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Killing the cult of consumerism
“Our Gross National Product…measures everything, except that which makes life worthwhile.” Bobby Kennedy’s famous 1968 speech decried how measures like…
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The process of voting on our voting process
Last week, Justice Minister Andrew Little flagged the possibility of having an MMP referendum at the 2020 election to reconsider…
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Alex on NZ Herald panel discussing the Living Wage
Alex Penk joined the NZ Herald Kiwi Workplace Lunchtime live streamed panel discussion on the Living Wage. You can watch…
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The little things that can change us
Last weekend, my daughter was shrieking in my ear with a mixture of delight and fear as we skimmed across…
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On Common Ground
Illustrations by Anieszka Banks “I could have hit him, I could have hurt him…but something in me said, you know…
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Euthanasia op-ed in Stuff newspapers
After David Seymour stated he would be open to seeing amendments to his End of Life Choice members bill, Alex…
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Learning Support funding should bridge to work
School can be difficult for everyone, but for students with disabilities the difficulties are generally heightened. The Prime Minister acknowledged…
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The Politics of Diving
Soccer goalkeepers sure look spectacular with their acrobatic dives during penalties, but studies show that simply standing in the middle…
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Two-and-a-half cheers for child poverty bill
I was born at the tail-end of Gen X, so I grew up with a pop culture saturated by “fear…
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Shaking off stardust politics
Famously elusive about her political leanings, pop sensation Taylor Swift recently went beyond her usual neutral get-out-and-vote message to endorse…
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MIC 10 | Wasted Efforts? – The realities of recycling and disposal in New Zealand
It’s becoming harder to ignore the long-term effects of our society’s habits of consumer consumption. More and more, New Zealanders…
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Better the ballot box we know
When online banking was first introduced, my Dad was sceptical. He worried there would be problems with security, access, and…
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Flint & Steel Volume 05 | Magazine Launch
“…IN THE BONDS OF LOVE WE MEET.” It’s a phrase most of us have sung with varying degrees of passion,…
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Convenience culture needs to die
About two years ago, I made the decision to refuse takeaway coffee cups. As part of reducing the unnecessary waste…
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2019 Sir John Graham Lecture | Save the Date
OUR 2019 LECTURE DELIVERED BY: Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela Stellenbosch University Friday, 5 July | Pullman Hotel Auckland Currently…
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The collision of research and real life
I’ve never been to Maraenui, but I’ve now had a pretty eye-opening introduction to the Napier suburb. The devastation caused…
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Losing All Blacks nothing to fear
In a surprise move, a group of the top 1 percent of male New Zealand income earners are appealing for…
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Mana in Mahi isn’t your average work-for-the-dole scheme
Translated to “strength in work,” Labour’s Mana in Mahi scheme shows real potential to make a difference in the lives…
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Don’t leave law to the lawyers
One day, a man called John Entick was at home when in walked Nathan Carrington and three other government agents….
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Sir John Graham Lecturer in Weekend Herald
The morning after our 2018 Sir John Graham Lecture, the Weekend Herald ran a piece quoting Dame Sian Elias’ lecture…
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