University of Victoria at Wellington political analyst Dr Bryce Edwards says that New Zealand politics is increasingly marred by toxicity and disinformation. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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Dr Bryce Edwards on NZ’s ethnic identity wars and Parliament’s toxic political climate

University of Victoria at Wellington political analyst Dr Bryce Edwards says that New Zealand politics is increasingly marred by toxicity and disinformation. This is particularly in debates about ethnicity, race, and racism. He writes that this disturbing trend undermines democracy, social cohesion, and political integrity. Te Pati Māori frequently engage in ethnic-based slurs and baseless claims to incite outrage in a unique strategy, which the media does not seem to allow any party on the political right to pursue the same way.

24 May 2024

NZ First introduces bill to safeguard freedom of speech in public venues

The New Zealand First Party has introduced the “Protection of Freedom of Expression Bill” to ensure that individuals and organisations are not unreasonably denied the use of public venues based on their opinions or beliefs. Cancel culture is being cancelled.

28 May 2024

Trans sports controversy and backlash as drag queens kick off Paris Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris has sparked controversy with its decision to have three drag queens carry the Olympic torch, reflecting the theme “Games Wide Open.”

Critics argue this move further promotes the contentious inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports, a policy supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

26 May 2024

Why won’t the NZ Transport Agency release information about two public-private partnerships used to build highways?

Public-private partnerships were recently used to build expensive sections of the Pūhoi-to-Warkworth and Transmission Gully motorways – but the government isn’t releasing all the information it should about the partnerships, RNZ claims.

26 May 2024

Office of Māori Crown Relations in funding crisis, unable to pay bills and support customary rights claims

The agency set up by the government to help fund people to sue the government is broke. The Office of Māori Crown Relations, Te Arawhiti, is struggling with a major funding shortfall, unable to pay its bills and meet the demand for its Takutai Moana Financial Assistance Scheme.

26 May 2024

American tech workers up-skilling in AI to stay employable

Amid a frenzy of generative AI use in the US economy, the labour market is imbalanced, staff need to up-skill, and now “every worker feels the need for AI chops,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

26 May 2024

Cronyism? Conflict of interest? Edwards says I Am Hope charity is far too close to National

Dr Bryce Edwards suggests the Government’s funding of the “I Am Hope” charity for $24m for “Gumboot Fridays” is cronyism – or at best, a disturbing conflict of interest. But what does the government get for this payout? Who really knows?