Category: politics

The waka-jumping bill is bad for democracy

[This orginally appeared in the Spinoff Ātea on February 8 2018] Labour’s Electoral (Integrity) Bill has passed its first reading. It’s likely to pass despite some criticisms. It demonstrates how far our political parties in Parliament have wandered away from us, the voters in the electorates. In a system where party loyalty reigns supreme, what… Read More The waka-jumping bill is bad for democracy

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Māori health and education models can work for everyone

[This was first published in The Spinoff Ātea, 15 November 2017] The Minister of Social Development announced early in the term that they will repeal the part of the Social Security Act that requires sole parents to identify the other parent or face benefit cuts. This is the first tangible step in a planned major… Read More Māori health and education models can work for everyone

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How Hobson’s Pledge is taking aim at Māori wards in Tauranga

[First published on The Spinoff Ātea, 30 November 2017] In our balmy autumn months in Tauranga Moana, during the commemorations for Te Weranga (the 1867 Tauranga Bush Campaign), I have often had the privilege of walking down hills from old pā and kāinga with the Western Bay of Plenty mayor, Garry Webber. Garry (pictured above… Read More How Hobson’s Pledge is taking aim at Māori wards in Tauranga

grahamcameron

Why my tamariki are feeling hopeful about the new government

[The original article was published at e-Tangata on 22 October 2017] The announcement of the new government by Winston Peters on Thursday night felt more like a Melbourne Cup than politics. I livestreamed Radio NZ’s Checkpoint as I charged around Countdown with my tamariki picking up a few extras for dinner — but nothing happened… Read More Why my tamariki are feeling hopeful about the new government

grahamcameron

That sinking feeling: the Edgecumbe review and our climate change blinkers

An independent report led by Sir Michael Cullen into the failure of Edgecumbe’s stopbank has reported that Edgecumbe residents were not sufficiently warned of flood risks and no evacuation plans were in place. The media is fixated on blame, and given the impact on the lives of local residents, it seems an obvious question to… Read More That sinking feeling: the Edgecumbe review and our climate change blinkers

grahamcameron

Election reflections. NB potentially unpopular.

All political parties are churches. As with churches, there are a small group of any membership who are able to provide a sober reflection on the strengths and weaknesses of their parties, the leadership are realists but the large majority of the membership are believers. The policy platform is a hope; a description of salvation.… Read More Election reflections. NB potentially unpopular.

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Fear and loathing in Morrinsville: the corporates hiding behind our farmers

Six hundred farmers and supporters protested in Morrinsville today against Labour and the Greens’ proposed water and pollution charges. Initially it was claimed that it was an apolitical rally, but the organisers put paid to that. Furthermore they claimed it was an opportunity to rebut accusations they felt had been leveled against them. I assume… Read More Fear and loathing in Morrinsville: the corporates hiding behind our farmers

grahamcameron3 Comments