Kiwi Homo Politicus And His System (Press, 29 November 1975)

Published on 29 November 1975, a review of "New Zealand Politics. A Reader," edited by Stephen Levine, highlights its significance in examining New Zealand's political landscape through a diverse range of perspectives. The volume, which spans 519 pages and is priced at NZ$13.40, features contributions from 50 individuals, including noted politicians like Sir John Marshall and Norman Kirk, as well as activists and academics. Levine's approach emphasizes the importance of multi-faceted examination of the political system, considering viewpoints from both inside and outside the political framework. Contributors also include representatives from various movements and groups, such as the Polynesian Panthers and Gay Liberation, revealing a blend of subjective and factual narratives. However, the varied quality of the chapters is noted, with some political activists delivering more subjective opinions than empirical analysis. The text serves multiple purposes: it can cater to specialists seeking detailed information, such as Nigel Roberts’ insights into electoral behaviour, or provide general readers with foundational understanding, such as W. Rosenberg's insights on foreign investment in New Zealand. Contributions from figures like Dave Shand and Ken Comber offer perspectives on the electoral campaigns of 1972, though contrasting narratives highlight an electoral battle where Comber was ultimately behind Shand. Despite some chapters appearing less relevant, the assemblage generally constitutes a valuable resource for understanding New Zealand politics, drawing on a wealth of personal experiences, policies, and insights. The book is described as not necessarily meant to be read in its entirety, as a reader might encounter contradictions and inconsistencies when engaging with the various pieces collectively. The objective of the compilation is to stimulate discussion, particularly in an educational context. The reviewer suggests that should a second edition be considered, a more stringent editorial approach by Levine could enhance its utility by distinguishing higher quality contributions from less enriching ones, thereby allowing students and readers to focus on the most relevant and insightful content without wading through unnecessary material. Overall, "New Zealand Politics. A Reader" is seen as an important addition to the discourse surrounding New Zealand's unique political environment.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand