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”
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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: First up, it’s important to stress at the outset that government outsourcing in the health sector isn’t limited to hospital procedures, and the risks aren’t just related to expense. Outsourcing of surgery has captured most of the headlines, but the privatisation drive is just as intense in medical imaging, telehealth, medical laboratories, diagnosticContinue 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”
The year of the strike is a year like no other
Grant Brookes 1 October 2025 “The year of the strike? Perfect pay storm looms over public sector.” This was the headline of an article back in February by a prescient Stuff journalist. This perfect storm has arrived, though it’s about much more than pay. Under conditions of today’s unprecedented political mobilisations, and an increasingly authoritarian government which has thrustContinue reading “The year of the strike is a year like no other”
Grant Brookes | Nurse & Trade Unionist 