Friday, 18 May 2007
Friends in far-off places
My friends Christian and Clare (the CCIA - who do you think invented that?) are about to embark on a super-tour, going it seems, EVERYWHERE in Europe. Follow their progress at http://christianclare.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
The Bolger Years MkII - 3rd column on www.theset.co.nz
My latest politics column on http://www.theset.co.nz is an expansion of my earlier 'Bolger Years' post. Enjoy!
Post: http://www.theset.co.nz/home/node/262
Previous posts and profile: http://www.theset.co.nz/home/taxonomy/term/87
Post: http://www.theset.co.nz/home/node/262
Previous posts and profile: http://www.theset.co.nz/home/taxonomy/term/87
Thursday, 3 May 2007
Good old RiffRaff4
Some time ago I was a member of a jazz quartet in Christchurch called RiffRaff4. They were good times, but the band doesn't exist any more.
However, if you are in Christchurch, New Zealand and want some good jazz for your event, then send me a message via the following page and I'll put you in touch with the right people - www.contactify.com/a4a94
au revoir
However, if you are in Christchurch, New Zealand and want some good jazz for your event, then send me a message via the following page and I'll put you in touch with the right people - www.contactify.com/a4a94
au revoir
Carolyn the Caravan for sale
RDU is finally letting go of beloved Carolyn, its faithful campervan of many years. The campervan is pivotal to the station's history (Wammo and Spanky broadcast out of it from Victoria Street during renovations) and is listed on TradeMe here. Get in quick, it's going to fetch an amazing price!
More info: http://www.rdu.org.nz/cheapaschips2007.html
More info: http://www.rdu.org.nz/cheapaschips2007.html
The Bolger Years
Last Friday and Saturday I attended the seventh annual Parliamentary Conference, organised by the Stout Research Centre and the Political Science Department at Victoria.
An amazing experience, reliving the politically turbulent 1990's, the era that got me interested in politics in the first place.
We heard from all the major players, including former Prime Ministers Bolger and Shipley, former ministers Birch, Richardson, Kidd, Burdon, as well as various media people, public servants and party officials.
The final session was the best. First Sir Douglas Graham, then Sir Tipene O'Regan, and finally Chris Finlayson spoke about the Treaty of Waitangi negoatiations process. Sir Douglas gave a very moving speech, concluding that he hoped he had done some good in the process, but what he received was ten times more. He was overcome with emotion in making this final point, no doubt as a result of the task he was given in the 90's - to begin 150 years worth of healing between Iwi and the Crown.
Two things struck me at the conference. The first was how convincingly the neo-liberal economic agenda introduced in the second term of Lange Labour government and the first term of the Bolger National govenment has won the policy debate in NZ. Now it is a given, and accepted by all major parties that we are tied economically, for better and worse, to the fate of the world economy.
The second thing was that no matter how you view that policy victory, and its inevitable social costs, I think most can agree that the Bolger government significantly shifted the Treaty discourse in Aotearoa New Zealand. This shift was towards a mode more constructive and beneficial, one of reconciliation, reparation and remorse.
An amazing experience, reliving the politically turbulent 1990's, the era that got me interested in politics in the first place.
We heard from all the major players, including former Prime Ministers Bolger and Shipley, former ministers Birch, Richardson, Kidd, Burdon, as well as various media people, public servants and party officials.
The final session was the best. First Sir Douglas Graham, then Sir Tipene O'Regan, and finally Chris Finlayson spoke about the Treaty of Waitangi negoatiations process. Sir Douglas gave a very moving speech, concluding that he hoped he had done some good in the process, but what he received was ten times more. He was overcome with emotion in making this final point, no doubt as a result of the task he was given in the 90's - to begin 150 years worth of healing between Iwi and the Crown.
Two things struck me at the conference. The first was how convincingly the neo-liberal economic agenda introduced in the second term of Lange Labour government and the first term of the Bolger National govenment has won the policy debate in NZ. Now it is a given, and accepted by all major parties that we are tied economically, for better and worse, to the fate of the world economy.
The second thing was that no matter how you view that policy victory, and its inevitable social costs, I think most can agree that the Bolger government significantly shifted the Treaty discourse in Aotearoa New Zealand. This shift was towards a mode more constructive and beneficial, one of reconciliation, reparation and remorse.
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