Radicals, Reformists or Revolutionaries? Ideologies of the Left.

Written By: - Date published: 7:19 am, August 14th, 2015 - 62 comments
Categories: admin, notices, The Standard - Tags:

My name is James Gluck, and I am currently doing a Masters degree at Victoria University. I’m doing a project entitled Radicals, Reformists or Revolutionaries? Studying Ideologies of the Left and I have been kindly allowed some space here on The Standard to inform people on the Left about my research, and more widely distribute a survey that takes up part of the project.

The Left is harshly contested ground. In Aotearoa, as well as overseas, political parties such as Labour – the ‘Left’, has been accused of being no better than their counterparts and political opponents. This is hardly a new phenomenon, and one of the commonly held tasks of the radical left has been to ‘expose’ the ‘true’ ideology of the social democrats. It is clear that defining what it means to be on the Left is a key political task that activists and those engaged in the political process attempt to carry out almost day-to-day. Sue Bradford’s recent work is making an attempt to help the Left (or rather a specific section of the Left as she admits) bind together and work in more cohesion. This is an important goal. In my view, a difficulty in creating a cohesive Left lies in separating out debate over policy and debate over ideology.

We use the term ‘ideology’ in a huge variety of ways, ranging from being a short hand for political theory, to an essentially derogatory ‘slur’ for those whose ideas we don’t like. Continually calling the National Government’s policies “Neoliberal Ideology” is a useful political statement; for one, it states continuity and complicity with similar governments internationally, as well as working against the concept of policy as a kind of commonsense ‘working out’ by National. What this tactic also does, however, is make it difficult for us to try to gain a deep understanding of how National, and National supporters believe the world works. In a similar vein, when we use the word ‘Ideology’ derogatively towards others on the Left, it often leaves us without a way to understand, and potentially critique, the policies and ideas we disagree with. When I talk about ideology, I am referring to something more complex – an individual’s view of how the world works, changed and shaped by our social interactions.

What I wish to do is to try and build a deep, nuanced, and multi-layered understanding of the ideologies that exist on the Left. Without starting out from preconceived definitions, and without forcing people into boxes that they do not identify with (in short, without using ideological labels as a substitute for more detailed information) I aim to allow participants to explain their views.

This research is in two parts: an online survey aimed at a large sample, which involves a set of statements on political and social concepts; and a set of focus group interviews aimed at more deeply exploring any complexities or contradictions that build a more detailed picture of ideology. At the current time, I am running the survey, which is available online and should take less than 10 minutes to complete. The survey link is here

All of the entries are anonymous and no personal information will be identified from it. IP addresses are recorded in order to prevent multiple entries: this information is password protected and will be accessed only by me and my supervisor. All individual responses will be destroyed at the conclusion of the project.

If there are any questions about this project I would be more than happy to talk.

Thank you,

James Gluck

62 comments on “Radicals, Reformists or Revolutionaries? Ideologies of the Left. ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. One Anonymous Bloke 1
    14 August 2015 at 7:29 am

    Is evidence-based policy an ideology?

    • Colonial Viper 1.1
      14 August 2015 at 12:24 pm

      Yes. The First Labour Government implemented many many policies which were not backed by scientific evidence, but backed instead by the Christian and socialist thought of the day.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.2
      14 August 2015 at 2:59 pm

      Ideology

      1. the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.
      2. such a body of doctrine, myth, etc., with reference to some political and social plan, as that of fascism, along with the devices for putting it into operation.
      3. Philosophy.

      a. the study of the nature and origin of ideas.
      b. a system that derives ideas exclusively from sensation.

      4. theorizing of a visionary or impractical nature.

      Short answer: Yes.

      • Colonial Rawshark 1.2.1
        14 August 2015 at 6:41 pm

        That’s what I said to OAB and he replied with something utterly unrelated.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.2.1.1
          14 August 2015 at 6:48 pm

          Actually, you didn’t. You went on about the First Labour Government not using evidence to make policy whereas OAB had specifically asked if evidence based policy making was an ideology.

  2. travellerev 2
    14 August 2015 at 8:21 am

    The old left and right paradigm eh? Well it is really very simple. There is no left in this country. There is the 99% and the 1% who rule. They are divided into two groups which we call National and Labour and they are financed by the 0.01% in one form or another.

    The only real ” for the people” party would probably be Mana but the ruling two headed dragon made sure they lost in the election.

    • aerobubble 2.1
      14 August 2015 at 2:18 pm

      Housing is more unaffordable than for generations, home ownership has been slidding for the past thirty years, this did not stop a neo-lib ideologue Stephen Franks on the Moro nr program stating quite catagorically that wealth disparities have not changed in the past thirty years. Not being able to afford a mortgage, let alone find a house near infrastruture taxes are propping up, and needing two incomes just to get above water, is obvious. But no this neolib thinks the fact that a report which shows less citizens engaged in mortgage debt shows, as it would, more peoplebeing wealthier which it does not, would mean there is no change in wealth is more indictative than anything. Tossing around lefty potential ideologies is moronic when obvious blantent lying is allowed to be passed off as comment and analysis.
      Wtf, is that the solution a lot of piss ant lefty ideologue lying the facts around to make them look false.

      More seriously though, ecology recycles everything, our world is finite. Our politics of left and right view the world as unlimited and hold to the myth of human invincibility that will save the day. Only when we measure every aspect of our proccesses and their pollution, and then start rewarding the refuse entrepuerers above all others, only then will politics matter, and this is not a essentially right or left wing ideology.
      Its a human first rather than profit first ideology, you know the wwii, the human first countries us, uk, france, ussr, china beat out the light shining out of thir arses countries of hitler, the emporer, faith base mass delusion. Like neoliberalism profit at any cost.

  3. Xanthe 3
    14 August 2015 at 8:54 am

    Not impressed a series of questions based on inflamitory button push statements, this survey will not yeold meaningful data in my view

  4. Sabine 4
    14 August 2015 at 9:08 am

    Will there be a survey about the “Real Right” and “what is the real right”.

    Maybe it is not the left that needs defining, but the Right?
    Is the National Party and its supporters what it was in the 50/60/70 or is it an altogether different beast that resembles more the Robber Barons of the 1860?

    Or do we have to constantly re-define the Left so as to break them into bits and pieces?

  5. ianmac 5
    14 August 2015 at 9:39 am

    Completed the survey. Tried to guess what James could do with the data collected. Dunno.
    Some statements poorly worded/ambiguous. I doubt that my particular philosophy would register.
    Wondered how Helen Clark would fill it in.

  6. Stephanie Rodgers 6
    14 August 2015 at 10:15 am

    Found the questions quite thought-provoking … and I’m glad there was practically unlimited space for adding my own comments!

  7. save NZ 7
    14 August 2015 at 11:10 am

    One of the best surveys I have ever been in. I like the way you can clarify your position by giving the right to make a comment beside it. I just wish our political parties were as intelligent in their Political party surveys which are generally stupid and meaningless for the most part as they seem to be looking to get the answer they believe in.

    The election results speak for themselves our ‘left’ parties are not listening and do not understand what the people want. That is why we have this crazy government in charge – AGAIN.

    Even their own are trying to desperately change them like Bryan Gould. Who correctly predicted the decline in the UK Labour in 2009.

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/feb/20/labour-foreign-policy

    If I was a Labour or Green party MP I would be clamouring to get the outcome of this survey. If it is not compromised by trolls it will be very interesting reading.

    • tracey 7.1
      14 August 2015 at 11:32 am

      I agree that the clarification opportunity is crucial and absolutely separates this from a “poll”.

  8. tracey 8
    14 August 2015 at 11:22 am

    Good for you.

    Did you spell/grammar check

    third question

    “Society needs some form of ‘market’ in order to effective way to match what is produced to what is needed”

  9. save NZ 9
    14 August 2015 at 11:43 am

    I noticed that interviews are taking place in wellington to further contribute to this work.

    In the interests of having a clearer survey – have you thought about doing interviews regionally – like small towns and other cities in New Zealand.

    The ‘left’ might well think about issues differently depending on location etc – so if you could do telephone of Skype interviews that would remove this issue of a regional focus and also make it easier to knock out trolls and deception.

    You could also look at Maraes, social organisations etc, in order to get more of a different range of people’s views if you are not already doing so.

  10. Simon 10
    14 August 2015 at 12:43 pm

    Many of these questions contain vaguely defined concepts or ideas and many are intentionally emotive. I really don’t think you could garner much in the way of political leanings let alone ideologies.

  11. Heyegg 11
    14 August 2015 at 12:45 pm

    I’ve wondered aloud here a few times why ideology is used as a derogatory slur, and only seem to get dogmatic responses like the one from one anonymous bloke.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 11.1
      14 August 2015 at 1:07 pm

      Seriously? After the history of the 20thC you can’t figure out why people regard ideologues with suspicion?

      • Colonial Viper 11.1.1
        14 August 2015 at 1:34 pm

        If you don’t commit to an ideology then you don’t have a value system and you won’t stand by any values. “Idealogues” are another thing altogether.

        • McFlock 11.1.1.1
          14 August 2015 at 1:50 pm

          “If you don’t commit to an ideology then you don’t have a value system”

          I disagree.
          To some degree there’s definitional wriggle-room, but using James’ “an individual’s view of how the world works, changed and shaped by our social interactions” then really there’s more than enough room for someone to have an instinctive, knee-jerk values system while not creating a conscious and coherent view of how the world works. A large chunk of National voters, for example, who just vote for dunnokeyo without actually examining what he says or does.

          • The lost sheep 11.1.1.1.1
            14 August 2015 at 2:08 pm

            A large chunk of National voters, for example, who just vote for dunnokeyo without actually examining what he says or does.

            Can you give me a link to the research you got that fact from please McFlock?

            • McFlock 11.1.1.1.1.1
              14 August 2015 at 3:26 pm

              Only a moron would argure that every single voter casts their ballot purely on the basis of thorough, rational research to inform a coherent and considered worldview. So then we start quibbling over the definition of “large” and why I specifically chose national as an example (and you would of course pretend that national ran a campaign based on rationalism rather than personalities and frippery). Which is all rather irrelevant to the point.

              I’m actually interested in the conversation about ideology, value systems and suchlike, rather than just arguing with a self-entitled tory shithead. So, no.

              • The lost sheep …
                14 August 2015 at 7:13 pm

                Only a moron would argure that every single voter casts their ballot purely on the basis of thorough, rational research to inform a coherent and considered worldview.

                Absolutely.

                So then we start quibbling over the definition of “large” and why I specifically chose national as an example

                Only a moron would swallow your contention that you used National purely as an ‘example’ Mcflock, and that what you actually meant was that Leftish voters are just as prone to vote with their brains dis-engaged.
                But I understand now that you accept that is actually the case.

                • McFlock …
                  14 August 2015 at 10:01 pm

                  yeah, nah, that was never my contention. I just don’t want to derail the thread as to why, when the argument would be with a fucking tory cock who attributes “contentions” to me that I never made.

                  A concern you demonstrated (at the first opportunity) as being valid. So: fuck off, dickwad. You’re a waste of my time, the space you take up, and the chemical elements that give you structure.

                  • The lost sheep …
                    15 August 2015 at 8:42 am

                    Gee McFlock.
                    You stated something as a fact without evidence to substantiate it, so I asked you to do so.
                    That was I believe a. in line with TS policy, and b. something i have seen you ask of other commenters many times.
                    So why the violently abusive reaction?

                    But if you were studying the characteristics of the modern left it is a wonderful example of the violent intolerance to differing ideological values that seems to be a major characteristic of modern Left Wing politics.
                    If comments on TS are anything to go by, it’s no wonder the Left can’t get it’s shit together and convince the people to let them govern. Too busy arguing with each other to present a cohesive, unified and compelling platform to the electorate.

                    • McFlock …
                      15 August 2015 at 8:06 pm

                      As far as I can see, your “absolutely” suggests that your only quibble with my precise definition of “large chunk” and my singling out of the national party.

                      Come back to me when their campaign ads contain more policy content than “brand key” and stolen music.

                      Until then, fuck off.

          • Heyegg 11.1.1.1.2
            14 August 2015 at 2:12 pm

            I guess I still consider that an ideology, conscious or not.

            • McFlock 11.1.1.1.2.1
              14 August 2015 at 3:37 pm

              Yeah – “ideology” is a pretty fuzzy term, meaning different things to different people. But if we’re talking a reflex response, then every action is “ideological”, which means the word ends up adding nothing at all to the sentence.

              it’s a bit like the definition of “pain”. Every so often there’s an article about how plants “feel” or “communicate” pain, when really what they’re talking about is basic biochemical responses to plant stress. Personally, I think pain needs sentience to register it, and that differentiates “pain” from things like “forming a scab over a cut” and “seeing the bruise”. Otherwise “pain” is a meaningless word that simply refers to any reaction to injury or breakage.
              If a tree falls in a forest and nobody is around to hear it, it logically produces air pressure variations. But whether or not it makes a scream is another matter entirely 🙂

              • Heyegg …
                14 August 2015 at 5:50 pm

                Okay, I think even if the voter is unconscious of their own ideological leanings while voting, the fact that they are voting for an ideological position makes the voter ideological.
                So the person “hurting” the plant makes that pain sentient.

                • McFlock …
                  14 August 2015 at 6:28 pm

                  Well they might have a systematic bias without being aware of it, but I reckon that one would be hard-pressed to call that an “ideological position”. For the reason of redundancy I outlined above.

              • weka …
                14 August 2015 at 7:34 pm

                but then you’d have to define sentience.

        • Tracey 11.1.1.2
          14 August 2015 at 7:44 pm

          what?

    • Draco T Bastard 11.2
      14 August 2015 at 3:08 pm

      Ideology has, IMO, become a slur because people have a tendency to follow through on their beliefs rather than on the evidence. This is especially true of the Right-wing where they will actively denounce the evidence when it goes against their beliefs. Think of John Key’s Hard Talk interview when, confronted with evidence of our farmers shitting in our waterways, said that he could easily find someone with a different view. Sure, he could find someone with a different view but there’s no way that he would have been able to find different evidence.

  12. Heyegg 12
    14 August 2015 at 1:26 pm

    Sure, particular ideologies should be viewed with suspicion. But calling people out on being ideological seems silly. Especially from the left.

    • Colonial Viper 12.1
      14 August 2015 at 1:35 pm

      Correct. “Ideological” has become a sneer word that the Right uses against people who believe in societal and community values.

      • The lost sheep 12.1.1
        14 August 2015 at 2:11 pm

        Just like “Ideological” has become a sneer word that the Left uses against people who believe in free market and personal responsibility values?

        • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1.1
          14 August 2015 at 3:15 pm

          That’s a great example, thank you.

          The RWNJs go on about a ‘free-market’ and personal responsibility and then ensure that the free-market doesn’t exist as all the laws passed by them empower the rich and corporations above anybody else and declaim responsibility for their actions.

          Yep, definitely great examples of why ideology has become a slur word. The RWNJs proving that their ideology is less than skin deep.

          • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 12.1.1.1.1
            14 August 2015 at 5:49 pm

            Every comment of yours can be reduced to: “something, something RWNJs….something, something RWNJs”.

            • Colonial Viper 12.1.1.1.1.1
              14 August 2015 at 5:54 pm

              Verb, noun, adjective, pronoun, conjunction, verb, noun, adjective.

              Sounds all the same to me.

            • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1.1.1.2
              14 August 2015 at 6:28 pm

              And every comment you produce can be reduced to the hot air coming out of your arse.

              Really, if you’re going to say something then at least address what I said rather than just revert to ad hominems as per typical RWNJ response when confronted with facts…

              Oh, wait, you can’t because facts.

              • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell …
                14 August 2015 at 7:57 pm

                At least we have you constantly raising the level of discourse above ad hominem, ay Draco.

        • Tricledrown 12.1.1.2
          14 August 2015 at 8:28 pm

          Lost creep their is no such thing as your mythical free market.
          And when has any right wing political leader taken personal responsibility.
          Dogmatic Ideology.
          Aye sheep shager.

  13. Smilin 13
    14 August 2015 at 1:31 pm

    Centre right national is, resting in the middle ground to bs the masses and then shifting warp factor ten to extreme right
    Centre left is where the real democratic work is done to formulate the next parliament. MMP I believe is the MO of NZ political structure ,
    I forgot its presently suspended by DIrty Politics in favour of totalitarianism .
    Crazy eh this govt is saying, THEY are here to promote less govt in in people’s lives so the have more democratic freedom
    BS less govt and more control shifting to the free market and the multinational corporate takeover of our democracy so that our SOVEREIGNTY goes the way of the sovereign coin a beautiful valuable thing but
    too expensive to use

  14. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 14
    14 August 2015 at 2:30 pm

    I answered in the character of an amalgam of Standaristas. It allowed to me use the phrase “eat the rich”. I enjoyed it.

  15. TeWhareWhero 15
    14 August 2015 at 3:35 pm

    Filled in the survey – found the format annoying and so wrote screeds to explain / contextualise.

  16. Clemgeopin 16
    14 August 2015 at 5:57 pm

    @James Gluck,
    Good questions. Have completed the survey. Hope you will publish the result here.

  17. Ian 17
    14 August 2015 at 5:58 pm

    Hope you post a summary of your findings

    • Wonderpup 17.1
      14 August 2015 at 6:26 pm

      I’m sure he will release his thesis under a creative commons licence. Victoria are good about offering students this option, where others seem to want to hide their student’s theses!

  18. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 18
    14 August 2015 at 8:02 pm

    You couldn’t make this shit up.

    Guy does a survey on the state of the left.

    Half of the respondents complain about the questions.

    State of the left right there.

  19. ropata 19
    15 August 2015 at 12:05 am

    James I am dismayed at your misuse of English and have lost interest in your survey.
    There is a difference between a structured political or religious ideology and the worldview of any particular individual. Why did it take you 1000 words to state the obvious? Verbosity is a sign of an imprecise mind.

  20. Adele 20
    15 August 2015 at 8:23 am

    Teenaa koe, Ropata

    If James is on a PhD pathway then verbosity would be a requisite skill.

    However, I did find the survey annoying on another level – referring to its underlying assumptions underpinned by western ideology.

  21. MeditativeDiaries 21
    25 August 2015 at 11:47 pm

    Interesting article here.. i am strongly interested in ideologies. I would like to delve on what exactly ideologies are.. would we say its something created in the past, an accumulation of knowledge that gives a method on how to tackle the problems of living?

    By this view, ideologies are not limited to political systems.. every -ism is another ideology.. religions, marxism, froydism, communism, anarchism, pacifism.. everything..

    it is like a belief that many people accept as right.

    Would we agree on that?

    And how do ideologies affect society? Once i am a communist and you are a capitalist isn’t there division among us? Is division something innocent? Or it necessary separates people? Once people are divided in groups, isn’t it necessary that their best interest differs? Which means the reasons for conflict are quite strong. Isn’t it conflict which leads to sorrow, pain, war and death?

    Having started from zero, from non preconceived opinions, we examine the nature of ideologies.. and it seems every ideology, from the noblest (activism) to the most brutal (nazism) breeds division/separation/conflict

    Would you agree?

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    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
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