Our tax system asks too much of those with little, and too little of those with much.
Read MoreLow tax for me, high tax for thee
Politics
Half a baby for everyone!
The police decision not to prosecute Bradley Ambrose means we'll never really know what happened at Newmarket's Urban Cafe. And that suits everyone just fine.
Read MoreNick Smith – A Greek Tragedy of his own making
Nick Smith got it right, then wrong, then right again. But Is this the second or third act in the Greek tragedy that is his political career?
Read MoreThe opportunity of debt
Just because you and I need to save more, who says the government needs to do the same? With cheap money around, how about we turn this whole austerity kick on its head and start talking about growth?
Read MoreSolving the Ports of Auckland dispute
The way to get the Ports of Auckland back on track is for the Auckland City Council to step back, change its expectations and take the long view. As it stands, two key assumptions about the port are dragging it down
Read MoreGreat Digital Switch-On could be a Great Switch-Off for Regional TV
Our broadcasting bureaucrats are herding regional television broadcasters into using digital terrestrial transmission services. Unfortunately, the folks at home aren’t following their lead.
Read MoreDavid Shearer steps out – says a lot & not much
The new Labour boss has read the public mood well by putting his name to limits on foreign ownership, but is playing his cards close to his chest on the policies that will define the first chapter of his leadership. So what policies are for the chop?
Read MorePoll of Polls archive: 2008 to 2011
For your statistical, nostalgic pleasure.
Read MorePoll of Polls: Post election shake up
The first few polls of the new year and the new term are in, and together they suggest a markedly different political landscape has developed since the election.
Read MoreAli Baba & the mining of New Zealand
The government says it wants to balance green growth with digging holes, but can we do both? Perhaps we should slow down, rather than end up somewhere we don't want to be
Read MoreOn exactitude in democracy
The Electoral Commission has to review six aspects of MMP (plus whatever else the public puts before it). Here's my thoughts on the first issue: the thresholds for representation in Parliament.
Read MoreGillard v Rudd: understanding this fight to the death
With most of the difficult policy changes made, it seems Australian PM Julia Gillard is now tidying house. Opponent Kevin Rudd is being swept to the backbenches to clear the path to the 2013 elections
Read MoreOn the matter of coming 2nd and yet winning
The latest opinion polls raise the prospect of a scenario that's new to modern New Zealand politics – the party that comes second leading the government. And it's something we need to front early
Read MoreGreens growth: The political maths of the centre-left
If the Greens thought the past three years were challenging, just wait for the next three. They – and Labour – need to figure out a new way of growing the centre-left bloc without tearing each other to pieces
Read More"It’s The Prime Minister’s Show” – Really?
Was “The Prime Minister’s Hour” on Radio Live a prohibited election programme? The Electoral Commission says “yes” – the Broadcasting Standards Authority says “no”. And the row needs to be resolved.
Read MorePoliticians who pretend – a week of parliamentary delusions
Politicians have been arguing that black is white this week, showing that they're about as connected to reality as a two year-old chasing dragons
Read MoreNo more garage sale NZ: the politics
National is caught on the wrong side of an argument it doesn't want to be having, because it's already busy losing another argument it doesn't want to be having. Know what I mean?
Read MoreNo more garage sale NZ: How the Crafar Farms 'set aside' ups the ante
Justice Miller put on his radical robes yesterday and turned the prevailing view of foreign investment on its head. So what does it mean for the overseas ownership debate and the Crafar Farms deal?
Read MoreRiveting argument about tax
I wrote a book! (I know, I am as surprised as you...) Casey Plunket from Chapman Tripp says parts of it suck. I say otherwise.
Read MoreIt's time to put up or shut up
Now that the rather pointless referendum on keeping MMP is over and done with, the real work starts. You have to play your part, too.
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