New Zealand
New Zealand: Outrage over babies taken by the state
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 17 August 2019
The brutal seizure of babies and infants from poor, mostly Maori families, has provoked public protests and outrage in the working class.
US defence secretary, NATO chief visit New Zealand to strengthen military ties
By Tom Peters, 10 August 2019
The visits by US defence secretary Mark Esper and NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg were aimed at incorporating New Zealand further into the military build-up against China, Russia and Iran.
New Zealand: Maori nationalist parties exploit protest against property development
By Tom Peters, 8 August 2019
There is broad support for one of the country’s most significant archaeological sites, but the organisers are promoting illusions in the political establishment and the Maori tribal elites.
Official New Zealand inquiry into Afghan war crimes further exposed as a whitewash
By Alan Johnson and John Braddock, 26 July 2019
The Labour government’s inquiry seeks to clean up the image of the NZ Defence Force for new wars.
New Zealand foreign minister repeats call for increased US role in Pacific
By John Braddock, 25 July 2019
Peters’ speech echoed his earlier appeal for a stronger US-New Zealand military and strategic alliance to counter Beijing.
SEG (New Zealand) holds rally in defence of Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 16 July 2019
The Socialist Equality Group (SEG) rally in Wellington was part of the International Committee of the Fourth International’s campaign to mobilise workers and young people throughout the world to stop Assange’s rendition to the US.
Euthanasia bill before New Zealand parliament
By John Braddock, 13 July 2019
The bill, which would make assisted suicide legal, is sponsored by leader of the far-right ACT party amid a sharpening social crisis.
Protest in New Zealand against US brutality towards refugees
By Tom Peters, 8 July 2019
The July 4 rally outside the US embassy in Wellington demonstrated the growing international outrage at the Trump administration’s concentration camps for migrants and refugees.
New Zealand secondary teachers’ union pushes through sellout
By Tom Peters and John Braddock, 3 July 2019
The deal pushed through by the Post-Primary Teachers’ Association, following a similar sellout by the primary teachers’ union, will only see the crisis in schools worsen.
New Zealand media promote new far-right Christian party
By Tom Peters, 2 July 2019
The media has given extraordinary publicity to Coalition NZ, founded by the fundamentalist Destiny Church, which held an anti-Muslim rally at the site of the Christchurch terrorist attack.
Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) calls rally to demand freedom for Julian Assange
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 25 June 2019
Support the SEG’s rally on Sunday July 14 as part of the international campaign to demand freedom for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
New Zealand neo-Nazi jailed for 21 months for sharing video of mosque shootings
By Tom Peters, 24 June 2019
The trial was a test case for anti-democratic legislation that can and will be used to suppress mounting social opposition from the working class.
Vote no to union sellout of New Zealand teachers! Mobilise the working class against the Ardern Labour government!
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 18 June 2019
Following last month’s historic strike, the primary and secondary teacher unions are seeking to impose a sellout deal and shut down the teachers’ struggle.
Accused Christchurch terrorist in court, trial set for next year
By Tom Peters, 15 June 2019
Three months after New Zealand’s worst-ever mass shooting, public discussion of the political causes of the attack and the role of state agencies is being effectively censored.
New Zealand government extends Iraq and Afghanistan troop deployments
By Tom Peters, 14 June 2019
Contrary to statements by the Greens and pseudo-lefts, the Labour Party-led government is strengthening New Zealand’s alliance with US imperialism.
New Zealand protest opposes persecution of Julian Assange and Australian journalists
By our reporters, 13 June 2019
Tom Peters of the Socialist Equality Group warned that press freedom and democratic rights are “not compatible with endless war and endless attacks on living standards.”
New Zealand: Teacher at impoverished school speaks out against conditions that led to last month’s historic strike
By Tom Peters, 11 June 2019
The WSWS interviewed a New Zealand teacher, who revealed the growing crisis facing severely under-resourced schools in rural towns.
New Zealand secondary teachers’ union cancels industrial action
By Tom Peters, 7 June 2019
There is growing anger over the Labour Party-led government’s refusal to adequately fund education, and the unions’ efforts to isolate teachers.
New Zealand budget delivers billions for the military, starves public services
By Tom Peters, 1 June 2019
The Labour Party-led coalition government’s “well-being budget” deepens the program of austerity and militarism supported by all the parties in parliament.
52,000 teachers strike in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 30 May 2019
The biggest teachers’ strike in the country’s history drew support from many parents and workers who are affected by the worsening social crisis.
Tens of thousands join climate strike in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 29 May 2019
While organisers called for “pressure” to be placed on the parliamentary parties, many students agreed climate change could not be addressed without abolishing capitalism.
New Zealand teachers’ strike: Break from Labour and the unions! Unite the working class against austerity!
By Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 28 May 2019
The nationwide strike by 52,000 primary and secondary teachers points to the intensifying struggle against the Labour Party-led government’s austerity measures.
New Zealand media to censor coverage of Christchurch terrorist’s trial
By Tom Peters, 23 May 2019
Corporate and state media have agreed to self-censorship of Tarrant’s trial in order to obscure the connection between his views and the xenophobia promoted by the ruling class internationally.
New Zealand PM leads global Internet censorship campaign
By Tom Peters, 18 May 2019
New Zealand’s Labour Party-led government is heading international efforts to exploit the Christchurch terrorist attacks to ramp up restrictions on social media.
France hosts “Christchurch call” summit to intensify internet censorship
By Will Morrow, 16 May 2019
Under the banner of fighting terrorism, the social media giants and capitalist states are seeking to censor social media to banish left-wing and anti-war views.
New Zealand government’s promises to combat child poverty exposed
By Chris Ross and Tom Peters, 16 May 2019
The Labour-led government of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is overseeing growing poverty and social inequality.
New Zealand Labour government rules out capital gains tax
By John Braddock, 13 May 2019
Ardern’s capitulation to NZ First leader, Winston Peters, over what was a major election promise, underscores yet again the right-wing character of her government.
Free Assange NZ denounces hypocrisy at World Press Freedom Day event
By Tom Peters, 11 May 2019
Alex Hills from Free Assange New Zealand condemned the British government’s “brazen hypocrisy” and called on the media to “end the smears and lies about an anti-war hero.”
Australian fascist group tried to recruit Christchurch terrorist
By Tom Peters, 8 May 2019
The latest revelation further discredits claims by the Australian and New Zealand governments and police that Tarrant was a lone gunman whose attack could not have been prevented.
The Christchurch terror attack and the promotion of fascism by the ruling elite
By Tom Peters, 8 May 2019
We are publishing here the text of the speech to the 2019 International May Day Online rally delivered by Tom Peters.
New Zealand bus worker dies of stroke after corporate restructure
By our correspondent, 17 April 2019
Wellington bus controller Dmitri Edwards died following a “day from hell,” during which he had to make 85 changes to rosters and schedules.
New Zealand rally demands freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 15 April 2019
Tom Peters from the Socialist Equality Group (NZ) told the rally that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s life will be in danger if he is extradited from Britain to the US.
Australian intelligence chief says no need for “reset” after New Zealand fascist attack
By Mike Head, 13 April 2019
The ASIO director-general’s testimony raises further questions about how the violent plans of an Australian fascist supposedly went unnoticed by the state agencies.
Australian police dismissed death threat by Christchurch terrorist
By Tom Peters, 12 April 2019
The revelation demolishes claims by Australian and New Zealand authorities that the fascist Brenton Tarrant was not “on the radar” of any state agencies.
New Zealand inquiry set to whitewash fascist murders in Christchurch
By John Braddock, 10 April 2019
The royal commission will cover up the promotion of far-right extremism by the political establishment and pave the way for further anti-democratic police powers.
New Zealand fascist killer appears in court
By Hayden Johns, 8 April 2019
The push for Brenton Tarrant not to face terrorism charges is part of efforts to suppress discussion about the political motivations behind the March 15 massacre.
Christchurch terrorist donated to right-wing Austrian Identitarian movement
By Markus Salzmann, 3 April 2019
Clear political and ideological ties exist between the Australian fascist Brenton Tarrant, the Austrian Identitarian movement and the governing Freedom Party.
Christchurch terrorist’s fascist manifesto promotes trade unions
By Hayden Johns, 2 April 2019
The fascist gunman Brenton Tarrant, who killed 50 people at two mosques in New Zealand, advocates the anti-immigrant, nationalist policies of the trade unions.
After fascist attack, New Zealand teacher unions cancel nationwide strike
By John Braddock, 2 April 2019
In a thoroughly anti-democratic decision, primary and secondary teacher unions have used the Christchurch attack as a pretext to call off a major nationwide strike.
Remembrance service held for New Zealand terror attack victims
By Tom Peters, 30 March 2019
The event was used by the NZ and Australian governments to appeal for unity, demand censorship of social media and cover up their role in creating the conditions for the fascist attack.
After fascist attack, New Zealand government enacts gun control measures
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 29 March 2019
The new laws serve to boost the powers of the state, while diverting attention from unanswered questions about the massacre in Christchurch.
New Zealand fascist killer had known Australian far-right links
By Mike Head, 28 March 2019
Despite claims that Tarrant was a “lone wolf” whose murderous plans could not have been detected, he had intimate connections with a fascistic network.
Why was the New Zealand terrorist attack not prevented?
By Tom Peters, 27 March 2019
There are serious unanswered questions about how fascist terrorist Brenton Tarrant was able to prepare and carry out the March 15 attack in Christchurch without any interference from police or intelligence agencies.
New Zealand government bans fascist terrorist Brenton Tarrant’s manifesto
By Tom Peters, 26 March 2019
The decision is a major attack on democratic rights aimed at covering up the political roots of the March 15 terrorist attack and suppressing discussion about the danger of fascism.
After fascist terror attack, New Zealand and Australia stoke tensions with Turkey
By Tom Peters, 25 March 2019
The Australian and New Zealand governments responded furiously to statements by Turkey’s president linking the massacre of Muslims in Christchurch with the Allies’ World War I campaign against the Ottoman Empire.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller delivers Russia probe inquiry report
By Kevin Reed, 23 March 2019
The report to the US Justice Department late Friday brings to a conclusion the 22-month investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections.
Australian PM seeks to cover up political roots of fascist attack in New Zealand
By Mike Head, 23 March 2019
While the events in Christchurch have come as a shock to many working class people, the record shows that the evolution of an Australian fascist is hardly accidental.
Far right attacks on UK Muslims following New Zealand massacre
By Paul Mitchell, 21 March 2019
The attacks were preceded by the claim of Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, head of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing, that “there is no intelligence linking these appalling events in Christchurch to the UK.”
After far-right terror attack, New York Times glorifies New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
By Tom Peters, 21 March 2019
Internationally, the media is covering up the Labour Party-led government’s encouragement of xenophobia and its alliance with the right-wing nationalist, anti-immigrant NZ First Party.
Warnings of New Zealand neo-Nazi attack were ignored
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 20 March 2019
The question must be raised: has the far-right been allowed to operate freely because it enjoys sympathy and support from the police and intelligence agencies in Australia and New Zealand?
Governments and media seek to cover up culpability for fascist attack in New Zealand
By James Cogan, 19 March 2019
Anti-immigrant demagogy has been used by the ruling class internationally to divide the working class and scapegoat migrants for social inequality.
The New Zealand terrorist attack and the international danger of fascism
By Tom Peters, 18 March 2019
The gunman prepared and carried out the terrorist atrocity on behalf of an international network of fascists and white supremacists.
Thousands of New Zealand students join climate change protests
By our reporters, 18 March 2019
Students defied pressure from school principals and the media to join climate strike walkouts on Friday in cities across New Zealand.
Fascist terrorists murder 49 in Christchurch, New Zealand
By Tom Peters and John Braddock, 16 March 2019
The attack is the outcome of the rise of far-right, fascistic networks that have developed around the world, with the collusion of the state apparatus.
Crucial evidence from New Zealand mine disaster missing
By Tom Peters, 13 March 2019
No one has been held accountable for blatant safety violations which led to the Pike River Coal mine explosion in 2010 that killed 29 men.
New Zealand foreign minister visits Fiji to strengthen military ties
By John Braddock, 6 March 2019
The Labour-led government’s boost to the Fijian military is part of a Pacific Reset strategy to reassert its imperialist interests as part of the US-led confrontation with China.
China retaliates over New Zealand government’s Huawei ban
By John Braddock, 22 February 2019
The retaliation by Beijing has revealed divisions over how to maintain business ties with China while strengthening NZ’s alliance with US imperialism.
Striking midwives rally outside New Zealand parliament
By Tom Peters, 20 February 2019
Midwives, doctors and other health workers face a common fight but their strikes are being divided and isolated by the union bureaucracy.
New Zealand housing crisis intensifies under Labour government
By John Braddock, 15 February 2019
The Labour government’s KiwiBuild scheme to address the deepening housing crisis has seen just 47 of 1,000 new homes promised by July completed.
New Zealand government expands police training in schools
By Tom Peters, 14 February 2019
The Police Studies course is being increased as part of the Labour-led government’s policy of boosting police recruitment, instilling discipline, and controlling the increasingly restive working class.
New Zealand doctors, midwives strike
By our reporters, 13 February 2019
All health workers face the same political struggle against the Labour-led government, which is imposing the austerity agenda demanded by big business.
New Zealand health unions suppress struggles against Labour government
By John Braddock, 6 February 2019
Thousands of health workers are facing a political struggle against the Labour-led government, which is imposing the deep austerity measures demanded by big business.
Second nationwide strike by New Zealand doctors
By our reporters, 30 January 2019
The WSWS spoke to doctors and their supporters outside Wellington Hospital as more than 3,300 held their second two-day nationwide strike this year.
New Zealand doctors to hold second nationwide strike
By Tom Peters, 28 January 2019
Some 3,300 doctors will strike in public hospitals for the second time this year in opposition to major attacks on working conditions overseen by the Labour Party-led government.
New Zealand Labour government entrenches anti-worker measures
By John Braddock, 23 January 2019
The plummeting social position of the working class is an indictment of the Labour-led government and the trade unions.
New Zealand doctors prepare nationwide strike
By Tom Peters, 14 January 2019
Some 3,300 doctors will join the strike in opposition to deepening attacks on working conditions in public hospitals under the Labour Party-led government.
New Zealand’s public healthcare crisis worsens
By Tom Peters, 9 January 2019
Reports that thousands of people are being denied hospital treatment expose the fraud of the Labour-led government’s promises to improve the public health system.
Social crisis worsens under New Zealand Labour Party-led government
By Tom Peters, 28 December 2018
The promises of the ruling Labour Party-NZ First-Greens coalition to address poverty and inequality have been exposed as a fraud.
New Zealand government calls for greater US military presence in the Pacific
By Tom Peters, 24 December 2018
The Labour Party-led government’s call for a stronger American military presence in the Pacific region flows from New Zealand’s integration into US war plans against China.
David North addresses New Zealand meeting celebrating 80 years of the Fourth International
By our reporters, 11 December 2018
David North spoke to the meeting in Wellington about the history of the Fourth International, the lessons of the rise of fascism in the 1930s, and the political and theoretical basis for building a socialist leadership in the working class.
New Zealand teachers’ struggle at a crossroads
By Tom Peters, 1 December 2018
Teachers are determined to fight, but the unions are attempting to suppress their struggle by promoting illusions in the Labour-led government.
Intensifying US pressure on New Zealand government over China
By John Braddock, 29 November 2018
The Labour-led coalition is moving toward closer alignment with Washington’s anti-China offensive.
205 Announcement of DN appearances in Australia and NZ
28 November 2018
Anti-Chinese campaign escalates in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 17 November 2018
The media and the Labour Party-led government have painted Chinese investment in the Pacific as a threat to New Zealand.
New Zealand rail union enforces another pro-company pay deal
By our correspondent, 10 November 2018
In 2016, the Labour Party-dominated Greater Wellington Regional Council privatised the region's commuter rail service, to save $NZ100 million over 15 years at the expense of jobs, wages and conditions.
New Zealand: Bus union ends Wellington strike
By Tom Peters, 3 November 2018
The transport unions have sought to divide and demoralise workers and subordinate them to the Labour Party-led government.
New Zealand teachers’ union moves to call off strikes
By John Braddock, 31 October 2018
In order to quash rolling strikes due next month, the primary teachers’ union has joined with the Ministry of Education to seek urgent facilitation to end a long-running pay dispute.
New Zealand opposition tries to shut down scandal over alleged links to Chinese businessman
By Tom Peters, 26 October 2018
Allegations that the National Party failed to disclose a donation from a Chinese businessman have sparked calls for a crackdown on “Chinese influence” from supporters of closer alignment with US imperialism.
New Zealand military covered up killing of Afghan children
By Tom Peters, 23 October 2018
A recent article by journalist Nicky Hager revealed that an elite medic in the SAS combat unit was given a medal after killing two Afghan boys in a firefight.
New Zealand opposition in crisis over links to Chinese businessman
By Tom Peters, 20 October 2018
Allegations that the National Party leader failed to disclose a donation have been seized on by the media and NZ First Party to ramp up the nationalist anti-China campaign.
New Zealand rail union promotes sellout at Wellington meeting
By our reporter, 19 October 2018
Wellington rail workers employed by Transdev and Hyundai Rotem held stopwork meetings called by the Rail and Maritime Transport Union to ratify yet another pro-company agreement.
Meetings in Australia and New Zealand to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Fourth International
19 October 2018
The meetings will take place in Sydney on Sunday, December 2, in Melbourne on Thursday, December 6, and in Wellington, New Zealand on Sunday, December 9.
New Zealand to fine travellers who refuse to unlock electronic devices at border
By Tom Peters, 15 October 2018
Under a new law, anyone entering New Zealand can be fined $5,000 for refusing to provide passwords and encryption keys, enabling Customs agents to search their electronic devices.
US ambassador to New Zealand continues public attacks on China
By Tom Peters, 12 October 2018
Scott Brown, the ambassador appointed by Trump, is escalating the anti-Chinese campaign in New Zealand to align the country more closely with US war preparations.
New Zealand government bans “foreigners” from buying houses
By Sam Price, 11 October 2018
The scapegoating of immigrants is an attempt to divert attention from the Labour Party-led government’s refusal to address the housing crisis.
New Zealand prime minister’s false facade of “hope” and “kindness”
By John Braddock, 9 October 2018
Ardern’s platitudinous speech to the UN general assembly was aimed at covering up her Labour-led government’s agenda of austerity and militarism.
New Zealand: Wellington bus drivers vote for indefinite strike
By our correspondent, 4 October 2018
Drivers threaten to walk out against attacks on wages, jobs and conditions.
New Zealand education riven by class inequality
By John Braddock, 2 October 2018
The New Zealand Herald’s investigation found that only one in 100 entrants to top university courses over a five-year period were students from the poorest schools.
New Zealand primary teachers reject sellout pay offer
By Tom Peters, 29 September 2018
The Labour Party-NZ First government’s offer of a meagre 3 percent per year for three years, with no measures to address the staffing crisis, was resoundingly rejected by primary school teachers.
New Zealand government extends troop deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan
By Tom Peters, 21 September 2018
The announcement that troops will remain in Iraq and Afghanistan further demolishes claims that the NZ Labour Party-NZ First-Greens coalition government is a “progressive” alternative.
New Zealand primary teachers’ union presents sellout offer
By Tom Peters and Sam Price, 17 September 2018
The Labour government’s proposal does not begin to address stagnant wages and the staffing crisis afflicting schools.
New Zealand: Unite union applauds ban on migrant workers at Burger King
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 15 September 2018
In a reactionary, nationalist statement the union lauded a decision that will punish immigrant fast food workers by cutting off their employment.
Chelsea Manning speaks in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 13 September 2018
After being denied entry to Australia, Manning spoke to audiences in New Zealand about her decision to leak US military documents, her time in prison and her political activism over the past year.
Following strike wave, New Zealand prime minister appeases the corporate elite
By John Braddock, 8 September 2018
Ardern’s move to reassure business is in response to the leftward shift in the working class.
Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) forum reviews lessons of nursing union sellout
By our reporter, 7 September 2018
Participants discussed the need for health workers to rebel against the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, build rank-and-file committees and unite with workers internationally, based on a socialist perspective.
US ambassador praises New Zealand’s Pacific “reset”
By John Braddock, 30 August 2018
Brown’s comments are an enthusiastic endorsement of Labour’s strengthening of New Zealand’s support for Washington’s drive to war against both China and Russia.
National Party seeks to prevent Chelsea Manning from entering New Zealand
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 30 August 2018
The National Party’s attempt to bar Manning, who exposed war crimes committed by the US, is part of a worldwide assault on free speech and other democratic rights.
Auckland nurse denounces union’s sellout deal in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 29 August 2018
A nurses’ union member spoke with the WSWS over worsening conditions at the South Auckland hospital and the growing anger of health workers over the union’s betrayal.
New Zealand transport workers’ jobs and conditions under attack
By our correspondents, 25 August 2018
Rail and bus workers face a sustained assault by companies hired by the Greater Wellington Regional Council to run passenger services.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation lashes out at critics on social media
By Tom Peters, 24 August 2018
The union posted an inflammatory statement on Facebook aimed at intimidating opposition to its sellout of health workers.
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