New Zealand
New Zealand: Life under lockdown and the view of outside
Where are we in the fourth week of lockdown in New Zealand?
The borders are sealed. As I was writing this, the Flight Radar 24 app had only two domestic flights taking place…
Covid-19: New Zealand, isolated, yet far from alone
Tumultuous times. Along with every other country, New Zealand faces an uncertain period. Remoteness might mitigate some impact of Covid-19, but it does not provide protection from…
Why did the NZ Opposition Leader jump the shark on China?
One day (well, on 20 May of this year, to be precise) as Opposition Leader you’re launching a discussion document on your party’s international policies. “National’s positioning…
The Pacific step up goes to Washington
One evening every June for more than 20 years, a “Pacific Night” reception has featured as a mainstay of the diplomatic circuit in Washington DC. It is organised largely through…
Australia, New Zealand and the “corrosive” character test
In the first parliamentary sitting week following Australia’s recent election, a bill to amend the Migration Act was introduced and tabled in the House of Representatives. This…
Christchurch enters a nightmare peculiar to our times
“The nihilist … acts out the violence that so many others perpetrate verbally and virtually on the web: he is, in that sense, the avenging angel of post-truth and the rant made…
Australia-Turkey: Erdogan’s bitter legacy in present-day history
Pity MIKTA. Not so long ago, Canberra had high hopes for this obscure grouping of countries – Mexico, Indonesia, (South) Korea, Turkey, and Australia. Former foreign minister…
Why Jakarta called in Australia’s ambassador after Christchurch
A murderous terrorist attack by an Australian white supremacist on two mosques in New Zealand does not, at first sight, look like a bilateral issue for Jakarta and Canberra.
But…
Christchurch attack: the dark web of terrorism as entertainment
Following the deadliest terror attack in New Zealand’s history, a flood of articles have been devoted to “understanding” the accused shooter, Brenton Tarrant, decoding his…
Five questions about the Christchurch attack
The terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch by an Australian white supremacist accused of killing 50 people as they gathered for prayer has rightfully…