What a year this has been for us all. This government has continued to make decisions which has widened the gap between the haves and the have-nots. The South Island has been put on the back burner. Personally, Rosemary and I have both had health challenges, but are completing the year in a … [Read more...]
Cookooland – Where the rich own the truth
A book which demonstrated to me the drivers of greed and the need for some to seek power: I read a fascinating book about corruption and how some of the high end of society in the UK functions. I recommend it to you all. It is called “Cookooland, Where the rich own the truth” by Tom Burgis. … [Read more...]
Abuse in Care
This courageous report Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light | Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry was a sobering summary of how victims of our society were abused by State and Church institutions over decades. It created quite a stir when it was released, and its … [Read more...]
Professional Ethics in our Public Life
In New Zealand... In the past week our Auditor General, John Ryan, has insisted that Lester Levy change the accounts of Te Whata Ora. An attempt had been made to include some of this year’s expenditure in last year’s accounts. This would have allowed the government to blame Labour for … [Read more...]
HAKA and HIKOI – two amazing events
I was delighted to have my two oldest grandchildren share with me their excited response to the haka in parliament, and the following Hikoi. That’s the first time I’ve heard them animated on a political issue. It gave me great hope for the future. I’ve been involved in some animated debates … [Read more...]
South Island 25% of population…
One recent issue has given me hope. I think we have Winston Peters to thank for this. I have often described Winston as a Conservative with a small “c”. I think he has taken the inter-island ferry debate off those who would like to privatise the process. His interview on Radio New Zealand on … [Read more...]
The Election of Donald Trump
I heard a friend once say that we are witnessing the demise of the American Empire, just as Empires have come and gone before. There’s been some amazing analysis of the USA election results and like most I’m watching things evolve with great interest. Are we witnessing neo-liberalists last … [Read more...]
Always build your footpaths where the people walk
I enjoy the writings of Chris Trotter. During the month he wrote: The late Jim Anderton understood, as did his hero, Norman Kirk, that, at heart, New Zealand was a conservative country. That said, when confronted by profound economic and/or moral challenges New Zealand voters have demonstrated … [Read more...]
What is the role of Ethics, private and public – in a decent society
This book made me think hard about the way our current government operates. The list of projects on the fast-track list smells very fishy. Dead fishy. Next Tuesday Club notes I will look carefully at local projects and how they happened and their costly ramifications for us as local ratepayers. I … [Read more...]
The Misguided Minister of Speed
I come from a family of petrol heads. My Dad was a motor mechanic for 55 years. I came to live in Christchurch because the Vintage Car Club scene was so alive down here. Whenever someone in the family talked about travelling from “A” to “B” the first question asked by a family chorus was “what time … [Read more...]
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