Category: Contributors

Contributors, Local News, Mike Treen, Opinion

New Zealand’s imperialist role from the Boer War to today

Introduction by Mike Treen GPJA editor The attached PDF document is meant as a resource for what is often the hidden, horrific role that the New Zealand military has played in enforcing the world imperialist system. Given New Zealand’s size, this usually means that our rulers ally themselves with a larger imperial power, first Britain and latterly the USA. The system that is being enforced … Continue reading New Zealand’s imperialist role from the Boer War to today

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Local News, Mike Treen

Anzac Day: Remembering the futility of wars for empire!

By Mike Treen Anzac Day is important to remember because of the utter futility of being part of an imperialist military alliance. New Zealand casualties in that war, killed or wounded, were 58%. That is equal to one-quarter of the adult male population. Our death rate of those who served at 16.6% was higher than that suffered by Germany! “The total number of New Zealand … Continue reading Anzac Day: Remembering the futility of wars for empire!

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Events, Mike Treen

Come to Mike Treen’s 70th birthday to celebrate a life of struggle. 4pm, April 5, Auckland Trades Hall

Hi All, I may be being a bit self-indulgent but I plan to collectively celebrate my 70th birthday from 4pm on April 5 at the Auckland Trades Hall. 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland. I want to celebrate 55 years of struggle for a better world (and SIS spying) because that struggle is ongoing and in many ways becoming more urgent. And there have … Continue reading Come to Mike Treen’s 70th birthday to celebrate a life of struggle. 4pm, April 5, Auckland Trades Hall

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Mike Treen, Petition

To: The New Zealand Government – End the US Blockade of Cuba

On December 20, the world witnessed large and determined demonstrations across Cuba, where the Cuban people came together to demand justice and dignity in the face of ongoing hardships. These hardships are exacerbated by the decades-long economic blockade imposed by the United States, a policy that restricts Cuba’s access to essential goods, financial resources, and international trade opportunities. The blockade is not just an economic … Continue reading To: The New Zealand Government – End the US Blockade of Cuba

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Contributors, Local News

Why we must oppose the Foreign Interference Legislation by Maire Leadbeater

By Maire Leadbeater Author of The Enemy Within In the draft “Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill” it is proposed to criminalise improper conduct for or on behalf of a foreign power. This offence criminalises the act of “foreign interference”. To commit the offence, a person must be doing an activity for a foreign state, and the person’s actions must include all three of the … Continue reading Why we must oppose the Foreign Interference Legislation by Maire Leadbeater

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Contributors, Events, Mike Treen

“The Enemy Within” by Mare Leadbeater book launch Nov 9

Kiwi woman watched by security services for most of her lifeSpy movies are one thing, but state surveillance for this Kiwi activist has been all too real. The file on Maire Leadbeater was opened by the security services before she was even a teenager. Now, the veteran activist has written about the history of state surveillance in Aotearoa — and on her own family connections … Continue reading “The Enemy Within” by Mare Leadbeater book launch Nov 9

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Contributors, Global News, Mike Treen

The inflation blame game and Marx’s crisis theory

Speech by Mike Treen, retired union advocate, given at Ecosocialism 2023 in Melborne, Australia Inflation is back worldwide, and with it the blame game. So what is the truth behind the claims and counterclaims being made? First, a little background. An impending worldwide recession in late 2019, foreshadowed by a freeze in the US repo markets, led the US Federal Reserve to embark on a … Continue reading The inflation blame game and Marx’s crisis theory

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Contributors, Local News, Mike Treen

McDonald’s to pay back millions in stolen pay to workers – worth celebrating

By Mike Treen, Retired Union Advocate I want to celebrate the recent decision by McDonald’s to begin repaying tens of thousands of current and previous employees for what I characterised as “wage theft” when I was the union representative dealing with that company. On its website this week, the company said it had been approved by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to … Continue reading McDonald’s to pay back millions in stolen pay to workers – worth celebrating

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Contributors, Local News, Mike Treen, Opinion

Roger Douglas continues lying to defend failed policies

What is the truth of recent claims in Spinoff by Roger Douglas, the Minister of Finance from 1984-88 in the Labour Government of that time, that the free-market revolution that he helped implement was necessary and proven successful in getting the economy to compete more effectively in the world? He argued in Spinoff that New Zealand reaped a harvest in terms of increased productivity in … Continue reading Roger Douglas continues lying to defend failed policies

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Contributors, Local News, Mike Treen

Data 4 – The Minumum Wage, MPs salaries, wealth & inequality

By Mike Treen, retired union advocate Members of parliament are to get a 10.5% pay rise over the next three years. Backbench MPs go from $163,961 to 181,200 in July 2026. This is broadly in line with inflation so it may not seem out of place. The problem is that MPs used to get a salary in line with other skilled workers. Today they are … Continue reading Data 4 – The Minumum Wage, MPs salaries, wealth & inequality

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