New Zealand
Ongoing job cutting in New Zealand
By Chris Ross, 2 September 2016
Attacks on jobs, wages and conditions are intensifying, with the collaboration of the trade unions.
New Zealand unions intensify anti-immigrant campaign
By John Braddock, 30 August 2016
The Unite union collaborates with the government’s exclusivist immigration policies while agitating for further curbs on foreign workers.
Labour Party makes empty promises to New Zealand students
By Tom Peters and Chris Ross, 29 August 2016
Despite its highly conditional pledges, Labour has no intention of reducing ballooning debt and poverty among students.
New Zealand: Thousands infected by contaminated water in Havelock North
By Tom Peters, 27 August 2016
The precise source of the contamination is not yet known, but waterways have become highly polluted due to intensive and unregulated farming.
Cross-party support for sweeping spy powers in New Zealand
By John Braddock, 26 August 2016
The ruling elite is erecting the foundations for a police state in preparation to confront social and political opposition.
100 New Zealand: Thousands infected by contaminated water
25 August 2016
New Zealand: WWI Home Front exhibition buries mass opposition to war
By Tom Peters and Sam Price, 22 August 2016
The exhibition about life “at home” during World War I hails New Zealand’s contribution to the war and covers up the opposition that emerged in the working class.
Families of New Zealand mine disaster victims seek justice
By Tom Peters, 15 August 2016
Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne, who lost family members in the 2010 Pike River explosion, are seeking a judicial review of the decision to drop charges against CEO Peter Whittall.
New Zealand ‘Rich List’ dominated by property speculators
By John Braddock, 4 August 2016
Big investors have seen “huge gains” to their share portfolios, while the property boom has “seeded fortunes for astute and opportune investors.”
New Zealand rail union pushes pro-company collective agreement
By our correspondent, 3 August 2016
The Greater Wellington Regional Council is demanding $100 million in cost-cutting, which will be imposed by Transdev through attacks on jobs, wages and conditions.
New Zealand’s Maori nationalist parties discuss bloc for 2017 election
By John Braddock, 1 August 2016
The talks are driven by ambitions within both parties for a more direct role in government, whoever wins the next election
070 NZ: Maori-Mana alliance talks
30 July 2016
New Zealand Greens celebrate US warship visit
By Tom Peters, 28 July 2016
The embrace of the US military by the Greens and its supporters points to a further shift to the right by this party.
Two more shootings by New Zealand police
By Chris Ross, 25 July 2016
The shooting of two men in separate incidents is part of an increasing resort to lethal force by police in response to the social crisis.
Biden confirms US warship will visit New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 22 July 2016
The American visit, the first in more than 30 years, represents a significant further step in New Zealand’s integration into US war preparations against China.
Biden visits New Zealand to strengthen military ties
By John Braddock, 21 July 2016
New Zealand’s balancing act between China, its second largest trading partner, and the US, its chief strategic ally, is becoming increasingly unsustainable.
Deep concerns in New Zealand ruling elite over Brexit vote
By John Braddock, 18 July 2016
Running through much of the media commentary is a growing alarm about potential instability, as well as a seething hostility to the working class.
100 New Zealand and Brexit
16 July 2016
Deepening social inequality in New Zealand
By Tom Peters and Chris Ross, 8 July 2016
The richest 10 percent now control 60 percent of the country’s wealth, while the working class is suffering from soaring housing costs and cuts to welfare services.
New Zealand pseudo-lefts silent on Maoist alliance with Philippine president
By Tom Peters, 5 July 2016
Fightback and Redline have long promoted the CPP, which has now taken cabinet posts in the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, a fascistic figure.
New Zealand extends military deployment in Iraq
By Tom Peters, 27 June 2016
Under the pretext of fighting terrorism, New Zealand soldiers are assisting the predatory US war to dominate the Middle East.
25 April: Animated documentary on New Zealand’s role in the Gallipoli invasion
By Sam Price and Tom Peters, 25 June 2016
The film shows the horrors of war but fails to challenge the nationalist mythology surrounding the Anzacs.
New Zealand: Family denounces “cold-blooded execution” by police
By Chris Ross, 22 June 2016
As New Zealand’s social crisis worsens, the police are increasingly resorting to deadly force.
New Zealand PM’s diplomatic debacle in Fiji
By John Braddock, 21 June 2016
Bainimarama bluntly refused to accede to NZ Prime Minister Key’s agenda.
New Zealand First demonises Muslim immigrants
By Jeremy Lin and Tom Peters, 20 June 2016
The Labour Party and the Greens hypocritically tried to distance themselves from the NZ First leader’s inflammatory and xenophobic statements.
New Zealand Defence White Paper prepares for war
By Tom Peters, 17 June 2016
Military upgrades worth $20 billion will support US-led war preparations against China and New Zealand’s own imperialist interests in the Pacific and elsewhere.
New Zealand: Labour, Greens sign Memorandum of Understanding
By Tom Peters, 15 June 2016
Claims that the Labour-Greens alliance offers a “progressive alternative” to the National Party government are a fraud.
Defend the rights of New Zealanders in Australia! Support the Socialist Equality Party!
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 11 June 2016
The SEP is the only party in the Australian election that intransigently opposes all forms of nationalism and defends the basic rights of refugees and immigrants.
Vicious media campaign in New Zealand over child abuse
By Chris Ross, 9 June 2016
The death of three-year-old Moko Rangitoheriri has been seized on to vilify the most poverty-stricken layers of society.
New Zealand government, opposition housing policies grossly inadequate
By Tom Peters, 2 June 2016
Proposals by the National Party government as well as the opposition Labour Party and the Greens do not even begin to address the country's homelessness crisis.
New Zealand budget: Cuts to basic services, billions for the military
By Tom Peters, 27 May 2016
The budget does nothing to address the crisis in health, education and housing, while significantly increasing spending to prepare the country for war.
Spate of deaths in New Zealand’s forestry industry
By Chris Ross and Tom Peters, 24 May 2016
Four workers and one child have died at forestry sites so far this year, exposing claims that the industry’s safety record has improved since 10 workers died in 2013.
Panama Papers: Further revelations about New Zealand’s role as a tax haven
By Tom Peters and Sam Price, 19 May 2016
Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca promoted New Zealand to its wealthy clients, including some allegedly involved in illegal activity and one who assisted in the looting of Iraq.
New Zealand’s housing affordability crisis worsens
By Tom Peters and Jeremy Lin, 13 May 2016
The political establishment is scapegoating foreigners, especially Chinese, for the unstable property bubble and lack of affordable housing.
New Zealand Labour Party leader visits Iraq
By Tom Peters, 6 May 2016
Andrew Little praised New Zealand’s troops in Iraq and pushed for their mission to be extended, underscoring the fraud of Labour’s vote against the deployment last year.
On Anzac Day, New Zealand leaders talk peace, prepare for war
By Tom Peters, 29 April 2016
A century after the bloody Gallipoli campaign in World War I, the New Zealand ruling class is once again preparing to support imperialist war.
New Zealand’s healthcare crisis worsens
By Tom Peters, 25 April 2016
Thousands of people are on hospital waiting lists, or being denied essential surgical operations or mental health treatment, due to government funding cuts.
New Zealand prime minister visits China amid tensions over South China Sea
By John Braddock, 22 April 2016
While seeking to preserve cordial relations with China, its second largest trading partner, the New Zealand ruling elite is committed to the US anti-China “pivot.”
New Zealand government plans major increase in military spending
By Tom Peters, 20 April 2016
The expansion is aimed at further incorporating New Zealand into Washington’s plans for war against China.
Wave of closures and job cuts under way in New Zealand
By John Braddock, 18 April 2016
The global slowdown is impacting across the board with jobs being destroyed in the public sector, manufacturing and retail.
Panama Papers reveal New Zealand is a tax haven for world’s elites
By John Braddock, 15 April 2016
Successive Labour and National governments are responsible for New Zealand laws that allow foreign trusts to carry out massive tax avoidance.
New Zealand First proposes army training for unemployed youth
By Tom Peters, 8 April 2016
The trade union-funded Daily Blog enthusiastically endorsed the proposal, reflecting the support for militarism and nationalism by Labour and the union bureaucracy.
New Zealand university professor subjected to pro-Zionist witch-hunt
By John Braddock, 6 April 2016
Academic Scott Poynting has been forced to take “study leave,” pending retirement, for likening the Israeli persecution of Palestinians to the Nazi treatment of Jews.
New Zealand voters reject flag change in referendum
By Matthew Carrington and Tom Peters, 4 April 2016
The government and opposition sought to use the flag issue to whip up nationalism and encourage unquestioning respect for the military.
New layoffs in New Zealand meat processing
By John Braddock, 31 March 2016
A new round of restructuring within the New Zealand meat processing industry is underway.
New Zealand Labour Party leader attacks Asian immigrants
By John Braddock, 28 March 2016
Opposition leader Andrew Little singled out Indian and Chinese chefs as scapegoats for rising unemployment and worsening living standards.
Escalating crisis hits New Zealand dairy industry
By John Braddock, 26 March 2016
The crisis in the New Zealand dairy industry following severe cuts to milk prices is a symptom of a broader economic slump.
New Zealand government plans further expansion of spy powers
By Tom Peters, 19 March 2016
Backed by the Labour Party, the government is preparing to effectively merge the internal and external spy agencies and remove restrictions on mass surveillance.
New Zealand: Anti-TPP protests promote Maori nationalism
By Tom Peters, 10 March 2016
At protests against the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the opposition parties have promoted Maori identity politics to block a unified struggle by workers against austerity and war.
Fiji cyclone: Australian and New Zealand military mobilised for “humanitarian” relief
By Richard Phillips, 8 March 2016
While thousands of Fijians desperately need assistance, Canberra and Wellington have seized on the disaster to advance their own geo-strategic interests.
New Zealand: Five years after the Christchurch earthquake
By Tom Peters and Matthew Carrington, 1 March 2016
Thousands of residents have been abandoned by the government, which has protected the interests of big business, including the insurance industry.
Fiji orders second arms consignment from Russia
By John Braddock, 20 February 2016
Moves by Russia to establish itself as a Pacific power, in response to the US drive to dominate the region, will only heighten tensions in the Asia Pacific.
Rising school costs deepen class divide in New Zealand education
By John Braddock, 16 February 2016
Public education is supposed to be free, but families are being pressured to give more money to schools every year.
Trans-Pacific Partnership signed in New Zealand amid mass protests
By Tom Peters, 10 February 2016
The protest organisers do not speak for the working class but express the interests of less competitive sections of business that fear losing out to global rivals.
New Zealand to host signing of Trans-Pacific Partnership
By Tom Peters, 4 February 2016
New Zealand’s opposition parties are leading a nationalist campaign against the TPP, but the entire political establishment backs the country’s integration into US war plans against China.
New Zealand’s first Labour Party leader was no socialist: A reply to the pseudo-left ISO
By Tom Peters, 4 February 2016
The claim that NZ Labour was founded as a socialist party in 1916 is a fabrication designed to justify the pseudo-left’s support for this pro-imperialist party.
New Zealand government arrests alleged student loan defaulter
By Tom Peters, 27 January 2016
The arrest of Ngatokotoru Puna sets the stage for more attacks on thousands of students and former students, who owe a combined total of $14.8 billion.
US threatens to withdraw from major Pacific fisheries treaty
By John Braddock, 25 January 2016
The US withdrawal from the 27-year-old Tuna Treaty threatens to devastate the economies of many small island states.
New Zealand’s healthcare crisis
By Tom Peters, 15 January 2016
As a result of the government’s austerity measures thousands of people are being denied vital operations, health workers’ wages have been cut and many people cannot afford prescription medicines.
New Zealand court approves Kim Dotcom’s extradition to the US
By John Braddock, 8 January 2016
The ruling is a significant legal victory for the US and New Zealand’s National Party government, which has operated in concert with Washington throughout the affair.
Deepening social crisis in New Zealand
By Jeremy Lin, 6 January 2016
A series of recent reports paint a grim picture of worsening poverty and social inequality.
Private operator to run New Zealand capital’s rail service
By our correspondent, 31 December 2015
Despite the denials of the trade unions, rail workers face a new round of attacks on jobs and conditions.
Widespread abstention in New Zealand flag referendum
By Sam Price, 29 December 2015
The opposition to the referendum reflects hostility to the promotion of nationalism and militarism to divert attention from social inequality.
NZ Labour leader calls for “troops on the ground” to fight ISIS
By John Braddock, 23 December 2015
Little’s announcement that Labour would support sending elite SAS troops to the Middle East is fully in line with the demands of US imperialism.
Inhumane conditions in privately run New Zealand prison
By Tom Peters, 19 December 2015
The government has been forced to announce that it will not renew Serco’s contract to run Mount Eden Prison.
An interview with Ted Dawe, author of Into the River
By Tom Peters, 9 December 2015
Dawe’s novel has been attacked in the media and by fundamentalist Christians because of its realistic depiction of New Zealand society, from the point of view of a working-class Maori teenager.
New Zealand: Five years after the Pike River mine disaster
By Tom Peters, 27 November 2015
No one has been brought to justice because the company, successive governments and the unions are all complicit in the unsafe conditions that led to the tragedy.
NZ-US military exercise rehearses for incursion into Pacific
By John Braddock, 24 November 2015
The war games are a sharp warning to the tiny states throughout the Pacific of what is in store if they defy the US-led drive against China.
New Zealand: Anti-TPP protest organisers silent on war preparations against China
By our reporters, 17 November 2015
Speakers opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership on a nationalist basis, while supporting New Zealand’s alliance with US militarism.
Oppose the TPP and the drive to war against China!
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 13 November 2015
The Trans-Pacific Partnership is the economic spearhead of Washington’s aggressive “pivot to Asia,” aimed at undermining China’s influence and preparing for war.
Ted Dawe’s Into the River: A compelling portrait of life for a working-class teenager in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 10 November 2015
The novel has been attacked by fundamentalist Christians, the media and the state because of its realistic depiction of social inequality, racism and class oppression.
Australian PM refuses to halt deportations of New Zealanders
By Tom Peters, 26 October 2015
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull bluntly rejected a request to end the removal of New Zealand-born Australian residents who have received prison sentences.
Record suicide toll in New Zealand
By Tom Peters and Sam Price, 22 October 2015
Suicides are most prevalent among young people, the unemployed and those in impoverished parts of the country.
New Zealand union collaborates in cuts to mining and steel jobs
By Tom Peters, 16 October 2015
As part of its restructuring, Solid Energy has announced the closure of its Huntly East Mine.
Witness to New Zealand police shooting: “It was not necessary to kill that man”
By our reporters, 13 October 2015
The WSWS spoke to Christian Haider, who witnessed the killing of Pera Smiler by police in Upper Hutt.
Death in custody highlights Australia’s brutal deportation of New Zealand citizens
By Tom Peters, 6 October 2015
Junior Togatuki, who was found dead in his prison cell, was one of hundreds of long-term Australian residents being deported to New Zealand under a draconian new policy.
New Zealand: Solid Energy privatisation threatens hundreds of jobs
By Chris Ross and Tom Peters, 3 October 2015
The state-owned coal mining company has agreed to a “gradual” sell-off that threatens over 700 workers.
New Zealand Maori leaders embrace charter schools
By John Braddock, 1 October 2015
The push for charter schools exposes the right-wing trajectory of the Maori elite and the fraud of “self-determination.”
New Zealand suspends aid to Nauru
By John Braddock, 28 September 2015
Amid growing protests against the Nauru government, New Zealand’s bullying is aimed at bolstering its own neo-colonial interests.
New Zealand: Socialist Aotearoa supports US-led war in Syria
By Tom Peters, 23 September 2015
Echoing pseudo-left organisations internationally, Socialist Aotearoa used last week’s pro-refugee demonstration in Auckland to promote the imperialist intervention in Syria.
Outrage over banning of New Zealand novel Into the River
By Tom Peters, 19 September 2015
The decision to ban the popular novel after a complaint by a fundamentalist Christian group is an attack on democratic rights.
Spate of killings by New Zealand police
By Tom Peters, 18 September 2015
As social tensions rise, the government’s response is to expand the prison system and boost the police, including by arming them with more deadly weapons.
Australia, New Zealand reject stronger climate measures at Pacific Islands Forum
By John Braddock, 15 September 2015
Many of the small Pacific Island states are low-lying and particularly vulnerable to the rising sea levels produced by higher global temperatures.
Another wave of job cuts in New Zealand
By Chris Ross and Tom Peters, 14 September 2015
A relentless corporate-government assault on jobs and working conditions is underway in response to the global economic crisis.
New Zealand vigils demand increased refugee intake
By Tom Peters, 12 September 2015
There is widespread outrage at the government’s indifference to refugees and its support for US imperialism.
New Zealand political leaders feign sympathy for refugees
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 9 September 2015
The political establishment has sought to whip up hostility toward foreigners, while supporting the US-led wars that have produced the refugee crisis.
New Zealand: Substandard repairs to earthquake-damaged homes in Christchurch
By Sam Price and Tom Peters, 5 September 2015
Five years after the first destructive earthquake, thousands of insurance claims have not been settled.
Union collaborates in attacks on New Zealand Steel workers
By Tom Peters, 29 August 2015
BlueScope Steel is threatening to shut down its Glenbrook steel plant in New Zealand and axe over 1,000 jobs.
New Zealand rail company prepares further job cuts
By our reporter, 22 August 2015
Successive Labour and National-led governments, assisted by the unions, have already devastated the railway system over the past three decades.
New Zealand: Thousands protest Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement
By our reporters, 18 August 2015
The anti-TPP campaign is working overtime to divert opposition into reactionary nationalist and protectionist channels.
“Ferocious” slump in dairy prices rocks New Zealand economy
By John Braddock, 17 August 2015
New Zealand’s biggest company has announced a deep cut in its payout to dairy farmers amid a sharp downturn on world markets.
The curious career of Cheryl Gwyn, New Zealand’s inspector-general of intelligence and security
By Tom Peters and John Braddock, 15 August 2015
Gwyn, who oversees New Zealand’s state spy apparatus, was once a member of the Pabloite Socialist Action League.
New Zealand Meat Workers Union calls off two-day strike
By John Braddock, 12 August 2015
The unions have been operating from the outset to isolate and wear down workers in the protracted 18-month dispute over AFFCO’s demands for further cuts to working conditions.
New Zealand government digs in after breakdown of US-led trade talks
By John Braddock, 8 August 2015
Protectionist opponents of the Trans-Pacific Partnership declared their satisfaction over the collapse of the negotiations.
New Zealand: Mana Party supports Labour’s anti-Chinese campaign
By Tom Peters, 5 August 2015
In an attempt to whip up xenophobia, the Maori nationalist party asserted that “people of Asian descent are buying too many homes.”
New Zealand Labour Party scapegoats Chinese over housing crisis
By John Braddock, 18 July 2015
Labour’s xenophobic anti-Chinese campaigns dovetail with moves by Washington to integrate New Zealand into its “pivot” against China.
New Zealand: Thousands forced to live in accommodation “outside the norm”
By John Braddock, 13 July 2015
According to Statistics NZ, almost 100,000 people are living in institutions, hotels, caravans, motor camps, boarding houses and even garages.
New Zealand First Party attacks Pacific Island immigrants
By Matthew Carrington and Tom Peters, 11 July 2015
Emboldened by the support it receives from Labour, the Greens and Mana, New Zealand First’s denunciations of foreigners are increasingly vicious.
New Zealand government complicit in Australia’s persecution of refugees
By Tom Peters, 19 June 2015
Prime Minister Key defended Australian officials for intercepting 65 asylum seekers bound for New Zealand and sending them on a life-threatening voyage back to Indonesia.
New Zealand toddler’s death linked to run-down public housing
By Chris Ross and Tom Peters, 13 June 2015
The fate of two-year-old Emma-Lita Bourne in South Auckland highlights the appalling conditions faced by tens of thousands of families in public housing.
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