Who thinks that the current Labour government should seek to emulate the “great traditions” of the 1935 Labour government? At least one person thinks it should, and his opinion counts. Read more
The vaccination phase of the Covid pandemic raises some tricky conflicts. The Government is reluctant to make vaccinations compulsory. Read more
Recalling ambassadors from one’s allies is a special kind of diplomatic fireworks. Following the announcement of the new AUKUS defence alliance with Britain, France did just that to the US and Australia. Read more
In his Budget speech last year, Minister of Finance, Grant Robertson, outlined the government’s policy aspirations. He saw Labour as being able to take decisions that “will define the lives and livelihoods of many people for years to come”. Read more
Two years ago, Paul Romer warned the incoming President of the World Bank that the Bank should outsource its research function because “diplomacy and science cannot both thrive under the same roof.” The Bank depends on good relations with member countries. Romer had been World Bank Chief Economist from 2015 through his early 2018 departure, winning the Nobel Prize in Economics later in 2018. Read more
Reading the great philosophers is intimidating: Long sentences, difficult language. Now there is hope for us mortals. Read more
Arriving into the UK from New Zealand, the fear of entering a “Covid world” has proven unfounded. In England, more than 90% of adults have Covid antibodies either from vaccination or having had Covid-19. Read more
Nobody knows what vaccination rate would allow restrictions to ease safely. But rates need to rise substantially. Read more
There is an anecdote about Christopher Columbus, which still holds a lesson for us today. After his first voyage to the new world, Spanish Cardinal Mendoza hosted a banquet for Columbus. Read more
If lockdown had a bright side, it was having more time with the kids. Only needing to be online for school by 9, rather than rushing out the door at 7.30, meant bedtimes could be a bit later. Read more
I had a dream. It is November 2021, and I have just tuned in to the Prime Minister’s daily press conference. Read more
Work is underway to design an unemployment insurance (UI) scheme for New Zealand. Details are limited, but a more complete policy proposal for consultation is expected later this year. Read more
The recent passing of Sir Michael Cullen, the former Minister of Finance, has been widely covered. The Super Fund, KiwiSaver and “Working for Families” are among Sir Michael’s lasting contributions to New Zealand - whether we like them or not. Read more
Is there anything about this worldwide pandemic that we have not talked about sufficiently after one and a half years? Countless articles, essays, and speeches have shed light on nearly every aspect of the situation. Read more
Until a little over a year ago, questioning the Ministry of Health's handling of the pandemic was tantamount to heresy. The country had just celebrated 100 days without a case of Covid in the community. Read more