Category: Democracy
On behalf of the New Zealand Centre for Political Research, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year! Thank you so much for your encouragement and help over the last 12 months - the NZCPR simply couldn’t achieve what we do without your wonderful support.
Maori privilege is on the rise and at an accelerating pace. Not content with controlling local authorities, and potentially the whole of New Zealand’s coastline, iwi leaders now have their eyes set, not only on the control of fresh water, but of government itself through the right to veto every Bill or regulation that is proposed.
It is well known that today Ngai Tahu is a billion-dollar plus entity, and growing. Ngai Tahu claim that they are under “attack ... led by “fiscal conservatives who attribute our remarkable success to not paying tax.” In this Ngai Tahu are wrong on two points.
This submission on behalf of the public policy think tank, the New Zealand Centre for Political Research, opposes the Electoral (Entrenchment of Maori Seats) Amendment Bill on five grounds.
In spite of assurances given by the National Government that under their new law, there would only be claims for remote areas of the coast, that would not impact on most Kiwis, it now appears increasingly likely that our entire coastline could end up under tribal control.
It strikes me as axiomatic that a fully-fledged democracy entails the application of democratic principles, based on equality before the law, at all levels of governance. It is this maxim, once infused into the public psyche, that underpins the spirit of democracy.
The political media love controversy. There’s been an abundance of that ever since Donald Trump was elected US President - but over recent weeks, there’s been plenty here as well. Here’s how the Jamie-Lee Ross saga unfolded.
It would be a huge mistake to believe that most Americans are obsessed with President Donald Trump and the ongoing drama in the nation's capital. Most Americans get on with life and are usually more interested in local matters.
Ill-advised comments by senior Judges can have a profound and long-lasting impact. We saw this in the 1987 Lands Case between the New Zealand Maori Council - represented by Sian Elias - and the Attorney-General, when the President of the Court of Appeal, Sir Robin Cooke, used the word ‘partnership’.
"I swear that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Her heirs and successors, according to law, in the office of Judge and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of New Zealand, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. So help me God." This is the Oath of Office taken by all Judges.
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