I’m not sure what’s more terrifying, that the coalition can continue to behave this way, with total disregard for residents’ well-being and the moral responsibilities that go with holding power, or the apathy of the media and public at large.
Don’t get me wrong, there is some excellent work being done by various journalists and groups in the left bloc, but - unfortunately - they largely act as an echo chamber. I’d be willing to bet an analysis of various social-minded petitions calling for change would include many of the same signatories. Not so much a case of ‘they who shout loudest, wins’ as those with the fattest wallets…
Taken in the context of the fact “The Paris-based OECD has ranked New Zealand as the fourth-worst country among its 38 members when it comes to regulating vested interests that try to influence policymaking” [Open Democracy Project, 2024], the examples you’ve rightly called out are even more worrying.
I can’t help but worry about my corner of the Substack landscape (workplace health and well-being), where Brooke van Velden is signalling scarily significant changes.
As you rightly note, the prospect of the current Government’s behaviour in a world where Trump is re-elected makes Aldous Huxley’s fears seem like a small child’s passing nightmare. What’s it going to take for these concerns to penetrate the walls of the aforementioned echo chambers and kick-start some change?
Your points are cogent and compelling. I also worry that it's more of an echo chamber too - and that becomes how it's presented i.e. this was the same strategy anti-environmentalists used to demonise those who cared for nature and the environment.
this is what I came here to say. How are we, as NZer's letting them get away with this, either, we are inherently stupid or just so apathetic about it (I suspect the latter).
As Mr Anderson says, in our current system of government, there is not too much we can do.
If the Coalition loses MPs, or splits, it could happen but for now they all seem quite aligned from a donor interest perspective.
You can of course submit when there are public submissions, but they seem unswayed unless it's a large scale media blitz they cannot spin. That said, putting it on record can help.
The biggest thing really is helping others learn what is happening for themselves - without pressure or force.
The French election gave me hope - high voter turnout benefits the ‘left’. Unfortunately the folk who always vote are the ones that have (since the reforms of the 80s) mutated from citizens into consumers. They won’t get angry about changes until it effects their ability to buy stuff…
I hear you. I guess what I cling to is until I know more people are aware of what's really happening, I cannot accept they don't care. It could be a fool's last hope but that's what I have for now, Keith.
PPeople have already given up smoking except for old people who have not been able to quit and are having to pay more than they can afford. They will be dead soon. The kids are vaping- this is where the attention needs to be. Get off Costello 's case
Thanks for your comment. Do you have any statistics and evidence to bank up that everyone has given up smoking except for old people who are apparently all going to die soon?
As to vaping, Casey Costello seems corrupt on that too - sure she's made a few fake overtures and we can at least feel good she is being advised by the tobacco industry, who also own vapes.
Costello protecting "products ... supplied by one company, Philip Morris, which only had about a 16 percent share of the country's vape market,"
I’m not sure what’s more terrifying, that the coalition can continue to behave this way, with total disregard for residents’ well-being and the moral responsibilities that go with holding power, or the apathy of the media and public at large.
Don’t get me wrong, there is some excellent work being done by various journalists and groups in the left bloc, but - unfortunately - they largely act as an echo chamber. I’d be willing to bet an analysis of various social-minded petitions calling for change would include many of the same signatories. Not so much a case of ‘they who shout loudest, wins’ as those with the fattest wallets…
Taken in the context of the fact “The Paris-based OECD has ranked New Zealand as the fourth-worst country among its 38 members when it comes to regulating vested interests that try to influence policymaking” [Open Democracy Project, 2024], the examples you’ve rightly called out are even more worrying.
I can’t help but worry about my corner of the Substack landscape (workplace health and well-being), where Brooke van Velden is signalling scarily significant changes.
As you rightly note, the prospect of the current Government’s behaviour in a world where Trump is re-elected makes Aldous Huxley’s fears seem like a small child’s passing nightmare. What’s it going to take for these concerns to penetrate the walls of the aforementioned echo chambers and kick-start some change?
Your points are cogent and compelling. I also worry that it's more of an echo chamber too - and that becomes how it's presented i.e. this was the same strategy anti-environmentalists used to demonise those who cared for nature and the environment.
van Velden is not going to be working for workers' rights or health and safety from what we saw here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSU35srZg58
this is what I came here to say. How are we, as NZer's letting them get away with this, either, we are inherently stupid or just so apathetic about it (I suspect the latter).
How many people know it though?
I think most people probably have an inkling, sometimes its easier to ignore it unless you are in the thick of it - i.e. loosing your job.
True. A great point Annie! We need to put our collective brains together for a pow wow one day
What is our answer then?
Do we really have a system that allows government, any government, to act with impunity?
I’m shocked at my ignorance.
As Mr Anderson says, in our current system of government, there is not too much we can do.
If the Coalition loses MPs, or splits, it could happen but for now they all seem quite aligned from a donor interest perspective.
You can of course submit when there are public submissions, but they seem unswayed unless it's a large scale media blitz they cannot spin. That said, putting it on record can help.
The biggest thing really is helping others learn what is happening for themselves - without pressure or force.
Yes we do, an uncomfortable realization isn't it
A constitution, an upper house, or sharpen the pitchforks...
and if we let NACT1 loose on a constitution, can you imagine what we'd get with their track record on consultation?
Maybe we aren't stupid or apathetic, perhaps we are just all sitting around not believing this is really happening!
Our ignorance is their primary asset. At the very least the revolution should be one of awareness.
The French election gave me hope - high voter turnout benefits the ‘left’. Unfortunately the folk who always vote are the ones that have (since the reforms of the 80s) mutated from citizens into consumers. They won’t get angry about changes until it effects their ability to buy stuff…
I hear you. I guess what I cling to is until I know more people are aware of what's really happening, I cannot accept they don't care. It could be a fool's last hope but that's what I have for now, Keith.
PPeople have already given up smoking except for old people who have not been able to quit and are having to pay more than they can afford. They will be dead soon. The kids are vaping- this is where the attention needs to be. Get off Costello 's case
. She is good value.
Thanks for your comment. Do you have any statistics and evidence to bank up that everyone has given up smoking except for old people who are apparently all going to die soon?
As to vaping, Casey Costello seems corrupt on that too - sure she's made a few fake overtures and we can at least feel good she is being advised by the tobacco industry, who also own vapes.
Costello protecting "products ... supplied by one company, Philip Morris, which only had about a 16 percent share of the country's vape market,"
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/02/anti-youth-vaping-group-outraged-associate-health-minister-casey-costello-refuses-meeting.html
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/minister-rejects-claim-govt-not-doing-enough-cut-vape-availability
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/03/campaigners-accuse-government-of-delaying-vape-rules-to-benefit-industry.html
How much do you think Casey gets paid to sell Kiwi lives?
Good value eh...At least as much as my old favourite. Lucky Strike