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

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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Steve Baron: Nobody Mourns the Nightman

Steve Baron: Nobody Mourns the Nightman

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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Sir Geoffrey Palmer: How To Save Democracy

Sir Geoffrey Palmer: How To Save Democracy

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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Steve Baron: Who Pays When Buildings Fail?

Steve Baron: Who Pays When Buildings Fail?

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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Steve Baron: Winx – World Champion

Steve Baron: Winx – World Champion

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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Steve Baron: Freedom of Speech

Steve Baron: Freedom of Speech

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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Steve Baron: Tide May Be Turning in Favour of STV

Steve Baron: Tide May Be Turning in Favour of STV

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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Steve Baron: A Political Love Affair

Steve Baron: A Political Love Affair

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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