The cynical motives behind Maori representation
The establishment of Maori seats in New Zealand’s Parliament in 1867 tells a story of political calculation rather than progressive idealism.
Grant McLachlan
2 days ago3 min read
Politics101: The Art of the False Allegation
Political scandals involving allegations that are later unsubstantiated or dismissed represent a complex intersection of media, law enforcement, and democratic accountability.
Grant McLachlan
Aug 412 min read
Freedom fighters or freedom frauds? The Act Party’s local government hypocrisy
Act want to run candidates at this year's local body elections. But local body politicians who were previously Act candidates at the general election are retiring. Their track records speak for themselves.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Apr 269 min read
ALEC's global reach: How US corporate interests drive New Zealand's punitive justice policies
New Zealand's Act Party, Sensible Sentencing Trust, and New Zealand Taxpayers' Union simply echo US think tanks. Why?
Grant McLachlan - Column
Apr 1212 min read
Is Auckland Council fascist?
“Fascism” is a strong word, but when examining recent events in Auckland Council governance, troubling parallels emerge.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Mar 314 min read
Trump actions repeat mistakes that led to World War II
There is a foreboding similarity between Trump's actions and those that led to World War II.
Grant McLachlan
Feb 273 min read
China’s Pacific strategy mirrors Japan’s pre-war playbook
Bywater's 1925 book The Great Pacific Water accurately predicted not just the rise of Japan but also China a century later.
Grant McLachlan
Feb 224 min read
Submission to Auckland Council in response to proposals for the northern end of Snells Beach
Submissions to the Rodney Local Board of Auckland Council on the Proposals of Megan Young and dog access rules for Snells Beach.
Grant McLachlan
Jan 2917 min read
The Politics of Stupid
Oscar Wilde said: "Life imitates art far more than art imitates life." In Snells Beach, life imitates the films Zoolander and Hot Fuzz.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Jan 287 min read
Auckland Council: Too big to care, too complex to control.
Auckland Council has grown so vast that watchdogs lack the resources to keep up, fostering a culture that often rewards dubious conduct.
Grant McLachlan
Oct 3, 20244 min read
The 'unknowns' that will decide this election
Many politicians have said, “The only poll that matters is election day.” What polls don’t consider could decide this election.
Grant McLachlan
Sep 24, 20233 min read
How much of our culture is contrived?
Is our changing culture making us any the wiser Grant McLachlan asks.
Grant McLachlan
Sep 21, 20234 min read
Signs that voters want change
One sign that voters want change is when they don’t take the government seriously. A sure sign is when authorities won’t enforce those laws.
Grant McLachlan
Feb 19, 20233 min read
Ex-ACT staffer Grant McLachlan says party created fake grassroots groups
Political pundits and media experts are warning that artificial grassroots organisations are being used to manipulate public opinion.
Ruth Hill - Radio New Zealand
Apr 7, 20216 min read
Beware of List MPs hiding behind leaders
The Act Party list was announced on Sunday 28 June 2020. The most notable change to the list was the demotion of Deputy Leader Beth...
Grant McLachlan - Column
Oct 16, 20204 min read
Dopey economic theory causing social decline
The Herald headline read "Auckland Council golf courses a $2b-plus development bonanza." Here is the column challenging it.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Oct 14, 20204 min read
Kiwis are more corrupted than they think
New Zealanders place more trust in their politicians and journalists than they should.
Grant McLachlan
Oct 3, 20205 min read
Why we should have zero tolerance for Act
Sex, drugs, fraud and bullying. What the Act Party doesn't want you to know this election.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Sep 30, 20204 min read
Astroturfs: Act Three of 'Dirty Politics'
The history of astroturfs in New Zealand is closely associated to the history of the Act Party.
Grant McLachlan
Sep 29, 202013 min read
Taxpayer Union just a right-wing puppet
When pushing for more transparency and less waste in government, the NZ Taxpayers’ Union should be more up front who they're advocating for.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Jul 15, 20203 min read
