NZ First were always going to go for broke in their 2020 election campaign. Being down around 4 per cent in the polls, ruled out of coalition by National, and now beset by a very troubling political donations scandal, the need was always there to make a bold bid for popular support. Immigration was an …
The Christchurch terrorist attacks have led to an important debate over the degree to which New Zealand society is characterised by intolerance and discrimination. Severe racism, Islamophobia, and general xenophobia appear to be the driving forces that led to the killing of 50 Muslims in Christchurch three weeks ago. It’s important to examine whether there …
As the Christchurch terrorist debate has unfolded, there has been astonishment that New Zealand’s gun laws are so lax. Loopholes and liberal gun laws have been highlighted as a key factor in allowing the alleged gunman to murder 50 people. Helen Clark has been at the forefront of this concern, complaining with incredulity that the …
Jacinda Ardern has led the way in how she’s responded to the Christchurch terrorist atrocity. The prime minister has emphasised the need to come together and to not allow the actions of a terrorist to divide New Zealand any further. She has laid the blame for Friday’s massacre firmly at the feet of the perpetrator, …
The murder of fifty Muslim New Zealanders on Friday has triggered intense soul-searching and debate about hatred in our society. As part of this, attention has turned to politicians and political parties and the role they play in furthering racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia Allegations have been levelled at every party in Parliament for fostering xenophobic …
When we think about “culture wars” and “identity politics” what most readily comes to mind are leftwing-liberal fights over what is commonly referred to as “political correctness” and allegations of “virtue signalling” and being “woke”. But the other side of the culture wars is a rightwing-conservative agenda around authoritarianism and tradition, especially relating to nationalism …
One of the main images to come out of the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru was the island’s President and locals performing a song for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her baby, called “Jacinda New Star in the Sky”. You can watch the full performance on TVNZ – see: Jacinda Ardern serenaded with song written especially …
Is Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s campaign over the Manus Island refugee situation causing serious damage to Trans-Tasman relations? And is it even in the best interests of refugees? Yesterday I looked at the arguments for the New Zealand government taking a harder line on the refugee crisis – see: The case for less talk, more action …
The Prime Minister’s current strategy over the Manus Island refugees is probably not sustainable. Jacinda Ardern’s preferred tactic is to continue with “talking” at the moment. She’s done this by engaging with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and speaking out publicly at the APEC summit in Vietnam about the crisis. Some think this has proved …
Is our new government doing enough about the Manus refugee crisis? Well, it’s hardly doing anything. Instead of putting pressure on the Australian Government to allow New Zealand to take refugees from Manus Island, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern seems to have capitulated entirely to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the issue. Former Labour Party …