Category: Democracy

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Budget 2018 - key points

A strong and growing economy is the real story behind the Coalition Government's 2018 Budget. This is very evident from the Time Series of Fiscal and Economic Indicators which projects Gross Domestic Product to grow $17 billion in the year ended 30 June 2018, from $274 billion last year to $291 billion.


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A Society of Equals

The Craggy Range walking track debacle is an excellent example of why iwi tribal groups should have no more power than the rest of society. They are bullies, and the best way to deal with a bully is to stand your ground.


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The Pitfalls of Change

The politically correct vigilantes, who populate the media and social media are increasingly acting as judge, jury and executioner. By viciously attacking and hounding people who say things they disagree with, they are ruining careers and destroying lives


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The Mating Game and #MeToo

My parents met during “the dirty thirties,” depression years, when life was tough. They were both teachers in small schools on the prairies. My father was older than my mother, and after a brief courtship they married.


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Defending Democracy

People need to take action to defend a community’s democratic right to call a referendum if their local council decides to establish a Maori ward, since Local Government New Zealand is attempting to have this important public power abolished.


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Maori Myths & Legends: LGNZ conspiracy against local democracy

LGNZ is engaged in a power grab.  It wants to ensure its members are not subject to public polls concerning Maori wards/constituencies.  The reason for this is that LGNZ supports race-based Maori wards/constituencies and wants its members to be able to impose them unchecked


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A Lurch to the Left

On October 23rd last year New Zealand First leader Winston Peters announced that he’d chosen the most radical left wing coalition in this country’s history to become our new Government.


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Political Roundup: Greens go red

The Green Party membership have voted resoundingly to take the party in a more left-wing direction by selecting Marama Davidson as the new co-leader. That’s the consensus amongst commentators analysing the announcement.


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Local Democracy Undermined

Last month Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, the President of Local Government New Zealand wrote to the coalition Government calling for the removal of the petition rights that allow local residents and ratepayers to demand a poll if their Council unilaterally decides to establish Maori wards.


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Ratepayers Fight Council Racism

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council is divided into three wards for electoral purposes. However, in November 2017, Councillors voted - with nine votes in favour and three opposed - to establish additional race-based wards, which would guarantee seats for Maori.