Although Iwi corporations are large operations that have growing economic and political power they are not very transparent. PLUS: 2011 election policies | Infrastructure funding
One of the great-unexamined social, economic and political phenomena of post-1984 New Zealand is the growing importance of iwi, following on from state-sanctioned involvement in Treaty processes and biculturalism.
There has been some attention paid to political and economic power of these modern ‘neo-tribal corporations’ by individuals such as Prof Elizabeth Rata at Auckland University, the late Bruce Jesson, and Maori radical Annette Sykes, but within the mainstream media, there are few attempts to understand how significant these organisations are.
Even the Iwi Leadership Group, a very modern political outcome of iwi power passes by largely unexamined, despite its crucial role in modern state-Maori politics, and it’s close relationship with the Maori Party. Therefore, John McCrone’s Press investigation, Ngai Tahu's legacy set to grow is well worth reading today. He argues that although Iwi corporations are large operations that have growing economic and political power they are not very transparent.
Sticking with Maori politics, both Willie Jackson and Rawiri Taonui have dealt with the proposed Mana Party deal with the Maori Party – see: Time for a deal to lock out Labour and Hone stares down panicking opposition (not currently online, but in the Sunday Star Times). Jackson says the deal is important, and Taonui disagrees. Either way, it seems that Maori Party is in trouble.
While this year’s election campaign looks likely to be fairly dull in terms of actual policy, Vernon Small speculates that this could change Capital gains speculation over Labour tax policy; and Mike Williams argues that National’s partial-privatisation plans will be central – see: The elephant in National’s room: Privatisation. Either way, both policies are likely to be the main points of attack for Labour and National against each other in the election.
Two other viewpoints worth reading in the Dom Post are Tom Fitzsimons’s article, When one moment on the lips becomes a monumental blip (not online) and Karl Du Fresne column, Moral outrage fans the spread of acute sensitivity disorder. Both items question if Thompson’s comments have been blown out of proportion.
Yet more likely, Thompson’s comments have simply acted as a trigger event for debate and change on issues that are important but don’t get much attention from media obsessed with conflict you can see on the TV. Of course trade unions have been running campaigns for years on it without much media attention. Thompson has proved to be their greatest ally in getting it on top of the public agenda.
Today’s content:
Pay equity
Derek Cheng (NZH): Key shies from wage equity bill
Radiolive: Govt unlikely to support equal pay bill
Derek Cheng (NZH): Tactics stymie work on bills
Tom Fitzsimons (Dom Post): When one moment on the lips becomes a monumental blip [Not currently online]
Karl Du Fresne (Dom Post) Moral outrage fans the spread of acute sensitivity disorder
No Right Turn: Closing the gender pay gap
Waitangi Claims
Colin James (ODT): WAI262: the Treaty after grievances are settled
Frances Morton (NZH): Right to veto culture and fauna for Maori
John McCrone (Press): Ngai Tahu's legacy set to grow
2011 election policies
Vernon Small (Stuff): Capital gains speculation over Labour tax policy
TV3: Labour tight-lipped over tax policy
Mike Williams (Pundit): The elephant in National’s room: Privatisation
Infrastructure funding
Andrea Vance (Stuff): Govt unveils $17b of spending
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5231072/Govt-unveils-17b-of-spending
Lloyd Burr (TV3): Infrastructure plan ‘nothing new’, say Labour, Greens
http://www.3news.co.nz/Infrastructure-plan-nothing-new-say-Labour-Greens/tabid/419/articleID/217594/Default.aspx
RNZ: Stronger infrastructure will carry a cost – minister
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/79142/stonger-infrastructure-will-carry-a-cost-minister
Felix Marwick and Anna Cross (Newstalk ZB): No immediate plans to use tolls
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=199851
Adolf Stroombergen (Dom Post): Highways pave way to economic gain
[Not currently online]
Matthew Dearnaley (NZH): Govt undermining city rail plans - Lee
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10736350
Economic outlook
RNZ: Economy on the mend, says Treasury
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/79172/economy-on-the-mend,-says-treasury
Conor English (Dom Post): Our attitude, whether towards children or wealth creators, is key
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/5227182/Our-attitude-whether-towards-children-or-wealth-creators-is-key
Colin James (Management magazine): International is mainstream now
http://www.colinjames.co.nz/management/Management_column_11Jul.htm
Maori politics
Willie Jackson (Stuff): Time for a deal to lock out Labour
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/opinion/willie-jackson/5218769/Opinion-Time-for-a-deal-to-lock-out-Labour
Rawiri Taonui (SST): Hone stares down panicking opposition
[Not currently online]
Yvonne Tahana (NZH): Destiny wife bumped off poll papers
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10736356
Morgan Godfery (Maui Street): Maori Women’s Welfare League Strike Back
http://mauistreet.blogspot.com/2011/07/maori-womens-welfare-league-strike-back.html
NZ in Afghanistan
Goff: Govt misleading public over friendly fire
http://www.3news.co.nz/Goff-Govt-misleading-public-over-friendly-fire/tabid/423/articleID/217549/Default.aspx
Danya Levy (Stuff): Probe into SAS soldiers’ injuries
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5233273/Probe-into-SAS-soldiers-injuries
Ally Mullord (TV3): ‘Friendly fire’ won’t affect troop withdrawls – Key
http://www.3news.co.nz/Friendly-fire-wont-affect-troop-withdrawals---Key/tabid/423/articleID/217565/Default.aspx
Other
Sue Bradford (Pundit): Happy Feet vs Feet on Street
Editorial (NZH): ACC’s image still tarnished despite review
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10736357
Michael Dickison (NZH): Police go to the experts for hints on Cup protest
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10736384
Winston Peters (Bay of Plenty Times): Voters need facts, not bigotry
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/have-your-say/news/winston-peters-voters-need-facts-not-bigotry/3958006/
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): Political Report for July 5
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=199813
RNZ: Nicolson still considering political options
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/79170/nicolson-still-considering-political-options
Jon Morgan (Stuff): New leaders would do well to heed McKenzie
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion/5234091/New-leaders-would-do-well-to-heed-McKenzie
Danya Levy (Stuff): Mixed messages on Pike miner recovery
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pike-river-mine-disaster/5233725/Mixed-messages-on-Pike-miner-recovery
Paul Gorman (Press): Post-quake deal divides councillors
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/5226517/Post-quake-deal-divides-councillors
NZPA: Tobacco giants can’t sue the Government – Key
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10736380
Dom Post Editorial: Hear the tobacco firms squeal
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/5222078/Editorial-Hear-the-tobacco-firms-squeal
Steve Braunias (Southland Times): Secret diary of Ian Wishart
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/columns/5222391/Secret-diary-of-Ian-Wishart
TV3: ACT bill threatens university radio station
http://www.3news.co.nz/ACT-bill-threatens-university-radio-station/tabid/423/articleID/217510/Default.aspx
Pat Booth (Stuff): Appointment just seems so UN-likely
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/opinion/off-pat/5211394/Opinion-Appointment-just-seems-so-UN-likely
Nick Smith (Press): Govt’s blue-green policies deliver
[Not currently online]
Dom Post: Political briefs – Tuesday, July 5
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5231836/Politics-briefs-Tuesday-July-5
Bryce Edwards is a lecturer with the Department of Politics at the University of Otago. He blogs at Liberation.org.nz.
