Political analysis and commentary shaping the progressive debate in Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on power, policy, and accountability.
With less than nine months left to make a difference at the Security Council, New Zealand’s leaders must be persuaded to act. Confront their consciences. Allow them no excuses and make the Security Council live up to its name.
Current CTU policy is for a minimum wage of two-thirds of the average wage and for that level to be indexed in law. The law protects National Superannuation payments which are indexed so that the couple rate is at least 66% of the net average wage. There is no reason economically why the minimum wage could not be returned to that two-thirds of the average wage level.
After Hillary Clinton won so big in the South, Bernie Sanders faces an uphill struggle for the nomination.
Meth use and addiction is a serious issue. And, as with all serious issues, it remains disappointing to see it trivialized by a pavonine politician in pursuit of a self-aggrandizing headline.
Two years ago I welcomed John Key’s promise to hold a flag referendum. At last we could get rid of the Union Jack from our flag and have one that didn’t look like Australia’s. Many on the left had long argued for a flag change and now we had some significant support from the right.
The rain sheets weeping over Opotiki. Tears for a fallen chief. The kohu descends. I ran to cover, turned on the radio. Twitter. Ranginui Walker has died. He will stay in Auckland.
Why, then, have the Greens not seized this opportunity to expose the hollowness of Seymour’s conversion to green politics? Why not strangle Act’s green changeling in its cradle? The answer, surely, lies in the Greens ongoing repositioning as a potential National Party coalition partner.
I am becoming more worried as time goes by that we are heading for a demographic pensions disaster.
The rise in demand for KickStart breakfasts occurred at the same time as those on welfare benefits was cut dramatically;
At his Party Convention yesterday – newly rehoused from the phone-box customarily used in previous years – David Seymour took aim at the Greens.