{"title":"Reading Before Voting","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs we head towards New Zealand's general election on 7 November 2026, here are some books that explore many of the issues likely to shape the campaign - and our future. Democracy is stronger when we're all a little better informed!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"a-life-on-our-planet","title":"A Life on Our Planet","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe legacy-defining Sunday Times bestseller by Sir David Attenborough - now in paperback.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a new afterword, \"Why You Are Here\" - A speech on the opening of the COP26 climate summit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs a young man, I felt I was out there in the wild, experiencing the untouched natural world - but it was an illusion. The tragedy of our time has been happening all around us, barely noticeable from day to day - the loss of our planet's wild places, its biodiversity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eI have been witness to this decline. \u003cem\u003eA Life on Our Planet\u003c\/em\u003e contains my witness statement, and my vision for the future - the story of how we came to make this, our greatest mistake, and how, if we act now, we can yet put it right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe have the opportunity to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAll we need is the will to do so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45598704926956,"sku":"9781529108293","price":23.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781529108293_1.jpg?v=1723543512"},{"product_id":"on-tyranny","title":"On Tyranny","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOn Tyranny\u003c\/em\u003e by Timothy Snyder is a compelling and insightful guidebook on how to resist and challenge the forces of authoritarianism and preserve democratic values. Bringing together lessons from history, Snyder provides concrete strategies and principles that individuals can employ to protect freedom and stave off the threat of tyranny. This essential read is not only a reflection on the past but a rallying cry for the present, urging readers to be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding democracy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs Rachel Maddow succinctly puts it, this book is \"a sort of survival book, a sort of symptom-diagnosis manual in terms of losing your democracy and what tyranny and authoritarianism look like up close.\" The \u003cem\u003eObserver\u003c\/em\u003e echoes this sentiment by describing it as \"a brief primer in every important thing we might have learned from the history of the last century, and all that we appear to have forgotten.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSnyder, one of the most acclaimed historians of the twentieth century, challenges us with an important reminder: \"History does not repeat, but it does instruct.\" He delves into the historical precedents of the twentieth century, where European democracies fell prey to the dark regimes of fascism, Nazism, and communism. During these turbulent times, charismatic leaders and political parties claimed to represent the people's voice, offered protection from supposed global threats, and replaced reason with myth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOn Tyranny\u003c\/em\u003e illustrates that European history serves as both a familiarisation and a warning. It shows that societies can fracture, democracies can crumble, ethics can disintegrate, and ordinary citizens can find themselves in unthinkable situations. Snyder argues that today's political environment is dangerously reminiscent of those periods when democracy gave way to totalitarianism. However, unlike our predecessors, we have the advantage of hindsight. By learning from their experiences, we can recognize the signs of tyranny and take decisive action to prevent its rise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe urgent message of \u003cem\u003eOn Tyranny\u003c\/em\u003e could not be more timely. Snyder's work is a clarion call to remain aware and informed, to take proactive steps in defence of freedom, and to understand that the fight for democracy is ongoing. He provides readers with specific and practical advice, grounded in historical context, on how to resist encroaching authoritarianism. The book serves as an essential read for anyone concerned about the future of democratic society in our increasingly complex and volatile world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUltimately, \u003cem\u003eOn Tyranny\u003c\/em\u003e is both a warning and a guide, urging us to learn from the past to preserve our democratic institutions and freedoms today. Now is indeed a good time to heed its lessons and commit to active resistance against the forces of tyranny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45658018250988,"sku":"9781847924889","price":23.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781847924889_e73ad520-a3e6-4ac4-804f-c7a62bf324d7.jpg?v=1731893953"},{"product_id":"how-to-avoid-a-climate-disaster","title":"How to Avoid a Climate Disaster","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this urgent, authoritative book, Bill Gates sets out a wide-ranging, practical - and accessible - plan for how the world can get to zero greenhouse gas emissions in time to avoid a climate catastrophe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBill Gates has spent a decade investigating the causes and effects of climate change. With the help of experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, political science, and finance, he has focused on what must be done in order to stop the planet's slide toward certain environmental disaster. In \u003ci\u003eHow to Avoid a Climate Disaster\u003c\/i\u003e, he not only explains why we need to work toward net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases, but also details what we need to do to achieve this profoundly important goal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe gives us a clear-eyed description of the challenges we face. Drawing on his understanding of innovation and what it takes to get new ideas into the market, he describes the areas in which technology is already helping to reduce emissions, where and how the current technology can be made to function more effectively, where breakthrough technologies are needed, and who is working on these essential innovations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, he lays out a concrete, practical plan for achieving the goal of zero emissions—suggesting not only policies that governments should adopt, but what we as individuals can do to keep our government, our employers, and ourselves accountable in this crucial enterprise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs Bill Gates makes clear, achieving zero emissions will not be simple or easy to do, but if we follow the plan he sets out here, it is a goal firmly within our reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45692067414252,"sku":"9780141993010","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780141993010.jpg?v=1725551565"},{"product_id":"gangsters-paradise","title":"Gangster's Paradise","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe much anticipated follow-up to the bestseller that exposed the escalation of organised crime in New Zealand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGangster's Paradise\u003c\/em\u003e is about drugs, guns, gangs and money. \u003cem\u003eLots\u003c\/em\u003e of money.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA gang which took over a small rural town. A police officer shot and killed in a routine traffic stop. A port-worker who helped a gang whisk a shipping container off a wharf in the middle of the night. A crew of corrupt baggage handlers smuggling meth into the country during Covid lockdowns. A shooting inside a 5-star hotel in broad daylight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTurf wars, retaliation, and retribution: new gangs like the Mongols and Comancheros have brought with them better connections with international syndicates, challenging the established gangs like the Head Hunters—so dominant for many years—who have had to up their game in response.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJared Savage's bestselling book \u003cem\u003eGangland\u003c\/em\u003e was about the \u003cem\u003eevolution\u003c\/em\u003e of gangs in New Zealand. \u003cem\u003eGangster's Paradise\u003c\/em\u003e is about the deadly \u003cem\u003eescalation\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45694558634220,"sku":"9781775542094","price":36.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781775542094.jpg?v=1725615012"},{"product_id":"gaza-in-crisis","title":"Gaza in Crisis","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGaza in Crisis\u003c\/em\u003e by Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé offers a compelling and incisive examination of one of the most contentious and misunderstood conflicts of our time: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with a specific focus on the events in Gaza. Through meticulously researched chapters, this book delves into the humanitarian disaster following Israel's 'Operation Cast Lead,' providing a critical, historical, and socio-political analysis of the assault on Gaza and its aftermath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChomsky, a world-renowned linguist and political activist, and Pappé, an esteemed Israeli historian, combine their expertise to assess the broader implications of Israel's military actions. They bring into sharp relief the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, and the controversial use of white phosphorus. Their narrative challenges mainstream perspectives and questions the justification of such military tactics against the backdrop of Israel’s protracted conflict with the Palestinians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGaza in Crisis\u003c\/em\u003e places the massacre in Gaza within the larger canvas of Israeli policy and the historical context of the region’s strife. It scrutinises the seamless continuity between past and present Israeli military strategies and the long-standing siege of Gaza, highlighting the pervasive themes of occupation and resistance. The authors’ deep insights and erudite commentary dismantle common myths and present a stark reality of the lived experiences of the Palestinian people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book stands as a rigorous, historically informed analysis that is essential for understanding the complexities of the Gaza conflict. It doesn't just recount events but also offers a prescient critique of international responses and the broader implications for peace and justice in the region. It is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to grasp the enormity of the Gaza crisis and the enduring struggle for Palestinian sovereignty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWell-regarded for their unflinching dedication to truth and justice, Chomsky and Pappé’s collaboration in \u003cem\u003eGaza in Crisis\u003c\/em\u003e will be welcomed by readers who seek an authoritative and morally urgent exploration of one of the most pressing issues in contemporary politics. Their profound analysis not only sheds light on the past but also calls for a reassessment of current policies and the pursuit of a just resolution for the Palestinian people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45695353454828,"sku":"9780141399515","price":32.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780141399515.jpg?v=1725626393"},{"product_id":"mad-on-meth","title":"Mad on Meth","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy cook at home when you can order in?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOnly 50 years ago, pure methamphetamine was legally prescribed in New Zealand to anyone looking for a boost. But it wasn't long before P was rebranded as the most dangerous and destructive drug in the world - and New Zealanders were cemented as among its biggest users.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith dry wit and biting insight, journalist Benedict Collins takes us inside the evolution of meth in New Zealand. From ram raids for pseudoephedrine to our own cooks and gangs 'breaking bad', a visit to the Golden Triangle of meth production in South-East Asia, multimillion-dollar busts, and a moral panic that seeded a meth-testing scandal. All set the stage for unthinkable crimes and drug-fuelled mania, but also serviced a hidden world of white-collar users - and cemented New Zealand's reputation as among the biggest meth consumers in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHow did tough on crime become dumb on drugs? And what does a solution to pure addiction look like?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'A terrific, gripping read that challenges us to think differently about one of New Zealand's biggest problems.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJarrod Gilbert, bestselling author of \u003cem\u003ePatched: The History of Gangs in New Zealand\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Engrossing and written with flair, Benedict Collins tells the story of how demonising drugs and drug users causes more harm than good. The upside is: there is a better way.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProfessor Michael Baker, co-author of \u003cem\u003eMinimising the Harms from Methamphetamine\u003c\/em\u003e (NZ Drug Foundation\/Helen Clark Foundation)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45839082291436,"sku":"9781775542001","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781775542001.jpg?v=1729463280"},{"product_id":"war-by-bob-woodward-9781398541443","title":"War","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChosen by WATERSTONES as one of their BEST POLITICS BOOKS of 2024\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWar\u003c\/em\u003e is the revelatory, behind-the-scenes story of three wars – Ukraine, the Middle East, and the struggle for the American presidency, told by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Bob Woodward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is both intimate and sweeping, capturing one of the most tumultuous periods in presidential politics and American history. It provides an inside look at President Joe Biden and his top advisers as they engage in tense dialogues with key global figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eParallelly, we witness Donald Trump conducting a shadow presidency, aiming to reclaim political power. Woodward's unparalleled, inside-the-room reporting delves into President Biden's strategy for managing the Ukraine conflict, marking the most significant land war in Europe since World War II. The narrative explores his arduous journey to contain the Middle East's bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book uncovers the extraordinary complexity and consequential nature of wartime back-channel diplomacy and the decision-making processes aimed at deterring nuclear warfare and preventing a swift descent into World War III.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe political turmoil intensifies as Americans gear up for the 2024 elections, transitioning from the clash between Biden and Trump to the surprising rise of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWar\u003c\/em\u003e offers a candid examination of Vice President Harris as she attempts to align herself with the Biden legacy while simultaneously carving out her path as a presidential candidate. Woodward's reportage once again sets the benchmark for journalism that is both authoritative and enlightening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45877231026412,"sku":"9781398541443","price":48.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781398541443.jpg?v=1730776508"},{"product_id":"theres-a-cure-for-this-a-memoir-by-emma-wehipeihana-espiner-9780143776857","title":"There's a Cure for This: A Memoir","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe striking debut memoir from award-winning doctor and writer, Emma Espiner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I don't know why medicine felt like coming home but, for some reason, it fits. I keep thinking about how the tohu, once awarded, can never be taken back. There are few things in life that emphatic. Better not fuck it up.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom award-winning writer Dr Emma Espiner comes this striking and profound debut memoir. Encompassing whanau, love, death, '90s action movies and scarfie drinking, \u003cem\u003eThere's a Cure for This\u003c\/em\u003e is Espiner's own story, from a childhood spent shuttling between a 'purple lesbian state house and a series of man-alone rentals' to navigating parenthood on her own terms; from the quietly perceived inequities of her early life to hard-won revelations as a Māori medical student and junior doctor during the Covid-19 pandemic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eClear, irreverent and beautiful, this book offers a candid and moving examination of what it means to be human when it seems like nothing less than superhuman will do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Deadly serious, darkly funny. An exploration of hurt and healing, love and loss, life and death, motherhood and medicine. Espiner's frank account of finding her vocation as a Māori doctor is so precise it cuts bone deep. A controlled and fearless narrator of the visceral facts of our shared humanity and the various kinds of suffering science is no match for - including, at times, her own - she takes us to the heart of what tears us apart and shows us how to put ourselves back together again.' - NOELLE McCARTHY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Gutsy, fierce, reflective. Dr Emma Espiner tells compelling stories about finding and then making her own path - as a modern Māori woman; a descendant, mother, friend and partner; a doctor of medicine. She does not skip over the twists and turns... her insights are both useful and at times provocative.' - DR HINEMOA ELDER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChapter titles:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePepeha\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSweet llamas in the night\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eReturn to Castle Wolfenstein\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eHe was the author of his own demise\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eI am going to demonstrate empathy now\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePlease explain the gaps in your CV\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMāori doctor\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eColonising the coloniser\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDon't plant a fruit tree over your uterus\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eTangi on State Highway 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e'E korero ana ahau i te reo Māori anake Mama'\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eShe had an epiphany on a beach in Northland\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eThe end of the beginning\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePractical skills for the zombie apocalypse\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eHow not to sit an exam\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eStorytelling is the medicine\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eWhakawatea\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46380233883884,"sku":"9780143776857","price":32.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/4484763482239.jpg?v=1744847833"},{"product_id":"inside-the-wire-by-rhonda-hapi-smith-9781775542704","title":"Inside the Wire","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGripping true-life stories from a career spent inside New Zealand prisons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eInside the Wire\u003c\/em\u003e by Rhonda Hāpi-Smith offers an insider's view into the world of New Zealand's most dangerous criminals. As a female prison officer and member of the Riot Squad, she encountered and worked alongside thieves, addicts, gangsters, murderers, and sex offenders for nearly twenty years in men's prisons across the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOperating within an unspoken set of codes, Rhonda gained a reputation for being fair but firm. She dealt with everything from mass riots and inter-gang confrontations to attempted escapes, suicides, and segregated 'maxi' detainees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, amidst the chaos and danger, Rhonda also shares tales of unlikely friendships, clever prison innovations, and hilarious moments with some of the most memorable individuals she has encountered. When you step \u003cem\u003eInside the Wire\u003c\/em\u003e, you leave the ordinary world behind. Get ready and brace yourself for an unforgettable journey!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46389751021804,"sku":"9781775542704","price":32.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781775542704.jpg?v=1745294091"},{"product_id":"underworld-by-jared-savage-9781775542643","title":"Underworld","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the author of the bestselling books about the escalation of organised crime and gangs in New Zealand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe brutal execution of an innocent man. The undercover DEA agent who fooled the Hells Angels in a 400kg cocaine plot. The brutal execution of a not-so-innocent man. The never-ending quest to bring down New Zealand's most wanted gangsters. These stories read like a crime novel—delving down into a parallel universe that many do not even know exists: The Underworld.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJared Savage's first book \u003cem\u003eGangland\u003c\/em\u003e traced the evolution of the methamphetamine drug trade in New Zealand from the late 1990s to 2020. His second book, \u003cem\u003eGangster's Paradise\u003c\/em\u003e, focused on stories about the escalation of organised crime: more drugs, more guns, more money. \u003cem\u003eUnderworld\u003c\/em\u003e follows that pattern; but now the situation is even more dangerous. The stakes are even higher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46491367309548,"sku":"9781775542643","price":27.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781775542643.jpg?v=1748399751"},{"product_id":"anything-could-happen-by-grant-robertson-9781991006875","title":"Anything Could Happen","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this illuminating and beautifully written book, Grant Robertson reflects on the major events in his life, from growing up in a loving but complex family, to his highly successful career as a Labour politician and becoming Finance Minister in the Ardern government during one of New Zealand history's most tumultuous times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA natural storyteller, Robertson writes memorably about his childhood and teen years in Dunedin. He delves into grappling with his sexuality as a teenager, his passion for music and a fleeting career managing bands, his emerging political beliefs, and confronting the shocking news that his father had been stealing from his employer and was facing imprisonment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRobertson paints a vivid picture of life inside parliament, including his time in opposition where he learnt at the feet of Helen Clark, to experiencing the immense privilege and responsibility of being Finance Minister. 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What happens when a society elevates victimhood to a virtue and decides that punishment is cruel? You get the disease Dr. Gad Saad calls suicidal empathy. And the West may be terminally infected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn his new book, \u003ci\u003eSuicidal Empathy\u003c\/i\u003e, Saad unleashes a blistering critique of maladaptively irrational altruism that has gripped our culture. This mind parasite hijacked the empathy module of our progressive elite, leading to a catastrophic miscalibration of moral priorities. The results are everywhere: from coddling violent criminals to protecting rapists to branding self-defence as toxic behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe are witnessing a civilisation in rapid decline. Lunatic policies are instituted because we prioritise the feelings of ostensibly marginalised groups over The Truth, criminals over victims, and squatters over homeowners. 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