Now They’re Reaping the Whirlwind
The only surprising thing about the abolition of the Broadcasting Standards Authority is that it caught so many people by surprise.
Chris Trotter
Known principally for his political commentaries in The Dominion Post, The ODT, The Press and the late, lamented Independent, and for "No Left Turn", his 2007 history of the Left/Right struggle in NZ.
Political Jokes and Footpath Prophecies
Why is NZ First the only party willing to call a spade a tsunami of butter chicken?
Keeping Our Opinions to Ourselves
A citizenry trained to keep ‘problematic’ opinions to themselves swiftly learns to deliver responses that conceal as much as they reveal.
He Is Playing the Fool
The West, having returned the world to those from whom it was taken, is no longer strong enough to take it back.
The Idea of Breeding Socialist Supermen
As early adopters of eugenics, socialists were impatient to get their hands dirty.
Breaking up Is Hard To Do
Divorcing Labour from neoliberalism, the Treaty and identity politics will not be easy.
The Man on the £5 Note
A nation that refuses to remember and celebrate its history will see its past expunged by those who prefer to forget it.
Torn to Shreds
Against the wealth and power of the United States, International Law has the stopping power of a spider’s web.
On Sending Them Home
Transforming the revenge fantasies of anti-immigrant populists into enforceable public policy will not be easy.
On the Right Side
By announcing an inquiry into the Reserve Bank’s handling of monetary policy in the time of Covid, Nicola Willis has come up with potentially highly effective solution to National’s electoral problems.
This Is a Diabolical Manifesto
That’s the problem with the Devil’s great ideas – they’re the Devil’s great ideas.
A Boring Election? We Can Only Hope
When journalists stop being bored and cynical, it’s time for New Zealanders to watch their backs.