Dr Bryce Edwards democracyproject.nz Dr Bryce Edwards is Political Analyst in Residence at Victoria University of Wellington. He is the director of the Democracy Project. Many commentators are drawing parallels between the state of the supermarkets and how the Telecom monopoly was broken up in the mid-2000s. For
David Seymour ACT Leader The Government has questions to answer about why billionaire Google co-founder Larry Page was allowed into New Zealand when desperate Kiwis and separated families can’t get through the border. Larry Page was allowed into New Zealand but the Government won’t give any details
Harry Hunt In 2017, the Labour party campaigned on making the first year of university free. It was a policy that turned many heads; both of newly eligible voters, and of parents. In 2020, they promised to continue fees free, in a world where they had already spent more than
Simon Court ACT transport spokesperson The depth of feeling from Wellington businesses couldn’t be clearer, it’s time for Let’s Get Wellington Moving to start listening. The full page advertisement in the Dominion Post from the newly formed Progress Wellington reflects the feelings of everyone I’ve spoken
It is very disappointing to see Labour vote against a Bill that would make work easier for Police Officers in New Zealand as they endeavour to track down stolen goods, National’s MP for Port Waikato Andrew Bayly says. “Following discussion with police, I proposed a Bill to allow police
The Conservation Minster’s handling of a ministerial review into the governance of Fish and Game will see hunters and anglers side-lined from the organisation they pay for, National’s Conservation spokesperson Jacqui Dean says. “Fish and Game receive no Government money, yet the implementation steering group, led by
Dr Bryce Edwards democracyproject.nz Dr Bryce Edwards is Political Analyst in Residence at Victoria University of Wellington. He is the director of the Democracy Project. The supermarket sector is finally about to receive some serious government intervention. Following a scathing report from the Commerce Commission, it’s now almost
On Tuesday Judith Collins called for a referendum about the use of the word Aotearoa in place of our country’s proper legal name, New Zealand. Immediately she was attacked by both the Team of $55 million (media) and every other party in parliament. Newshub, the leading member of the
The Labour government has called for submissions on proposals for Hate Speech legislation. Politicians seem unable to identify what speech will be criminal under the new law, but are convinced that current laws do not provide enough protection. Because the closing date for submissions to the Ministry of Justice is
Susan Short Secretary Democracy Action It takes a lot to get middle New Zealand riled up enough to protest, but the Groundswell movement has tapped into discontent with the Government over a raft of issues. The organisers were blown away by the overwhelming support they received for their ‘Howl of
The Prime Minister needs to explain why it is necessary to fund a Mongrel Mob-led meth programme $2.75 million when eight out of ten of the pilot participants were already under the active care of Corrections, Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says. “Under the previous National Government
Dr James McDowall ACT Immigration spokesperson Labour’s inaction on immigration is creating a humanitarian and economic crisis. Families are being split at the border and being forced to choose between working in New Zealand to support their family or leaving so they can be together. Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi
National will clear the current residency backlog and provide a clear pathway for skilled migrants already in the country to gain residency. Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says we are losing the skilled migrants we desperately need who moved to New Zealand before the lockdown with the promise there
Susan Short Secretary Democracy Action Local Government Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta has announced further details of the Government’s regulatory and structural reform of water service delivery in New Zealand. The plan is for an unprecedented transfer of billions of dollars of ratepayer-funded assets from local bodies to four
Susan Short Secretary Democracy Action A fast-approaching deadline is the opportunity to have a say on the so-called ‘Hate Speech’ discussion document, which will be considered for the yet-to-be drafted Bill. Submissions close Friday 6th August. (The theory is that there is a greater likelihood the
David Seymour ACT Leader The Government will today give itself a big pat on the back for delivering two million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but it should hold off on its self-congratulations. To put this into perspective, that’s 40 doses per 100 people. That milestone was
