Chris Trotter

Thanks to Cullen’s clever alchemy, the base metals of neoliberalism could be transmuted into the glittering gold of 'modernisation'; and the grim squares of betrayal transformed into happy circles of fulfilment, Chris Trotter says

Thanks to Cullen’s clever alchemy, the base metals of neoliberalism could be transmuted into the glittering gold of 'modernisation'; and the grim squares of betrayal transformed into happy circles of fulfilment, Chris Trotter says

Racism is always and everywhere the creation of elites, Chris Trotter argues. 'Perfect storms' are invariably unleashed upon us from above

Racism is always and everywhere the creation of elites, Chris Trotter argues. 'Perfect storms' are invariably unleashed upon us from above

At either end of the Pacific Ocean, the Centre-Left is displaying a singular incomprehension of cause and effect, Chris Trotter argues

At either end of the Pacific Ocean, the Centre-Left is displaying a singular incomprehension of cause and effect, Chris Trotter argues

Chris Trotter argues that while Pakeha males of a certain age have dozed in their comfortable armchairs, new social, economic & political forces have not only made it past the 'Establishment’s' front gate, they’re through the front door

Chris Trotter argues that while Pakeha males of a certain age have dozed in their comfortable armchairs, new social, economic & political forces have not only made it past the 'Establishment’s' front gate, they’re through the front door

Chris Trotter argues that National cannot regain power by simply hoping for the worst

Chris Trotter argues that National cannot regain power by simply hoping for the worst

New Zealand owes the newly-formed Free Speech Union a debt of gratitude for commissioning Curia Research to find out exactly where the country stands on the Government’s Hate Speech proposals, says Chris Trotter

New Zealand owes the newly-formed Free Speech Union a debt of gratitude for commissioning Curia Research to find out exactly where the country stands on the Government’s Hate Speech proposals, says Chris Trotter

How does a commercial enterprise enforce a legal right against an ever-expanding body of human resistance, without the conflict escalating well beyond its original causes?

How does a commercial enterprise enforce a legal right against an ever-expanding body of human resistance, without the conflict escalating well beyond its original causes?

Not only is it highly unlikely that the Government’s 'hate speech' proposals will change the behaviour of bigots, they may end up making them worse, Chris Trotter argues

Not only is it highly unlikely that the Government’s 'hate speech' proposals will change the behaviour of bigots, they may end up making them worse, Chris Trotter argues

Chris Trotter ponders whether Jacinda Ardern's Labour Party has found the same electoral sweet-spot that kept John Key’s National Party in the mid-to-high 40s for the best part of a decade

Chris Trotter ponders whether Jacinda Ardern's Labour Party has found the same electoral sweet-spot that kept John Key’s National Party in the mid-to-high 40s for the best part of a decade

Could former Trump strategist Steve Bannon’s radical right-wing doctrine of 'Traditionalism' offer conservative New Zealand a way out of its deep political funk?

Could former Trump strategist Steve Bannon’s radical right-wing doctrine of 'Traditionalism' offer conservative New Zealand a way out of its deep political funk?

It is, quite simply, wrong to insist that the tragic events of 15 March 2019 belong to anything, or anyone, but History itself, Chris Trotter argues

It is, quite simply, wrong to insist that the tragic events of 15 March 2019 belong to anything, or anyone, but History itself, Chris Trotter argues

Given the events of the week just past, National’s Paul Goldsmith’s unfortunate remarks concerning colonisation could be considered the least of its worries, say Chris Trotter

Given the events of the week just past, National’s Paul Goldsmith’s unfortunate remarks concerning colonisation could be considered the least of its worries, say Chris Trotter

Is New Zealand at risk of becoming a nation of 'Stepford Citizens': people who smile politely, nod encouragingly, and recite word-perfectly the bi-cultural and multi-cultural slogans of their masters?

Is New Zealand at risk of becoming a nation of 'Stepford Citizens': people who smile politely, nod encouragingly, and recite word-perfectly the bi-cultural and multi-cultural slogans of their masters?

The only real question, after Thursday’s Budget, is: How long will it take National to realise how profoundly the political game has been – and is being – transformed by Covid and Climate Change? Socialism is no longer a dirty word

The only real question, after Thursday’s Budget, is: How long will it take National to realise how profoundly the political game has been – and is being – transformed by Covid and Climate Change? Socialism is no longer a dirty word

A state broadcaster rigorously excluding any and all voices dissenting from the official line, is something most New Zealanders would expect to encounter in Moscow or Beijing – not in Wellington

A state broadcaster rigorously excluding any and all voices dissenting from the official line, is something most New Zealanders would expect to encounter in Moscow or Beijing – not in Wellington

Chris Trotter argues that Labour has thrown out the old Political Rule Book, and that the new game they’re playing is no longer called 'Democracy' but 'Holding On To Power At All Costs'

Chris Trotter argues that Labour has thrown out the old Political Rule Book, and that the new game they’re playing is no longer called 'Democracy' but 'Holding On To Power At All Costs'

Chris Trotter probes worrying signs that New Zealand’s long democratic history has produced a sense of complacency among its citizens

Chris Trotter probes worrying signs that New Zealand’s long democratic history has produced a sense of complacency among its citizens

Chris Trotter takes a look at our relationship with Anzac Day and wonders whether it could be caught up by changes in the teaching of New Zealand history

Chris Trotter takes a look at our relationship with Anzac Day and wonders whether it could be caught up by changes in the teaching of New Zealand history

Chris Trotter asks whether the Government’s proposed 'cure for hate speech is worse than the complaint

Chris Trotter asks whether the Government’s proposed 'cure for hate speech is worse than the complaint

Will Labour stand behind the revolutionary proposals contained in He Puapua – the 20-year plan to realise the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Aotearoa/New Zealand?

Will Labour stand behind the revolutionary proposals contained in He Puapua – the 20-year plan to realise the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Aotearoa/New Zealand?

Chris Trotter says equal opportunity misfortunes, experiences related much more closely to one’s location in the socio-economic power structure, may be more important than race in determining a life's economic success

Chris Trotter says equal opportunity misfortunes, experiences related much more closely to one’s location in the socio-economic power structure, may be more important than race in determining a life's economic success

Chris Trotter probes the orthodox New Zealand Initiative's stinging attack on what it clearly regards as the Labour Government’s economic and political heresy

Chris Trotter probes the orthodox New Zealand Initiative's stinging attack on what it clearly regards as the Labour Government’s economic and political heresy

Rumours of a prime-ministerial resignation may be intended to head-off something considerably more dramatic on the policy front, Chris Trotter suggests

Rumours of a prime-ministerial resignation may be intended to head-off something considerably more dramatic on the policy front, Chris Trotter suggests

Chris Trotter argues that the National Party’s political survival in the twenty-first century may depend upon its willingness to not only adopt Labour’s policies – but anticipate them

Chris Trotter argues that the National Party’s political survival in the twenty-first century may depend upon its willingness to not only adopt Labour’s policies – but anticipate them

Whether it be defeating the fascist disease, or eliminating the Coronavirus, history teaches us that not all capitalists are bad, Chris Trotter says

Whether it be defeating the fascist disease, or eliminating the Coronavirus, history teaches us that not all capitalists are bad, Chris Trotter says