The Phil Goff Labour party has slowly been taking shape in recent weeks. Today it veers in an unwelcome new direction, playing the race card
Read MorePolitics
Māra Kai: Māori kai?
Pita Sharples’ Māra Kai Māori gardening initiative is a little jewel of sustainability policy, which could benefit all of us
Read MoreContempt, or curiosity from John Key?
John Key wanted to know which "prominent entertainer" got convicted on an indecency charge. So he asked someone
Read MoreLeaky homes—our multi-billion dollar shame
The shameful saga of New Zealand’s leaky homes keeps dragging on—while more than 40,000 people sit in homes that are rotting away because of flawed law, lax regulation, and shoddy design and building practices in the 1990s
Read MoreThe rhetoric and reality gap: MPs talking crap
We learn to expect a certain standard of behaviour from our politicians—but that doesn’t excuse it
Read MoreWelcome to Planet Palin: Going Rogue reviewed
Sarah Palin's Going Rogue is a campaign book delightfully free of boring old policy and so is a sure fire dog whistle to her adoring base. It reinforces why she should never be President, but who the heck does the Republican Party have as an alternative candidate vaguely as charismatic as Caribou Barbie?
Read MoreThe lies behind the 'March for the right to use reasonable force on children'
Thumbs up to those willing to march for what they believe in tomorrow. But I hope they and the deceitful organisers behind the March for Democracy fail miserably
Read MoreIs the Maori Party looking at the big picture?
The ETS is bigger than politics and begs true leadership. National and its farmer lobby are failng to step up, so can we expect more from the Maori Party and iwi?
Read MoreA fuss about not much: the truth about a trade deal
New Zealand is once again in a tizz about a free trade deal with America. The reality state-side, however, is a long way from the rhetoric as a glance at the US media will tell you
Read MoreAfghanistan – Our issues with Karzai
New Zealand has quietly raised four crucial human rights issues with Afghanistan. But what happens if President Karzai’s new government fails to respond?
What's in a backbench MP's package?
It's taken months, but we finally know that a backbencher gets a total package around $180,000. Revealing those sort of details is the only way to bring the rules and public expectation back into line
Read MoreIdeology destroys energy efficiency
The former Greens co-leader questions why, given its "retrograde vision" for energy efficiency, the National Government wanted to collaborate with the Greens in the first place
Read MoreAfter the honeymoon, divorce: Greens break up with National
The Greens have walked away from part of their working arrangement with the government. Jeanette Fitzsimons revealed exclusively to Pundit a relationship breakdown in the energy efficiency and conservation portfolio
Read MoreHide & Harawira: sorry should be the hardest word
Hide's apology is out of kilter with earlier statements and behaviour, while any apology from Harawira would deman both him and us. It's no wonder voters have a low opinion of these crisis-time converts
Read MoreHone Harawira, his wife and me.
HH, his wife and Me/ Fucked off to Paris to have a sight-see/ Too much beauty in one foul sweep/ And the brilliant sun made me blind on the beach/ So I made it back to confusion row/ Where encased in four walls my mind could cope/ We live in hope
Read MoreColourblind political science: mistaking Green for blue
Bryce Edwards has been blogging about the Greens’ abandoned social justice agenda, saying they’ve nothing to offer the left. Russel Norman says that’s “bullshit”
Read MoreParty Central can go jump in the water
For once Aucklanders seem to be realising the wisdom of patience. Queens Wharf is worth waiting for and shouldn't be buggered for the sake of the rugger
Read MoreNational veering left on asset sales?
Privatisation of state assets in 2011 looked like a safe bet... until yesterday when Bill English hinted at a 'run better' rather than a 'sell-off' strategy
Read MoreWhat next for the foreshore & seabed?
Recommendations on how to deal with the contentious Foreshore and Seabed Act go to Cabinet today and are due to be announced on Wednesday. Can the government both clear the hapu hurdle and pass the talkback test? And what is tipuna title?
Read MoreOf rules and principles, right and wrong
When is it enough to just follow the rules? The escapades of Rick Barker and Bill English raise some quite gnarly questions.
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