Kiwi’s call for an end to Cuba being sanctioned by US

Two prominent progressive commentators in Aotearoa have joined the worldwide call for taking Cuba off the US government’s list of countries subject to economic sanctions. Former Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs Matt Robson issued the following statement which calls on the NZ government to support the removal of Cuba from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism List. He urged New Zealand to front-foot international opposition … Continue reading Kiwi’s call for an end to Cuba being sanctioned by US

Mike TreenJune 9, 2024June 9, 2024

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

Mike TreenMay 8, 2024May 8, 2024

Local News, Mike Treen

The last major strike in the NZ motor industry at Ford-Mazda 1990

By Mike Treen, retired union advocate. In May 1990, a month-long strike occurred at Ford and Mazda owned Vehicle Assembly NZ (VANZ) plant in Manukau City. I was working at the plant at the time and became an active participant in the delegates group. A record of that dispute was prepared by me following the strike. I published it as a booklet at the time … Continue reading The last major strike in the NZ motor industry at Ford-Mazda 1990

Mike TreenMay 2, 2024May 2, 2024

Local News, Opinion

Cuba and New Zealand: a relationship worthy of strengthening by Ian Powell

Ian Powell, the author of this blog is a leading left commentator in Aotearoa. He has a particular expertise on health matters through working for an important health union for several decades. The blog is reprinted from his blogsite Political Bytes and you can subscribe to it there. A list of progressive websites available in Aotearoa is provided at the top of this page under … Continue reading Cuba and New Zealand: a relationship worthy of strengthening by Ian Powell

Mike TreenMay 1, 2024May 1, 2024

Events, Local News

Message from author James Robb on book launch for biography of Harry Holland on Monday in Auckland

Hi friends, Just a quick reminder that the book launch for To Free The World – Harry Holland and the rise of the labour movement in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific is on Monday (details on attached leaflet) This also means that if you can’t make it to the event, but would like to order the book from the publisher, there is only one … Continue reading Message from author James Robb on book launch for biography of Harry Holland on Monday in Auckland

Mike TreenApril 27, 2024April 30, 2024

Local News, Mike Treen

Data 3: Prices are still rising – it’s a cost of living crisis

By Mike Treen, Retired Union Advocate New Zealand’s consumers price index increased 4 per cent in the 12 months to the March 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ April 17. This was higher than the Reserve Bank prediction of 3.8%. The 4 per cent increase follows a 4.7 per cent increase in the 12 months to the December 2023 quarter. ”Price increases … Continue reading Data 3: Prices are still rising – it’s a cost of living crisis

Mike TreenApril 18, 2024April 30, 2024

Local News, Mike Treen

Data 2: Why we are officially in recession

By Mike Treen, Retired Union Advocate The economy of New Zealand is officially in recession. New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 0.1 percent during the October-December period, following a 0.3 percent contraction in the third quarter, according to the Statistics Department, a government agency. (see https://tradingeconomics.com/new-zealand/gdp-growth). Economists traditionally define a recession as two consecutive quarters of negative growth. On a per capita basis, … Continue reading Data 2: Why we are officially in recession

Mike TreenApril 13, 2024April 30, 2024

Local News, Mike Treen

Data 1 – benefits are being cut in value in real terms – but why?

By Mike Treen, retired union advocate The real value of benefits is being cut by switching the calculation of annual changes from the movement of the average wage to the Consumer Price Index. The CPI has traditionally been a lower number. Benefits had been switched back to the average wage movement only as recently as 2020 after being tied to the CPI in 1990. That … Continue reading Data 1 – benefits are being cut in value in real terms – but why?

Mike TreenApril 4, 2024April 30, 2024

Local News