Defence Minister Wayne Mapp’s categoric denial that there were civilian casualties when New Zealand SAS troops took part in a night raid in Baghlan province is wearing thin as more evidence comes to hand from Afghanistan.
Politics
Is Brash really the saviour of the right?
Don Brash will get ACT above 10 percent, re-energising the right of New Zealand politics - or so the story goes. Some aren't so sure, including some in National
Read MoreIt's the sound of the New Man, running down your back
Afghanistan: the war of words – and friendly fire
The Government’s spin machine cranks into action but its selective secrecy policy raises more questions about SAS operations in Afghanistan than it answers
Asking 'why' of Afghanistan?
Some say the media posing questions about our military presence in Afghanistan is 'disgraceful' and 'unpatriotic'. I say, regardless of the rights and wrongs, the opposite is true
Read MoreIs Don Brash on a Hide-ing to nothing? Or just Hide-bound?
Rodney Hide and Don Brash want to lead ACT. That much we know; the rest is cloudy. So let's look at some of the core questions, battles and potential strategies...
Read MoreA sign o' the times
Has Labour managed to stuff up even a pretty good idea? [Turns out no - not as much as I prematurely thought.]
Read MoreNew Zealand TV – there’s got to be a better way
Mediaworks gets a $34 million government bail-out. TVNZ blows $79 million on two non-commercial digital channels. And successive governments drop the ball on free-to-air public service television. There has to be a better way of broadcasting
Read MoreKiddies in Court
The Minister of Justice moved swiftly to change the rules on legal aid eligibility following Dame Margaret Bazley's report, but quick-as-a-flash, nothing's been done on her recommendation that creches be set up for kiddies in courts
Read MoreSomeone give that man a latte
In which the author takes the opportunity to settle accounts in a petty and petulent fashion.
Read MoreCharge of the right brigade
Paula Rebstock is appointed to the ACC Board one day after the resignation of Chief Executive - National lays strong foundations for further ideological assault on ACC
Read MoreNo, Non – Not Libya and the Security Council
Prime Minister John Key should keep his hands firmly in his pockets and avoid enlistment in a Middle East peace-making mission when he meets political leaders in Paris and London this month
Read MoreLabour's list not diverse enough... and lessons from '93
Labour's list deserves scrutiny and poses questions - just not the ones raised by Damien O'Connor
Read MoreNecessitas non habit legem
There is a dispute out in the sea. The police must be able to arrest someone ... musn't they?
Read MoreUnique circumstances that keep on happening... and Australia
The government had its hand firmly on the economic tiller this week, tacking strongly through the waves of crisis and public opinion. Then Bill English gave a speech and stumbled
Read MorePrepare for the SM onslaught
Why would I choose to make my vote less equal? Or, the growing challenge from the Supplementary Member system and how MMP can adapt and triumph in the referendum
Read MoreEugenie Sage, speaking truth to power
Sacked ECan regional councillor and life-long conservationist Eugenie Sage talks about ECan, doing conservation better, and her aspirations to and for Parliament, as the Green Party's Selwyn candidate
Read MoreJudith Tizard says no thanks... and does it in style
Whatever else you say about Judith Tizard, you gotta admit she won the final round and showed some real chutzpah in announcing her political career over
Read MoreWhy Phil Goff is safe... and from whom
The Labour leader has shown his sincerity over the Hughes case, but was he wise? How safe is his leadership? And where oh where was the plan?
Read MoreSentence first - verdict afterwards!
Defending Darren Hughes may well be a fruitless task. But here's an attempt to do so ...
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