The Bulletin: Big changes coming for how schools are run

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Big changes coming for how schools are run, highly anticipated OCR decision coming today, and a clear-eyed look at the protests up Ōwairaka/Mt Albert. The government has set up a fight with a dangerous political constituency – highly involved parents at affluent schools. That’s putting it facetiously … Read more

Oh Chlöe no! All the boomers who aren’t OK with OK boomer

Online commenters have had an absolute field day with Chlöe Swarbrick’s parliamentary riposte. Here’s our high-level analysis. A lot of people had a lot to say about Chlöe Swarbrick’s “OK boomer” retort in parliament last week. While to some she’s a “hero politician” who “clapped back” at her colleague by employing a “devastating” putdown, others … Read more

The case for ending the generational monopoly over local government

There is an increasing class division in Auckland, defined by access to the democratic system. Where does this leave our young people in the future, asks Shehara Farik?   This is a condensed version of an extremely long story about democracy. I want to show how the history of democracy has defined the crisis we are … Read more

The pensioners and the apartment complex: a parable for housing in Auckland

A legal challenge from a tiny group of pensioners is protesting a 100 apartment development on Dominion Rd that the council’s own development arm is trying to build. Sam Grover explains why this is not as cute as it might seem. Last year, Auckland Council declined planning permission for a proposed development on Dominion Road. … Read more

Our definitive analysis of anti-housing anthem ‘Standing On Stockade Hill’

In what seems like an unlikely source of inspiration, a group of Howick singers have created a folk protest song about Auckland local body planning rules. Hayden Donnell steps in to assess a musical work that somehow combines his two greatest passions. The history of protest music is littered with songs that have seared themselves … Read more

CGT was icing on a massive cake: five key triumphs in over-65s’ blessed lives

The capital gains tax capitulation is just the latest triumph for the most powerful voting bloc in New Zealand history. Duncan Greive details the Boomers’ most pivotal victories. This post was published in April 2019. Wednesday’s shock announcement around capital gains tax marked the first major government acquiescence to the power of the baby boomer … Read more

This article about terrible millennials is quite sexist and dumb

On Monday a new North & South came out, with a story as old as time: ‘what the hell is wrong with millennials’? Two millennials had a read and What They Found Inside Will Shock You. The latest issue of North & South magazine has done the unthinkable, and found a non-millennial to shine a selfie-camera spotlight on … Read more

Nick Smith is both 100% right and a big hypocrite

Nick Smith was totally right to crack down on a politician who pandered to his rich, elderly voting base at the expense of sensible housing policy. Now, about National pandering to its rich, elderly voting base at the expense of sensible housing policy. Nick Smith, a sentient turnip acting undercover as New Zealand’s Housing Minister, launched … Read more