Guy Fawkes: Myth and Reality
Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder Treason and Plot. I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot. We all know these words. For centuries they’ve been handed down through the generations, first as a nursery rhyme sung by English children, and more recently popularised by the film ‘V for Vendetta’. David […]
Wellington Living Wage Advance
After a long debate, a meeting of the Wellington City Council on 28th October voted 9 to 6 in favour of security contract staff being paid a Living Wage. The Council already pays its directly-employed staff a Living Wage. Earlier this year the Council had resolved under the Long Term Plan that they would extend […]
Why we support the Palestinian rebellion
Young Palestinians across the Occupied Territories have continued to clash with the Israeli military, while inside Israel more than 20,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel have taken to the streets to call for an end to the country’s apartheid and occupation polices. Thirty-three Palestinians are now dead, including 7 children. Thousands more are injured. As each day passes, more […]
Zero Hours Contracts Treachery
Workers cannot put any trust whatsoever in this double-dealing Key government of liars. When it comes to employment law, under the lead of Workplace Relations minister Michael Woodhouse, they have developed a habit of announcing one thing and doing another. They told the public they were going to stop the exploitation of migrant workers. They […]
TPPA: An Agreement for the Ruling Class
Agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPPA) was reached early on Tuesday morning. The final signing could occur in 90 days’ time, with the text likely to be made publically available for the first time during the that period. John Key and Tim Groser claim that deal will not impact Pharmac’s ability to subsidise the cost […]
The defeat of the left, and the recomposition in Greece
The Greek ruling party, Syriza, won a convincing victory in the national election held on 20 September, winning 144 seats, down from the 149 seats won on 25 January. Prime minister Alexis Tsipras resigned last month to make way for the poll after he signed a third memorandum with the country’s creditors. That agreement will […]
Corbyn, Shearer, and Campaigning Against Austerity
The left-wing MP Jeremy Corbyn was catapulted to leadership of the British Labour Party over the weekend, winning 59.9% of the vote after starting the race as a 100/1 outsider. Corbyn’s anti-austerity campaign has challenged the Blairite establishment founded on copying and extending the pro-business, neoliberal policies of Thatcher and the Tories. The waves have […]
Get the Warehouse to pay a Living Wage
Today International Socialists and local Living Wage activists joined striking First Union members in an hour’s action outside the Warehouse store in Porirua. We were asking shoppers to show their support for the in dispute workers by signing protest postcards to The Warehouse Group boss Mark Powell. In that short time over 200 signed. Back […]
A Short History of New Zealand Imperialism
From New Zealand’s earliest attempts at increasing its territories in the Pacific right through to today’s economic imperialism, the local capitalist ruling class has had imperial ambitions. It was New Zealand’s local leaders – the Governors, the Premiers, the Prime Ministers – who were calling for a New Zealand Empire in the Pacific. Likewise we […]
Ruth, Roger, and Me
Ruth Roger and Me, by Andrew Dean Published by Bridget Williams Books Ruth, Roger and Me was a bit of a left field media sensation when it came out earlier this year. Andrew Dean, Rhodes scholar at Oxford, is an unlikely voice for the struggling youth of 2015. However, his reflections on the challenges faced […]
