Bill Rosenberg - Tax Reform - March 2019 (video)
Created 27/03/2019 - Papers & Presentations - 933 visits
Dr Bill Rosenberg talks about the findings and recommendations of the Tax Working Group in New Zealand, of which he was a member, and their implications for a better tax system and fairer society. Dr Bill Rosenberg is Economist and Policy Director at the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi. He has written and spoken on many issues including labour relations, inequality, social security, privatisation, health funding, and globalisation.

Catherine Knight on De-growth - Resources - April 2023
Created 02/05/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 255 visits

Matika Hawaiki: The Indigenous Challenge to AUKUS in Aotearoa - July 2023
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 429 visits
Nicky Hager, Arama Rata and Marco de Jong will discuss the above topic on Thursday 13 July in Wellington at 2/57 Willis Street, starting at 5:30pm. They ask what New Zealand stands to lose by abandoning a Pacific-led and independent foreign policy in favour of colonial associations and by choosing defence over diplomacy. Marco de Jong is a Samoan New Zealander, and a Pacific historian. He has recently completed a doctorate at the University of Oxford on the history of the environmental movement in the Pacific Islands with a particular focus on anti-nuclearism and climate change. Outside of research, he has worked in civil society organisations and independent think-tanks advocating for a progressive, demilitarised foreign policy for Aotearoa to advance a Free and Independent Pacific. Across this work, and in the context of entwined ecological and political crises, his firm belief is that there is power in stories which demonstrate Indigenous peoples' commitment to environmental justice in perpetuity. Dr Arama Rata belongs to Ngāruahine, Taranaki Iwi, and Ngāti Maniapoto, She is an independent researcher with current projects focused on Māori sovereignty, Pacific regionalism, anti-racism, and liberatory pedagogies. She is co-director of Te Kuaka, a group advocating for independent, progressive foreign policy. Nicky Hager ONZM is an investigative journalist who has been writing about geopolitics, intelligence ad defence matters since his 1996 publication of Secret Powers on the GCSB. In 2019 following an inquiry the SIS was told to apologise to him for unlawfully acquiring months of call logs from his phone in relation to his investigation into Defence Force activities in Iraq published in Hit and Run.

Future of Local Government - June 2021
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 282 visits

Guy Standing: Rentier Capitalism and the coming precariat revolt - March 2016
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 319 visits

After Jacinda - Feb 2023
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 303 visits

Building a Better Future - Craig Renney and Diana Russell - Jan 2023
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 283 visits
Economist Craig Renney and policy analyst Diana Russell will present the CTU’s Alternative Economic Strategy to our first Fabian meeting of 2023. The Council of Trade Unions are in the middle of consulting with workers and organisations on their strategy. You will find a link to the document here. https://union.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AES-22-September-FINALweb.pdf “Building a Better Future” is their view of an economy that delivers for workers, and how this might be achieved. This includes making New Zealand the best country in the world to be a worker. NZ is already the best country in the world to be a business. The Prime Minister has said she wants NZ to be the best country to be a child. The CTU argues that in order for that vision to be realised we must first look after our workforce. The key design elements of the report revolve around 5 “missions” that they believe are central to a successful economic development pathway: 1. Economic equity 2. Delivering adequate housing and our infrastructure needs for the 21st Century 3. A Just Transition towards climate resilience 4. Decent work and greater work/life balance 5. Enabling the enduring wellbeing of New Zealand Each of these missions contains a policy proposal that they would like to discuss: 1. A National Investment Bank that delivers our central economic missions & a new state-owned default KiwiSaver provider to hold all default funds. 2. A Ministry of Green Works that delivers adequate housing, climate resilience, economic equity, decent work and a just transition 3. An energy revolution alongside a just transition (Industrial Revolution 5.0) 4. A Decent Work Act – to replace the Employment Relations Act. Pilot a four-day working week and ECE as right, progressively provided over time 5. Working with central government economic agencies to embed and build a genuine wellbeing approach to economic development They have three main questions they want to ask and get feedback: 1. What does a good economy look like for you? 2. What are your thoughts on the vision, direction and specifically the 5 missions? 3. What are your thoughts on their proposed solutions? Craig Renney - economist with the NZ Council of Trade Unions

Better ways to do climate policy - Adrian Macey and David Frame - Dec 2022
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 296 visits

Paul Spoonley - Researching Hate Speech, The Rise and Rise of QAnon - Nov 2022
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 306 visits

Peter Davis -15 Years of KiwiSaver… and Time for a Review! - Oct 2022
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 314 visits

Robert Howell - Are your Funds Caring for People and the Earth? - Sept 2022 (video)
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 317 visits

Prof Deidre Le Fevre - Adaptive Leadership in Times of Crisis - Sept 2022
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 326 visits

Assoc. Prof. Matheson Russell - Reinventing democracy? Global trends and Te Tiriti-based futures - Aug 2022
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 300 visits

Gary Blick - An economic lens on Auckland - June 2022
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 308 visits

The Health Reforms: What’s going on and what should we be fighting for? - May 2022
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 421 visits
The Government is undertaking a once-in-a-generation reform of the healthcare system, replacing District Health Boards with Health New Zealand, the Māori Health Authority, and the Public Health Agency. What’s being changed and why? What should we all be fighting for as the changes come into force on 1 July? And what can we expect from a new system? Raewyn Stone (consultant and expert in women’s health), and Rawiri Jansen (GP, researcher, and advocate) each speak about the reforms, followed by Q+A. Max Harris (researcher and writer) chairs.

Dr Siouxsie Wiles & Fa'anānā Efeso Collins on lessons from responding to the pandemic - March 2022
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 316 visits

Engineers for Social Responsibility - A new Ministry of Works - Andre de Groot - Dec 2021
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 325 visits

A 'Ministry of Green Works' for Aotearoa New Zealand - Nov 2021
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 345 visits
Earlier this month First Union published “A Ministry of Green Works for Aotearoa New Zealand: An Ambitious Approach to Housing, Infrastructure, and Climate Change” by Max Harris and Jacqueline Paul. The current system for building and delivering housing and infrastructure is not serving the needs of communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. The standard approach for government is to contract-out construction and related services to the private sector. The private sector is at capacity, the approach has drained know-how from the public service, and there is a skills shortage, a lack of innovation, and insufficient coordination to tackle climate change. A new approach is needed. FIRST Union’s Ed Miller will speak to why they commissioned the proposal for public discussion. FIRST Union’s “A Future that Works” campaign has been calling for the re-establishment of the MOW since early 2020 as part of pathway to full employment, including a just transition for workers in climate-stressed industries and expanding/improving our housing stock.

Margaret Wilson speaks on her book, Activism, Feminism, Politics and Parliament - Oct 2021
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 325 visits
Emeritus Professor Margaret Wilson has always lived a political life. From her days as a child growing up in the Waikato in a Catholic family attuned to fairness, an unlikely law student in the 1960s in a class with a few other women, and an emerging socialist feminist who read radical texts and attended women's conventions, her key concerns became cemented early: the rights of women and equality for all under the law. This is the story of one of New Zealand's most eminent political actors.

Auckland Local Government Panel Discussion Auckland Local Government Panel Discussion - Oct 2021
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 298 visits

Peter Fraser - The Economics of Water Storage - March 2020
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 377 visits
Peter Fraser discusses "The Economic Justification of Infrastructure Projects as an aid to prioritising them in the National interest” – with some emphasis on the experience with some irrigation and roading projects, and business cases’ Peter Fraser "Guerrilla Economist” is currently Senior Associate at Institute for Governance and Policy Studies. His iwi affiliation is to Ngāti Hauiti ki Rangitikei. Over the past 10 yrs his work has focussed on agricultural economics, particularly regarding the dairy industry. He recently completed an independent economic analysis of the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme (proposed for the Central Hawkes' Bay) and other potential water storage projects in the Wairarapa. He also did an analysis the Waimea Community Irrigation Scheme. He is a Principal Advisor at the Earthquake Commission (EQC). He also worked in the Dept. of Labour, the Dept. of Building and Housing, MAF Policy (2007-2010 – dairy industry issues & Fonterra capital structure), Treasury (1997-2000, 2002-2007 – health policy, natural resources). Peter is Chair of Whakauae Research Services (NZ's only iwi owned and mandated public health research provider) and Deputy Chair of the Pacific People's Wellbeing Trust.

Peter Davis - Social democracy in Aotearoa/New Zealand - August 2012 (video)
Created 01/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 276 visits

The Challenge of Eurasia and Multipolarity to American Hegemony-Dr Tim Beal - June 2023
Created 02/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 1241 visits
The United States is fighting a proxy war in western Eurasia – Europe – and soon may be at war with China in the east. The prize is a continuation of American hegemony or its replacement by multipolarity. This talk examines Anglo-American thinking about Eurasia since Mackinder and how this illuminates the current situation. It will also discuss some questions this raises for New Zealand going forward. Some background for the talk including Mackinder's world island theory may be found in this article by Tim Beal published in John Menadue's Australian website 'Pearls and Irritations' https://johnmenadue.com/the- ukraine-war-lessons-for- australia-and-the-asia- pacific/, Dr Tim Beal: Author, Researcher, Educator, Asia specialist Tim Beal is a retired NZ academic who has written extensively on Asia, with a focus on Northeast Asia. He also has an interest in imperialism, again mainly in respect of Asia but recently, also inevitably encompassing Europe

Dealing to Climate Change: Prof Jonathan Boston and climate minister James Shaw - May 2023
Created 02/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 239 visits

Indigeneity, Culture and the UN Sustainable Development Goals - Professor Dominic O’Sullivan - April 2023
Created 02/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 281 visits

Rob Campbell - Getting our health system working better - April 2023
Created 02/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 325 visits
Rob Campbell is the former chair of Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand. His recent sacking has sharpened his commentary on the need for change. He speaks to us about progress in transforming what has been a fragmented system in order to “create a more equitable, accessible, cohesive and people-centred system that will improve the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders”. The new health system has been designed to enable a whole-of-country view to planning and delivering services, helping it to be efficient and consistent everywhere. A healthcare system that is nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored and which will address things like surgical waiting lists. Check out their website for more information here. The government has set out six priorities for the new health system: · The health system will uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi · People and whānau will be supported to stay well and connected to their communities · High-quality specialist and emergency care will be equitable and accessible to all when it is needed · Digital services and technology will provide more care in people’s homes and communities · Our health workforce will be valued and well trained, ensuring we have enough skilled people to meet future needs Rob is a professional director with extensive union, public and private sector governance experience spanning over 40 years. He currently chairs Ara Ake Ltd, NZ Rural Land Company and he is Chancellor of AUT, and is the former chair of the Environmental Protection Authority. In 2017 he was awarded the NZ Shareholders Assoc Beacon Award and the Deloitte NZ Chair of the Year Award in 2017, and then in 2019, awarded the Companion of the NZ Order of Merit and made a Distinguished Alumni of VUW. The session was chaired by Professor Marie Bismark - medical practitioner, health lawyer, researcher and company director.

Inflation and incomes - a long term plan - Craig Renney & Diana Russell - March 2023
Created 02/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 274 visits
The NZ Council of Trade Unions says the root cause of our inflation and cost of living challenge is the lack of a long-term economic plan. The issues New Zealand is facing could be addressed with an Inflation and Incomes Act. Inflation is viewed as a short-term crisis, when in reality, it's a long-term problem associated with New Zealand's present economic model. Economist Craig Renney (in person for this return visit) and policy analyst Diana Russell speak to their proposal on Tuesday 7 March – at 5.30pm at 2/57 Willis Street. Right now the main tool for controlling inflation is increasing the interest rate - that takes money out of working people's pockets disproportionately and increases unemployment - mostly for low income Kiwis. That makes New Zealand's already dire wealth gap worse, and hobbles our long-term economic growth. Every New Zealander is grappling with inflation and the cost of living. We need to be having a new conversation about how we address these issues not just now, but in the long run. We need a new approach that builds greater resilience to inflation and develops a more equitable economy in the process. An Inflation and Incomes Act would create a framework for how New Zealand manages its transition to a longer-term low-inflation environment. It would better marshal our economic development, infrastructure, and public service needs so that we can respond to inevitable economic change. The Act would pave the way for the kinds of investments that we need to tackle inflation in the long-run. Investments in home insulation, electrifying the vehicle fleet, and building the homes we need. Making sure that supply-chains are resilient, and that there is genuine competition in markets. And doing so in a way that manages the cost so that it is simply borne equitably by New Zealanders. Inflation is not a new problem for the poorest in New Zealand. It will continue to be an issue for all Kiwis unless we change how we approach it. We need to look towards alternative measures of curbing inflation that doesn't just call for higher unemployment. Craig Renney - NZCTU economist Diana Russell - NZCTU policy analyst

Young Greens and Young Labour discuss the electoral landscape - Feb 2023
Created 02/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 264 visits
Come and hear Gina Dao-McLay from Young Greens discuss with Josh Trlin of Young Labour how the two parties might collaborate. In Chile the progressive parties formed an electoral bloc to win more support. What does our electoral landscape look like? Dan Harward Jones - one of the founding members of Make it 16 - will chair.

A Left Response to the Cost of Living Crisis - Geoff Bertram & Craig Renney - Nov 2022
Created 02/08/2023 - Papers & Presentations - 305 visits
After decades of low inflation, prices are rising across the global economy, putting growing pressure on households. The Labour Government has responded in various ways – subsiding transport costs and tackling long-running market power issues in the supermarket and construction sectors. But a growing chorus of voices says the only way forward is for unemployment to rise, pushing the burden of the crisis onto workers. What really is driving this crisis? What should we do about it? And how does the government's response to date stack up? Join us to hear from Dr Geoff Bertram on these issues, with CTU economist Craig Renney responding. Dr Geoff Bertram is an economist from the Institute of Governance and Policy Studies at the Victoria University of Wellington, whose research has included investigations into excess profits and anti-competitive practices in New Zealand. Craig Renney is an economist and policy director with the Council of Trade Unions. The session will be chaired by journalist and barrister Ollie Neas.