In this, an election year, let’s consider what sort of qualities we want the people to have around our council tables. Let's ensure there are good people standing, that they have the support of others, have strong community networks and values and will add to the quality of debates around the … [Read more...]
An Open Letter from Bernard Hickey
Dear New Zealanders, your victory is pyrrhic’ Dear home-owning older voter, You have successfully blocked the taxation of capital gains on leveraged residential land values for nearly 15 years and now both major political parties are so afraid of you doing it again they won’t even talk about … [Read more...]
American Politics…
The world order is being rewritten by the President of USA and his billionaire mates. As we shake our heads and wonder when this madness will dry up let us pause and reflect on Franklin D Roosevelt’s re-election speech in 1936 when he said: “We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace – … [Read more...]
South Island Priorities and The Ferry!
The government has finally realised that many of us, across political boundaries, are fed up with all the focus of politics being mainly on the North Island and especially on Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. The Government has recently appointed a Minister for the South Island (outside cabinet), … [Read more...]
AI – Feb 2025 – there will be more :)
Garry recently had a debate with a good mate about the pros and cons of AI. The next day he sent this analysis to me to demonstrate that AI demonstrated conclusively how poorly Christchurch City Council was performing compared to the Wellington and Auckland Councils. Here’s what he sent me: To … [Read more...]
Garry writes to round off 2024
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...]
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