While school children come to watch MPs goofing around in parliament, the real business of governing takes place outside the debating chamber
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How political parties get stuck in opposition
Here's a radical idea for politicians hoping to make an impact: tell the truth instead of offering false hope, like France's Manuel Valls.
Read MoreDigital TV's jungle of bungles needs sorting
New Zealand’s switch to digital TV is running smoothly on the home-front – but TV broadcasters are having a rough ride through a jungle of bungles by state agencies.
Read MoreWhy karma will keep on koming for National
It was a killer line about karma from Hekia Parata. Not only did it reveal her true feelings, it encapsulated what the government can expect in 2013 as it heads into its fifth year
Read MoreJust when I thought I was out ... they pull me back in
This is not a post about David Bain. It just looks that way.
Read MoreMom, apple pie, apprenticeships & not much else
A quick glance of John Key's state of the nation speech reveals a government tipping its hat to next year's election, but with little new to sell
Read MoreJesters do oft prove prophets
Can Pita Sharples afford not to be the co-leader of the Maori Party?
Read MoreSorry, how much? The numbers & impact of global inequality
A new Oxfam report released in time for the World Economic Forum spells out just how vast the inequality divide has become and the urgent need to act. It's just not good for anyone
Read MoreIt betrays a bad mind
Garth McVicar thinks that same sex marriage is just another part of a breakdown in moral values that causes crime. Silly Garth - everyone knows it's not wearing hats that causes crime.
Read MoreEasing back into the year + Parata & Sharples
Two leading politicians are staying put. Risky stuff. And what I'm doing next...
Read MoreIn praise of Judith Collins
My last post of 2012 said some mean things about Judith Collins. Let me make amends by starting 2013 with some nice words.
Read MoreFiji’s dose of khaki democracy
Fiji is getting a strong dose of khaki democracy as its de facto military rulers shift from “go slow” to “go fast” on the road to elections they’ve promised next year. It’s a shift that could create big problems forNew Zealand.
Read MoreLook out! The Drones are here – and we’re not ready …
New Zealand Police aren’t waiting for major aviation safety and personal privacy issues about domestic spy drones to be solved. TV3 reports they’ve already purchased their first unmanned aerial vehicle. So, watch this space …
Read MoreBinnie vs Fisher: the definitive guide
This is the last word on the David Bain case. There will never be, nor need to be, another thing written about it ever again. Do you believe me much?
Read MoreBeneficiary 'impact' highlights poverty of social policies
Auckland's first-ever beneficiary 'impact' demonstrates poverty of policies as well as of people
Read MoreCrowdsourcing the Binnie report (and the Fisher report on the Binnie report ...)
Want to say something about the Binnie Report on David Bain's innocence? Or Robert Fisher's review of that report? Or Judith Collins' handling of the whole matter? Here's your chance.
Read MoreThe return to zero
I have no idea how the David Bain compensation bid is now going to turn out. But I don't see why that should stop me telling you about it
Read MoreCrusher Collins turns her vice on Power & Binnie
Justice Minister Judith Collins' silence on why she had sought a second opinion on the Bain compensation was prompting speculation she was shopping for a verdict. But who knew she's respond like this?
Read MoreThe art of not predicting politics
Matthew Hooton has done a 180 degree turn on his prediction for the 2014 election. Yet the new prediction seems as risky as the last one
Read More2012 Apocalypse Edition: The Year of the Black Dragon
Political Notes from 2012: o'seas & domestic political rants of a purely existential nature - no strings attached version
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