National Party M.P. Carlos Cheung who is from China (Source: R.N.Z.) A former New Zealand First M.P., the late Richard Prosser once told me that Winston Peters is New Zealand First's biggest asset... And biggest liability. The recent attacks by New Zealand First on immigrants are not only hugely toxic, they are also immensely hypocritical. … Continue reading Winston Peters not putting New Zealand first (or First)
Constitutional reform in New Zealand? Yay or Nay?
The Treaty of Waitangi (N.Z. Govt. Archives) As concerns with the transparency and accountability of our politicians, and - in particular - the current Government of New Zealand grow, the usual debate about whether New Zealand needs constitutional reform has returned. The status quo supporters who think we have bigger problems to worry about versus … Continue reading Constitutional reform in New Zealand? Yay or Nay?
China’s very unwelcome missile testing in south Pacific
Chinese P.L.A. Navy ship Hengyang in Tasman Sea, 2025 (Australian Defence Force). Days after China fired the first of two missiles into the south Pacific, the fallout continues. It is the first time that I am aware of any nation deliberately test firing missiles in this part of the world. It follows an earlier incident … Continue reading China’s very unwelcome missile testing in south Pacific
The soggy question posed by New Zealand floods
The Leader River attacking State Highway 1 earlier this week (Source: RNZ) This week, northern Canterbury and southern Marlborough experienced the worst flooding in possibly more than a generation. Fuelled by a deep, broad, slow moving low that delivered huge rainfall tallies in the northern South Island - and significant snow in inland and southern … Continue reading The soggy question posed by New Zealand floods
New Zealand First’s drift to the fringe right
The party of Winston Peters is drifting to the right. (A. Cairns/Stuff) A few days ago columnist Andrea Vance wrote a zinger of a column about the drift of New Zealand First to the right of the New Zealand political spectrum. When one considers all that has happened, which New Zealand First has been a … Continue reading New Zealand First’s drift to the fringe right