Steve Baron
Steve Baron Unfiltered

Steve Baron Unfiltered

Common Sense in Uncommon Times

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I'm a New Zealand political columnist and author exploring democracy, economics, and local government. My columns examine how policy decisions affect real communities, with a focus on democratic reform and government accountability.

With 30+ years in business and qualifications in Political Science and Economics, I bring a practical perspective to political analysis. My work appears in newspapers nationwide and here on my blog.

Browse my columns below to follow New Zealand's political and economic landscape.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2026

Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2026

21.12.2025 10 Comments Steve Baron
As 2025 draws to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you, our readers, for engaging with Steve Baron Unfiltered throughout the year. It’s been another year…
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Who Voted for Ministerial Dictatorship?

Who Voted for Ministerial Dictatorship?

08.12.2025 3 Comments Steve Baron
Who Voted for Ministerial Dictatorship? Something is seriously wrong with how New Zealand makes its laws. This morning on Radio New Zealand, former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer – normally…
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Nobody Mourns the Nightman

Steve Baron: Nobody Mourns the Nightman

11.11.2025 1 Comment Steve Baron
It’s 1920s New Zealand and the nightman is about to do his rounds, emptying backyard dunnies across the neighbourhood. It’s honest work. It pays the bills. It feeds his family.…
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A man of faith

Frank Greenall: A Man of Faith

31.10.2025 No Comments Steve Baron
Frank Greenall has been a copywriter, scriptwriter, artist, political cartoonist, adult literacy tutor and administrator, and Whanganui Chronicle columnist for many years, amongst numerous other sundry occupations. His cartoons and articles…
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New Zealands Democratic Deficit Book

New Zealands Democratic Deficit Book

07.10.2025 1 Comment Steve Baron
Download My Book FREE: New Zealand’s Democratic Deficit After years of research and advocacy, I’m making this comprehensive work freely available to all New Zealanders. Why This Book Matters Now…
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Sir Geoffrey Palmer How To Save Democracy

Sir Geoffrey Palmer: How To Save Democracy

28.09.2025 2 Comments Steve Baron
Sir Geoffrey Palmer: How To Save Democracy When one of New Zealand’s most respected constitutional minds sounds the alarm about our democracy, it’s time to listen. Sir Geoffrey Palmer –…
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Who Pays When Buildings Fail?

Steve Baron: Who Pays When Buildings Fail?

07.05.2025 No Comments Steve Baron
How New Zealand’s Biggest Construction Reform in 20 Years Could Transform Local Government Finance Twenty-eight years ago, I watched a mate in Auckland discover rot creeping through his weatherboard villa’s…
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Winx – World Champion

Steve Baron: Winx – World Champion

08.08.2018 No Comments Steve Baron
Australian race mare, Winx, is the undisputed world champion of horse racing, having just been ranked Longines World’s Best Racehorse. She is the pride and joy of Coolmore Stud in…
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Freedom of Speech

Steve Baron: Freedom of Speech

05.06.2018 No Comments Steve Baron
The ultimate price for voicing your opinion as a newspaper columnist/journalist … is death. Probably at the hands of some demented, frenzied murderer who was offended by something you had…
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Tide may be turning in favour of STV

Steve Baron: Tide May Be Turning in Favour of STV

11.08.2017 No Comments Steve Baron
On Tuesday, the Whanganui District Council decided to delay choosing between staying with the First-Past-The-Post (FPP) voting system for local government elections or changing to the Single-Transferable-Vote (STV) system. The…
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A Political Love Affair

Steve Baron: A Political Love Affair

09.12.2011 No Comments Steve Baron
Once upon a time, I fell madly in love. She was the most gorgeous, intelligent and successful woman I had ever met—she changed my life forever. Unfortunately, she went back…
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