Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 4/4/24

The Treaty’s role in governance arrangements? Restoration of referendums on Māori wards will be heartening for democrats

There’s good news today for proponents of democracy, or democratic government. That excludes every MP who voted for the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill, which enables the tribe’s rūnanga to appoint two councillors with full voting rights to the council.

“Appoint” is the key word. Every other councillor must campaign to win the support of citizens through elections and be held accountable to voters at subsequent elections.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 22/3/24

Forget about what government spending is being cut – take a look at what this spending has done and is doing

Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed into its sails.