Centrist Newsletter 19/7/24

Shane Jones condemns Te Pāti Māori’s racist rhetoric, The looming threat of political violence, How are NZ politicians kept safe & more…

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NZ First’s Shane Jones condemns Te Pāti Māori’s racist rhetoric

In a recent interview, prominent Māori politician NZ First’s Shane Jones, condemned Te Pāti Māori’s use of what he described as “genocidal rhetoric” and “blood shaming”.

Jones further criticised the party’s tendency to label individuals of mixed ancestry as “blood traitors” and “mudbloods”.

15 July 2024

The looming threat of political violence in New Zealand

New Zealand has largely avoided such extremes as recently seen in the US with the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. But it would be naive to assume it couldn’t happen here, writes political commentator Bryce Edwards.

18 July 2024

How are NZ politicians kept safe?

While New Zealand has not seen an assassination attempt like the recent US incident, other incidents such as the assaults on politicians like John Key and James Shaw highlight the potential for violence.

12 July 2024

New study reveals lifestyle choices behind majority of US cancer deaths

A groundbreaking study by the American Cancer Society has revealed that lifestyle choices, or modifiable risk factors, are responsible for more than half of all cancer deaths in the United States. Four in 10 cancer cases and nearly one-half of all cancer deaths among adults aged 30 and older can be attributed to factors such as smoking, diet, and physical activity.

17 July 2024

Officials’ mistrust of KiwiRail leads to cancellation of iReX project

Less than two weeks into her role as Finance Minister, Nicola Willis announced the cancellation of $750m in funding for the Interislander iReX project, citing dramatically escalating costs.

Documents reveal that officials from Treasury and the Ministry of Transport (MoT) had long harboured doubts about KiwiRail’s information and objectives, which played a significant role in the decision to scrap the project.

15 July 2024

Eric Crampton on why Paul Goldsmith’s Media Bill won’t solve problems, but just create new ones

Economist Eric Crampton says Labour’s Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, initially dismissed by National Party’s Melissa Lee as a “shakedown”, could initiate compulsory bargaining with platforms for payment. The uncertainties of an arbitrator stepping in, if no agreement is reached, could turn the digital landscape on its head, he said.

17 July 2024

Greg McGee on writing as a woman Alix Bosco

Author Greg McGee, known for his rugby and bloke-centric writing, chose the female pseudonym “Alix Bosco” to ensure his female protagonist, Anna Markunas, would be seen as authentic. The decision paid off. “His” debut crime novel, “Cut & Run” received critical acclaim, with readers and reviewers convinced of the female perspective. The book won the inaugural Ngaio Marsh Best Crime Novel Award in 2010 under this pseudonym.