For the first 150 years of our existence, historian Tony Simpson argues, New Zealand had no historiography of its own; we were simply lumped together with ’the other red bits’ on the map as part of the British Empire. New Zealand has now begun to explore its own history and identity through the new school history curriculum, which recognises the attempted colonial destruction of Māori. But this is just the beginning, Tony suggests, we need to explore where to go from here based on a revised understanding of where we have been.

This panel of Aotearoa trade unionists will discuss the current state of the labour movement and its prospects for the future. Consisting of CTU secretary Erin Polaczuk, NZNO national executive member and nurse Grant Brookes, E Tū Organiser and Unions Manawatu convenor Jon Pawson, and Unions Wellington convenor and PSA support centre worker Sabina Rizos-Shaw.

Independent Environment Canterbury councillor Greg Byrnes and Green Wellington City councillor Nīkau Wi Neera (Ngāti Toarangatira, Kāi Tahu) will speak to us about their experiences as left wing politicians in Aotearoa and what they see as the challenges and opportunities of our current political moment.

This episode of The End of History features a recording of one of the sessions from the second annual (2024) Aotearoa | New Zealand Federation of Socialist Societies Conference in in Wellington: Breaking the Consensus: The Need for a New Industrial Politics by Ben Peterson. Prevailing trends in left wing politics, Unite Union Organiser Ben Peterson argues, tend to relate to our current crises idealistically: through analysis, critique, and other forms of public discourse, in the hope that these interventions will stir political institutions into action. Instead, Ben argues that we need to focus on rebuilding a class politics and that trade unionism should be a crucial part of that effort.

This episode of The End of History features a recording of one of the sessions from theAotearoa | New Zealand Federation of Socialist Societies conference in Wellington. Hyperimperialism and the Ensnared World by Vijay Prashad. Why, asks renowned Indian historian and journalist Vijay Prashad, is the United States promoting wars and militarism around the world, when the world’s peoples simply want peace and development? Vijay Vijay’s presence at the conference was controversial given that some on the left accuse him of being a ‘tankie’, or someone who supports militant opposition to capitalism and is thereby uncritical of those political actors who challenge capitalism’s champions, for example the People’s Republic of China. Any feedback can be sent through to [email protected], and you can visit socialistsocieties.org.nz to learn more about the Canterbury Socialist Society

In this episode, Sionainn plays audio captured at the second annual Aotearoa | New Zealand Federation of Socialist Societies in Wellington, specifically field audio of a 1913 Great Strike walking tour developed and delivered by historian Peter Clayworth. Featuring music and more!

In this episode, Sionainn heads along to the Fight Back Together | Maranga Ake Unions Hui at Addington Raceway in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, where she listens to speeches, interviews attendees, and more!

In this episode, Sionainn talks to Aotearoa | New Zealand artist Nigel Brown (ONZM) about his life and work, his travels, and his artistic approach to social reality. Featuring music, reviews, and more!

In this episode, Sionainn plays audio recorded at a recent CSS educational event titled Mutual Aid: Fostering Resilience and Solidarity by Monica Dix. Featuring music, reviews, and more!

In this episode, Sionainn talks to Organiser Nathaniel Herz Jardine about the concept of a living wage, his work for the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa, and its opposition to asset sales in Ōtautahi | Christchurch. Featuring music, reviews, and more!