Opinion: World War I memories made of this
Source: Massey University The New Zealand War Memorial at Le Quesnoy. Places like this town in northern France have additional resonance for New Zealanders following a four-year centenary commememoration programme about World War I By Professor Kingsley Baird As the centenary of the First World War draws to an end it is appropriate to reflect […]
Read More →Opinion: A mid-term election for the ages
Source: Massey University The power balance in US politics could shift as a result of the mid-term elections, held every six years (photo/Wikimedia Commons) In case you haven’t heard, on Wednesday (NZ time) some elections are taking place in the USA. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs, as are […]
Read More →Opinion: A caravan of desperation and hope
Source: Massey University Life in Honduras is difficult and dangerous for most Hondurans who are under threat from gangs, drug cartels, political corruption and more. (photo/Sharon McLennan) by Dr Sharon McLennan Honduras is a wonderful place for a short visit, despite its reputation as a one of the most dangerous places on the planet. Like […]
Read More →Opinion: Cameroon election – voting amid risk of civil war
Source: Massey University Tensions are growing as the outcome of Cameroon’s recent presidential elections are being decided Recent presidential elections in Cameroon took place in the shadow of numerous security crises, of extremism and terrorism, a growing separatist movement, a stressed economy and rising frustration with an octogenarian leader seeking a seventh term in office. […]
Read More →Giving Māui a Māori voice
Source: Massey University Cover of the English version of a new children’s book on the story of Māuri fishing up the North Island, or Te Ika a Māui. A new children’s book re-telling the legend of Māui has just been published in English and Māori – a pleasing event for its Māori translator Dr Darryn […]
Read More →Opinion: Iron deficiency – are you getting enough?
Source: Massey University This week marks 2018 World Iron Awareness Week. We all know of someone who has been diagnosed with iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia. It’s probably the most common nutrient deficiency in the world, with close to a third of the global population being affected. Closer to home, figures from nutritional surveys […]
Read More →Opinion: Free speech or ‘no platform’? – a classicist’s plea
Source: Massey University Nero, a Roman emporer and tyrant who silenced dissidents (image/Wikimedia Commons) This illiberal trend is a betrayal of the heritage of free thought, inquiry, speech, and debate bequeathed to us from the ancient world. According to the Roman historian Tacitus, the key distinguishing feature of life under good emperors – as opposed […]
Read More →Opinion: Zimbabwe’s election and an uncertain future
Source: Massey University International security expert Dr Marc Lanteigne says hopes remain for a better future in Zimbabwe, despite turmoil following recent elections. Last week Zimbabwe held its first presidential election in nearly thirty years that did not include the country’s founding leader, Robert Mugabe, amid regional and global hopes that the southern African state […]
Read More →Opinion: The great survivor
Source: Massey University Ko te whae a te iwi katoa he tangata, he tangata hei arahi, hei whakatakoto kupu, hei whaakahua mo tatou katoa. The desire of our people is a man, a particular man to lead, to transmit thoughts, to be representative of our people. So wrote 30 year-old National candidate Winston R. Peters […]
Read More →Opinion: Defence strategy reveals new priorities and tensions
Source: Massey University New priorities and tensions feature in New Zealand’s new defence strategy policy, says Dr Wil Hoverd (photo/Wikimedia Commons) From safeguarding regional Pacific security to the protection of Antartica and now climate change and cyber threats – the just-released strategic defence policy statement highlights the new and emerging priorities for our national security. […]
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