Chris Trotter

Chris Trotter says the powerful political metaphor of the Maori Party leading the despised and marginalised from danger to safety, is one Labour could have pre-empted by taking the uprising at Waikeria Prison much more seriously

Chris Trotter says the powerful political metaphor of the Maori Party leading the despised and marginalised from danger to safety, is one Labour could have pre-empted by taking the uprising at Waikeria Prison much more seriously

Chris Trotter sees more radicals on the right than the left, and suspects Jacinda Ardern's extended appeal is bolstered by her promises to conserve and protect, appealing to deep-seated antipathy to updating changes, even necessary change

Chris Trotter sees more radicals on the right than the left, and suspects Jacinda Ardern's extended appeal is bolstered by her promises to conserve and protect, appealing to deep-seated antipathy to updating changes, even necessary change

In this horrible year of 2020, we have learned some important lessons about the importance of leadership and the power of science, Chris Trotter says

In this horrible year of 2020, we have learned some important lessons about the importance of leadership and the power of science, Chris Trotter says

Chris Trotter reflects on the life of Professor James R. Flynn, and the pursuit of truth and justice

Chris Trotter reflects on the life of Professor James R. Flynn, and the pursuit of truth and justice

Chris Trotter questions whether Stuff is about to prove the veracity of the right-wing meme: 'Go Woke, Go Broke'

Chris Trotter questions whether Stuff is about to prove the veracity of the right-wing meme: 'Go Woke, Go Broke'

Chris Trotter asks whether the global commitment to combatting climate change is compatible with the US-Israeli strategy of protecting Saudi-Arabia and its Persian Gulf allies from Iranian influence

Chris Trotter asks whether the global commitment to combatting climate change is compatible with the US-Israeli strategy of protecting Saudi-Arabia and its Persian Gulf allies from Iranian influence

Upsetting New Zealand’s most significant trading partner seems like a very silly thing to do. So, why, Chris Trotter asks, did Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta do it?

Upsetting New Zealand’s most significant trading partner seems like a very silly thing to do. So, why, Chris Trotter asks, did Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta do it?

Chris Trotter argues Labour is no longer a tradition. Rather it has become a brand – and Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson are changing it

Chris Trotter argues Labour is no longer a tradition. Rather it has become a brand – and Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson are changing it

Chris Trotter reflects on the outcome of an extraordinary US election, and delves into the cautious approach from Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson in NZ despite their big mandate

Chris Trotter reflects on the outcome of an extraordinary US election, and delves into the cautious approach from Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson in NZ despite their big mandate

Chris Trotter argues the cannabis ‘Yes’ Campaign refraining entirely from extolling the intrinsic virtues of cannabis tells us a great deal about how deeply ingrained the puritanical 'anti-pleasure principle' remains in the New Zealand character

Chris Trotter argues the cannabis ‘Yes’ Campaign refraining entirely from extolling the intrinsic virtues of cannabis tells us a great deal about how deeply ingrained the puritanical 'anti-pleasure principle' remains in the New Zealand character

If National is to make it back to power, then it will have to re-learn how to organise and inspire the public’s political imagination, says Chris Trotter

If National is to make it back to power, then it will have to re-learn how to organise and inspire the public’s political imagination, says Chris Trotter

Chris Trotter hears Jacinda Ardern calling the result a 'mandate to accelerate' but he wonders where to and what that means given her essentially conservative instincts that won over so many National voters

Chris Trotter hears Jacinda Ardern calling the result a 'mandate to accelerate' but he wonders where to and what that means given her essentially conservative instincts that won over so many National voters

Chris Trotter looks at Labour's history with the Greens, and suggests in Auckland Central Jacinda Ardern should free her party’s supporters to shift their electorate vote to the Greens’ Chloe Swarbrick

Chris Trotter looks at Labour's history with the Greens, and suggests in Auckland Central Jacinda Ardern should free her party’s supporters to shift their electorate vote to the Greens’ Chloe Swarbrick

Chris Trotter says Donald Trump’s hospitalisation reminds us that what happens in Washington matters in Wellington

Chris Trotter says Donald Trump’s hospitalisation reminds us that what happens in Washington matters in Wellington

Chris Trotter suggests New Zealand may be set for a period of heightened political divisiveness

Chris Trotter suggests New Zealand may be set for a period of heightened political divisiveness

With Auckland Central apparently set to tumble back into Labour’s arms, Chris Trotter asks whether the Greens can reach the 5% MMP threshold

With Auckland Central apparently set to tumble back into Labour’s arms, Chris Trotter asks whether the Greens can reach the 5% MMP threshold

Chris Trotter argues most New Zealand politicians would rather appease a minority than unleash the majority

Chris Trotter argues most New Zealand politicians would rather appease a minority than unleash the majority

Chris Trotter suggests New Zealand's costly elimination strategy for dealing with Covid-19 might paradoxically end up paying for itself

Chris Trotter suggests New Zealand's costly elimination strategy for dealing with Covid-19 might paradoxically end up paying for itself

Chris Trotter says once in government the distance between party leaders and party supporters can widen dangerously as demonstrated by Greens co-leader James Shaw

Chris Trotter says once in government the distance between party leaders and party supporters can widen dangerously as demonstrated by Greens co-leader James Shaw

Chris Trotter ponders what the political future may hold for National's Shane Reti beyond the October 17 election

Chris Trotter ponders what the political future may hold for National's Shane Reti beyond the October 17 election

The electorate’s love for the Ardern-led government seems undiminished in Covid’s second time around, Chris Trotter says

The electorate’s love for the Ardern-led government seems undiminished in Covid’s second time around, Chris Trotter says

Chris Trotter takes a look at the lack of policy on offer from the two main political parties as the September 19 election rapidly approaches

Chris Trotter takes a look at the lack of policy on offer from the two main political parties as the September 19 election rapidly approaches

Chris Trotter argues Richard Prebble made Act competitive electorally by turning it into a right-wing populist party, and asks whether David Seymour is doing the same

Chris Trotter argues Richard Prebble made Act competitive electorally by turning it into a right-wing populist party, and asks whether David Seymour is doing the same

Chris Trotter considers whether if all news is political, then all news is also, in the eyes of its intended victims, at least, 'fake'

Chris Trotter considers whether if all news is political, then all news is also, in the eyes of its intended victims, at least, 'fake'

Chris Trotter looks at Winston Peters' handbrake pitch as the NZ First leader presents himself as the indispensable 'Wise Counsellor' to either 'Queen'

Chris Trotter looks at Winston Peters' handbrake pitch as the NZ First leader presents himself as the indispensable 'Wise Counsellor' to either 'Queen'