Always jam tomorrow never jam today. Budgets should be about changes for the current year-not the year after. Shame on them.
TWO BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS TODAY. The first came from the New Zealand Initiative and purported to be about improving our education system. The second came from the Supreme Court of New Zealand and had the effect of stopping the Ruataniwha Dam in its tracks. On the face of it these two announcements have nothing whatsoever in common. What links them, however, is the way in which both demonstrate how dramatically Kiwi neoliberalism’s room for manoeuvre has shrunk.
A new campaign designed to challenge the compulsory hijab law in Iran is encouraging women to show their support by wearing white headscarves in public every Wednesday.
OKAY, so the game is rigged. Well spotted. Now, what should be done about it? That’s the $64,000 question. Because understanding that one lives inside a corrupt system does not automatically lead to political action. Indeed, it’s as likely to lead to resignation and despair as it is to anger and revolt.
Winston Peters came to my home town of Kumeu last weekend. I thought I’d go along to check him out. I’d wondered why people vote NZ First, though a number of good people I know are keen supporters. I wanted to see if the hype was true about his alleged charisma and charm, get to the bottom of those provocative immigration policies, try to get a measure of the man.
Mental health workforce shortage statistics published this week demonstrate a staffing deficit that will surprise no-one except Health Minister Jonathan Coleman. But what they don’t show is the major culture change needed within that workforce that will also be needed to make a real difference to the effectiveness of this country’s mental health system.