Philip Crump: The Architecture of a Capable State - Why Cuts, Cosmetic Fixes and Good Intentions are not enough

Keynote address to the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union AGM – 15 December 2025

This is the text of a keynote address I delivered to the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union AGM on 15 December 2025. It is offered in a personal capacity and reflects an institutional and structural analysis of how the State is organised to deliver outcomes. It is not an endorsement of any organisation, political party, or policy programme.

Philip Crump: Trump's Crypto World

The pardoning of Binance founder CZ last week has given a glimpse at the sensational personal deal-making at the heart of Trump's administration.

A hallmark of President Donald Trump’s second term has been his fervent embrace of cryptocurrency, transforming a once-niche sector into a cornerstone of American economic ambition. From signing an executive order in January 2025 to establish a Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, to unveiling the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile in March, Trump has delivered on campaign pledges to position the United States as the “crypto capital of the world.”

Philip Crump: Trump and Netanyahu announce details of US peace plan for Gaza

After the theatrics of the UN, Trump announces an ambitious peace plan for Gaza.

At 7:30am this morning, one week before the second anniversary of October 7, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu began a press conference at the White House to announce a plan for “peace in the Middle East” including a reconstruction and governance plan for Gaza and an expansion of Trump’s first term Abraham Accords.

The 20 point plan, which has had input from many nations, is focused on ending the war, returning the hostages and setting the conditions for enduring security for the Palestinians and Israel.

Philip Crump: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk - Free Speech and Billionaire Media

The death of the conservative firebrand comes at a pivotal time for global media.

On September 10, Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated during a campus event at the University of Utah. The killing, carried out by Tyler Robinson who now faces the death penalty, has sent shockwaves through American politics and media.

The impact will no doubt be wide-ranging, and early signs are already emerging of the effect that Kirk’s assassination will have.

Philip Crump: Auckland's Latest Stadium Saga

Council infighting has seen the owners of Auckland FC withdraw their proposal for a new stadium at Western Springs. Whilst public feedback didn't pick a winner, the numbers tell a different story.

Earlier this month, Auckland FC’s owners withdrew their proposal to build a new stadium at Western Springs citing “unique challenges” with delivering the project on public land and frustration with “extended timelines and complexities”.

Philip Crump: Australian PM Albanese Walks Diplomatic Tightrope

Anthony Albanese is in China chasing trade deals as Australia undertakes its largest ever military exercise aimed at countering Chinese aggression.

As the Auckland Business Chamber hosts the China Business Summit this Friday, featuring keynote addresses from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, the Pacific region grapples with a complex interplay of economic ambition and escalating security concerns.

Philip Crump: America's Rare Earth Renaissance

Six months into Trump's second term, rare earth minerals are at the centre of his Administration's approach to foreign policy.

As President Trump reshapes global alliances, rare earth minerals are at the centre of his Administration’s approach to foreign policy, challenging China’s stranglehold on the resources that power modern technology.

Philip Cranmer: Antarctic Ambitions - China’s Expansion and New Zealand’s Scott Base Redevelopment

As New Zealand moves forward with the redevelopment of Scott Base, China has submitted plans for its sixth station on the continent.

Earlier this month, Antarctica New Zealand announced the selection of a new contractor to assist with the design and delivery of the redevelopment of Scott Base. The base is New Zealand’s only Antarctic research station, located 3800km south of Christchurch and 1350km from the South Pole.

Philip Crump: The Strategic Power of Long Range Strikes

Operation Midnight Hammer brings to mind another long-range bombing campaign that demonstrated the power of strategic resolve.

As the uneasy cease-fire between Israel and Iran enters its second day, initial indications about the battle damage assessment are starting to find their way into the media. In particular, a leaked preliminary assessment by the US Defense Intelligence Agency suggests that the American strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have delayed Tehran’s nuclear programme by months rather than years.

Philip Crump: Operation Midnight Hammer: US Strikes on Iran

For weeks now speculation about potential US military action against Iran’s nuclear programme has dominated the news. The commentary has ranged from the measured analysis of geopolitical experts to the hysterical pronouncements of social media charlatans. Yet, in an extraordinary twist, the most prescient forecast of President Donald Trump’s strategy appears to have come not from military commentators or political pundits, but from Hollywood.

Philip Crump: NZME Shareholder Meeting - RNZ Corrects the Record

After a two hour shareholder meeting, NZME has a refreshed Board which includes the newly elected Steven Joyce and Jim Grenon.

After months of uncertainty, NZME’s annual shareholder meeting took place yesterday afternoon at its Auckland offices, in the appropriately named iHeart Lounge.

The Herald’s Shayne Currie described the meeting as ‘chilled out’ due to the icy room temperature but it was an equally good description for the lively, good natured and relaxed discussion observed by an audience of approximately 50 shareholders. Notable attendees included former proprietor Michael Horton, Australian media commentator and investor Roger Colman and Hobson’s Pledge leader, Don Brash.

Philip Crump: Social Media and Sovereignty

Amongst social media oligarchs, Elon Musk is the man of the moment, currently soaking up huge amounts of the spotlight as he combines stunning technological innovation at his various companies with political disruption at the heart of the Trump Administration. But within that group of media titans is another billionaire who rivals Musk for uncompromising audacity - the enigmatic Russian founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov.

Philip Crump: Election Lessons from Abroad

The recent general elections in Australia and Canada provide some lessons for our own politicians.

The recent general elections in Australia and Canada provided some interesting results for political trainspotters. Both saw the incumbent parties, once trailing, secure decisive victories, while opposition leaders - Peter Dutton in Australia and Pierre Poilievre in Canada - lost their parliamentary seats in stinging personal defeats. These results highlight how leadership dynamics and national sentiment can upend conventional expectations.

Philip Crump: Six Golden Rules for Trustworthy Media

It’s ironic that in the week that I write about standards in the media, Andrea Vance, the national affairs editor for The Post and Sunday Star-Times, publishes a column about the government’s overhaul of pay equity legislation that directs the C-word towards the Finance Minister Nicola Willis and other female coalition ministers. The column has drawn sharp rebuke, with Willis describing it as “misogynistic and demeaning,” former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley calling it “appalling,” and National MP Judith Collins labelling it “repulsive.”

Philip Crump: NZME’s New Chapter and the Six Challenges Undermining Media Trust

After months of negotiation, the path forward for NZME is now clear.

After two months of horse trading, the major institutional shareholders of NZME have reached a consensus on the composition of the new Board and the implementation of key initiatives.

Subject to shareholder approval, the agreement will see Steven Joyce join the Board as the proposed Chair, alongside Jim Grenon and existing directors Carol Campbell, Guy Horrocks, and Sussan Turner. Campbell will remain on the Board until a replacement director with audit expertise is identified, and Bowen Pan will join to provide technology expertise.

Philip Crump: Winds of Change: Defining Woman and Sex

After years of rancour and division, political leaders in the UK and NZ have welcomed developments in both countries that bring clarity to the gender debate.

A storm of headlines erupted on April 16 when the UK Supreme Court ruled that ‘woman’ in the Equality Act means biological female and ‘sex’ refers to biological sex, not gender identity as set out in a gender recognition certificate. It undoubtedly marks a pivotal moment in the wider gender debate.

Philip Crump: NZME’s Future - Fresh Governance, Shareholder Value, and Balanced News

As many of you know, I’m one of Jim Grenon’s nominees to form part of a refreshed NZME Board. Since our nominations became public on March 6, much of the media commentary has focused on speculation around Jim’s motivations and intentions for the company, and in particular, what this might mean for the editorial direction of the New Zealand Herald.

John McLean: NZME, Oh Me Oh My

NZME Limited is a New Zealand media company that’s publicly listed on NZX, New Zealand’s securities exchange.

NZME publishes several newspapers, including The Herald, and runs multiple radio stations, the most prominent being Newstalk ZB. Curiously, NZME also owns OneRoof, a website for people wanting to buy or sell real estate.

Philip Crump: Mark Carney Calls an Early Snap Election

As widely anticipated, Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has today called a snap election on April 28, a decisive move that could solidify his premiership and capitalise on rapidly shifting political currents. Having assumed the Liberal Party leadership from Justin Trudeau on March 9, Carney faces a pivotal moment. With Canada entangled in a trade war with the United States and polls showing a strong Liberal resurgence, this strategic decision should prove to be the right call, provided it avoids the missteps that derailed Britain’s Theresa May in 2017.

Philip Cranmer: The Panama Canal Port Sale

Amongst the many foreign policy curve balls that President Donald Trump threw at the beginning of his second term earlier this year was his intention to reclaim the Panama Canal: “We built it, we paid for it, and now we’re getting ripped off,” he declared at a January 2025 rally. “The status quo is unacceptable. That ends now.”