Chris Trotter

For how much longer will New Zealanders accept the endless re-launches and re-announcements of its media-savvy prime minister? Utopia tomorrow and Utopia yesterday – but never Utopia today

For how much longer will New Zealanders accept the endless re-launches and re-announcements of its media-savvy prime minister? Utopia tomorrow and Utopia yesterday – but never Utopia today

In 2021, the observation that the country was fast becoming unrecognisable became a commonplace in conversations across New Zealand, Chris Trotter says

In 2021, the observation that the country was fast becoming unrecognisable became a commonplace in conversations across New Zealand, Chris Trotter says

The insurmountable problem facing President Joe Biden’s democratic capitalist missionaries, is that in order to fill the cups of the oppressed with freedom, they will first be required to empty their own pockets

The insurmountable problem facing President Joe Biden’s democratic capitalist missionaries, is that in order to fill the cups of the oppressed with freedom, they will first be required to empty their own pockets

Luxon has, very clearly, chosen to reject the option of presenting a 'flinty-faced' National Party to an electorate grown accustomed to the rhetoric of 'kindness'

Luxon has, very clearly, chosen to reject the option of presenting a 'flinty-faced' National Party to an electorate grown accustomed to the rhetoric of 'kindness'

Some might ask why National MPs would install yet another 'successful business person' at the helm of their party? Isn’t one Todd Muller enough?

Some might ask why National MPs would install yet another 'successful business person' at the helm of their party? Isn’t one Todd Muller enough?

Climate science does not distinguish between urban and rural, cocky and townie. It will take both to bring NZ safely through the dangerous 21st century

Climate science does not distinguish between urban and rural, cocky and townie. It will take both to bring NZ safely through the dangerous 21st century

A cautionary tale of first principles: embraced in the desperation of crisis; abandoned in the hubris of victory; trending inexorably towards national tragedy

A cautionary tale of first principles: embraced in the desperation of crisis; abandoned in the hubris of victory; trending inexorably towards national tragedy

What makes the Labour Party’s decision to dilute the power of its Electoral College so puzzling is that Jacinda Ardern would undoubtedly be elected by Caucus and Party with near unanimous support

What makes the Labour Party’s decision to dilute the power of its Electoral College so puzzling is that Jacinda Ardern would undoubtedly be elected by Caucus and Party with near unanimous support

The level of craziness in the anti-vaccination movement is such that an aggressive Police response to their protests would, almost certainly, spark a ferociously violent reaction from hard core anti-vaxxers

The level of craziness in the anti-vaccination movement is such that an aggressive Police response to their protests would, almost certainly, spark a ferociously violent reaction from hard core anti-vaxxers

To those who complain that the Prime Minister is unnecessarily and unethically stigmatising the vaccine hesitant and resistant, there is only one genuinely ethical retort: They have stigmatised themselves

To those who complain that the Prime Minister is unnecessarily and unethically stigmatising the vaccine hesitant and resistant, there is only one genuinely ethical retort: They have stigmatised themselves

James Shaw must know that neither New Zealanders, nor the rest of humanity, will take the urgent and transformative action that Science now deems necessary to stave-off climate catastrophe

James Shaw must know that neither New Zealanders, nor the rest of humanity, will take the urgent and transformative action that Science now deems necessary to stave-off climate catastrophe

Are the Prime Minister’s formidable communication skills equal to the task of getting her government’s anti-Covid campaign back on track?

Are the Prime Minister’s formidable communication skills equal to the task of getting her government’s anti-Covid campaign back on track?

There is much more evidence of Christian faith, hope and charity in Jacinda’s 'Team of Five Million,' than there is in any number of false prophets, 'Gotcha!' journalists, and 'Let the Devil take the hindmost!' business leaders – writes Chris Trotter

There is much more evidence of Christian faith, hope and charity in Jacinda’s 'Team of Five Million,' than there is in any number of false prophets, 'Gotcha!' journalists, and 'Let the Devil take the hindmost!' business leaders – writes Chris Trotter

It's as well John Key declined to govern New Zealand with the ham-fistedness on display in his woeful Covid opinion-piece, Chris Trotter says

It's as well John Key declined to govern New Zealand with the ham-fistedness on display in his woeful Covid opinion-piece, Chris Trotter says

To join this 'Coalition of the Waning': this AUKUS Pact created by the three military aggressors of the Iraq War; would not only be folly – it would be criminal folly

To join this 'Coalition of the Waning': this AUKUS Pact created by the three military aggressors of the Iraq War; would not only be folly – it would be criminal folly

Chris Trotter argues that what Covid dissidents should be required to explain is why they refuse to be vaccinated

Chris Trotter argues that what Covid dissidents should be required to explain is why they refuse to be vaccinated

New Zealanders unrepresented by the Mayor of Westland, Bruce Smith, might struggle to accept the proposition that their fellow citizens are kept alive by businesspeople rather than health professionals

New Zealanders unrepresented by the Mayor of Westland, Bruce Smith, might struggle to accept the proposition that their fellow citizens are kept alive by businesspeople rather than health professionals

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