Why is the fight to defend living standards, public services and personal freedoms, and the fight against imperialism, one and the same? Inspired by NZCTU President Sandra Grey’s refrain that “peace is union business”, I gave this public talk last month at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. This article is a lightly edited transcriptContinue reading “Imperialism – What It Is and How to Fight It”
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Book review: The Significance of the Waihi Strike
Review by Grant Brookes, 28 March 2026. On the eve of World War One, New Zealand’s labour movement was approaching a crossroads. Down one path lay an end to imperialist slaughter on foreign fields and liberation from colonial capitalist oppression at home. Down the other, government by two alternating parties who differed over how toContinue reading “Book review: The Significance of the Waihi Strike”
Strike Wave 2025: Reflections From a Unionist
The 23 October public sector strike was the largest industrial action taken in Aotearoa since the one-day General strike in 1979. On 28 October Te Whanganui-a-Tara branch of the International Socialist Organisation hosted a panel discussion on this historic action. Nurse and unionist Grant Brookes was among the speakers, giving his perspective on the struggle.Continue reading “Strike Wave 2025: Reflections From a Unionist”
Privatising healthcare – Kōrero at the Unions Wellington Labour Day panel
Unions Wellington asks: People may have heard that the government has increasingly outsourced hospital procedures to private hospitals in order to meet care targets, often at great expense. Why would they do this rather than investing in capacity in the public system? First up, it’s important to stress at the outset that government outsourcing in theContinue reading “Privatising healthcare – Kōrero at the Unions Wellington Labour Day panel”
Reflections on Gaza at the Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine October vigil
Thank you all for coming to this event which we hold every month outside Wellington Regional Hospital Ngā Puna Wairoa, organised by Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine. As you might notice, I am not Serena Moran. The Chairperson of our group is currently away on holiday so I am stepping in. My name is GrantContinue reading “Reflections on Gaza at the Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine October vigil”
