The Standard » Guest post

Brand Key, a do nothing Government & the hidden agenda

Guest post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:37:44 +0000

A number of terms are bandied about to describe both John Key and the John Key Government. Using such terms and trying to reconcile their seeming contradictions can prove confusing. Indeed, from time to time we have seen such confusion manifest itself on this blog amongst the right wing who argue how Key can indeed have a ‘hidden agenda’ whilst simultaneously being ‘smile and wave’ or ‘clueless’ and ‘doing nothing’.

TEU: Treasury’s attack on ordinary Kiwis

Guest post — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:05:05 +0000

Public education is the cornerstone of a good country and a buoyant economy. And New Zealanders have long enjoyed the benefits that come to them individually, to their families, their communities, their country, and the economy from having access to quality public education. But all this now seems under attack from a small group of Treasury officials.

WTF is a “primary” anyway?

Guest post — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:25:07 +0000

Even we political junkies have a hard time figuring out what the heck's going on in American politics sometimes.

And it's not like our media are any help.

Queen of Thorns takes a look...

The limits of resilience

Guest post — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:15:57 +0000

Christchurch has been back in the news recently for all the wrong reasons. What's going on behind the public narrative of a tough and resilient populace soldiering on in the face of all these obstacles?

It’s not about Race or Age or Gender or Religion…it’s about Poverty

Guest post — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:16:56 +0000

An insightful piece by Pat Brittenden. How can we fix our problems if we won't acknowledge (and National wants to stop the media talking about) their cause?:

For a long time I have had a bit of an untested theory. I’ve come to a place where I don’t think the negative statistics in New Zealand are about race, age, gender or religion. I think they’re about poverty and the by products of poverty.

Why the acronyms PIPA and SOPA should worry Kiwis

Guest post — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:54:34 +0000

Green's MP Gareth Hughes explains the new US internet laws that have the likes of Wikipedia upset, and why we should care: The Green Party is deeply concerned about the Stop Internet Piracy (SOPA) and PROTECT IP (PIPA) Acts currently causing quite a stir in the US and its impacts on New Zealanders access to a free and open Internet and online businesses.

Workers worried about job security

Guest post — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:42:53 +0000

Employment confidence has plunged to its lowest level in 2 years, according to the latest Westpac survey. A bosses' shill says workers are wrong to be worried about their jobs. Unfortunately, the bosses have been promising us that everything's going to be OK for four years now, and workers have a good track record on picking the state of the job market.

No mystery over Waitakere votes

Guest post — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:49:41 +0000

There was some pretty low-grade reporting on the Waitakere race that suggested some kind of organised voter fraud may have taken place. Under the title Questions over Waitakere vote, the Herald reporter said 9 dual votes had been found and 393 special votes had been cast by people not enrolled to vote. But that's not evidence of foul play: it's par for the course.

Theorising the Labour leadership selection

Guest post — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:55:25 +0000

"British philosopher Edmund Burke termed two different modes of viewing representation as the trustee and delegate models. " Guest poster Pointy looks at this related to the recent Labour leadership selection debate.

Nanaia Mahuta

Guest post — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:18:05 +0000

I believe that a strong platform of investment in education, skills and training makes all the difference for many hard working families.

We need to be relevant to aspirations in the provinces, this means that we need to support our provincial candidates more effectively so that they are not having to fight an election on a single issue and not without the resources and support of the party.

Grant Robertson

Guest post — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:23:00 +0000

In 1997 after six years fighting for fair access to tertiary education through the student movement I joined the Labour Party. I didn’t join to become leader or deputy leader or even to become an MP. I joined because I believed then, and I believe now in the values of social justice, fairness and equality that are the foundation of our party.

David Cunliffe

Guest post — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:52:12 +0000

I am tribal labour. I am the son of an Anglican Minister known as the “Red Reverend” and a stalwart member of Timaru Labour. My political beliefs were instilled into me from birth. For me the foundation is that every human being is of equal moral worth and the structures of our society must give everyone a chance to be the best that they can be. That means leaning against the free market when it undermines human dignity and starves many of the opportunities they need to build a good life.

Musings on Mana

Guest post — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:49:00 +0000

David Small offers his views on offers his views on the Mana party effects on left politics in NZ.

Where to now for progressive electoral politics in Aotearoa?

Watching the specials

Guest post — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:47:57 +0000

The specials are going to be crucial in a number of seats, and to determine whether National can form a majority without needing the Maori Party. National could easily lose 2 seats on specials, leaving 58. Banks and Dunne bring 1 each, which equals 60 out of 121, not enough to pass legislation without at least tacit support from elsewhere.

Solidarity with Egypt

Guest post — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:56:02 +0000

The Arab Spring hangs in balance, as protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square and in other cities in Egypt battle the riot police of the ruling Egyptian military junta.