Are we drifting away or falling apart?
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- Date published:
1:53 pm, May 18th, 2024 - 16 comments
Categories: activism, capitalism, class war, community democracy, Deep stuff, democracy under attack, interview, james shaw, Long Read, political alternatives, Politics, social democracy, Social issues, socialism, Unions, vision -
Tags: Batya Ungar-Sargon, Dame Anne Salmond, Grace Blakeley, Ipsos, Marc Daalder
These days, and depending on your predisposition, saying that we live in interesting times could be either realistic or pessimistic.
The doom-gloomers appear to be in the majority and some even see the beautiful display of the Southern lights in the sky as a threat of some kind.
Is it cyclical and the pendulum will swing back or a uni-directional and unstoppable force of (human) nature akin continental drift?
But I’m also really conscious that these things are temporary. Inflation is temporary; the state of Global Affairs waxes and wanes over time. We go through periods of high unemployment, low unemployment, and so on. So, if you try to take a long arc of history view, some of those things become, in some ways, less significant, because they are always there in one form or another.” [interview with James Shaw on 8 May 2024]
Unless you are a doom-groomer, particularly if you have an agenda, you may want to think about ways to counter these pre-winter blues and push back the pendulum, at least the way it affects your mood and turn your anxiety into a more manageable and less negative attitude and approach of uncertainty.
A recent survey highlights the high and rising levels of doom & gloom here in NZ and across the world. [the full Ipsos Report can be found here] There are strong anti-elitist sentiments recorded in the survey.
“It hints at an underlying disconnect of some groups and some communities in our society, and the way in which they’re perceiving the political elite,” Spoonley said.
However, there is no sign (yet) of wavering resilience or decreasing levels of social cohesion within those and other communities. Interestingly, even in the highly polarised and divided USA, working class communities appear to be relatively resistant against polarisation, at least for now.
Her [Batya Ungar-Sargon, the deputy editor of Newsweek] new book is called Second Class: How the Elites Betrayed America’s Working Men and Women.
What most surprised her on her travels was how un-polarised working class people were, she tells Jesse Mulligan.
“There was so much consensus on the issues between working class Democrats and working class Republicans.
“People lived in mixed communities. They lived in communities that were racially diverse, that were politically diverse, that were religiously diverse. And it would just never occur to someone to hold it against their fellow American.”
Returning to the Ipsos survey, the relatively moderate stance of Kiwis on immigration may or may not hold in the light of recent immigration numbers, with record levels of Kiwis leaving this country and unprecedented levels of new arriving immigrants, and rising levels of unemployment. In the neo-liberal environment that we are living in these are key ingredients that could lead to increased social friction that can be abused by populist politicians and others with nefarious agendas.
Ironically, the Ipsos survey indicated that many of us apparently harbour a “desire for a “strong leader” to either “take the country back from the rich and powerful” or “break the rules” to get things done.”; who would have thought? This is double ironic when one realises that such leader is coming from a disconnected sub-group of people, i.e., the college-educated, which results in a perverted democracy of the college-educated, for the college-educated, by the college-educated.
The way out of this trap is not more tinkering with the system, which only results in maintaining status quo.
“Perhaps there’s too much inequality, or traditional economic models haven’t accounted for the impacts of climate breakdown – that one way or another all you need to do is tweak the system and maybe try to change some policies, change tax rates…
“I really wanted to show that these things aren’t perversions of capitalism, they very much are inherent to the way that a capitalist system works.
Indeed, if the current societal ills and present doom & gloom are logical and inevitable consequences of our socio-economic system and thinking, which is strongly propagated if not propagandised by experts and pundits alike, then this raises the question how we can and quite possibly should change things.
And as if she had read the Ipsos survey, [Economist and political journalist] Grace Blakeley make this poignant point:
“The bad news is that nobody’s coming to save us – and I think the kind of culture that we have, this individualistic culture, celebrity culture, kind of encourages us to think about politics as something where the majority of people are passive and there’s one active person who’s going to come in and save everyone – and this is common to progressives and it’s common to people on the right.”
Our strength (and need!) lies in our ability to connect, bond, and work together, i.e., in our communities (and unions). This vision & solution is nothing new; it was the core of POTUS Jimmy Carter’s speech to the nation in 1979 when he faced his and his nation’s crisis of confidence.
The greatest strength, however, is in the close and in-person (face-to-face) connections available within local communities without the reliance on technology that can confuse, pollute, and even poison people’s thoughts and minds.
Do you think hyper-partisanship and political tribalism is getting worse in New Zealand?
“I do. I am [concerned about it]. Look, this is going to sound clichéd, but I think a lot of it is driven by global social media giants. And the way they operate is by taking something that has always existed in our society and exacerbating it, supercharging it with technology. I don’t think it’s a particularly uniquely New Zealand phenomenon, in fact, I think we’re probably a little behind other democracies.
I think party politics, and the kind of increasing sophistication that we have around that, the technology that we’re using that triggers that sense of personal identification with a tribal, political kind of niche, I think that’s not a healthy phenomenon.” [interview with James Shaw on 8 May 2024]
Particularly political polarisation in NZ is not nearly as bad as elsewhere in the world and also Kiwis are generally considered of and non-aggressive towards each other. I do not share the implication of Shaw’s words that we may or will catch up to those other democracies, at least not as something that is inevitable.
Grace Blakeley speaks power to truth, in my opinion:
“If we don’t organise and build strong and cohesive political movements, build strong and cohesive labour movements, build power in our communities, then politicians are simply not going to listen to us, because the forces that are working upon their decision-making processes remain the same. Corporate power will still be a massive factor in determining legislative outcomes, lobbyists will still have a huge amount of power and not just over politicians but over the media, and the media then influences politics.
“So the system is very cohesive, and unless we’re able to build counter-power of the kind that existed in the post-war period when unions were much stronger, then not much is going to change.
“Having said that, the moment that people start to actually take part in movements and try and really challenge the authority of those at the top is the moment that you start to see change snow-balling.”
She argues that the economic and political systems founded on capitalism are so intertwined and become one that has grown a huge resistance to change of status quo and business as usual (BAU), in every meaning of the word.
So, instead of tinkering and tilting at windmills we may better use our time & energy on reclaiming our power of the people and supporting grassroots initiatives and activism. Only this way can we restore our democracy of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Blakeley’s words are echoed by Dame Anne Salmond who warns us, and I paraphrase, that we are indeed living in interesting times in NZ and that now is the time for being extra vigilant.
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National Government’s backward-looking climate policy has seen New Zealand fall seven places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 41 out of 63 countries measured. ...10 hours ago
- Release: Simple reason for drop in emergency housing
When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...13 hours ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...13 hours ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...14 hours ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...1 day ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...1 day ago
- Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills
The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...1 day ago
- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...1 day ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...1 day ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...2 days ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...3 days ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...4 days ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...7 days ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...1 week ago
- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...1 week ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...1 week ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...1 week ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...1 week ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Winston Peters must apologise
The Deputy Prime Minister should apologise to the public servant he named and blamed for something they did not do, and for misusing the rules of Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...6 hours ago - Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...7 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...7 hours ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...8 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...8 hours ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...9 hours ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...10 hours ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...11 hours ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...11 hours ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...13 hours ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...16 hours ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...1 day ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...1 day ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...2 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...2 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...2 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...2 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...2 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...2 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...3 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...3 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...3 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...3 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...3 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...4 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...4 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...4 days ago
- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...4 days ago
- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...6 days ago
- Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose
The terms of reference for a review of the performance of the electricity market have been released. The review, initiated by the Coalition Government during the power crisis in winter will look at whether current regulations and market design support economic growth and access to reliable and affordable electricity, Energy Minister ...6 days ago
- Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help
Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...7 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg has travelled to Australia to attend the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting in Brisbane. “Trade plays a critical role in driving employment, economic growth, and improving the standards of living in the Pacific Region. The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries ...7 days ago
- Proposals to modernise conservation released
Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to modernise New Zealand’s conservation management system, aiming to protect relevant natural areas while supporting sustainable growth in tourism and regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is ...7 days ago
- NEW POLL: Kiwis Overwhelmingly Support MPs’ Expenses Transparency Law Change
62% of respondents support the extension of the OIA to cover MPs’ spending, compared to just 13% opposed and 24% were unsure. ...2 hours ago - The House: Meanwhile, a week of passing law
The political week has been packed with worthy distractions, but all week Parliament has focused on passing new laws. Here are the highlights. ...2 hours ago - The biggest difference between Hīkoi mō te Tiriti and past hīkoi: More support from non-Māori
Analysis - The diversity of voices during the hīkoi was noticeable - from tangata moana to young immigrants to elderly Pākehā from the South Island. ...3 hours ago
- The House: Samoan citizenship restoration – ‘It means we belong to this land’
When the bill to restore NZ citizenship to some Samoans passed this week, Parliament's galleries were full to the brim with members of the community. ...4 hours ago
- More Delays In Action On Use Of Puberty Blockers With Children
Women’s Rights Party Co-leader Jill Ovens says the Ministry has put New Zealand children at risk by continuing to allow “off-label” prescribing of puberty blockers at far higher rates than other similar countries. ...4 hours ago
- Police Minister adamant he wasn’t aware of gang members training at gun clubs
That is despite two papers from police that raised the matter with him. ...5 hours ago
- Shorten declares himself ‘a proud moderate’, saying Australians ‘in the middle’ shouldn’t ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bill Shorten has declared himself “a proud moderate” in a valedictory speech declaring parliament has the responsibility to ensure the extremes of left and right do not set the terms of political debate. Shorten, ...5 hours ago - New ‘best practice’ principles for superannuation products are coming. We asked a panel of exper...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Garrow, Editorial Web Developer Studio Romantic/Shutterstock We all know how important it is to save enough money for retirement – but what about spending it wisely when we get there? Even for those who have built up a suitable ...5 hours ago
- Government accused of betraying Kiwis’ trust over lack of consultation on live exports
The government has always vowed to reinstate live exports by sea, which was banned by the previous Labour government. ...6 hours ago
- 7 things you can do if you think you sweat too much
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Freeman, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Bond University ERIK Miheyeu/Shutterstock Sweating is our body’s way of cooling down, a bit like an internal air conditioner. When our core temperature rises (because it’s hot outside, or you’re exercising), sweat glands all ...6 hours ago
- Phenergan for under 6s is now banned due to hallucination fears. Here’s what to use instead
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University Australia’s drug regulator has issued a safety warning over the medicine Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine drug promethazine. The Therapeutic Goods Administration said the over-the-counter products should not be given to children ...6 hours ago
- A new stage adaptation of Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs is a delightful homage to theatrical storytelli...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Campbell, Lecturer, Performing Arts, UniSA Creative, University of South Australia Matt Byrne/STCSA Jack Maggs is a delight and a homage to theatrical storytelling in Australia. Based on Peter Carey’s bestselling novel, Jack Maggs follows the ex-convict as he lands ...6 hours ago
- The government has introduced laws for its social media ban. But key details are still missing
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Angus, Professor of Digital Communication, Director of QUT Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology Ron Lach/Pexels The federal government today introduced into parliament legislation for its social media ban for people under 16 years. Communications Minister Michelle ...6 hours ago
- Archives NZ, National Library to cut 27 roles
The Department of Internal Affairs wants to bring the two organisations under the joint leadership of the Chief Archivist and National Librarian. ...6 hours ago
- Gang patch ban: Members warn of potential for violence to ‘erupt’ as new laws enforced
"I can't see this lasting unless they have a budget to lock fullas up in jail which I think is absolutely stupid, really it's ludicrous," Ngavii Pekapo, who set up a Mongrel Mob chapter 54 years ago, says. ...6 hours ago
- ACT leader David Seymour raises doubts about Waikato medical school
Government documents show ACT leader David Seymour told the government he was "dissatisfied" with a cost-benefit analysis. ...7 hours ago
- National’s Erica Stanford allegedly calls Labour’s Jan Tinetti a ‘stupid bitchR...
The Education Minister has apologised in Parliament for her remark. ...7 hours ago
- Labour backs new Police Commissioner – but warns against routine arming
The alternative to policing by consent would be a police state, which New Zealanders don't want, the party says. ...8 hours ago
- Youth on boot camp pilot re-offended five weeks after release
Children's Minister Karen Chhour said while it was disappointing, it would naïve to think none of the participants would lapse. ...9 hours ago
- In photos: People of the hīkoi, and why they marched
Hikoi mō Te Tiriti has come to an end, going down in history as the largest march to Parliament in Aotearoa. ...9 hours ago
- ‘Everything is becoming a culture war’: Jon Ronson on conspiracies and cycleways
Ahead of his appearance in Aotearoa, the acclaimed British journalist, podcaster and documentarian talks to Stewart Sowman-Lund about why people are still fascinated by the fringes. The last place I would expect to find Jon Ronson is relaxing in the countryside. The iconic British journalist and writer is best known ...9 hours ago - Kia kaha Lebanon: NZ media only tell half your story of struggle
The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council ceasefire resolution — for the fourth time — in Israel’s war on Gaza, while Hezbollah demands a complete ceasefire and “protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty” in any deal with Israel. Amid the death and devastation, Joe Hendren reflects on his time in ...10 hours ago
- ‘Deserves a Bafta’: After the Party premieres in the UK to five-star reviews
The acclaimed New Zealand drama has just premiered on TV in the United Kingdom, and the five-star reviews are already flowing in. Six months after it was called a “blistering” “tour de force” by Australian critics, and nearly a year since The Spinoff declared it the best drama New Zealand ...10 hours ago
- Drugs are getting cheaper and easier to find in Aotearoa
New Zealanders are drinking and smoking less, but most other recreational drugs are becoming cheaper, more popular and more available, two new reports show. Two significant new surveys about drugs in Aotearoa were released this week, offering a rare insight into New Zealanders’ choice of substances, which ones are becoming ...10 hours ago
- COP29: ‘climate finance’ for the Pacific is mostly loans, saddling small island nations with mor...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Ratuva, Director, Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury Lenora Qereqeretabua, the deputy speaker of Fiji’s Parliament, at the COP29 climate summit. IISD/ENB/Mike Muzurakis, CC BY-SA As this year’s UN climate summit reaches its final stage of negotiations, Pacific ...11 hours ago
- Review: The magic of Wicked and the curse of corporate greed
The new movie musical is undoubtedly a fun watch, but it’s also proof that bigger isn’t always better, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund. Contains minor spoilers for Wicked. There’s no doubt that Wicked is going to be huge. No other pop culture event this year, save from maybe Charli XCX’s Brat, has ...11 hours ago
- Dame Jacinda Ardern to be given United Nations leadership award
She will get the champion for global change award from the United Nations Foundation at a ceremony in New York tomorrow. ...12 hours ago
- NZ will resume live animal exports – to low demand
Analysis: NZ is lifting what was supposed to be a permanent ban on live animal exports. But it’s not the lucrative industry it once was. The post NZ will resume live animal exports – to low demand appeared first on Newsroom. ...13 hours ago - Financial forms of family violence affect one in seven of us – but the law is lagging
There are calls for New Zealand’s Family Violence Act to name economic harm as a standalone type of violence, rather than a subcategory of psychological abuse, to bring it in line with the United Kingdom and Australia. Economic harm – restricting access to, sabotaging or exploiting another person’s financial resources, ...13 hours ago
- Downside Risks To Treasury’s Economic And Fiscal Forecasts
New Zealand is currently running a structural fiscal deficit, with expenditure exceeding revenue. Economic growth falling short of expectations has been making it harder for the Government to bring the books back into balance. ...13 hours ago
- Science continues to exclude Indigenous communities. Fixing this benefits everyone
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jordan Peter Anthony Pitt, Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services (Faculty of Science), University of Sydney An enduring challenge facing science around the world is how to best include and engage Indigenous communities. In Australia, for example, 0.5% of Indigenous ...14 hours ago
- Why is cricket so popular on the Indian sub-continent?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania Cricket originated in England, but has been spread worldwide by British soldiers and settlers in the past few hundred years. It is now the second most popular sport in ...14 hours ago
- Disinformation and deepfakes played a part in the US election. Australia should expect the same
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Renee Barnes, Associate professor of Journalism, University of the Sunshine Coast Mladen Zivkovic/Shutterstock As America takes stock after Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency, it’s worth highlighting the AI-generated fake photos, videos and audio shared during the campaign. A slew ...14 hours ago
- Is thunderstorm asthma becoming more common?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kira Morgan Hughes, PhD Candidate in Allergy and Asthma, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University When spring arrives, so do warnings about thunderstorm asthma. But a decade ago, most of us hadn’t heard of it. So where did thunderstorm asthma ...14 hours ago
- Overwhelmed by ever more clothing donations, charities are exporting the problem. Local governments ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yassie Samie, Postdoctoral Researcher in Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University anna.spoka/Shutterstock What happens to your clothes after you don’t want them any more? Chances are, you will donate them to op shops run by a charity organisation. There are more ...14 hours ago
- Friendly fire: a nuclear push by allies at COP29 poses a sticky problem for Albanese
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland IndustryAndTravel/Shutterstock Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn’t see this coming. At the global COP29 climate talks in Baku, the Australian government was indirectly criticised by two allies, the United States and the ...14 hours ago
- Nugget Is Dead brings queer love, multiculturalism and Aussie flair to the Christmas movie formula
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phoebe Hart, Associate Professor, Film Screen & Animation, Queensland University of Technology Julia Firak Stan’s new Christmas film Nugget is Dead is a colourful production that follows the rules of the seasonal genre film to a tee – with an Aussie ...14 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: Should I cut contact with my ex-stepdad?
My parents are finally getting divorced. So why do I feel like my stepdad’s feelings are still my problem? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera My parents recently announced their separation. This in itself isn’t a problem. I’ve already gone through this once before in my early childhood, so ...14 hours ago
- New Zealand Drops In Global Ranking On Climate Action
If the government won’t hold polluters to account, then people will. People are increasingly taking to the streets and the courtrooms, putting their bodies on the line to shut down polluting industries. This will only escalate further unless New ...14 hours ago
- Government’s fiscal policy dragging out recession, economists say
Slashing the budget deficit and reducing public debt are making matters worse for households and businesses, they say. ...14 hours ago
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It's very possible that the 2024 post-budget state of party activism enables a whole generation of activists to complete their activist phase.
What could be completed in parliament in gender activism, carbon activism, Maori land activism, has been completed or near enough And water activism has been achieved. Or irreversibly stopped.
The old anti-war groups are in their '70s.
Some post-crisis groups continue. Forest&Bird and tramping clubs still thrive. Maori language growth is irreversible.
But the signal for cross-left unity isnt appearing.
For me I'm now happiest within new people sets, planting trees, building community gardens, cutting Wilding pines, rebuilding life, supporting elderly family, building bee-friendly gardens on the acre.
It's a consolidation.
Resonate anyone?
Yes Community building Ad. However this lot is about Corporates, which are not democratic entities. All work on a top down model, not the grass roots model.
Anything developed by the commons will be deliberately underfunded by this Government and they have strategically placed the "old guard" in key roles with funding, plus the lack of ideas from National has let the lesser lights fill the void with Act NZ First shallow and nasty shots .
The unexpected undermining of science and law has been a total shock to some.
The true fall out of the wrecking ball into the Public Service is yet to really impact except on morale. Most people are suddenly aware of the tenuous nature of their work after 6 years of feeling supported. That has meant a re-evaluation of go or stay.
The young will sadly vote with their feet. Cheap plentiful labour will come into those spaces, and we will go backwards again. Labour laws will be undermined by contracting.
Meanwhile laws are being put in place to allow mining on conservation land amalgamation of assets for sale.
A stunned disbelieving populace imagined all Governments would play by the rules of Democracy. Welcome to the world of Atlas, TikTok propaganda and foreign capital.
Personally the Left need to go back to the key idea of democratic governance and wellbeing. It would ring bells with many who feel powerless in the face of such undemocratic behaviour which is limiting science law and the rights of many groups in the community. Pushing individual barrows won't work. Community effort might.
How exactly is the current government "limiting science, law and the rights of many groups in the community"?
The previous government undermined science by bringing maatauranga into the science curriculum.
[No diversion trolling under my Post!
If you want to discuss mātauranga Māori and the science curriculum you can do this in OM – Incognito]
Mod note
This Government does not recognise Climate Science, Conservation, and is actively undermining determinations in law regarding court cases about mining.
The fast track legislation to avoid democratic systems, with 3 Government Ministers having the final say is Authoritarian and against the rules of our democracy. To say otherwise negates the Attorney General.
I am giving you a polite reply when in fact you come here to stir with no real care for democracy.imo.
Sometimes, in realistic acceptance, have to let human nature be, in the hope we might individually better let all of nature be. All species overgrow as much as they are able. We are just too good at it, sadly.
MQC, Nature has checks and balances which have operated for millennia. Our farming one species or type interrupted that. Species take over when they have few competitors.
Currently kina are creating kina barrens, because we have removed their natural checks through overfishing.
We are overpopulating because of antibiotics and health advances in some countries, while in others we have famine wars and desperate refugees fleeing in unprecedented numbers. Population shifts are part of our nomadic history. People always fled the enemy or followed the food… now it is the wealth the young see in Australia where a different budget is proposed, so they vote with their feet.
We operate with will and unfortunately greed. Wealth gives power, so the politics of wealth is individual, not community based. Hence the billionaires. They are the current kina creating barrens.
A British entertainer's behaviour is an exemplar. He bought up most of a town, took over and became the source of work. It now appears he has walked away from being an employer, and when his employees questioned if they had lost their jobs he has called them liars. Most of us would call that entitlement.
A recent example of this behaviour, is the PM deciding to claim an allowance of fifty two thousand dollars with a sense of entitlement. The bad look with a belt tightening budget looming, penetrated his belief, and he let it go.
The point being the wealthy and powerful have a sense they "deserve" the frills. Sometimes it reinforces a perception of them and us. We could be forgiven for thinking they are not working for us at all, and a nebulous "Back on Track" means what exactly?
When power is used to let go four thousand five hundred Public servants, pass laws that our Attorney General questions, and threats are made daily about getting back to school/work during an ongoing pandemic with no help in place for long covid victims, yes we do ask 'who are you working for?
The fact many governing MPs belong or have strong association with Atlas gives us pause.
The Polls indicate a shift of mood in the electorate, and gifts to Surf Lifesaving etc are small beer when the wealth shifts under this Government are considered.
It appears we should be grateful for any work, however paid and whatever conditions the powerful choose to allow. They trumpet "Free speech" but really undermine the voice of workers trying to use their unions to communicate.
We have a three legged stool of entitlement wrecking our wellbeing and telling us they are entitled to, and it is for our own good.
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Vote wisely in 2026, (or sooner.
That’s a great comment, thank you. I also so like the thread you started in OM 18/05/2024 (https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-18-05-2024/#comment-2000115), which overlaps with the present OP.
Regarding ageing activists, I’d say that younger generations are organising their own forms of activism and choosing their own issues to campaign and demonstrate against. Sometimes I get the feeling that this is met with negative judgement and disapproval by older generations, be they (former) activists or not. Instead of scoffing at the young ones we should be looking at building bridges to/with them and organising more inter-generational activism.
What do you say?
Speaking as a Rightie I can say that I don't have much confidence in this government to turn things around, primarily because I think they'll get stymied by the bureaucracies and because National is less pro-capitalist than pro-business. I can't see them turning this around.
But if you're all sitting around gleefully rubbing your hands and imagining some sort of Cloward-Priven moment then I think you're going to be very disappointed. Even if, by some miracle, you could tax the "rich pricks", nationalise businesses and re-create the NZ world of 1945-1984, it wouldn't work for the same reasons it wasn't working by the time I entered the workforce in the early 80's.
You don't believe that of course, but as I watch young people flee for better paid jobs and careers overseas, including now in the working trades and not just the management, financing and IT world, it seems to me that Gen-Z has come to the same conclusion.
Whether the Left-bloc or the Right-bloc win in 2026 and beyond, we're going to continue to drift as places like the Philippines steadily pass us – and what will our retirement homes and healthcare system do then?
I've finally reached an age where I probably have to stay, waving my kids goodbye.
You're older but your conclusions are the same as mine.
Whatever New Zealand was supposed to look like, it wasn't this.
Whose vision would it be, anyway? I doubt that there’s anybody in NZ who would argue that things are exactly the way they should be, i.e., perfect.
Everything is subject to change and the question for us is, or should be, whose vision are we following and realising? Or rather, what is our vision and what can we do to make this reality?
My vision is embodied by the OP – giving it shape is not a job for me alone, but a collective one, from the ground up.
Thank you for your comment with disclaimer.
FWIW, I don’t agree about the distinction between pro-capitalist and pro-business; I think it’s untenable (e.g. the huge handout to landlords and making it easier for overseas investors), unnecessary, and ultimately unhelpful. But this should be taken to OM if further discussion is wanted.
I deliberately avoided pitting one party or bloc against the other because I don’t think this is where the answers lie, i.e., an exercise in futility and a waste of time. I wrote towards the end of the Post:
In addition, I agree with James Shaw that hyper-partisanship and political tribalism are a big stumbling block in NZ. This stands in the way of breaking the stalemate of Left vs. Right in successive governments and the frustrating variations of a theme. And No, I don’t believe for one second that increasing the parliamentary term will make one iota of difference.
I sincerely hope that your pessimism (?) is unfounded and that your kids will stay around here in NZ or come back after they’ve done their ‘dash’ overseas. Paul Spoonley (again) recently commented that NZ is losing many of its best & brightest although he avoided the words ‘brain drain’ (https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/15/stratospheric-exodus-of-skilled-workers-huge-loss-for-nz-expert/).
I know one thing: I've never voted FOR a government. I've always voted for the government that will keep out the one I think will do worst for my interests, and the interests of NZ as a whole.
That's not really a democracy.
Then again, I'm not sure there's ever really been a true democracy, anywhere. To get elected means, generally, to have access to the kind of resources it takes to mount a campaign and to get those kind of resources, one needs to be backed by someone or something with money.
Ross Perot's "Reform Party" – set up to challenge much of what people see as wrong with politics didn't even score 10% https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reform_Party_of_the_United_States_of_America .
Then, regardless of who/which party is in power, there's the politics of debt (my phrase) where, in an effort to keep inflation under control, interest rates go up to divert some of the effects of good times to debt-funders.
While I'm very interested in NZ politics, many years ago my family made a decision that, to live democratically, we needed to unhook ourselves from as much of it as possible. We're only just getting to renovate the do-up we bought about 25 years ago, because we worked on getting rid of debt.
After we did, it became obvious to us just how much debt impacts on people's right to direct our own lives, although the act of ridding ourselves of debt has constrained our lives in other ways. If only we could figure out how to rid ourselves of the impact of political ideologies.
Any future government must be capable of getting things done and convincing voters that it can. Labour failed badly at this and, AFAICS, it hasn't even started to overhaul its processes.
Turn it around and voters convince political candidates and their parties what [things] they must do and deliver when in office.
Politicians must actually listen to voters. I haven't seen any evidence of that happening. There was a time when political parties provided a channel of communication but, apart from the Greens, it doesn't happen any more.