Articles from ‘Andy Loader, Poke the Bear’ in ‘Opinion’

Andy Loader questions the proposed action plan for Lake Waikare and the Whangamarino Wetland, asking where the cost-benefit analysis, scientific evidence and measurable outcomes are for a project estimated at $1 billion. He argues that government decisions have contributed to the environmental problems, particularly water flows and koi carp, and challenges whether local ratepayers should bear the cost of remediation. Over the last few weeks…

Andy Loader challenges the idea of “white privilege” in New Zealand, arguing that ethnicity does not determine wealth, hardship or opportunity. He questions race-based funding, co-governance and the expanding influence of Treaty policy, while arguing that assistance should be based on individual need rather than ancestry. Loader contends that New Zealand’s future depends on equality before the law, open debate and democratic government in which…

Andy Loader continues his examination of MMP by turning to what happens after election day. He argues coalition negotiations can hand smaller parties significant influence over who forms the government and what policies emerge. His proposed solution is greater transparency before voters cast their ballots: require parties to declare in advance which other parties they would be prepared to negotiate with Part 1 click here · Obviously after the…

n this opinion, Andy Loader examines New Zealand election promises, the cost of living, resource policy, Treaty and co-governance debates, and the records of successive governments. He questions whether political commitments are grounded in complete evidence and whether voters can hold parties accountable for delivery. Part 2 click here · It doesn’t take a genius to work out that in the current economic climate there are many people who are…

Andy Loader argues that the pause on Waikato Plan Change 1 is not a retreat from improving river health, but an opportunity to address what he sees as fundamental flaws in the plan. He says PC1 failed to properly balance environmental objectives with the economic and social wellbeing of farming communities, despite those considerations being central to the original Vision and Strategy for the Waikato and Waipa Rivers. The paper on Thursday 24th…

Andy Loader challenges changes to Simon Watts' Local Government (Systems Improvement) Bill, arguing that they strengthen council chief executives' control over information available to elected councillors. He questions the implications for democratic accountability, ratepayers' rights and council oversight, while raising wider concerns about co-governance and the coalition government's commitment to equal representation. Thanks to last-minute…

In this opinion piece, Andy Loader examines Labour’s proposal to outlaw price gouging in essential goods and services. He questions how unfair pricing would be defined and argues that regulating prices could discourage supply without addressing the underlying causes of high living costs. Comparing the parties’ supermarket policies, Loader contends that taxation, regulation and broader economic policy deserve greater scrutiny. Labour have…

Andy Loader argues that New Zealand’s debate over the Treaty of Waitangi, Māori representation and co-governance has become increasingly disconnected from the principles of equal citizenship. Looking from the conflicts preceding 1840 through to today’s political institutions, he challenges prevailing interpretations of the Treaty and asks whether race-based representation and policy can be reconciled with a modern democracy in which every…

The Lake Waikare–Whangamarino Action Plan is intended to improve water quality across one of the Waikato’s most important catchments. But from the perspective of the primary land users who will be expected to implement and help pay for it, the plan risks imposing enormous economic and social costs while failing to address the problems landowners believe are driving the deterioration of the waterways. This “Action Plan” is, in my opinion,…

Plan Change 1 aims to improve water quality across the Waikato, but Andy Loader argues its economic and social consequences have not been adequately considered. From rising compliance costs and threats to farming and food production to the impact on rural communities and exports, he questions whether PC1 is workable or affordable. He also argues that major contributors to declining water quality, particularly koi carp, remain inadequately…