The demise of meaningful political debate
MMP was expected to break the old Parliamentary duopoly of National and Labour and lead to far more inclusive and diverse political debate. By Peter...
Category : National Politics
A political perspective on 2024
As a turbulent political year drew to a close in 2024, some observations can be made about the state of the various parties and some...
Councils relieved of ‘well-being’ obligations
The Government is taking back central services from local councils, leaving them to “deliver essential services and core infrastructure”. “Earlier this year, the Prime Minister...
Tougher government scrutiny for infrastructure
The new Government needs to ensure it doesn’t repeat the costly infrastructure decisions of the previous one, warns Peter Dunne. It is a time-honoured ploy...
Moving forward with political change
Our first three-party coalition Government involves a cabinet where all parties are represented and with a balance of party polices and promises. NZ First Leader...
Giving kids the vote
Following a recommendation from a government-commissioned Future for Local Government draft report to lower the voting age in council elections, the Electoral (Lowering Voting Age for...
Behind the party leader’s clash
By Peter Dunne, September 28, 2023. Chris Hipkins demonstrated enthusiasm borne of desperation in the second leaders’ debate this week [televised on the evening of...
AKL transport project becomes heated state housing fight
It could be dead in the water after next month’s election but Labour’s $29b plus Light Rail project for Auckland continues to keep hostilities between...
What the polling entrails tell us
By Peter Dunne, political observer Seasoned politicians and political observers follow the opinion poll ratings of the various parties in a way others might consider...
The countdown to our future has begun
By Dr Muriel Newman NZ Centre for Political Research, originally published in the NZCPR May magazine, and redacted for Local Government magazine. The release of...