Henry Cooke

soon: deputy pol ed at the post. now: travelling. bylines in @thespinofftv @guardian @metromagnz @northsouthnz @smh @nzstuff and my newsletter ⬇️

Articles

A tale of two memoirs

2 weeks ago | henrycooke.news | Henry Cooke

Hello from Cyprus, a country divided into three different sovereignties : British-controlled military bases only kept alive with US funding, the disputed northern area only recognised by Turkey, and the larger Greek republic recognised by everyone else. I’m here on holiday but one can’t help but be reminded in a place like this of just how uncomplicated little old New Zealand is.
What Jacinda Ardern’s A Different Kind of Power reveals about our former PM

4 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Henry Cooke

Jacinda Ardern: Able to reach into a reserve of something that few of our leaders ever have. Photo / Jane UssherThis book isn’t for us. It’s hard to escape that sense for much of Jacinda Ardern’s memoir, whether it is her translating the word “waka” or saying she was in her “junior year” of high school. The book tour isn’t even visiting New Zealand.
Who gets to embrace ‘abundance’ in New Zealand politics?

2 months ago | thespinoff.co.nz | Henry Cooke

A new book challenges the left to stop being the parties of ‘no’ and adopt a new type of politics – one that builds. But can anyone in New Zealand politics credibly embrace abundance, or are we doomed to squabble in scarcity for ever? For the first time in a long time, being a renter doesn’t have to suck. RNZ reported recently that Auckland landlords are offering a free week’s rent or food vouchers to entice tenants in.
Metro - Cope and Change

Mar 30, 2025 | metromag.co.nz | Henry Cooke

Society When the left swept to victory in 2020, the online right engaged in two kinds of copium. The most widespread sought to impose limits on the government’s mandate, arguing that huge swathes of rural National Party voters ‘lent’ rather than gave their votes to Labour solely to lock the Greens out of government.
National need to change the economy, not their leader

Mar 10, 2025 | henrycooke.news | Henry Cooke

Christopher Luxon is not having a good year. The Christmas season kicked off with the confirmation that New Zealand had been suffering a serious recession in 2024, all ahead of a potential global downturn as a new US Government blows up everything it can. In early February the unemployment rate ticked up over a symbolically important 5.1%, while the new school lunch program provided a rolling maul of nasty headlines.
Are we back in the early 1990s?

Feb 9, 2025 | thespinoff.co.nz | Henry Cooke

The last time New Zealand had this kind of recession we voted in MMP. What might we do this time? First published in Henry Cooke’s politics newsletter, Museum Street. New Zealand is not at its best right now. I write this from afar so I have to rely on brutal headline indicators and the testimony of my friends and family. Unemployment popped up above 5% in the final quarter of last year, with one in 10 Pacifica people out of a job and close to 100,000 young people not in education, training or work.
Are we back in the early 1990s?

Feb 6, 2025 | henrycooke.news | Henry Cooke

New Zealand is not at its best right now. I write this from afar so I have to rely on brutal headline indicators and the testimony of my friends and family. Unemployment popped up over 5% in the final quarter of last year, with one in ten Pacifica people out of a job and close to 100,000 young people not in education, training, or work. High interest rates and falling house prices have made more secure people feel far poorer. Those able to are leaving the country in record numbers.
Are past careers important in politics?

Jan 19, 2025 | thespinoff.co.nz | Henry Cooke

Shane Reti’s demotion is a reminder that the best experience for being a minister is being a minister, writes Henry Cooke. First published in Henry Cooke’s politics newsletter, Museum Street. Shane Reti – or “Doctor Shane”, as Judith Collins would always call him – is a lovely man.
David Seymour’s subtle power play

Jan 16, 2025 | thespinoff.co.nz | Henry Cooke

The soon-to-be deputy PM has already had a crucial win behind the scenes. First published in Henry Cooke’s politics newsletter, Museum Street. Margaret Thatcher used to love prime minister’s questions. If you’re not familiar, the UK parliamentary system has a weekly procedure where the prime minister is subject to at least half an hour of sustained questions from the Commons.
David Seymour's subtle powerplay

Jan 15, 2025 | henrycooke.news | Henry Cooke

Margaret Thatcher used to love Prime Minister’s Questions. If you’re not familiar, the UK Parliamentary system has a weekly procedure where the Prime Minister is subject to at least half an hour of sustained questions from the Commons.