Voting papers are in the post for the local elections. A thick envelope, a scattering of wards and constituencies across Wellington to be marked in pencil and sealed away. On the last page rests the question of the Māori ward and constituency; whether they should continue. My instinct has always been to say yes. Tangata … Continue reading Voting Papers Arrive
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The Maturing of MMP
Many say that Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) representation has not worked in Aotearoa New Zealand. Critics point to hung parliaments, messy compromises, and policy drift. Yet the current coalition offers a counter-narrative: it shows how MMP has matured. Coalition partners, whether small or mid-sized, are not just supporting acts rather they are shaping the script. … Continue reading The Maturing of MMP
The Mirror We Avoid
It begins with hope. The kind of hope that folds neatly into a carry-on suitcase, stuffed between passport stamps and addresses of friends, cousins and relatives on your WhatsApp who promised a sofa bed and maybe, if lucky, a job. Many South Asian migrants arrived in Aotearoa, or across the West, with little more than … Continue reading The Mirror We Avoid