The world premiere of a new film on New Zealand’s post 1984 economic reforms will screen in the Academy Cinema (below the Auckland Public Library) on Thursday 25 August at 6pm.

This film was made by Americans for an international audience. It documents the dire inherited situation, the tough decisions taken, and highlights gains along with pain.

Refreshingly, it focuses on results rather than fantasising about ideologies or conspiracies.

Why is this refreshing? Well, it is a change from the abstruse rants about neo-liberalism that seem to have become de rigueur in parts of academia in New Zealand.

An article in the DomPost this week by University of Auckland professor Dame Anne Salmond illustrates the genre. She urged readers to tell “our leaders” that “neo-liberal doctrines” are unacceptable.

So what are these doctrines? In her fantasy they deny the existence of society. They make virtues of individual selfishness and greed. They deny basic Kiwi values of integrity, decency, a good life for ordinary people, affordable homes; clean rivers and beaches and even a fair go for all.

Darth Vader in Dame Salmond’s article is epitomised by Baroness Thatcher, and her Anglo-Saxon ilk. Yet her justification is little more than a gross misrepresentation of Thatcher’s comment that there is no such thing as society. Here is the full context.

I think we've been through a period where too many people have been given to understand that if they have a problem, it's the government's job to cope with it: 'I have a problem, I'll get a grant.' 'I'm homeless, the government must house me.' They're casting their problem on society. And, you know, there is no such thing as society.

There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. It's our duty to look after ourselves and then, also to look after our neighbour. People have got the entitlements too much in mind, without the obligations. There's no such thing as entitlement, unless someone has first met an obligation.

A reasonable interpretation is that Thatcher was pointing out the obvious – grants must be funded by actual people. They can’t be funded by an abstract noun. Yet Salmond evidently prefers to tilt at windmills.

For relief, call Chamanolie (09) 307 101 or email chamanolie.omnicron@co.nz to book a seat.