Author Archives: Ewen McQueen

Aaron Gilmore – its not MMP, its character

The Aaron Gilmore saga has little to do with MMP. It has a lot to do with the way our culture now ignores character in favour of achievement. The latter can be stated (and indeed over-stated) in a CV. The … Continue reading

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Abortion grounds a clinical and legal fiction

Nearly all abortions in New Zealand are justified on the grounds of averting danger to mental health. However research published in the latest edition of the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry dismisses this rationale as a clinical fiction. … Continue reading

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What is truth…?

Before handing Him over to be crucified, Pontius Pilate concluded his interrogation of Jesus Christ with the question “What is truth?”. The irony of course was that the Truth was standing  in front of him. The debate on the Marriage … Continue reading

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Marriage on the edge…

In less than two weeks from now on Wednesday March 13th the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill will have its crucial second reading. The Select Committee has reported back and recommended among other things that the terms “bride” and … Continue reading

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Sir Paul honest about death

Sir Paul Holmes had an endearing honesty which stayed with him to his last days. In his final interview a frail Holmes admitted he was scared of death and what lay “beyond the hill far away”. His honesty was refreshing. … Continue reading

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One sun in the sky

In 1908 the Tuhoe chief Rua Kenana came down from his mountain stronghold to discuss matters of state with Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward. To Rua’s question on the issue of sovereignty, Ward replied – there can only be one … Continue reading

Posted in Economic Transformation, Treaty of Waitangi | Tagged | 3 Comments

Finlayson forging a brighter future

The last election saw National offering a “brighter future”. The Hon Chris Finlayson, Minister of Treaty Negotiations, is certainly playing his part. Since he came to the job four years ago the Treaty settlement process has made major advances. Last … Continue reading

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White Paper misses the mark

The Government’s White Paper for Vulnerable Children was published late last year and once again studiously avoided addressing the key driver of child abuse and neglect in New Zealand – the casualisation of our relationship culture. As I noted in … Continue reading

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Marriage Definition Amendment Bill – 4 reasons why not

Sent in my submission today on the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill. The short submission is here Marriage Definition Bill – Submission Ewen McQueen . In summary – the submission opposes the Bill on the grounds that: 1) The Bill is based on … Continue reading

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Broadcasting Standards Authority subverts its own legislation

The Broadcasting Act 1989 contains a set of standards including that: “When discussing controversial issues… broadcasters should make reasonable efforts, or give reasonable opportunities, to present significant points of view either in the same programme or in other programmes within the period of current … Continue reading

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