Who knows whether John Banks will be found guilty next year, only the courts can decide. But in the court of public opinion, a trial is as bad as a conviction
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Next year's public law exam question is here somewhere ...
Three important public law developments fell on the one day. That makes posting a bit of a challenge!
Read MoreOrganise to Win
Of six by-elections since 2008, only one, Mt Albert, looks anything like Christchurch East in the scale of the Labour result.
It's no coincidence those two seats had similar results: They were planned and run on the same organisational template. None of the other by-elections were.
Read MoreDeal or no deal II: The economic arguments aren't all pro-oil
Is this government's commitment to oil a bit like investing big in New Zealand Post? And what will our children make of the choices we're making now?
Read MorePalestinians pay for Iran deal
Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu has been knocked back into his place by the world's most powerful countries.... including his key friend the US, so what does he do? He takes out his anger on the Palestinians of course
Read MoreDeal or no deal? New Zealand's oil & gas choice offers great risk & reward
The drilling and the protesting has begun... But amongst all the rhetoric, scaremongering and promises of outrageous fortune, lies a prety simple question we should all be asking
Read MoreNew boundaries = new strategies for major parties
One new seat added in Auckland. But that single proposed seat has ramifications that will ripple across the city with some surprising winners and losers
Read MoreNow in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams
Alan Titford's feet of clay have been shown to all the world. But could he have been Northland's mayor?
Read MoreFacing up to climate reality: Lessons from Haiyan & Yeb Sano
When Russel Norman repeated in parliament the words of a Filipino climate negotiator there were howls of outrage, but we listen to the pleas to end the madness we will only see more devastation
Read MoreThe status quo is not a neutral position
David Farrar is very angry that a political party is unilaterally trying to game electoral law for its own benefit. It's good to see him being so critical of National's behaviour with respect to the reform of MMP.
Read MoreThat's the past – a little bit the same, but mostly different
In which I respond to Andrew's post responding to Claire column and add my thoughts on how history repeats... or not
Read MoreIt was different then, and that's all in the past
It would be a brave person to say that they think they know what the 2014 election will deliver. Apparently, Claire Robinson is very, very brave.
Read MoreTPP report shockingly predictable, good for Pharmac
A peek inside the TPP negotiations show that New Zealand is holding its line on some major issues, as you'd expect. But let's not pretend that these aren't incredibly complex negotiations in which something will have to give
Read MoreJohn Key: tips his Conservative hand, reveals a 'many baskets' strategy for next election
Why National could save itself by losing some support, how John Key is strategising for next year, where Colin Craig's Conservatives fit and what it means for the other minor parties...
Read MoreWe need to talk about rape culture
It’s been exclusively men, so far, who have been trying to persuade me of my flawed understanding of rape politics since I posted about the issue, and Willie and JT, on Friday. Left wing bloggers Giovanni Tiso and Egonomist just tweeted that I’m ‘crazy’ and my views ‘embarrassing’.
Roast Busters horror reveals ugly politics
The horrible truth that young men have been allowed to carry on raping under the watchful eye of the police is bad enough. The story has also picked the scab off some ugly politics.
Read MoreRoastBusters, resilience and the reappearance of Bullshit Castle
The Roastbusters club has again exposed police failings when it comes to sexual assaults. Sadly, that's hardly news and the police response to the revelations shows why
Read MoreArise, Sir Douglas
What defines a man's life? Is it the titles he holds, the wealth he accumulates or some other symbol of status that his contemporaries hold in high esteem? And how do we decide if those symbols of status are still deserved?
Read More"Nothing to hide, nothing to fear"
It's a shame the "Tui Billboard" meme has well and truly jumped the shark (as, indeed, has that latter meme itself), because John Banks' "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" line is a prime contender.
Read MoreTo the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee
A certain blogger whose name need not be mentioned in polite company may have wounded Auckland's mayor. But "retired accountant" (amongst other things) Graham McCready has sunk a pretty big harpoon into the side of John Banks. Now, can he wriggle off it?
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