Gordon Campbell on Jim Anderton
For anyone born after 1975, it is hard to grasp just how important a figure Jim Anderton was, for an entire generation. During the mid […]
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the US demonising of Iran
Satan may not exist, but the Evil One has always been a handy tool for priests and politicians alike. Currently, Iran is the latest bogey […]
Gordon Campbell on the attacks on Lorde, over Israel
The escalation of attacks on Lorde for her considered decision not to perform in Israel is unfortunate, but is not entirely unexpected. In many respects […]
Gordon Campbell on yesterday’s quest for zero net carbon emissions
Some would querulously ask, zero net carbon emissions by 2050 – while others would say, why not?
Gordon Campbell on why a ‘hard Brexit’ has hit a brick wall
It has been a grimly fascinating week for Brexit train (wreck) spotters.
Gordon Campbell on Defence spending, Alabama, and Dolly Parton
The spending lavished on Defence projects to meet the risks that could maybe, possibly, theoretically face New Zealand in future is breath-taking.
Gordon Campbell on vulnerable kids, fresh RNZ funding, and Poppy
The decision to remove the word ‘vulnerable’ from the Ministry for Vulnerable Children could well mark a whole shift in approach to the care of children in need.
Gordon Campbell on the politics of scaring voters back into line
In 2017, bogeymen of all shapes and sizes seem to have fallen on hard times.
Gordon Campbell on how the drinking water crisis has been a failure of political leadership
For the past nine years, there has been a political culture of absentee government, where almost any regulatory action that involved spending money fell out of favour.
Gordon Campbell on saying ‘work for the dole,’ nicely
Shane Jones has made it clear that he’s going to be saying really, really loudly what he and Winston and the rest of the NZF crew are doing.
Gordon Campbell on the right wing’s fetish for tax cuts
Going as low as the Republicans have done will not only wildly expand the deficit, but require cutbacks to welfare provisions, and hiking taxes on middle America.
Gordon Campbell on journalism, Peters and Ghahraman
So how is journalism faring in its role of (a) speaking truth to power, and (b) keeping its independent distance from those it seeks to monitor?
Gordon Campbell on the political risks of the rising price of oil, and Harry/Meghan
The price of oil at the pump is always a highly political issue.
Gordon Campbell on National’s penchant for bashing (a) students and (b) beneficiaries
Occasionally, political parties paint themselves in their true colours, almost by accident.
From the Hood : Mateship
A List of Thing Mates Don’t Let Mates Do, Based on a Google Search and/or the Fact Asylum Seekers are Human Beings
Gordon Campbell on the new Pike River agency, and the air strike wing
Much of the sympathy the public still feels for the families of the Pike River miners has been sustained by the sense that the previous government has never dealt honestly, or fairly, with them.
Gordon Campbell on the centre right’s love of the ‘nanny state’ label
Like clockwork, the old ‘nanny state’ criticism has been wheeled out this week by the National Party and lapped up by the media.
Gordon Campbell on the TPP outcome, and the Hobbit law
TPP countries gathered in Vietnam have announced a deal in broad principle, shunted aside until a later date the stuff on which they don’t agree, and declared victory.
Gordon Campbell on Ardern’s trade battles at APEC
The question is not whether the original TPP will be changed – it will be by how much, depending on what extent of changes the signatories can abide.
Gordon Campbell on the battle over select committees
New Zealand may be a country divided between the centre right and centre left, rural and urban, old and young – but it isn’t the United States.
Gordon Campbell on Ardern’s refugee non-deal
Trump has welshed on the Manus deal to Australia… On the weekend, Turnbull humiliated Jacinda Ardern in turn, by once again rejecting New Zealand’s offer.
Gordon Campbell on the fear of change
As NZ has woken from its nine-year slumber to confront National’s dire legacy of social and economic neglect, the changes are going to be extensive.
Your F**king Guide To Government Formation
Wondering why you don’t have a new government yet? Let me fill you the f**k in.
Gordon Campbell on Peters’ end game in the coalition talks
We’re now entering the Agatha Christie phase of coalition negotiations, given all the main characters have been summoned to the drawing room today by M. Hercule Peters.
Gordon Campbell on the election result, and likely road ahead
A government led by Bill English and Winston Peters would be a more conservative one – particularly on social issues – than any during the Key years.
From the Hood : Election Lists
Bringing Order to the Election Result
From the Hood : The Campaign Strategist’s Lament
A National Party Spin Doctor Writes
Gordon Campbell on National’s Mickey Mouse policies on trade
According to Todd McClay the European Union says it wants to conclude a FTA with NZ by the end of 2019. That timetable sounds unbelievably optimistic.
Gordon Campbell on the politics of fear and neglect
This week, National leader Bill English is claiming that farmers could face a $50,000 cost increase from Labour’s water tax plans. Another phantom fear.
Gordon Campbell on the likely path of Hurricane Jacinda
So far, Labour’s tax plans have been treated like an incoming hurricane in the Caribbean – how big will it be, what path it take through the economy, how much damage will it do?