Category: Democracy
I’ve always thought democracy is a pretty good sort of system. Not perfect, of course, but as Winston Churchill said: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”
Politics is full of surprises. You only have to look at the US presidential race to see the truth in that statement. Here in New Zealand, last week’s announcement by Labour and the Greens, that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to showcase themselves as a viable ‘government-in-waiting’, was also a surprise.
Much of this year’s US presidential election coverage has focused on the unexpected success of Donald Trump to win the Republican Party nomination. However, pundits also got it wrong on the Democratic side of the ticket...
The principle that nothing should create even a suspicion that there has been any improper interference with the course of justice, underpins our legal system. In Latin it is stated as nemo judex in causa sua - ‘no-one should be a judge in his own cause’.
The Tribunal has embarked on round two of its hearings concerning a variety of claims relating to New Zealand’s fresh water resources. The nature of the claims are discussed in exhausting detail in the Tribunal’s first report made in 2012.
Some local mayors just don't seem to understand they serve at the behest of their community. The iconic leader of this hall of shame is of course Andrew Judd, the current, and soon to be former, mayor of New Plymouth. But he is not alone
A 7-2 vote this week by the Masterton District Council to appoint representatives from two Wairarapa iwi to have voting rights on its standing committees is the latest step in a long march towards tribalising local government in New Zealand.
In this politically correct world, our right to free speech is increasingly being eroded by the apparent rights of others who disagree. State broadcaster Television New Zealand came under attack last month, when they were accused of including a ‘racist’ question in their new Kiwimeter survey.
We look upon Magna Carta as a Good Thing ~ and no-one would dispute for a second that the Great Charter is a foundation stone ~ an early milestone ~ in any case, a very large stone! ~ marking an important place in the evolution of the British Constitution into the glory and envy of the world.
The water debate is heating up, with orchestrated attacks on water bottling companies. Maori leaders want a price on water. With the resource estimated to be worth $35 billion a year, once they gain control from National, they will claim royalty payments for future use and compensation for lost revenue.
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