Kennedy Graham Archive

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  Visions for Christchurch - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  On Sunday, I convened the 2nd of my series of Vision Christchurch public forums.  Their aim is to engage the public in the challenge of rebuilding greater Christchurch.  This one was held in New Brighton and concentrated on Christchurch East.  What a difference a day makes. Within 20 hours of finishing our meeting in which [...] read more
  June 16, 2011 10:07 am - 16 Comments
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  Another hard day in shake city - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  As you will know by now we were hit once again in Christchurch with two more earthquakes. We were fortunate that no one was killed – for that we can be thankful. On behalf of the Green Party, our thoughts go out to the people hurt yesterday and those whose houses, businesses and lives suffered [...] read more
  June 14, 2011 10:46 am - 3 Comments
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  Congratulations Canadian Green Party - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  It is great to see that Elizabeth May has won the Canadian Green Party’s first seat in the Canadian Parliament. The NZ Greens offer her our heartfelt congratulations on such an extraordinary accomplishment.  We wish her the best in holding the Conservative Party to account. I lived in Canada (Ottawa) for three years a while [...] read more
  May 4, 2011 1:19 pm - 5 Comments
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  Visions of Christchurch: My Public Forum Series - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  For the first few weeks, it was shovelling.  Then it was door-knocking.  Then it was fund-raising to buy food and deliver it to welfare centres, attending memorial services, participating in MP briefings, and travelling into the suburbs and Lyttelton for meetings with Green members and others. Now it is time to refocus and plan for [...] read more
  April 29, 2011 3:57 pm - 3 Comments
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  Courts and Criminal Matters - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The aim of the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill is to enhance the courts’ powers and processes for the collection of fines and other monetary penalties, and civil debt. There is more and more evidence that we are an increasingly unequal society and that inequality negatively affects everyone. We support a fair and robust system [...] read more
  April 7, 2011 10:06 am - 2 Comments
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  At Last, the Tears - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  First it was the shock. Then it was the shovelling, then the door-knocking, then the food delivery and ‘informal’ counselling.  We have tried, in our myriad ways, to help.  Adrenalin relentlessly drove us through the early climactic days.  The sheer intensity of physical effort successfully kept the emotions at bay. That can never last, nor [...] read more
  March 15, 2011 9:32 am - 1 Comment
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  Heroes (Heroines) I Have (Recently) Known - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  A hero(ine) is defined as a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for one’s brave deeds and noble qualities.  I know, now, who they are and why. Let me count the ways. We have become, in Christchurch, a tale of two cities. Out west, we are relatively unaffected and seek to help.  In the [...] read more
  March 6, 2011 10:58 am - 2 Comments
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  The purgatorial delights of liquefaction - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  From middle distance it looks ugly – alien and threatening. Something from another planet, menacing to humans. Actually, from Middle Earth. At shovel distance, it starts to attain a character you can come to terms with. If that is a metaphor for this stricken city, then not all is lost. This morning I volunteer to [...] read more
  February 26, 2011 5:59 pm - 1 Comment
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  Day two in Hell - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Thursday night I convene a meeting of Green members in my house. Twelve turn up, one from the eastern suburbs. He is not sure if he can get back or, if not, where he will stay. He has student friends, so he is not worried. He is young, so he is not worried. We exchange [...] read more
  February 26, 2011 9:25 am - 1 Comment
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  Prime Minister Gillard very welcome - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The visit by Australian PM, Julia Gillard, to New Zealand this week has caused some interest and intrigue.  Prime Minister John Key has cited opposition to her speaking in Parliament – and identified the Green Party as opposing. The background to this is the following. Her predecessor, Kevin Rudd, was visiting last year and had [...] read more
  February 14, 2011 5:33 pm - 50 Comments
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  A view from the inside: anti-nuclear diplomacy in a cold cold world - by frog

  
  
  
  Former diplomat and Green MP Kennedy Graham describes the mid-1980s as some of the best years of his life. New Zealand, under David Lange’s leadership, had just become nuclear free, making, in Kennedy’s words, the most fearless, independent, and moral foreign policy choice since nationhood. I asked Kennedy to describe that time of his life [...] read more
  February 14, 2011 1:53 pm - 7 Comments
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  Suzuki’s keynote speech - by frog

  
  
  
  Last week Dr David Suzuki presented the keynote speech at our Sustainable Economics Conference. For those who couldn’t make it, here is Suzuki’s speech. There will also be an MP3 of his speech available here in the near future. Also note that the quality might not be so great on parts three and four because [...] read more
  November 18, 2010 5:42 pm - 16 Comments
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  Judges pecuniary interests bill gets an early debut - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  My third member’s bill – the Register of Pecuniary Interest of Judges Bill – got an unexpected early debut yesterday. An Urgent Debate requested by Labour was granted on the resignation of Judge Bill Wilson which took effect last Friday.  Labour had always concentrated its fire on the alleged shortcomings of Attorney-General Chris Finlayson, and [...] read more
  November 10, 2010 12:46 pm - 5 Comments
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  Time for a pecuniary interest register for judiciary - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The announced resignation of Justice Wilson has highlighted the need for a register of the financial interests of the judiciary. Such a register would stop financial conflict of interests or perceived conflicts of interests from occurring in the future. While the case against Justice Wilson has been dropped, the perception of a conflict has led [...] read more
  October 22, 2010 3:47 pm - 3 Comments
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  Victory for Parliamentary democracy–Greens can be proud - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  This week has seen parliamentary democracy in New Zealand at its best. Most of the time, the House reverberates with two forms of adversarial action: Question Time when the trick is (usually) to score a ministerial goal – and for the ministerial goalie to defend; Debates over legislation in which supporting parties rationalise a draft [...] read more
  July 3, 2010 3:12 pm - 4 Comments
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  An MMP moment in the House - by frog

  
  
  
  In a moment straight out of Hollywood and a demonstration of an MMP Parliament working as it should, the Minister walks into the Chamber with a handwritten amendment to the Bill… Minister Simon Power was persuaded by the debate in the House to amend the legislation under discussion. The right of the accused person to [...] read more
  July 2, 2010 4:32 pm - 4 Comments
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  “Whatever You Do, Keep Your Head Down”: The Non-Key to Non-Aggression - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The NZ Government under John Key has displayed its pusillanimity on the question of international law and security – once more. In answer to a question in the House yesterday, the Foreign Minister (actually the Attorney-General in his absence, which guaranteed an articulate exchange) stated that New Zealand will not ratify, over the next seven [...] read more
  June 24, 2010 5:36 pm - 5 Comments
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  Thousands protest against the ECan coup - by frog

  
  
  
  It’s great to see the people of Canterbury fighting back in their thousands, and to see Green MPs Russel Norman and Kennedy Graham supporting them, to return to democratic regional governance. read more
  June 13, 2010 7:47 pm - 9 Comments
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  Kennedy Graham on democracy under attack in Canterbury - by frog

  
  
  
  “…the Creech report is a shoddy piece of work and fails rudimentary tests of professional standards. First, the report lacks intellectual integrity. It criticises Environment Canterbury for being science-driven and not science-informed. The Creech report is politically-driven and not politically-informed.” read more
  March 27, 2010 8:31 am - 19 Comments
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  Move over John Key - by frog

  
  
  
  Move over John Key, you may have come out on top as sexiest politician in a Durex survey earlier in the year but you’ve got some hot—oh, it’s not just the climate that is heating up—competition coming off the Green Party benches. Salient, the student magazine of Victoria University, has rated our own Dr Kennedy [...] read more
  March 23, 2010 4:09 pm - 20 Comments
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  Copenhagen 10: Goodbye, Therese - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  We never really gave up on each other, Therese and I. I doubt I shall see Therese. Not this time. Not at the Copenhagen Climate Conference of 2009. Perhaps, perhaps not. Anyway, as she would say, ha, ha, ha. Bye Therese. Thanks for everything. read more
  December 19, 2009 6:00 pm - 6 Comments
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  Copenhagen Diary: It is a disgrace - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  Tonight’s outcome in Copenhagen is a tragedy for humanity. It is  widely recognised as a failure papered over with some fine sounding words by Obama. The purpose of the meeting was to agree on a second commitment period for the Kyoto  protocol. That has not been achieved. We came here wanting an ambitious, fair and [...] read more
  December 19, 2009 1:03 pm - 76 Comments
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  Copenhagen 9: Let Us Refuse to Acknowledge ‘Defeat’ - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The ‘blame-game’ industry will get a new lease-on-life in the New Year. The Danish leadership has been trenchantly criticised – both for its organizational shortcomings and, far more importantly, for its hapless strategic misjudgements in the negotiations. read more
  December 19, 2009 4:52 am - 12 Comments
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  A video message from Green MPs in Copenhagen - by frog

  
  
  
  As the COP15 climate summit draws to a close, Jeanette Fitzsimons and Kennedy Graham offer their views on what is, and isn’t, happening at this most important of international meetings. Jeanette discusses the lack of emissions reduction targets thusfar offered by rich nations, and the $100 billion pledge from the US that will begin in 2020 to [...] read more
  December 18, 2009 11:14 pm - 1 Comment
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  Copenhagen 8: Peering through the Eye of the Needle - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  We are at the moment of truth, here in Copenhagen. For 8 days the conference has ground along in true diplomatic style, officials parsing words and bracketing phrases within the mindless straitjacket of 193 inflexible cabinet decisions thrashed out in advance of what purports to be multilateral negotiations.  Behind the screens, leaders are talking.  But [...] read more
  December 18, 2009 11:12 am - 5 Comments
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  Copenhagen 7: Living with Therese - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  I live with Therese. We are cohabiting in her apartment these past six nights. From Friday to Thursday today, I have left in the dark around 7.00 a.m. and returned in the dark around midnight. It is not a routine guaranteed to meet Therese. I email her. This is from your phantom guest, I say. It is proving difficult to meet up. read more
  December 18, 2009 5:14 am - 6 Comments
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  Copenhagen 6: Screaming into the void - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  OK so there are 45,000 concerned humans milling around. Only one-third are getting into the Bella Conference Centre. Yesterday I arrived at the gates at 7.45. It is still dark. And very cold. A young woman next to me, not yet accredited, had stood in the queue yesterday in zero degrees for 10 hours. That’s not easy. And she was unsuccessful. She was back this morning at 6.20 a.m. I think... read more
  December 17, 2009 1:14 am - 20 Comments
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  Copenhagen 4: I remain, Your Humble and Obedient Servant - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  A funny thing happened on the way to the Climate Change Forum. Fate allowed me to serve Her Majesty’s Government, once again. In a phantom role, it is true. But it was a privilege, nonetheless. read more
  December 16, 2009 4:01 am - 10 Comments
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  Copenhagen II: Gentlemen (Ladies?), Choose your Weapons - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The first week of the Copenhagen Conference has not been without its drama.  This will of course be nothing compared to Week 2, but the preliminaries have been fast and furious. The best-known drama has been the leaked ‘Danish draft’.  This has been reported as infuriating the developing world, especially the major emerging economies – [...] read more
  December 14, 2009 10:24 pm - 12 Comments
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  Making Sense of Copenhagen - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Saturday was our first day at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.  Jeanette Fitzsimons and I, along with staff member Rick Leckinger, are attending.  It is a remarkable event in itself, as well as being critical in substance. Two quick things to clear up. First, yes we expended carbon getting here, along with the other participants.  [...] read more
  December 14, 2009 12:21 am - 29 Comments
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  Tokelau navigates towards cleaner, greener future - by frog

  
  
  
  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 – [...] read more
  September 20, 2009 8:00 am - 8 Comments
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  Using the Force? Make sure it’s legal - by frog

  
  
  
  A bit of culture jamming is what you need to show that people are, in fact, paying attention. So it was when Scoop’s Gordon Campbell wrote up Kennedy Graham’s International Non-Aggression and Lawful Use of Force Bill, which was released last week. I’m not sure who to credit for the photo, beyond scoop, but if [...] read more
  July 13, 2009 2:57 pm - 30 Comments
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  Nick Smith asks for a public education on climate change - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  On Monday night, Minister Nick Smith held the first of a series of public meetings on setting an emissions reduction target.  The series is being held throughout the main cities in NZ. The Government is to be commended for initiating this series since a democratic legitimacy for its policies is a necessary condition of it [...] read more
  July 9, 2009 6:34 am - 46 Comments
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  Kennedy Graham on International Climate Change Negotiations - by frog

  
  
  
  In this week’s message from parliament, Green MP Kennedy Graham urges everyone to put pressure on the government to negotiate real and binding emissions reductions in the lead up to Copenhagen this December. While the government is busy hacking every budget under the sun, we are being distracted from one of the most important international [...] read more
  March 13, 2009 8:00 am - 8 Comments
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  Kennedy Graham on General Debate, March 5th 2009 - by frog

  
  
  
  Green MP Kennedy Graham did his first General Debate Speech on Thursday, choosing climate change as his topic. Kennedy is the spokesperson on International Climate Change Issues. As we slide serenely into the sea, let us recognise that, just as water finds its own level, a species that fails to foresee disaster ahead, or sees [...] read more
  March 7, 2009 9:30 am - 22 Comments
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  Kennedy Graham’s maiden speech - by frog

  
  
  
  Welcome Kennedy!   read more
  December 18, 2008 12:18 pm - 2 Comments
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  Ken Graham’s Green history - by frog

  
  
  
  Christchurch’s Ken Graham gets a good write up in this morning’s Herald as a potential new Green MP.  The article discusses his involvement in developing the intellectual framework behind New Zealand’s nuclear free policy in the 1980s: “I wrote an article that Carl Sagan picked up, basically saying it was a misperception that our nuclear [...] read more
  October 30, 2008 3:31 pm - 11 Comments
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  Make peace not war - by frog

  
  
  
  And here’s more policy announcements.  Keith Locke and Kennedy Graham launched a 22 page foreign affairs policy tonight at the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Institute for International Affairs that: Introduces into our trading framework with other countries values like human rights, labour and environmental standards, ecologically-sustainable practices, local values and cultures, the right [...] read more
  September 17, 2008 8:55 pm - 102 Comments
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  People vs the Bomb - by frog

  
  
  
  While we are on the topic of defence here’s a link to a youtube promo of the programme People vs the Bomb, starring US Presidential Candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, together with Michal Gorbachev, Christie Brinkley and Ted Turner and of course the Green Party’s high ranking Ilam candidate Kennedy Graham. (You can see [...] read more
  September 4, 2008 9:26 am - No Comments
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  Kennedy Graham on sustainability - by frog

  
  
  
  I just recently found Ken Graham’s Ilam Greens website, including this post on sustainability: The sustainability problem is an imbalance between human numbers and the planet’s carrying capacity. The human population has grown from 1 billion in 1804 to 6.7 b. today, and is projected to reach 9 b. by 2050 before levelling off. Humanity’s [...] read more
  July 16, 2008 9:22 am - 6 Comments