Keith Locke Archive

  • Keith Locke

    Popping the balloon of secrecy around Waihopai



    Last weekend’s protest at Waihopai was the usual colourful affair. It began with a march through Blenheim, and speeches from Murray Horton, John Minto and myself. We then adjourned to the spy base itself, up the beautiful Waihopai Valley. More speeches and chants followed by the ceremonial popping of 13 white ballons, each displaying a letter [...] read more
    January 26, 2010 2:29 pm - 53 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Bearded Apiata on NZ Army website



    There are two (related) debates raging following the decision of the Herald and other newpapers to publish the photo of VC winner Willie Apiata on active duty in Kabul following a Taliban attack. The Christchurch Press argues this morning that it was just sharing a photo ‘that anyone could see on the internet’. The Press denies [...] read more
    January 25, 2010 12:04 pm - 14 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Bring SAS troops home from Afghanistan!



    It’s good that New Zealand won’t be sending any more troops to Afghanistan. However, that’s not because John Key has just seen the light. With its existing troop commitments – in Afghanistan, the Solomons and East Timor – the NZ Defence Force simply doesn’t have any troops to spare. I’m asking John Key to look at [...] read more
    December 3, 2009 9:58 am - 16 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Workers demand end to wage freeze



    The sun shone on rallies for low paid workers held in cities and town across New Zealand. In Auckland they were led by Service Workers Union members in their bright red T-shirts – coming from hospitals and rest homes across the region. Other unions like the Public Service Association and NZ Educational Institute also brought their low paid members along. read more
    November 27, 2009 6:06 pm - 29 Comments
  • frog

    7 Months, 7 Roads, and 7 Days…



    Steven Joyce likes saying he’s tired of the “road versus rail debate” – implying that his government recognizes both roads and public transport are needed and important. But what does this government’s record on transport in Auckland, especially when it comes to 7s, really suggest? read more
    October 23, 2009 12:36 pm - 8 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Secret agreement for SAS on Afghan prisoners?



    According to Jon Stephenson in this morning’s Sunday Star-Times the SAS soldiers realise they are in for a tougher time in Afghanistan this time around. However, it is still not entirely clear what will happen to any prisoners our SAS hands over to the Afghan authorities. Jon Stephenson says Afghanistan has now promised, in writing, that [...] read more
    September 27, 2009 8:35 pm - 2 Comments
  • frog

    Tokelau navigates towards cleaner, greener future



    Core Green issues of transport, energy and Pacific climate change were raised in a meeting with our MPs Keith Locke and Kennedy Graham.  A delegation from Tokelau – that included the three high chiefs of Tokelau – Faipule Foua Toloa (Ulu o Tokelau/leader of Tokelau) , Faipule Kuresa Nasau, Faipule Pio Tetimuatoga Tuia Iosefo and officials – met [...] read more
    September 20, 2009 8:00 am - 8 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    NZ must take a stand on human rights abuse in Iran



    All eyes were on Iran during its presidential elections on June 12. The re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was seen as fraudulent by many, and set off a spate of protests in following weeks. The crackdown by the Iranian government shocked the world. Many protestors and bystanders were killed or injured; over a thousand were detained. Though [...] read more
    September 7, 2009 5:47 pm - 51 Comments
  • frog

    Just how does the SIS protect our ‘economic wellbeing’?



    Image by Lyndon Hood I haven’t yet requested my file from the Security Intelligence Service just in case it diverts some hard working intelligence operative from detecting an outrage from Al-Qaeda, the Red Army Faction, Baader Meinhof Gang or the Action, Research and Education Network of Aotearoa (ARENA). Of course the group most likely to be [...] read more
    August 10, 2009 3:16 pm - 61 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Bain verdict time for sober reflection



    It’s good that the Police have said they will learn from the Bain case if there is any thing they could have done better.   However, it shouldn’t just be admitting they did a few things wrong at the beginning.   The review needs to cover the whole of the last 15 years – since that tragic morning at [...] read more
    June 8, 2009 4:58 pm - 24 Comments
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