The announcement that Japan intends to resume scientific whaling, as it prefers to call blatant slaughter, in the Southern Ocean this season received surprisingly scant attention last week. There were the ritualistic expressions of outrage, the perfunctory Government statement of concern, and the muted calls to dispatch a naval vessel to the region to “sort…
10-year passports: Back by public demand Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne has today welcomed New Zealand’s return to 10-year adult passports. Legislation necessary to effect this change, a change driven by public demand, was passed into law on 20 October and enables the Passports Office to start issuing 10-year adult passports to applicants from today.…
UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says the Party should be recognised for its boldness, not derided as bland. Speaking at UnitedFuture’s Annual General meeting in Auckland today, Mr Dunne said that being in the liberal, modern centre ground of politics today “was bold and challenging.” “It is bold, not bland, to fight for compassion over intolerance.…
Later this week I will join current and former Labour MPs to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the election of one of New Zealand’s most reforming and innovative governments – the first Labour Government under Michael Joseph Savage. No doubt there will be much reminiscing and catching up with former colleagues, particularly those from the equally…
In the wake of last weekend’s horrific terrorist attacks in Paris many are asking fresh questions about what new steps can be taken to curb outrages committed by Daesh extremists and their like. Western intelligence agencies have already warned these types of attacks are likely to become more commonplace, and, as if to reinforce their…
Somewhere along the way this week the plot got well and truly lost. Uproar in Parliament, walk-outs, protests and people shouting at and over each other may be all good theatre, a modern form of gladiators in the arena if you like, but after it is over, the fact remains, nothing has changed as a…
UnitedFuture did not support Green MP, Gareth Hughes’ energy Bill because it is unnecessary said UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne. “It is unnecessary because over 80 per cent (in 2014) of New Zealand’s electricity is already generated from renewable sources. Increasing solar power generation would not make a huge difference environmentally as it would displace other…
National’s plans to ask the Productivity Commission to take a “blue skies” look at rules and legislation that may impede housing development are at one level logical and unobjectionable. But – and this is a very big but – the timing of this announcement causes considerable alarm and suspicion. It comes at the very time…
The uproar Westpac Bank has understandably caused by releasing personal details regarding Nicky Hager to the Police highlights once more the fragility of public protections in the age of increasing datafication. No matter how it is explained, it is clear Westpac obviously overstepped the mark and will now have to deal with the wrath of…
United Future leader and Ōhariu electorate MP, Hon. Peter Dunne, has selected Cameron Wright (17) to be the electorate’s representative at Youth Parliament 2016. On the selection, Mr Dunne, said: “Cameron is already involved in our community and brings passion, enthusiasm and knowledge to the role. It is going to be great working with him…