Author Archive
Labour’s immigration policy
Written By: - Date published: 3:46 pm, June 12th, 2017 - 95 comments
On first impressions Labour has done a good job of trying to balance the needs: to acknowledge the positive role of immigration in NZ, slow down immigration while infrastructure catches up, and target immigration effectively.
Ratepayers vs affordable housing
Written By: - Date published: 9:25 am, June 12th, 2017 - 60 comments
The mess surrounding and “affordable” housing development in Manukau highlights a dilemma that sets ratepayers against those in need of a home. This needs leadership from central government. I won’t hold my breath.
Lessons for NZ Labour?
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, June 10th, 2017 - 159 comments
Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour just reshaped the political landscape of the UK.
Lessons for NZ?
$2.3b Health funding shortfall
Written By: - Date published: 7:06 am, June 9th, 2017 - 45 comments
The Nats are under-funding the health sector to the tune of $2.3b. That’s a lot of real people not getting the care that they need.
Corbyn has already won so this is a good election for UK Labour to lose
Written By: - Date published: 7:31 am, June 8th, 2017 - 114 comments
If the campaign was a month longer I have no doubt that Labour would win outright. As it is they will I think they will probably lose, and this will be a good thing for UK Labour long term.
Slum rentals in the brighter future
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, June 8th, 2017 - 24 comments
The Sunday Star Times had some gut wrenching coverage of the conditions in some of Auckland’s slum boarding houses. How can anyone vote for three more years of this?
Kiwis send a message to Tillerson
Written By: - Date published: 10:19 am, June 7th, 2017 - 27 comments
As Patrick Gower puts it, “English tries to hide from the reality of Trump’s America”. Fortunately ordinary Kiwis were not so supine.
Trying to wedge the Greens
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, June 7th, 2017 - 120 comments
The political right try it on every election year, in an attempt to sow a bit of discord. I expect this sort of obvious and clumsy wedge politics from Hooton and the like, but I was a bit surprised to see Duncan Garner having a go.
Once upon a time
Written By: - Date published: 7:44 am, June 4th, 2017 - 44 comments
Once upon a time this country stood up to American and said no to nuclear weapons. Now we dare not say yes to saving the planet.
It is not “clever politics” to burn the planet (you pair of fools)
Written By: - Date published: 7:27 am, June 3rd, 2017 - 41 comments
Guess which two NZ broadcasters have disgraced themselves by lining up behind Trump’s lunatic fringe denier posturing.
An appropriate apology and an issue that needs fixing
Written By: - Date published: 7:04 am, June 2nd, 2017 - 103 comments
The Ministry of Social Development illegally penalised a woman who refused to name the rapist father of her child. The case shines a spotlight on an issue that needs fixing.
Postcards from the brighter future
Written By: - Date published: 10:58 am, June 1st, 2017 - 3 comments
Part of an occasional series. It all seems to be going according to plan.
Tax cuts and 1600 deaths per year
Written By: - Date published: 2:53 pm, May 31st, 2017 - 16 comments
One of the nasty little fishhooks in the budget was the cutting of the home insulation scheme (Warm Up New Zealand). The scheme had a benefit-cost ratio of $6 for every $1 invested. Around 1,600 people die in NZ a year of cold-related factors. Hope the tax cuts are worth it eh?
A generous donation to Labour
Written By: - Date published: 11:13 am, May 31st, 2017 - 34 comments
Thank you Robert Smellie QC, I’m sure your donation will be put to great use. Smellie said: “I am a practising Anglican and as such I see socialism as being far closer to the Gospel than free enterprise.”
English on our low wage growth
Written By: - Date published: 9:38 am, May 30th, 2017 - 40 comments
Bill English knows that our low wage economy is a ticking time-bomb for the government. He must be starting to get worried. The repeated promises of jam tomorrow are well worn out now.
Gangs to vote – a hopeful sign for turnout?
Written By: - Date published: 11:02 am, May 29th, 2017 - 32 comments
Is this an isolated case or is it representative of a change of mood in the non-voting electorate?
Book review: Eaarth
Written By: - Date published: 9:59 am, May 28th, 2017 - 3 comments
Last Sunday I recycled an old book review. Here’s another one from the vaults, “Eaarth”, by Bill McKibben (of 350.org). It doesn’t pull any punches.
The three big fails in the budget
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, May 26th, 2017 - 72 comments
It was National’s best budget. Which means there are only three critical areas of failure.
Nat tactics Ngaro and third term arrogance
Written By: - Date published: 10:27 am, May 24th, 2017 - 41 comments
Ngaro has fronted up with another grudging apology. English should have fired him and it speaks volumes of third-term arrogance that he hasn’t.
Tipping vs fair wages
Written By: - Date published: 9:46 am, May 24th, 2017 - 39 comments
I don’t know of a single piece written in support of Bennett’s proposal. She has been in the bubble too long, and lost touch with the values of NZ.
Strong and Stable – guess National’s campaign slogan!
Written By: - Date published: 8:34 am, May 23rd, 2017 - 36 comments
We’ve had the Brighter Future (it sucks). We’ve had The Cusp of Something Special (it wasn’t). What will National’s soundbite slogan be this time?
$14 billion to meet Paris Agreement targets
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, May 23rd, 2017 - 16 comments
Why isn’t National taking active steps to curb our emissions? We committed to reduce to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, instead we are expected to increase. This is a massive failure of vision, commitment, and competence.
Pre budget positioning for a government that says it is “doing all it can”
Written By: - Date published: 1:37 pm, May 22nd, 2017 - 10 comments
National does the bare minimum that it thinks it can get away with for those in need. This positioning is just preparing the ground for a budget that does more the same not enough.
Voter transitions 2011 2014
Written By: - Date published: 10:25 am, May 22nd, 2017 - 31 comments
Peter Ellis from Peter’s Stats Stuff
The Greens – Budget for All Mothers
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, May 22nd, 2017 - 33 comments
Some great ideas in The Greens “Budget for All Mothers”. Surely no “data driven” “social investment” party could be opposed?
President Pence
Written By: - Date published: 6:21 pm, May 21st, 2017 - 47 comments
Mensch and Taylor report that: “Multiple sources close to the intelligence, justice and law enforcement communities say that the House Judiciary Committee is considering Articles of Impeachment against the President of the United States.”
Book review: Here on Earth – An Argument for Hope
Written By: - Date published: 10:01 am, May 21st, 2017 - 12 comments
A brief review of Here on Earth: An Argument for Hope, by Tim Flannery. An argument for hope is exactly what we need, but does Flannery make the case?
Suicide, Mike King, and mental health services
Written By: - Date published: 7:59 am, May 19th, 2017 - 38 comments
On the issues of suicide and mental health, the choice is pretty clear. Bungling and abuse from National, a positive plan for action from Labour.
The other conference
Written By: - Date published: 7:05 am, May 18th, 2017 - 26 comments
Richard Harman on the Politik blog: “Overall, to use a favourite Government saying, it was an ‘untidy’ weekend capped by a flat speech from English which saw delegates ignore placards they’d been given to wave when he finished speaking.” The B-team is missing John Key.
National’s long history of intimidation
Written By: - Date published: 9:27 am, May 16th, 2017 - 37 comments
It isn’t just third term arrogance. Ngaro is merely the latest example of National’s long history of attacking, intimidating, and trying to silence critical voices and facts. Take a stroll with me down memory lane…
Forty or bust!
Written By: - Date published: 7:04 am, May 15th, 2017 - 95 comments
It’s the right target, and the right reason, the left really does not want to end up dependent on Winston Peters for a shot at forming a government.
- Donald Trump may fancy himself a skilled dealmaker, but Middle East peace might be beyond him
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University Donald Trump’s re-election as the US president last week comes at a time of extreme volatility in the Middle East. The president-elect has promised to end all wars. ...4 days ago - Hīkoi to spend night in Huntly before continuing in morning
The hīkoi will rest in Huntly on Wednesday before moving onto Rotorua and eventually Wellington. ...4 days ago - Senior lawyers call for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
Members of the King's Counsel say the coalition's Treaty Principles Bill "seeks to rewrite the Treaty itself" and would have the "opposite effect of its stated purpose". ...4 days ago
- The crypto community sees a powerful new friend in Donald Trump. Here’s why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nafis Alam, Professor and Head, School of Business, Monash University Malaysia Karolina Grabowska/Pexels It can be hard to make sense of the price of bitcoin, which has swung wildly throughout its history. But in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s presidential victory ...4 days ago
- New public-private partnerships framework has Labour’s backing
A new public-private partnerships framework has been released by the government, with backing from the opposition. ...4 days ago
- Abuse in state care inquiry and apology: NZSL interpreted videos
The neglect, violence and racism towards children and teenagers at Kelston School for the Deaf and Van Asch College is catalogued in the report into abuse in care. ...4 days ago
- Use of ‘extraordinary’ powers in Defence decision ‘unusual’ – Labour
Defence Minister Judith Collins has formally told Parliament she is allowing uniformed personnel to fill in for striking civilian staff. ...4 days ago
- Watch: Hīkoi of thousands crosses Auckland Harbour Bridge, which sways under their feet
The Auckland Harbour Bridge rocked and swayed as thousands crossed over, in a hīkoi protesting the Treaty Principles Bill. ...4 days ago
- A hīkoi dispatch from Ōtautahi
A thousand-strong crowd gathered in Ōtautahi today to show support for the Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi. Alex Casey was there. One of the most charming aspects of attending demonstrations in Ōtautahi’s city centre is that they happen right in the orbit of our many tourist trams, periodically forcing the crowd ...4 days ago - How should Australian media cover the next federal election? Lessons from the US presidential race
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne Media coverage in Australia of the US presidential election and of the Voice referendum in October 2023 offer some pointers to what we might expect during next year’s federal ...4 days ago
- Our research reveals women suppress their femininity to fit into military culture – and struggle t...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carolyn Heward, Lecturer, Clinical Psychology, James Cook University Imagine spending years hiding who you are to fit into a group, only to become invisible once you leave. This is the reality for many women who serve in the military. Our research ...4 days ago
- Labour claims ‘cover-up’ as weekly reporting on benefit numbers cancelled
Minister Louise Upston has directed her officials to stop publishing weekly updates on benefit numbers as the number of people on welfare reaches record levels. ...4 days ago
- Live: Hīkoi of thousands arrives at Auckland’s Ihumātao
The hīkoi protesting the Treaty Principles Bill made its way from Auckland's North Shore to Ihumātao on Wednesday. ...4 days ago
- Former US ambassador accuses Sky News of creating a ‘self-licking ice cream’ to attack Kevin Rud...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The furore over Australia’s ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, is a “self-licking icecream” created by some at Sky News, former defence chief and former ambassador to the United States, Dennis Richardson says. Richardson told ...5 days ago
- Dennis Richardson accuses Sky News of creating a ‘self-licking ice cream’ to attack Kevin Rudd
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The furore over Australia’s ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, is a “self-licking icecream” created by some at Sky News, former defence chief and former ambassador to the United States, Dennis Richardson says. Richardson told ...5 days ago
- Want to slash social housing waitlists? We should allow tenants to swap homes
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Sharam, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Shutterstock There are 184,100 people on social housing waiting lists around the country, reflecting the impact of declining homeownership and escalating private rents. However, building new social ...5 days ago
- The Treaty Principles Bill is already straining social cohesion – a referendum could be worse
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Getty Images With the protest hikoi from the far north moving through Auckland on its way to Wellington, it might be said ACT leader David Seymour has been granted his wish of generating ...5 days ago
- Live: Day three and the hīkoi makes its way to Ihumātao, where hundreds of supporters wait
Crowds are swelling in Ōkahu Bay and Takaparawhau (Bastion Point) as well as in Christchurch for the South Island hīkoi. ...5 days ago
- Government will not say if gang members to be excluded from abuse in care compensation
The government is refusing to say whether gang members could be excluded from compensation for abuse they suffered while in state care. ...5 days ago
- Fair news bargaining bill in limbo as minister says it is not ready
The government has pushed out the second reading of the Fair News Digital Bargaining Bill, because the minister responsible says it is not ready. ...5 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marcus Carter, Professor in Human-Computer Interaction, ARC Future Fellow, University of Sydney The Australian government has announced a plan to ban children under the age of 16 from social media. With bipartisan support, it’s likely to be passed by the end of ...5 days ago
- Online games should not be included in Australia’s social media ban – they are critical for kids...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marcus Carter, Professor in Human-Computer Interaction, ARC Future Fellow, University of Sydney The Australian government has announced a plan to ban children under the age of 16 from social media. With bipartisan support, it’s likely to be passed by the end of ...5 days ago
- Submissions Open For The Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill
The bill seeks to amend the Employment Relations Act 2000 to protect employees who discuss or disclose their remuneration. ...5 days ago - Corpse flowers and flesh flies: why so many plants and fungi stink like death warmed up
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne Bpk Maizal/Shutterstock Right now, people are lining up at the Geelong Botanic Gardens to see and smell the giant corpse flower, a rare plant that ...5 days ago
- Abuse survivors sceptical about funding boost for current redress system
They don't believe the extra $32m will be enough to help them. ...5 days ago
- Hobson’s Pledge Support Peaceful Protest But Encourage Listening
It is concerning that some participants of the hīkoi seem to believe only their voice and actions are to be respected, and are intent on shutting down any debate. ...5 days ago
- Airports and travel hubs can be overwhelming for Autistic people. Here’s what could help
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Edwards, Adjunct Research Fellow, Inclusive Futures, Griffith University Jokue-Photography/Shutterstock As another Australian summer approaches, many people are planning their holidays, looking forward to the joy travel brings. Yet for Australia’s 5.5 million people with a disability, what should be an ...5 days ago
- Airlines cancel flights after volcanic eruptions. An aviation expert explains why that’s a good th...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Murray, Emeritus Professor of Aviation, University of Southern Queensland At least three airlines cancelled flights between Australia and Bali this week after a volcano eruption in eastern Indonesia spewed a vast plume of volcanic ash into the air. But while would-be ...5 days ago
- The Greens want to cancel all student debt – but this will not make uni education ‘free’
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Chapman, Emeritus Professor, College of Business and Economics, Australian National University The Australian Greens have long argued tertiary students shouldn’t pay tuition charges. This means they want to see HECS – now called HELP – abolished. But following the Albanese government’s ...5 days ago
- ‘I have seen how the arts has changed people’: remembering Roz Hervey and her contribution to Au...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Russell Fewster, Lecturer in Performing Arts, University of South Australia Sam Oster/Restless Dance Theatre Much loved and respected Adelaide-based dancer, choreographer, director and producer Roz Hervey passed away last week. Her passing followed the diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND) in ...5 days ago
- ‘Effortless-seeming genius’: Carl Shuker’s favourite reads and other stories
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Carl Shuker, author of new novel The Royal Free. The book I wish I’d written I wish I’d written Philip Hensher’s Kitchen Venom. No one talks about it ...5 days ago
- Gone By Lunchtime: Our decision desk is now ready to call the US election
The new old president, the hīkoi hits Auckland, and a momentous day of apology at parliament. After more than a week scrutinising the granular data, the Gone By Lunchtime podcast decision desk is ready to make a call: Donald Trump has won the US presidency. In a new episode, ...5 days ago
- Global carbon emissions inch upwards in 2024 despite progress on EVs, renewables and deforestation
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pep Canadell, Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO Environment; Executive Director, Global Carbon Project, CSIRO Susan Santa Maria, Shutterstock Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels continue to increase, year on year. This sobering reality will be presented to world leaders today at ...5 days ago
- Hīkoi day three: Thousands of protesters walk across Auckland Harbour Bridge
RNZ News Thousands of supporters of Aotearoa New Zealand’s hīkoi mō te Tiriti — a march traversing the length of Aotearoa in protest against the Treaty Principles Bill and government policies impacting on Māori — have crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge. RNZ reporters with the march said it was swaying ...5 days ago
- Watch: Govt announces wrap-around services for people in emergency housing long term
The trial will be for single people and couples without children who aren't already getting housing help and have been in emergency housing for more a year. ...5 days ago
- Govt announces wrap-around services for people in emergency housing long term
The new trial will be for single people and couples without children who aren't already getting housing help and have been in emergency housing more than 12 months. ...5 days ago
- Abuse apology: Talk is cheap, it’s time for action
Analysis - Survivors felt Tuesday's apology was "hollow words" but some hope they're wrong. ...5 days ago
- Small Business Owners, MPs Rally Together To Demand Transparency In Tauranga Marine Precinct Sale
“This sale, and the lack of information surrounding it, shows exactly why we need better regulations to hold council staff and it’s leadership more accountable,” Harvey said.” ...5 days ago
- The Lord of the Rings musical is better than you’re probably expecting
Musical theatre sceptics Gabi Lardies and Stewart Sowman-Lund review the three-hour spectacle at Auckland’s Civic Theatre. Gabi Lardies: Stewart, we sat through THREE HOURS of musical theatre last night. That’s a big ask for an audience trained on 12-second reels. Tickets are between $69 and $179 – we were both ...5 days ago
- Police officers ready to enforce gang patch ban
The meetings were to communicate what's expected when the law comes into effect. ...5 days ago
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