[Marxism] New Zealand struggles and left regroupment possibilities

[Nick Fredman <srcsra@xxxxxxxxxx>]

The article below describes a fascinating conference session. As I
understand it, Socialist Worker is the International Socialist
Tendency franchise for NZ, which in the 90s had merged with the
pro-Albanian stalinist (?!) CP. From this inauspicious sounding
beginning they seemed to have become, WRT other IST groups, more open
and creative, and have a more "partyist" than limited united front
approach to their work with other socialists and leftists. I don't
think the article makes clear that McCarten and Treen are involved in
the new party discussions.

NEW ZEALAND: Redrawing the political map

Kathy Newnam

Among the most exciting developments discussed at the Asia-Pacific
International Solidarity Conference held in Sydney at Easter was the
rapidly changing map of New Zealand politics, in particular, the
development of the Maori Party, the UNITE union and the Resident
Action Movement. Several left-wing leaders from New Zealand attended
the conference, including Matt McCarten, who was until recently the
campaign manager for the Maori Party, Global Peace and Justice
Auckland leader Mike Treen, and Dave Colyer and Grant Morgan from NZ
Socialist Worker, who all addressed a feature session on March 28 ...

Morgan believes that RAM demonstrates that a "mass political break to
the left of Labour is possible in NZ even despite the historic
weakness of the union movement - so long as we tap into popular
discontent with methods and language the grassroots can relate to."
Morgan also reported about discussions on the NZ left about the
launching of a broad left paper as part of the fight to win the
battle of ideas and bring together the forces for a new left party.

Full: http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/621/621p17.htm

SW have changed the name of their journal to Unity, which has some
discussion of the above issues
http://www.socialist-worker.org/swmr_main_page7.html

The trans-Tasman discussion will continue with NZ comrades invited to
the union fightback and Socialist Alliance conferences over the June
long weekend in Melbourne.


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