Chris Trotter

Auckland’s Mayor, Wayne Brown, has apologised for his flood-related failings. Will his critics have the decency to do the same? asks Chris Trotter

Auckland’s Mayor, Wayne Brown, has apologised for his flood-related failings. Will his critics have the decency to do the same? asks Chris Trotter

Chris Trotter notes that the power and indifference of the natural world was terrifyingly reiterated in Auckland's extreme weather weekend. All we can do is adapt as fast as we can. Is the NZ state up to a challenge of this magnitude?

Chris Trotter notes that the power and indifference of the natural world was terrifyingly reiterated in Auckland's extreme weather weekend. All we can do is adapt as fast as we can. Is the NZ state up to a challenge of this magnitude?

Chris Trotter says if 'Chippy' is able to steer Labour into less contentious and more bounteous electoral waters, then Jacinda Ardern’s sacrifice will not have been in vain

Chris Trotter says if 'Chippy' is able to steer Labour into less contentious and more bounteous electoral waters, then Jacinda Ardern’s sacrifice will not have been in vain

A civilisation in which the law may be broken with impunity will not remain a civilisation very long – writes Chris Trotter

A civilisation in which the law may be broken with impunity will not remain a civilisation very long – writes Chris Trotter

In the face of a Labour Government struggling to navigate a sea of troubles, National’s hopes of reclaiming the helm in 2023 are, justifiably, high

In the face of a Labour Government struggling to navigate a sea of troubles, National’s hopes of reclaiming the helm in 2023 are, justifiably, high

It would be wrong to think that the triumph of misinformation and disinformation is a new thing, writes Chris Trotter

It would be wrong to think that the triumph of misinformation and disinformation is a new thing, writes Chris Trotter

Trust them, and New Zealanders will, almost always, make the right choice, writes Chris Trotter

Trust them, and New Zealanders will, almost always, make the right choice, writes Chris Trotter

Moderation + warmth is proving to be a winning political combination, even in traditionally conservative electorates, writes Chris Trotter

Moderation + warmth is proving to be a winning political combination, even in traditionally conservative electorates, writes Chris Trotter

In spite of Labour’s back-down on 'Hate Speech', the debate looks set to rage on through election year, writes Chris Trotter

In spite of Labour’s back-down on 'Hate Speech', the debate looks set to rage on through election year, writes Chris Trotter

What the film-maker Michael Moore understands, writes Chris Trotter, is that, while there may no longer be enough good men to save the American Republic, there are more than enough good women

What the film-maker Michael Moore understands, writes Chris Trotter, is that, while there may no longer be enough good men to save the American Republic, there are more than enough good women

Jacinda Ardern is, indisputably, New Zealand’s foremost impresario of political verbiage, writes Chris Trotter

Jacinda Ardern is, indisputably, New Zealand’s foremost impresario of political verbiage, writes Chris Trotter

Chris Trotter says Kiri Allan has got the direction of power and control in New Zealand completely upside-down

Chris Trotter says Kiri Allan has got the direction of power and control in New Zealand completely upside-down

Chris Trotter says the scarcely believable tale of professional failure across New Zealand’s education system is something we would not tolerate in any other sector

Chris Trotter says the scarcely believable tale of professional failure across New Zealand’s education system is something we would not tolerate in any other sector

Only by excluding the cultural achievements of the past, the Arts Council suggests, can any artistic endeavour hope to 'show relevance'

Only by excluding the cultural achievements of the past, the Arts Council suggests, can any artistic endeavour hope to 'show relevance'

Chris Trotter assesses the weekend's local government election results, looking at how 'the Right' won and lessons for 'the Left'

Chris Trotter assesses the weekend's local government election results, looking at how 'the Right' won and lessons for 'the Left'

The Brits and the Kiwis have seen this supply-side economics movie before. They know how it ends. Second time around, they may not be quite so willing to pick up the tab

The Brits and the Kiwis have seen this supply-side economics movie before. They know how it ends. Second time around, they may not be quite so willing to pick up the tab

Chris Trotter says the key to the growth of right-wing nationalists has the been the abject failure of the formerly dominant Left. The vacuum created has seen the rise and fall of many far-right experiments

Chris Trotter says the key to the growth of right-wing nationalists has the been the abject failure of the formerly dominant Left. The vacuum created has seen the rise and fall of many far-right experiments

Chris Trotter says while Māori remain a minority in their own land, majority rule will always look suspiciously like tyranny

Chris Trotter says while Māori remain a minority in their own land, majority rule will always look suspiciously like tyranny

Chris Trotter says the weight of royal ritual and tradition, and all the gilt machinery of monarchical government, is crushing

Chris Trotter says the weight of royal ritual and tradition, and all the gilt machinery of monarchical government, is crushing

Chris Trotter says the end of one era in New Zealand broadcasting, and the beginning of another, is being met with widespread public indifference

Chris Trotter says the end of one era in New Zealand broadcasting, and the beginning of another, is being met with widespread public indifference

Chris Trotter asks: Why is this government so determined to shut-up, shut-down, and shut-out the Right?

Chris Trotter asks: Why is this government so determined to shut-up, shut-down, and shut-out the Right?

We are living in a political culture unmoored to anything more edifying than the petty priorities of personal ambition – writes Chris Trotter

We are living in a political culture unmoored to anything more edifying than the petty priorities of personal ambition – writes Chris Trotter

Chris Trotter gives his take on Stuff Circuit’s Fire and Fury documentary

Chris Trotter gives his take on Stuff Circuit’s Fire and Fury documentary

'Bills' by LunchMoney Lewis, writes Chris Trotter, must be the all-time strangest theme-song ever chosen by a National Party leader

'Bills' by LunchMoney Lewis, writes Chris Trotter, must be the all-time strangest theme-song ever chosen by a National Party leader

The critical question confronting New Zealand, writes Chris Trotter, is whether we any longer have the resources to repair our physical and human infrastructure?

The critical question confronting New Zealand, writes Chris Trotter, is whether we any longer have the resources to repair our physical and human infrastructure?