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Laura O'Connell Rapira

Contributing writer

Laura O’Connell Rapira (Te Ātiawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa) is the director of ActionStation. ActionStation is campaigning for policy and funding change that would ensure every person in this country is taught about local hapū and iwi history, the context and content of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, colonisation and its impacts.

Firearms given up during last year’s amnesty. (Photo by New Zealand Police/Getty Images)

Guns have no place in a peaceful society

We need to follow a public health approach and prevent people from harm. That means disarming both the public and the police.

By Laura O'Connell Rapira | 7th December, 2020

Contributing writer

Getty Images

Moving the rock: An election manifesto for people-led change

In her final election 2020 column, Laura O'Connell Rapira argues that progressive voters hold more power than they may think.

By Laura O'Connell Rapira | 12th October, 2020

Contributing writer

What, really, is a rāhui – and can political parties enact them?

What, really, is a rāhui – and can political parties enact them?

We know how it applies to, say, a forest, but can a political party apply it to immigration?

By Laura O'Connell Rapira | 5th October, 2020

Contributing writer

Judith Collins watches Jacinda Ardern during the first TV debate of the campaign (Getty Images)

The first leaders’ debate was so awful because the old format no longer works

Laura O'Connell Rapira has some ideas for improving the standard of TV election debates in Aotearoa.

By Laura O'Connell Rapira | 28th September, 2020

Contributing writer

The case for tax (more of it, much more)

The case for tax (more of it, much more)

Sharing wealth is how we share care and responsibility for this land and all of the people in it.

By Laura O'Connell Rapira | 21st September, 2020

Contributing writer

(Image: The Spinoff)

Aotearoa 2040 and the future of tino rangatiratanga

It's time to go further – more rights, more power for Māori across health, justice and education.

By Laura O'Connell Rapira | 14th September, 2020

Contributing writer

(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Five ways the next government can be an honourable Treaty partner

Whoever is successful on October 17, there is urgent work that needs doing to meet obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

By Laura O'Connell Rapira | 7th September, 2020

Contributing writer

The Green School New Zealand. (Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin)

Green education means more than just private schools for rich hippies

The problem with funding the Green School is that it does little to address the environmental challenges faced by ordinary New Zealanders and their children.

By Laura O'Connell Rapira | 31st August, 2020

Contributing writer

Photo: Getty

The real conspiracy is that education is for the rich

It is a scandal in plain sight: our education system is racist and the outcomes people get vary depending on ethnicity.

By Laura O'Connell Rapira | 24th August, 2020

Contributing writer

(Image: The Spinoff)

How to talk to whānau about conspiracies

If we're going to protect whānau who believe in dangerous conspiracies from Covid-19, we need to engage, not block.

By Laura O'Connell Rapira | 13th August, 2020

Contributing writer