Lobbyists have long had unfettered access to NZ’s politicians. But recent scandals have highlighted the need for transparency to ensure corporations don’t wild too much influence over our leaders.
Jacinda Ardern and partner, Clarke Gayford, leave after she announced her resignation in New Zealand.
Kerry Marshall/Getty Images
Female leaders tend to open people’s perceptions of what is possible for other women in politics – but the job is also still fraught with double standards and unique risks.
Max Rashbrooke, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington and Lisa Marriott, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
A number of court cases on political donations raises the question as to why wealthy New Zealanders donate thousands to political parties – and why some people try to hide their contribution.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison signals his allegiance to the Cronulla Sharks with his neckwear.
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
Ties do many things. Though they express identity, they can just as readily act as a ‘uniform’ for their wearers. And they give power to some, while taking it from others.
The coronavirus crisis has given experts and specialists worldwide a lot of power. As countries like New Zealand begin to recover, we need to question that power more than ever.
NZ$4.3 billion will go some way to patch up long-standing cracks in New Zealand’s health system. But COVID-19 has shown NZ’s regional approach to health isn’t good enough against a nationwide threat.
Jacinda Ardern has won global admiration for her personal style. But how will Kiwis judge her government at the ballot-box in September this year – just as unemployment is expected to peak?
New Zealand’s COVID-19 elimination strategy has been a collective success, involving ‘ordinary’ Kiwis and unity across political divides. Ending lockdown and a looming election will test that unity.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in February 2020.
Bianca De Marchi/AAP
New Zealand will spend NZ$12.1 billion – or 4% of its GDP – to support businesses, increase benefits for seniors and low-income families, pay people in self-isolation, and boost health care capacity.
Jacinda Ardern created an indefinable aura of promise – but just as people fall in love, some have fallen out of love, too.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Yes, Jacinda Ardern is an intelligent, compassionate prime minister, but governing is difficult – and problems have inevitably arisen, or never gone away.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, the leader of the New Zealand First party, maintains that no laws have been broken in his party’s funding arrangements.
AAP/Paul Braven
The New Zealand First party, a government coalition partner, has received tens of thousands of dollars from a foundation whose trustees include the party’s lawyer and an ex-MP.
Critics of assisted suicide often raise moral objections while proponents focus on the trauma of terminally ill patients. But all arguments have a long history.
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The arguments in favour or against euthanasia have a long history, going back to the Hippocratic oath that doctors still swear today.
Rather than encouraging people to become better citizens, rewards and fines can actually reduce peoples’ natural tendencies to do the right thing by others.
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The idea that a small payment could motivate more people to vote resurfaces regularly, but this ignores evidence that monetary incentives to induce pro-social behaviour can be counterproductive.
New Zealand’s military aircraft are used for disaster relief, such as following a series of earthquakes in Sulawesi in 2018.
EPA/Holti Simanjuntak
New Zealand’s coalition government has to balance strong martial and pacifist traditions. But ageing equipment and climate change will require taxpayers to fund expensive upgrades for the military.