Labour’s trouncing by John Key raises searching questions
Now that the dust is settling on the rather tumultuous events of the 2014 General Election – Labour’s worst performance in 92 years – and with the resignation – well sort of – of...
Author: Mike Lee
Dirty politics – how deep is the rot?
I find it an intriguing aspect of modern democratic societies – where power is contested by two major rival parties – that the closer their policies get, the more bitter and rancorous their political...
The Great War 100 years on: have we not learned anything?
This month we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War of 1914-18. I have been aware of this approaching anniversary for time now and helped set up a special committee...
What next? – a $.15m ‘state house’ for Queens Wharf
Last month, we learned from Bernard Orsman of the NZ Herald of leaked proposals to build two, three-storey office and car park buildings at the Quay Street end of Queens Wharf. This month the...
On Guard Aucklanders – your waterfront is under threat
The National government has announced the end of its assets sales programme, which on the face of it should bring to a close New Zealand’s shameful era of privatization – of country selling. While...
Nikita goes to Hollywood
Nikita goes to Hollywood – Movie Reviews (Hollywood adds new meaning to the term Theatres of War) by Mike Lee I first wrote this article in early 2002 in the NZ Political Review. Its...
Electric Trains in Auckland – here at last!
It’s been a long time coming, and believe me, it wasn’t easy getting there, but Auckland’s new electric trains have now entered service – opening a new era in Auckland’s history. While Wellington’s rail...
Saving the Hunua kokako – speech at the 20th anniversary celebrations
It is an honour to be with you today, 20 years after the establishment of the Kokako Management Area in the Hunua Ranges, to share in the celebration of your great achievement. As we...
Unitary Plan’s parallel iwi consent system causing dis-unity.
As we know the Unitary Plan was rushed through the Council last year with extraordinary speed. Little or no time was given to consider the huge amount of public feedback – nor did the...
The plight of the South island kokako – extinction by arm-chair?
This month for once I want to get as far away as possible from local city issues – and travel to the remote deep forests of the west coast of the South Island, where...