New Zealand
Late New Zealand PM Mike Moore lauded as a “working-class hero”
By John Braddock, 4 March 2020
Moore’s glorification reflects concerns in ruling circles over widespread popular alienation from the Labour Party and the entire parliamentary set-up.
Coronavirus accelerates job cutting in New Zealand
By Chris Ross and Tom Peters, 2 March 2020
As the world economy slows and the COVID-19 virus disrupts travel and supply chains, New Zealand workers are being laid off in a range of industries.
New Zealand: Pseudo-left ISO promotes illusions in right-wing Labour-led government
By Tom Peters, 27 February 2020
Despite two-and-a-half years of worsening social inequality, stronger police-state measures, and deepening ties with US imperialism, the pseudo-left ISO claims that the Labour Party-led government can change course and “help the working class.”
SEG (New Zealand) rally in Wellington demands freedom for Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 26 February 2020
Speakers denounced the persecution of the WikiLeaks founder and the whistleblower, Chelsea Manning, who are both in prison and being psychologically tortured for revealing US war crimes.
Support grows for New Zealand rallies to free Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By Tom Peters, 18 February 2020
The Socialist Equality Group (NZ) is holding a rally in Wellington on Sunday February 23 as part of worldwide demonstrations in defence of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
New Zealand’s Waitangi Day promotes nationalism and militarism
By Tom Peters, 13 February 2020
New Zealand’s national day was marked with the opening of a museum to glorify Maori participation and “sacrifice” for imperialism in World War II.
Thousands of students affected by New Zealand’s anti-Chinese travel ban
By Tom Peters, 11 February 2020
A student who spoke to the WSWS described the travel ban, ostensibly aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus, as a “dream come true” for the NZ First Party and other right-wing nationalists.
New Zealand’s coronavirus travel ban stokes tensions with China
By Tom Peters, 6 February 2020
The Labour Party-led government’s decision to suspend inbound travel from China is a nationalist move that is stoking tensions with China.
Take up the fight for international socialism! Join the IYSSE!
the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (Australia), 5 February 2020
One month into 2020, the crisis of capitalism threatens youth with the danger of nuclear war, authoritarianism, climate catastrophe and worsening inequality. International socialism is the answer.
The right-wing record of Jacinda Ardern’s government in New Zealand
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 3 February 2020
Labour’s decision to give the anti-immigrant NZ First Party a central role in government signalled a further shift towards nationalism and war preparations.
Paralysed woman faces life-threatening deportation from New Zealand to Tonga
By Harry Hall and Tom Peters, 31 January 2020
Paraplegic woman Taipaleti Vaeatangitau is due to be deported with her family at the end of the month, despite doctors warning she could die in Tonga.
Fascistic New Zealand soldier charged with disclosing military information
By Tom Peters, 25 January 2020
The soldier was a leading member of the Dominion Movement, which espoused the same fascist ideology as the Christchurch terrorist who killed 51 people in March 2019.
Indian midday-meal workers strike for higher wages; Australian rail workers strike again
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
25 January 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
New Zealand Greens support military build-up
By Tom Peters, 23 January 2020
The Green Party, part of the Labour-led government, is backing $20 billion in military upgrades and increased army recruitment, purportedly because it will help address the impact of climate change.
New Zealand fascist group targets Chinese-born MP
By Tom Peters, 16 January 2020
Action Zealandia, whose website resembles the Christchurch terrorist’s manifesto, placed racist posters on National Party MP Jian Yang’s office.
New Zealand’s Daily Blog demands anti-immigrant measures against “Australians fleeing climate change”
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 15 January 2020
The trade union-funded blog, which supports the Labour-led government, calls for a major increase in military spending to turn New Zealand into a “fortress” against immigrants.
New Zealand government backs US provocations against Iran
By Tom Peters, 10 January 2020
New Zealand’s Labour Party-led government has backed the US assassination of Iranian military leader Qassem Suleimani and refused to withdraw NZ troops from Iraq.
New Zealand soldier linked to fascist groups arrested
By Tom Peters, 8 January 2020
The arrested soldier was initially questioned following the Christchurch terrorist attack in March 2019, in which a fascist gunman killed 51 people.
New Zealand union shuts down bus drivers’ strike, scapegoats migrants for low wages
By Tom Peters, 6 January 2020
FIRST Union called off a partial stoppage by around 800 low-paid Auckland bus drivers without any resolution, then denounced NZ Bus for employing migrants.
New Zealand Police fatally shoot man in rural town
By Chris Ross, 24 December 2019
Increased police shootings in New Zealand are occurring under conditions of increased militarisation of the police by the Labour-NZ First-Greens government.
Will tourism companies be held accountable over New Zealand volcano disaster?
By Tom Peters, 18 December 2019
An investigation by government regulator WorkSafe into the eruption, which killed more than 16 people, could take a year.
New Zealand: Warnings about danger of White Island eruption were ignored
By Tom Peters, 13 December 2019
There is growing anger among relatives of those killed and injured that warnings of a volcanic eruption were ignored by tourism companies and government regulators.
Growing poverty and inequality in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 11 December 2019
Despite the Labour Party’s promises, poverty, housing unaffordability and food insecurity have increased significantly in the past two years.
Multiple deaths from New Zealand volcanic eruption
By Tom Peters, 10 December 2019
Tourism companies have carried out highly profitable operations on White Island, despite the known risk of a volcanic eruption.
Samoa: Death toll mounts in devastating measles epidemic
By Tom Peters, 3 December 2019
The entirely preventable outbreak, which has killed 55 people, is an indictment of the governments of Samoa and also New Zealand, where the outbreak originated.
Indian auto parts workers demand union rights; Bangladesh cargo workers on indefinite strike; French Polynesia hotel workers expand walkout
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
30 November 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
New Zealand military’s unexploded bombs killed Afghan civilians
By Tom Peters, 22 November 2019
Seven children were among 17 civilians killed or injured from unexploded bombs at New Zealand’s firing ranges in Bamyan, Afghanistan.
New Zealand police introduce new armed units
By Tom Peters, 16 November 2019
The Labour Party-led government is exploiting the Christchurch terrorist attack to further arm the police and increase their anti-democratic powers.
Indian Honda contract workers still on strike; West Bengal teachers demand pay rise; maintenance workers take industrial action at Australian paper mill
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
16 November 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
New Zealand cabinet minister echoes fascist gunman’s manifesto
By John Braddock, 14 November 2019
The NZ First MP’s calculated rant, with its fixation on “birth rates” and scare-mongering over “legions” of immigrants, mirror the Christchurch terrorist’s fascist screed.
Measles epidemic spreads from New Zealand to Pacific Islands
By John Braddock, 9 November 2019
Scientists had been warning of the danger of an outbreak, but requests for a campaign to plug immunisation gaps were ignored.
New Zealand military to expand Pacific presence
By John Braddock, 8 November 2019
The new Defence Paper extends the military’s engagement in the region in line with Washington’s war drive against China.
New Zealand Labour-led government extends draconian anti-terror laws
By John Braddock, 7 November 2019
The new legislation, which proposes new control orders for people trying to return home after allegedly supporting extremist groups overseas, vastly expands existing anti-terror laws.
New Zealand: Anti-China propagandist Anne-Marie Brady speaks at Victoria University of Wellington
By Tom Peters, 2 November 2019
Brady is demanding a full-scale witch hunt against Chinese “interference” in order to align New Zealand even more closely with US war preparations.
New Zealand defence chief admits Afghan civilian death
By John Braddock, 28 October 2019
The admission to the Operation Burnham inquiry was the first by the Defence Force, which has repeatedly covered up the truth about the 2010 SAS raid.
New Zealand: Fire engulfs $800 million Auckland construction site
By Tom Peters, 24 October 2019
A fire that has devastated Auckland’s $700 million SkyCity Convention Centre construction site will have a significant economic impact.
New Zealand government introduces class-based immigration restrictions
By Tom Peters, 22 October 2019
The Labour Party-led government has imposed draconian restrictions to prevent working class immigrants from bringing their parents to join them in New Zealand.
Sexual assault scandal shakes New Zealand government
By Tom Peters, 18 October 2019
The Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, last month came under attack in the media over unproven and anonymous allegations of sexual assault by a senior staff member.
New Zealand housing crisis worsens under Labour government
By John Braddock, 16 October 2019
Landlords and property speculators have exploited the housing crisis and the Labour government’s pro-business policies.
Protest in New Zealand six months after Assange’s arrest
By our reporters, 14 October 2019
The Socialist Equality Group’s Tom Peters denounced the New Zealand government’s support for US imperialism and the persecution of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
New Zealand: Unexplained death at university hall of residence
By John Braddock, 3 October 2019
While stresses on students are escalating, privately-run residential halls maintain profits by cost-cutting and slashing pastoral care.
Crisis of unmet need in New Zealand’s health system
By Harry Hall, 2 October 2019
Thousands of people are being denied surgery and treatment for cancer, endometriosis, mental health and other conditions, due to chronic understaffing and under-resourcing.
New Zealand PM promotes internet censorship at UN
By Tom Peters, 30 September 2019
Jacinda Ardern met with world leaders and tech companies to promote a new “crisis response protocol” to rapidly remove online content deemed “extremist.”
170,000 join climate change protests in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 28 September 2019
School students were joined by tens of thousands of workers and university students to demand action to prevent catastrophic climate change.
New Zealand opposition National Party attacked over relations with China
By John Braddock, 14 September 2019
The campaign by the Labour Party-led government and its supporters against “Chinese influence” is part of escalating preparations for a US-led war in the Pacific.
New Zealand police destroyed Pike River mine disaster evidence
By Tom Peters, 13 September 2019
The latest revelations are further evidence of a cover-up designed to protect Pike River Coal’s management from prosecution for the 2010 disaster that killed 29 people.
“Horrendous” increase in New Zealand suicide rates
By John Braddock, 9 September 2019
As social conditions deteriorate, suicide deaths reached 685 last year, the highest number since records began.
Official report exposes dire conditions in New Zealand prisons
By John Braddock, 6 September 2019
The prison population has risen for 30 years, ever since the “pro-market” program launched by David Lange’s 1984–1990 Labour government.
A year after sellout deal
Crisis erupts in New Zealand Nurses Organisation
By Tom Peters, 5 September 2019
Both factions of the NZNO leadership are complicit in imposing a rotten deal in 2018 that entrenched low wages and a staffing shortage in hospitals.
New Zealand economic forecast: “Things could turn ugly”
By John Braddock, 29 August 2019
The US-China trade war, slowing growth in New Zealand’s export markets, and dampened business investment are key issues facing the local economy as the global recession looms.
Tongan government threatens to block access to Facebook
By Tom Peters, 27 August 2019
The threat to ban Facebook follows intense criticism on social media of Tonga’s royal family, and growing popular anger over social inequality.
New Zealand government exploits Christchurch shooter’s letter to push for censorship of prisoners
By Tom Peters, 22 August 2019
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern seized on the publication of a letter by Brenton Tarrant to demand all prisoners’ letters containing “hate speech” be blocked.
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.”
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