David Clark | Issue 26

Posted 11:44am Saturday 8th October 2016 by David Clark

This will be my last column for 2016. I thought I’d grab the chance to say thank you for your support this year, and to wish you good luck for the long lean summer months without Critic. Many of you will be working hard over the summer to save enough to survive another year at New Read more...

David Clark | Issue 24

Posted 11:52am Saturday 24th September 2016 by David Clark

Even our detractors concede that Labour is the party of big ideas. Throughout modern New Zealand’s history, Labour has led on change that matters. Our achievements include free education, the forty hour week, first woman MP and Cabinet Minister, New Zealand’s nuclear free status, four Read more...

David Clark | Issue 22

Posted 12:01pm Saturday 10th September 2016 by David Clark

As the local MP—and three times over a proud Otago humanities graduate, I am grateful for the opportunity to add my voice to the growing chorus of voices frustrated at the increasingly marginal place of humanities in our universities.  A threatened cut of up to 20 humanities roles at Read more...

David Clark | Issue 20

Posted 12:58pm Sunday 21st August 2016 by David Clark

Australians deem it important enough to make it an offence if you don’t vote. Across the ditch you get levied with a fine if you fail to cast a vote. I’ve often thought a reward to recognise the time and effort taken might be better—maybe a $50 tax-credit? Even without these Read more...

David Clark | Issue 18

Posted 1:25pm Sunday 7th August 2016 by David Clark

The growing gap between rich and poor is seen most starkly in the growing number of homeless people in towns around New Zealand. Not long ago, the homeless in Dunedin were known by name to students, and a few were well known for providing company on a walk home from town after a big night out. In Read more...

David Clark | Issue 16

Posted 12:16pm Sunday 24th July 2016 by David Clark

Students looking for internships and graduate careers have it tougher than those a generation ago.  For those searching in a few years’ time, it may be tougher still. The prospect of automation replacing human labour and human thinking power has the potential to significantly alter our Read more...

David Clark | Issue 14

Posted 11:45am Sunday 10th July 2016 by David Clark

Otago SPCA’s area is the largest in New Zealand. It stretches from the Waitaki River north of Oamaru down into parts of Southland. The main buildings used to house and care for animals are in Opoho, not far from the Alhambra rugby fields.   They have a small paid staff, but the Read more...

David Clark | Issue 12

Posted 12:13pm Sunday 22nd May 2016 by David Clark

If continual assessment is the answer, I think we are asking the wrong question.   Our society has an obsession with constant assessment. Unfortunately weighing a pig more often will do nothing to fatten it. If we are wanting great leaders, if we are wanting fundamental science done, and the Read more...

David Clark | Issue 10

Posted 12:28pm Sunday 8th May 2016 by David Clark

When it comes to things sustainable, the Swedes are global leaders in clean tech – just one percent of solid waste goes into landfills – and they’ve got some of the highest clean water standards in the world. We could learn from Sweden. In line with the principles of sustainable Read more...

David Clark | Issue 8

Posted 11:59am Sunday 24th April 2016 by David Clark

Until the Panama Papers were released it was believed that two things were certain – death and taxes.  Now it appears just one thing is certain. That’s because the recent release of the Panama Papers has pushed the question of tax-fairness to the top of the agenda once more. Read more...