A Radical Gets Real Power and Runs Something Big
Tim Shadbolt’s passing shows what it’s like when a bona fide radical activist gets into power for long enough to make a permanent difference.
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Advantage’s 2026 predictions
Advantage gets out the crystal ball and postilated what may happen next year.
It’s Changed Too Much For The Nostalgia Cure
If Labour wins government in 2026, many things won’t be recoverable.
“National is Getting NZ Back on Track”?
That’s the headline of the pamphlet in the letterbox. But from their own measures is that true?
Abolishing New Zealand’s Regional Councils
The government on Tuesday announced plans to replace regional councillors with boards made up of mayors and maybe some minister-appointed representatives. It’s a mess.
Labour Gets Ready To Win Election 2026
Labour has recovered from the 26.9% vote share hiding it received in 2023, and is ready to run government again.
The Old Left is Wrong about Russia
This weeks’ sabotage of a Polish rail line that enables freight to get to Ukraine is a big step in the undeclared war by Russia against European countries that support Ukraine.
Who’s winning the Climate Change Revolution?
The world’s largest economies are lowering or flatlining emissions at the same time as they are growing their economies.
Why Is National Allowing Trans Tasman Resources to Destroy our Common Good?
This government is deliberately enabling private seabed mining in Taranaki to prevent New Zealand’s largest future renewable electricity supply.
Our Accelerating Public Sector Decline
New Zealanders are losing confidence in the institutions that once held us together. Can this be changed?
This Fonterra Failure is a New Zealand Failure
The vast majority of Fonterra shareholders have agreed to sell all its consumer brands to Lactalis, and it’s an economic crime against New Zealand.
Labour’s Sub-Therapeutic Dose for Economic Sickness
Why is Labour proposing $200 million for a growth fund when New Zealand First got $3 billion?
So, New Zealand First Then?
In 2026 New Zealand First in all likelihood will be back in power because Labour and National will need them to form government.
The Curious Case of Central Otago
How can a region be so pretty, so rich, but so poor?
Good, Democratic, Easy-To-Support Energy Policies
How to make fundamental changes to the country’s energy systems to ensure that future supply is sustainable and democratically controlled/
Power Companies Collude to Require New Zealand Coal-Fired Electricity
The country’s four main power companies have signed an agreement to stockpile coal and to extend the life of the coal-fired Huntly power station.
Give Young People The Vote
If we are to renew the purpose of democracy after this current bunch of old people have had a crack at shrinking it, we need to turn this into something prospective voters can actually hope for: they can make change happen through the vote.
The Time For The Left To Act Is Now
None of National’s policies are working. But the time of Labour’s policy vacuum needs to be over. It’s time to make their mark and take Luxon front on and win.
The left should unite on tax, fast
… before the election starts to get real.
We Have a Human Right to Water, and to Democracy
National is rolling out comprehensive water corporatisation, across New Zealand. For those who don’t live in Auckland, Wellington, or other centres with commercialised […]
State-run food stores anyone?
What if we broke New Zealand’s grocery misery with our own grocery store?
National Wants to Increase Retirement Age to 67
If Luxon and Willis go ahead with it as a policy platform for the 2026 election, and win, a raise in the age of entitlement for national superation will most likely be implemented.
Our growing stress is everywhere
We don’t know where this country is going and it’s getting worse.
We’ve Lost Australia
New Zealand was once in a sustained Australasian partnership. Now, with New Zealand tracking further and further into policy extremes, Australia – and our children – are leaving New Zealand behind.
The Ukraine-United States Deal
In a bargain of the damned the United States and Ukraine have signed a peace agreement to share revenues from the future sale of Ukrainian minerals and rare earths.
Labor Wins In Australia
In yesterday’s election there was lot to cheer about. Labor won a landslide election. And Coalition leader Peter Dutton lost his seat.
After ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day 2025 is just so dark in the face of a hot war in the Ukraine, and the real lack of commanding peacemakers left on this earth.
Farewell Pope Francis
“Let us not be afraid to say it: we want change, real change, structural change. The system has imposed the mentality of profit at any price, with no concern for social exclusion or the destruction of nature.”
Trump Schadenfreude
All the fools supporting hard right political leadership will now be reminded of what they signed up for.
US imposes 10% tariff on NZ imports
While 10% is at the lower end of this unjustified tax, it is very serious for our whole NZ economy.
Reasons for Optimism
We’re good, but we know we want better leadership.
Failed Conference
Luxon’s team have delivered zero deals out of the multibillionaire conference on infrastructure. This is a fail.
Great America
The United States of America is in full territorial expansion mode and there is little that anyone can do about it.
A Commercial Peace Agreement?
Trump’s opening bid for peace towards Ukraine was that the United States would gain access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
If that’s Luxon’s Plan, What About Labour?
It’s time to highlight what a Labour plan for the New Zealand economy under a 2026 government would look like. And ask questions.
New Zealand’s worst leadership speech since 2008
The PM’s ‘State of the Nation’ speech about the New Zealand economy titled “economic growth the key to better days ahead” was a bag of words with no plan.