The Star: July 27, 2017

BOOKS/ARTS I 2
Austin Mitchell’s new book Revenge of the
Rich The neoliberal revolution in Britain and New
Zealand, published by Canterbury University
Press, charts the development of a marketdriven
neoliberal creed, where governments
are devoted to efficiency, cost-cutting and
austerity at the people’s expense.
Many New Zealanders will remember
Mitchell’s best-selling book The
Half-Gallon Quarter-Acre
Pavlova Paradise (1972).
In this new, outspoken
opinion piece, Mitchell,
who was a long-serving
British Labour MP for
Grimsby, denounces the
economic policy of the
last three decades as “a
long march down Dead-
End Street” – a neoliberal
experiment that has
benefitted the rich and
eroded the “good society”
with its welfare state and
government commitment
to the betterment of the
people.
In Revenge of the Rich
Mitchell considers how
neoliberalism became government
policy in Britain and New Zealand and
discusses its consequences in terms of
greater inequality, lower growth and higher
unemployment. He believes this book
is the first to look at the rise and fall of
neoliberalism as the prevailing ideology in the
two countries where it was imposed “further
and faster” than in any others.
The role of the state was cut back and
power handed to the market, he says.
New book denounces
neoliberal policies
“In both countries industry declined, assets
were sold to survive and the social balances,
which had been tilted to the people after
the war, were tilted back to wealth. Taxes on
business and the rich fell as their share of
Gross Domestic Product increased. The result,
in each country, was a revolt of the people,
voting for proportional representation in New
Zealand to tie the hands of
the politicians and, much later,
voting for Brexit in Britain as
the people and the regions left
behind by the austerity said
‘enough is enough’.”
Mitchell says gaps between
the rich and the less well
off in both Britain and New
Zealand have been widened
over the three decades of
neoliberalism. Ultimately, he
would like readers to take
a hopeful message from the
book: “Things don't have to
be this way and alternative
policies become possible if
governments listen to the
people rather than follow
an ideology,” he says.
In the book’s foreword the Rt. Hon Helen
Clark, who was Prime Minister of New
Zealand 1999-2008 says: “Agree with it, or
disagree with it, love it or loathe it, Austin
Mitchell’s writing provokes us to reflect
on what our common future could be. It is
written in a lively fashion with highly quotable
turns of phrase.”
Revenge of the Rich The neoliberal revolution in Britain
and New Zealand: Published by Canterbury University
Press. RRP $25
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Healthy eating for kids
For parents and grandparents that face problems getting the youngsters in their family to
eat good, healthy food, or are unsure what are the right foods to offer them, the new book by
Christchurch dietitian Lea Stening provides plenty of helpful information.
Released on May 19 to coincide with Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day, which saw a global
focus on children’s nutrition and how children’s health can be
improved, Healthy Kids, Happy Lives helps parents and grandparents
to understand the nutritional components need to build structure
into a child’s diet, as well as the family’s.
It shows how to buy and prepare the right types of foods and
includes some easy-to-prepare recipes that show examples of
good nutrition.
A Food Ambassador for New Zealand, with more than 40
years’ experience in paediatrics and sports nutrition, Stening
is passionate about helping children improve their physical and
mental well-being and performance through better nutrition.
Healthy Kids, Happy Lives: Published by Lea Stening Publishing. RRP $25.
Photographic
exhibition
documents
Arts Centre
restoration
The damage to the Christchurch Arts
Centre in the 2011 earthquake and its
subsequent closure has been distressing
for many of us who went there regularly to
enjoy its variety of facilities and activities –
often with visitors from out-of-town.
Thankfully, this unique complex is being
restored, so as time goes on we will be able
to enjoy it all again.
Christchurch photographer Johannes
van Kan has been documenting the Arts
Centre’s post-earthquake restoration
since 2013. His limited edition, behind-thescenes
photographs of the Arts Centre’s
restoration are featured in the first
exhibition at the Christchurch Arts Centre’s
new exhibition space, Pumanawa, which is
located in the restored Boys’ High building
on Worcester Boulevard.
Called Restore, the exhibition of these
spectacular, large-format images opens on
July 26, and they will be for sale, with all
proceeds going towards the restoration of
the Arts Centre. More than half of the Arts
Centre restoration is now complete but the
remainder of this painstaking work cannot
be finished unless another $35million is
fundraised, says fundraising manager Susan
Henson.
“Johannes is one of Christchurch’s leading
photographers and we are grateful that
he has donated his skills and captured the
restoration in such an artistic manner – the
images can only be described as stunning,”
she says.
“The Arts Centre is a unique historical
treasure in Canterbury and these
photographs give a very special insight into
the care and attention that has gone into
saving it for future generations. This is a
chance for individuals and corporates to
purchase their own slice of our city’s history
while at the same time helping to ensure
that this incredibly important restoration is
completed.”
PUBLISHER
Star Media
The Christchurch Star Company Ltd
PO Box 1467 Christchurch 8140
Photographer Johannes van Kan with one of
his artworks.
Following Restore, Pumanawa – which
means natural talent – will be available
for hire on a weekly basis by artists,
photographers, designers and members of
other creative organisations at a cost of
$300 plus GST.
Ms Henson says the bright and lofty
upper-floor exhibition space has been
especially designed for community use.
“The high-vaulted ceiling, meticulously
restored paintwork and woodwork, and
natural light make it a perfect space to
exhibit. It’s also within close proximity to
other art establishments in the central city.”
Offering the space to artists and artsfocused
community groups at an affordable
rate perfectly aligns with the Arts Centre’s
goal of fostering arts, culture, education
and creative industries in the heart of
Christchurch, says Arts Centre CEO André
Lovatt.
“Our day-to-day focus is restoring these
unique historic buildings, but the driving
force behind it is to create a home for
creative entrepreneurs in the heart of the
city. We’re determined to be more relevant
to our community than we have ever been
and this is another way of achieving this.”
Inquiries about making a booking can be
made at www.artscentre.org.nz/hire
Restore runs daily From July 26 until
August 6, 10am–5pm.
Free entry. Photographic artworks
available for purchase.
AdvERtISIng
Frank Greenslade - Ph 03 364 7446
email: frank.greenslade@starmedia.kiwi
EdItoRIAL Christine de Felice
dESIgn Denise Crawford