Palmer: the Parliamentary Years; Maori and Parliament: Diverse Strategies and Compromise

Abstract

Raymond Richards - Edited by Maria Bargh

Should academia and politics mix? Two recent books published about very different topics in New Zealand politics provide some light on the relationship between academic intellectuals and parliamentary politics. Both books offer examples of academic intellectuals jumping into the political sphere, with varying results. Typically New Zealand has a rather flimsy relationship between the realms of central government and academia. Unfortunately, intellectuals tend not only to stay out of the 'issues of the day' but also parliamentary politics full stop.