In which I'm perplexed why people are so afraid of equality and compassion, and reflect on freedom and the filthy rich Westpac CEO, all because I've finally got around to reading The Spirit Level
Read MorePolitics
Thoughts on Green growth, from a gardener
Among the many things people don’t get about the Greens and the green movement is -- it’s organic. This is not just a nice conceit. Greens live and breathe above and below ground, which makes them resilient
Read MoreDavid Cunliffe: a political vision?
David Cunliffe offers personal observations from the Greens’ economic conference, on how to do good — “to do good, first we must win” — and possibly, also on how to win
Read MoreDavid Suzuki: an elder’s vision
David Suzuki says by ignoring warnings of over-consumption and its dire consequences, we are following 99.9999% of our fellow animal species to extinction; and the Greens convene a cross-party economic conference, populated mostly by Greens
Read MoreWelfare reform: Do we get tough or take the 'corduroy' option?
As the welfare debate again rises from the grave over the next few weeks, it'll pay to remember that life is messy and keep asking 'where are the jobs?'.
Read MoreTwo (growth) roads diverged in the woods...
In Robert Frost's poem, taking 'the road less travelled' made all the difference, and so it is with the economic choices we face as a country. Will it be growth for growth's sake, or a more sustainable growth?
It's only deranged when it's not me
The specific political distinction to which political actions and motives can be reduced is that between friend and enemy.
Read MoreWhat I learnt from the US mid-terms
In which I absorb the lessons of the mid-terms, am confirmed in my belief that it should have been Madam President, and advertise some good telly
Read MoreFamily First & Winston Peters the last to wake up on s59 - latest court decision irrelevant
Supreme Court decision in James Mason case nothing to do with s59 law change; NZ First heading backwards, with support for Family First's demands. Time to give it up, Bob.
Read MoreThe Hobbit exposes the failings of NZ Inc.
National arrived in government promising a unified approach to economic growth, but two years into its term The Hobbit debacle revealed a reality at odds with the rhetoric
Read MoreOne last Hobbit related question
There's something about this Hobbit business that doesn't sit quite right with me. I need help to understand it.
Read MoreBilbo Woke Up with the Early Sun in His Eyes
In which the author confidently predicts the resolution of The Hobbit saga. Accuracy, or indeed any connection with the real world, not guaranteed.
Read MoreMatt McCarten stands for Mana, promising to "change the campaign"
The union boss is taking his show on the road... all the way to Mana. McCarten wants to "make them work for it", and it's a safe bet both Labour and National will be on the receiving end of his sharp tongue
Read MoreThe Hobbit - we've lost the magic
The Hobbit stoush has been a Hollywood production, sadly a million miles from the New Zealand that once seemed so perfectly suited as the real world home of hobbits. It doesn't feel like we can trust anyone in this picture
Read MoreNational's rampage against hobbits and workers reaps its own reward
National is certainly on the offensive with its employment and welfare reforms, even proposing a law change specifically to benefit producers of The Hobbit; but it faces a new mood of resistance and dissent
Read MoreFive Years After Society's Destruction
The first civil unions occurred in 2005. Five years later, as we're overtaken on gay marriage rights by Argentina, Mexico, and other countries: did we fight the right battle?
Read MoreTold you so
That old adage about lovers of sausages and the law? It's true.
Read MoreThe foreshore and seabed - a case study in law and politics, rules and symbols
The new law on the foreshore and seabed is not just about legal rules. Its a symbol, and that's what everyone is fighting about.
Read MoreGovernment stuck in the (foreshore) sand. Again
As ACT and the Maori Party kick sand in each other's face over an amendment that changes nothing, we get a good look at the politics of perception and National's misery in trying to hold its coalition partners together
Read MoreWould it be OK if God was a Capitalist, then?
In the midst of the most heart-warming story of the year, why must we argue over whom to thank – capitalism or God? Can't we have it both ways?
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