This year it's now or never for the government. Will they become a comfy pair of everyday shoes, or will they start to pinch and wear?
Read MorePolitics
Cameron Slater's slighty wonky jihad
Does open justice mean you should be allowed to boost your blog-site's profile by identifying a rape victim?
Read MoreTrying to raise a phoenix from Copenhagen’s ashes
Copenhagen’s failed global climate change talks showed the size of the mess we’re in, and the perils of self-interest. However, they could yet be a catalyst for something bigger
Read MoreWellington warm-up for climate change clash
Forget Copenhagen. The next target for international climate change activism is Wellington. This week’s protests in the capital are just a warm-up for the big event in March
Read MoreCapital work from markets taskforce makes good fertiliser
To grow strong businesses and more financially secure households, our capital markets need to be dug over and replanted. Last week's taskforce report offers a hoe with which the government can start digging
Read MoreNational Policy Statement: wholly happy cows
We need a national debate on cubicle dairy farming, and dairy farming in general – is it the backbone of this country, or the boil on our behind? And what's it worth to us?
Read MoreDon't blame me, I voted for Kodos.
Forget Solomon. Maurice Williamson has just displayed the wisdom of Kang.
Read MoreDo it because I said so, dammit!
Are you ready to maybe vote in a non-binding referendum on whether Parliament should treat such non-binding referenda as binding? Or, does your head hurt yet?
Read MoreFlags, constitutions, Fleetwood Mac, zeitgeists...
If we're starting to talk about Waitangi Day, the end of the year has arrived. So what will John Key and Phil Goff be reflecting on as they tuck into their Christmas pudding?
Read MoreIs Alan Bollard a man of his word?
The Reserve Bank governor has been jumping around on just when he intends to start raising interest rates. For a man who has people's homes in his hands, surely he has to mean what he says and say only what he means
Read MoreKiwi connections in Kabul embassy scandal
Sexual molestation rituals … illegal brothel visits … drunken brawls … unauthorized “cowboy” missions. That’s life for New Zealanders in the private security unit set up to guard the US Embassy in Kabul.
Conservative politics, liberal petrol: OIA papers on emission standards
Cabinet papers reveal the motor industry flip-flopping on car fuel economy plans and the government ignoring officials' advice as it abandoned new vehicle standards... Is this another example of political caution gone mad?
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Road-user charges exemption for light electric vehicles
Why I'm sick of the government trumpeting their championing of electric cars...
Read MoreHave a heart: fixing broken criminals
Paroled murderer Richard Lakich needs a new heart, and Parliament is considering an ACC amendment that disentitles criminals. Are these hard choices, or heartless choices?
Read MoreBusy out the back... and Labour strategy
In case you're wondering where we are... And a few ideas bouncing off Toby's post
Read MoreEnough is enough: Copenhagen and too-convenient alcohol
The inconvient truth is that John Key always should have been going to Copenhagen and dairies should never have been selling liquor. So hooray for a change of heart on both
Read MoreNo more buddy buddy, no more messing around
Our courts must not just be impartial and unbiased. Our judges must be seen to be so too
Read MoreWhich Hone will return to parliament?
Hone Harawira has won himself a second chance. He won't get a third. So the question for him next year is whether he wants to be a leader or a rebel
Read More2025 taskforce report: If lions ran the circus...
The muddle-headed 2025 taskforce report recommends policies that would not only drive more New Zealanders across the ditch, they would fail to catch Australia's GDP growth.
Read MoreSorry about the SNAFU in super city
Situation Normal – All Fouled Up. That sums up the current state of Rodney Hide’s plans to turn Auckland into New Zealand’s first super city as the citizens start wondering what happened to the local in local government
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