In this section I list the items that I have written – mostly – for publication in the popular media. In each case I have sorted them according to the predominant “hat I wear”. Where my role on the Auckland District Health Board is leading, the item is listed under “Health Commentary”. Where I adopt a more academic approach informed by my association with the University of Auckland, the item is listed under “Policy Analysis”. And, finally, where the work is strongly related to my association with The Helen Clark Foundation, the item is listed under “Think-tank Perspective”. Articles in this section are displayed chronologically or can be viewed by category.
- Health Commentary (20)
- Other (13)
- Policy Analysis (46)
- Think-tank Perspective (27)
- Uncategorized (5)
- Women Leaders (3)
Articles in a chronological order
If I was PM: How to reach a new equilibrium on fiscal responsibility
27 September 2026, The Post We need an honest debate about how to reach a new equilibrium on fiscal responsibility. This would involve reducing poor policy decisions that are expensive and…
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Why is sociology the hate discipline of the social sciences?
Why is sociology the hate-piniata of the social sciences, Brooke Harrington (Economist, 24 August, 2026) Please allow me to introduce myself: I’m one of those sociologists newspapers have been warning you about.…
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“Off the guardrails”. Helen Clark Profile, Book Review
Off the guardrails, Danyl McLauchlan (New Zealand Listener, 22 August, 2026) It’s been 18 years since the end of Helen Clark’s term as prime minister of New Zealand. She’s 76, and…
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“A Place To Stand” – Book Review
Book Review – “The makings of a New Zealand classic”. (newsroom, 27 July 2026)* Clare Ward’s memoir A Place To Stand has the makings of a New Zealand classic. She came to the…
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Thinking Long in Tumultuous Times
Introduction. Facing Up to Our Future (The Helen Clark Foundation and AUT University. Dunmore Press) Introduction New Zealand has been through tough times over the last 15-20 years: Global Financial Crisis,…
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The case for a four-year term of Parliament*
Published in Ingenio, Autumn 2026 Last year the Justice Select Committee passed a modified version of the proposal for a four-year term of parliament, together with a public referendum. This has…
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‘Defining axis of social division’: How politics is feeding our housing crisis
Published in The New Zealand Herald, 19 June, 2026. Derek Cheng Political flip-flops and kowtowing to the homeowner voting bloc have put housing in New Zealand on a pathway that’s “neither…
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New Zealand is struggling on many fronts. Are we headed for failure?
13 October 2025, The Post Several recent developments suggest that New Zealand as an effective jurisdiction may be weakening. To stretch the argument, are there indications of state failure in our…
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Aotearoa New Zealand has come a long way
Letters to the Editor, New Zealand Herald, 2 October 2025 David Seymour and Parmjeet Parmar criticised the compulsory first-year course at the University of Auckland that had a Māori component and…
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The case for a four-year term – as part of a wider reform process
Published in The Post, 4 September 2025 The Justice Select Committee has passed a modified version of the proposal for a four-year term of parliament, and the concept of a referendum…
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Recent health decisions do not bode well for the future
Published in Newsroom, 7 August 2025 The Minister of Health Simeon Brown is clearly energetic in his approach to the health portfolio, but has arguably made several missteps, including his directive…
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80 years on, the realities of nuclear warfare can’t be forgotten
Published in The Post, 6 August 2025 On VE day – May 8 – we marked the 80th anniversary of the end of warfare in continental Europe, with New Zealanders recalling…
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Free speech concern in universities is a manufactured crisis
Published in The Post, 26 June 2025 The current push to mandate “free speech” policies in New Zealand universities in legislation currently being considered before Parliament’s Education and Workforce Select Committee…
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Reshaping health requires new ways of thinking – and operating
Published in The Post, 16 May 2025 Two recent announcements by the Minister of Health should prompt a serious discussion about the future shape of healthcare delivery in New Zealand: the…
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Anatomy of a health system failure
Published in The Post, 4 April 2025 While recent health headlines have featured the departures of personnel at the upper levels of Health New Zealand (HNZ), the publication at the time…
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