Thank you Wolfie!

On Friday I recieved the news of Dr Wolfgang Rosenberg's death aged 92. For a large part of the 20th century Wolfgang was one of New Zealand's most prominent left-wing economists.

A lot of the left shys away from debates over economics, often suspicious of the unstated assumptions about human nature made by the domineering neo-liberal economic theories. Some of this suspicion is justified, but often this has left the left in a position of arguing in favour of social goals (eg higher benefits, cheaper housing) and leaving the economic case to one side.

For me, I gained a lot of insight from the work of Wolfgang Rosenberg and Bruce Jesson, especially in regards to a New Zealand context, and I would recommend both to any lefty who wants to gain greater confidence in engaging in economic debates.

Wolfgang's 1993 book "New Zealand can be different, and better" is one of the first 'economics' books I ever read. It still remains an excellent introduction to Keynesian economics in a New Zealand context and a strong critique of the so called 'new right'. In a review of the book Brian Easton lays down the Rosenberg challenge.

"Those who wish to challenge Wolfgang Rosenberg’s policy prescriptions must confront the outstanding performance of the New Zealand economy in the first part of the postwar era. In the three decades from the mid-1930s, following the recovery from the depths of the interwar depression: the economy grew as fast as – or faster than – the rest of the OECD; the rate of inflation was slightly below the average; the overseas debt was not compromising; and there was full employment....Rosenberg explains this nirvana by the economic policies pursued at the time They involved a commitment to policy goals such as full employment, an expansionary fiscal stance, a high level or government intervention in markers and – most notably – border protection by import controls. He argues that as we have moved away from this policy mix. the economic performance has deteriorated The further we have moved. the worst the outcome."

Wolfgang liked to use tables of figures to illustrate his points. I found a table in the book on New Zealand's public debt levels to be particuarly enlightening. Roger Douglas told New Zealand he had "no option but" to sell off state assets to reduce public debt. Yet one look at a table in Wolfie's book demonstrates NZ debt levels rose from $21,878m in 1984 to $39,961 in 1989 (public debt reached $46,674m in June 1992). Some conclusions suggest themselves. Douglas didn't really care about New Zealand's debt levels and/or his policies were a self defined failure. Perhaps he was simply incompetent.

While I never got to meet Wolfgang, the stories my friends have told about him are inspiring. Wolfgang provided a great example in the way he remained intellectually active for as long as his health would allow. After his retirement he wrote books. He also studied for a law degree, cycling around Christchurch as a practicing lawyer until he was 83!

The next time I raise a glass, I will quietly raise it for you Wolfie :)

On Friday Murray Horton of CAFCA distributed the following message celebrating Wolfgang's life and his contribution to the left.

It is with great regret that I inform you that Wolfgang Rosenberg died today, aged 92. He had been in poor health for the best part of a decade. A Berliner, Wolf arrived in NZ in 1937 as a refugee from Naziism (he had relatives and friends murdered in the Holocaust). Germany’s loss was New Zealand’s gain.

He was an academic at the University of Canterbury from 1945 until his retirement in 1980, finishing up as a Reader in Economics. Following his compulsory retirement from academia he started a new career as a Christchurch lawyer, and practised in the courts until ill health forced him to finally retire at 83.

During his 70 years in New Zealand Wolf became a wellknown public figure as one of the country’s foremost Leftwing economists, with a string of books to his name, not to mention a ceaseless flow of articles and Letters To The Editor. He was actively involved in virtually every Christchurch Left/liberal organisation and publication that you could name over those decades, from the Canterbury Council for Civil Liberties to the former Monthly Review, to name but two. He was involved in all the big campaigns, such as those against the Vietnam War and NZ’s ties to apartheid South Africa, plus those of recent years.

He was a staunch proponent of socialism and travelled extensively in what used to be known as the Second World (or as the papers called it, the Communist bloc). He was the founder and driving figure behind the NZ Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Society, and spent many years fostering friendly relations with that country.

He was a member and supporter of CAFCA from our foundation, more than 30 years ago, and he regularly wrote for Foreign Control Watchdog until his deteriorating eyesight would no allow it. Wolfgang Rosenberg was a major public figure in the New Zealand of the second half of the 20th Century.

He is survived by Ann, his wife of 60 years, and his children, George, Bill and Vera, and grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 1.30pm on Tuesday 20 February at Lamb and Hayward's chapel at 467 Wairakei Road, Burnside, Christchurch. In lieu of flowers you can make a donation to the Howard League for Penal Reform, for which there will be a collection box.

Messages can be sent to: 26 Beckenham Street, Christchurch 8024, bill.rosenberg@canterbury.ac.nz

John Campbell rocks

Congratulations to John Campbell for comforting a dying motorcyclist after he crashed at an Auckland intersection.

"Campbell jumped out of a passing taxi and held the hand of Piripi Pokaitarawikiriwhi, 29, as he died. The broadcaster was first on the scene of the crash in Grey Lynn a week ago. "

Piripi's family have thanked Campbell for his actions.

While I did not know Piripi, I would say its a fair bet a unionist for Unite would have been driven by compassion and a genuine desire to help others. While it is sad someone with so much to give lost their life so early, there is a nice synchronicity in that in his final moments he gained reassurance genuine compassion exists in this world.

It also appears Piripi may have been an honourary member of the Order of the Chicken. At one picket outside KFC in Balmoral he protested against youth exploitation and low wages dressed in a Chicken suit. This makes me wonder if this was the same famous chicken suit used by the Alliance in the King Country byelection, and even more ironically, send out to meet Jim Anderton in 2002 when the partyhopper refused to debate an Alliance candidate.

Often it is so hard to know what media personalities/politicians are really like in 'real life'. It's reassuring to know John Campbell is a decent compassionate human being.

Update: Fixed spelling of synchronicity, I went looking for a Police discography to check!

Rod Donald

It was an absolute shock to hear of the death of Green party co-leader Rod Donald on the car radio this afternoon. It is the sort of news you just don't believe what you are hearing.

As someone who lost a close family member (my father) very suddenly a little under two years ago, my heart goes out to Rod's partner Nicola, their three daughters and my Green friends. It is such a surreal experience to lose somebody like this. Its a real emotional rollercoaster, but eventually the ride smoothes out and you are left with happy memories :) Aroha and *hugs*!

As the spokesperson for the electoral reform coalition in the early 1990s Rod played a key role in advocating for the change to the MMP electoral system. I also respected Rod's work on trade issues, as he provided a worthwhile perspective on the negative impact of so called 'free trade' deals. Rod bought a healthy dose of pragmatism to such debates - at times he seemed to be one of the few MPs to actually care about the trade deficit (Have current Labour MPs ever heard of a guy called Keynes?). On these issues, the loss of Rod Donald is a loss to the New Zealand Parliament.

I very much hope other MPs will take up the mantle and warn of the potential costs involved in any proposed free trade agreement - for democracy to work we need to hear both sides of the argument.