https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/rss NZME Founder and director of the public policy think tank New Zealand Centre for Political Research, and a former ACT MP.  Muriel is analytical and relentless Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:15:38 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-investigating-covid/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-investigating-covid/ New Zealand has experienced two pandemics in recent years.  The first was the swine flu pandemic, caused by the H1N1 influenza virus, which originated in Mexico in 2009. It is estimated to have affected as many as 1.4 billion people… Mon, 26 Feb 2024 01:56:05 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-waitangi-day-2024/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-waitangi-day-2024/ Waitangi Day was the spectacle we have come to expect. Like it was a reality TV show, politicians attended to supposedly pay their respects, while radicals acted out their disrespect. Most Kiwis didn’t bother about it and just enjoyed another… Sun, 18 Feb 2024 16:00:58 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-derailing-the-treaty-gravy-train/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-derailing-the-treaty-gravy-train/ There’s been a great deal of huffing and puffing over the last few weeks as the tribal elite respond to the threatened erosion of privileges. The coalition Government’s commitment to equal rights will undermine their lucrative Treaty grievance industry and… Mon, 05 Feb 2024 16:00:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-2024-a-year-of-reckoning/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-2024-a-year-of-reckoning/ It’s traditional to start a new year by reflecting on the past and contemplating the future. With that in mind, we can confidently say that New Zealand is in a far better position at the dawn of 2024 than we… Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:00:10 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-the-state-of-democracy/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-the-state-of-democracy/ As we reflect on last year’s change in government, what the past six years have taught us is just how fragile democracy really is and how easily it is undermined. So, let’s examine its status as we begin 2024. Wed, 03 Jan 2024 18:11:40 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-we-are-witnessing-a-remarkable-turnaround-in-new-zealand-politics/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-we-are-witnessing-a-remarkable-turnaround-in-new-zealand-politics/ The Coalition agreement entered into by National, Act and New Zealand First reflects the first three-party coalition deal in our country’s history. Democracy can be seen to have prevailed, with MMP delivering what the majority of New Zealanders want. And… Sun, 03 Dec 2023 16:00:56 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-aspirational-reform/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-aspirational-reform/ The past six years of inept management by the Hipkins-Ardern Labour Government has exposed a multitude of problems facing the country that need to be addressed. Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:00:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-the-radicalisation-of-parliament/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-the-radicalisation-of-parliament/ Parliament has not even been sworn in, but already the Greens, the Maori Party, and Labour, are demonstrating levels of radicalism not seen in our House of Representatives before. Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:00:10 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-court-of-appeal-opens-coast-to-m%C4%81ori-ownership/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-court-of-appeal-opens-coast-to-m%C4%81ori-ownership/ A Court of Appeal decision was released last week that will have a profound influence on the future of New Zealand. Poor drafting and a radical application of ‘tikanga’ by the judiciary has delivered the exact opposite outcome from what… Tue, 31 Oct 2023 16:00:16 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-healing-racial-tensions/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-healing-racial-tensions/ The same day that New Zealanders vote in the General Election to choose a new government, Australians vote in the Voice referendum to see whether constitutional recognition will be given to Aboriginal people. Tue, 03 Oct 2023 20:02:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-the-elections-undue-influence/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/opinion/muriel-newman/muriel-newman-the-elections-undue-influence/ As the election closes in, there appears to be an overwhelming mood for change. Sun, 01 Oct 2023 16:00:44 Z