Inequality IS natural

In a debate organised last week by Victoria University students, the motion that ‘inequality is natural’ won out over the opposing view by a margin of 49 to 43. This might seem like a setback for those who care about inequality. But in fact it wasn’t. The affirmative team, led by Shamubeel Eaqub of the…

Is New Zealand fair?

Ideas of fairness – especially the cherished ‘fair go’ – have long been important in New Zealand culture. But Anglican Social Justice are running a competition for schools, entitled ‘Is New Zealand fair?’, which challenges some of those ideas. Drawing on information from Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis, it’s asking students to find new and…

Inequality – the tour so far

Now that the first major leg of the Inequality book tour is done and dusted, I estimate I’ve spoken directly to over 1,000 people, including all the events during the last few months. Much of that has happened outside the main centres, and it’s been good to hear what’s on people’s minds across the country….

New tour date: Blenheim

We’ve just confirmed another talk on the Inequality Road Tour: Blenheim, on Wednesday September 25th, 7pm, at the Marlborough District Library. That’ll be the start of a short Top of the South trip, taking in Motueka on the Thursday (details to come) and Nelson on the Friday: www.inequality.org.nz/upcoming-events.

Talking in Napier

Here’s a shot from Thursday night’s talk in Napier – a full house at Beattie and Forbes bookshop. Thanks to James Landon for the picture. James notes that in the crowd “were 3 prospective Regional Councillors, one City Councillor, various Health Professionals, a PWC Partner and the Children’s Commissioner no less”.

Inequality – so, so mainstream

People listening recently to Morning Report may have heard the World Bank’s chief economist, Kashik Basu, noting that the bank had two new goals that confirm inequality’s position in the mainstream of world thinking. The first was to reduce the number of people living in extreme poverty; the second, to make sure that countries were…