Category Archives: History

Submission on the draft English curriculum released March 2025

Posted on June 17, 2025 by Peter Winsley

Dr Peter Winsley [email protected] This submission supports the draft English curriculum as it relates to knowledge-richness, a standardized curriculum for all students, direct instruction, and the importance of cognitive science learning principles.  Great literature fosters critical thinking.  It also challenges … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural issues, Economics, History, Learning, education and pedagogy, Shakespeare | Tagged | Leave a comment

Submission on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Peter Winsley

By Dr Peter Winsley I support the Bill, despite its weaknesses. For expositional clarity, in my submission I use the term “te Tiriti” rather than “the Treaty.” This acknowledges that about 540 rangatira signed te Tiriti versus about 39 who … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional and Treaty of Waitangi issues, Cultural issues, Economics, History | Tagged | 9 Comments

Recovering from New Zealand’s worst ever economic decision: The cancellation of the Kirk Government’s superannuation scheme

Posted on September 8, 2024 by Peter Winsley

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            EEconomists wonder about the “New Zealand paradox”, which is that New Zealand under-performs economically given its policies, institutions, natural resources, educated people, and compliance with trade and other multi-lateral agreements. Our economic reforms from the mid-1980s and on were textbook … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays on Management, History, Politics | Tagged | 2 Comments

The mask has slipped: now we can see tribalism’s true face (but things are looking better overall)

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Peter Winsley

In recent weeks the mask slipped, and we saw tribalism’s true face.  Kiri Tamihere-Waititi delivered a declamatory call for Māori to overthrow the Government, declare sovereignty and do what the f##k they want. AUT’s Dean of Law dismissed a legal … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional and Treaty of Waitangi issues, Cultural issues, Economics, History, Maori, Politics, Science and innovation | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Superannuation, KiwiSaver, and New Zealand’s economic development

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Peter Winsley

The Retirement Commissioner has released a paper on aspects of New Zealand Superannuation (NZS).  Its focus includes affordability, fairness, age of eligibility, and the treatment of those over 65 who continue in the workforce whilst also receiving NZS. What the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, History | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Russian economic history, including a folk song lens

Posted on February 3, 2024 by Peter Winsley

The new coalition government in New Zealand gives some hope that democracy, universalism, and Enlightenment values can win out over identity politics and tribalism. This frees up time to explore other issues, such as why some inherently wealthy countries underperform … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, History, Politics, Russia, Ukraine | 1 Comment

Te Tiriti o Waitangi cedes sovereignty to the Crown, and can be unifying rather than divisive

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Peter Winsley

Repeated claims are made that Māori never ceded sovereignty to the Crown. These claims come from sources such as the Waitangi Tribunal, activists, academics, and from Te Pāti Māori.  A display in Te Papa on an English language version of … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional and Treaty of Waitangi issues, Cultural issues, History, Maori, Politics, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

The great soul of the Russian people will always outlive those who seek to destroy it

Posted on October 29, 2023 by Peter Winsley

The Russian symbolist poet Osip Mandelstam once said that Russia is the only country that takes poetry seriously – it gets people killed.  In Stalin’s time some Russian poets were victimised and silenced, some were protected.  Stalin admired Pasternak’s translations … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural issues, History, Politics, Russia | 2 Comments

How to defend New Zealand without killing anyone (if possible)

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Peter Winsley

War is older than all human cultures.  It pervades human history in all regions and epochs.  When the first oral histories were composed war was among the most pervasive themes.  Yet war is horrible.  It is also extremely expensive both … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, History, Politics, Russia, Science and innovation, Ukraine | 3 Comments

The Green Party’s plans for public and private lands

Posted on August 12, 2023 by Peter Winsley

The Green Party wants to facilitate the transfer of more public (or “Crown”) and private land to iwi, hapū, and whānau.  The intent is to address inequities arising from Māori land loss, especially in the 19th century.  The New Zealand … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional and Treaty of Waitangi issues, Cultural issues, Economics, History, Maori | 2 Comments