Students, Workers and the Class Struggle
The history of capitalism is the history of revolt. Throughout the 19th, 20th and now the 21st centuries the capitalist system has been wracked by crises during which the normal functioning of the system is halted, leaving millions of ordinary people with no option other than to rise up. Workers of course, are a wellspring […]
Growing Inequality – and a sign of resistance
The latest Stats NZ Household Income report has revealed that inequality in New Zealand continues to grow. The New Zealand Herald was very careful to split out a number of stories to get the best possible spin, but in combination the picture is stark. The first story was about household income. The median household income […]
The Second Leaders Debate: A Response to Key on Capital Gains Tax
The media has proclaimed John Key the winner of last night leaders’ debate because Labour leader David Cunliffe was caught off guard by Key’s question as to whether his proposed capital gains tax would apply to “300,000 family homes held in trusts”. Given that Key made over $5 million dollars in tax-free capital gains last […]
AAAP Impact Mangere
Last week I saw the faces of poverty in Aotearoa. Not sad, withdrawn and dirty as we often see in child poverty promotions but angry, frustrated and determined, writes Rowan McArthur. Angry at their situation, the government and the government departments which perpetrate and reinforce the violent culture of poverty. Frustrated at constantly being turned […]
Disabled Protest Discrimination
This week a group gathered on the steps of Parliament to protest against one of the most disturbing pieces of legislation to come from the National Government – the amendment to the Health and Disability Act 2013. For the past decade families have been fighting for the right to be treated equally under the law and […]
New Zealand Today: Man Sleeps in Car after Heart Op
The Dominion Post reports that a Porirua man had a heart operation and shortly afterwards, with no housing available, had to sleep in his car for a several days. This is part of the newspaper article: Rodwell Ama, 42, was born and bred in Porirua. He had worked in the same job at Moore Wilson’s […]
The Charter Schools Debacle
Three years on, Christchurch people are still struggling with the aftereffects of the 2011 earthquakes – insurance, lives disrupted, homes damaged. Workers and the poor, struggling to get by with less and in an insecure, uncertain city, feel all of this particularly keenly. Schools – the centres of community – should be places that give […]
Bludgers on a Binge
It’s a case for the Taxpayers’ Union: Two bludgers on a binge. He’s just come out of a couple of years running with a violent mob called the ‘RAF’ and is now scrounging off the public purse; she’s one of these women who thinks having babies on welfare is a career plan. Paula Bennett is passionate […]
WINZ: Poverty and Pep Talks
Yesterday I attended a ‘work for you seminar’ at the WINZ office on Queen Street, central Auckland. After the usual waiting around for 30 mins we went into the work seminar room. To my horror I look up and see an supposedly inspirational quote from Margret Thatcher on the wall… “I do not know any […]
Family Court Reforms
The war on the poor has extended its reach to the Family Court. In the guise of protecting the vulnerable and improving the experience of those needing assistance to resolve family disputes the Government has reformed the Family Court fundamentally. Although the Minister of Justice consulted with an expert advisory group what became clear when […]
