As John Key re-writes the script for relations between New Zealand and the US, what are the implications for China and does this mean a return to automatic support for America?
Read MorePolitics
Memo to Labour: What about free education?
My two cents on the sort of dramatic policy Labour will need to win over voters. Think interest-free student loans and go from there
Read MorePlenty of ironies in latest polls
The latest polls show that Colin Craig, Winston Peters and perhaps even the Maori Party have something in common... the need for Labour to do better
Read MoreLabour's sins of ommission
Where is the sense of urgency from a Labour party that doesn't seem terribly fussed about winning this election, or at least seems quite happy to leave it to potential coalition partners to get it over the line?
Read MoreLabour's actions drowning out its words
Sssh. Don't tell anyone, but Labour's actually building a coherent plan for running the country. Unfortunately for them, no-one can see past its repeated mis-steps
Read MoreIt's not inequality, stupid
Child poverty strikes a chord across the political spectrum, but the left will struggle to make inequality a major election issue because most New Zealanders are just getting on with it
Read MoreAcronyms and secret handshakes no way to sell a trade deal
When it comes to signing trade deals there are two principles which should never be up for negotiation; the net benefit to your country has to outweigh any concessions, otherwise what’s the point? And you never trade away fundamentals, like the right to legislate to protect your environment, the health of your citizens, or your education system.
Maybe it was a bottle of Armand de Brignac Nebuchadnezzar Champagne ...
Donghua Liu's alleged donations to Labour need more scrutiny. But the Police won't be the ones to do it.
Read MoreNational's self-serving hypocrisy on election year pamphleteering
Over the weekend an 8-page taxpayer-funded advertisement for the National party arrived in our letterbox (I've tweeted a picture). Page after page laid out in National's party colours and font, bursting with photos of the PM, and of MPs Hekia Parata and Chris Finlayson. Also someone called 'Paul Foster-Bell' is prominently pictured in it, but goodness only knows who he is.
Read MoreChildren's Commissioner calls for 50% benefit raise. Yes, you heard right...
A visitor from the Hawkes Bay, our very own Children's Commissioner, has just thrown a bomb into the middle of our debate on child poverty this election year... will anyone notice?
Read MoreDirty deal dancing - when Colin finally meets Key
Colin Craig has given up. Kind of. But by conceeding he can only win a seat with a deal, he's put the onus firmly on National and made John Key an offer the PM can hardly afford to refuse
Read MoreEconomy v Environment: Is fewer cows really the answer?
There's plenty of evidence that more farm production could actually help, not harm, efforts to protect the environment
Read MoreHow Internet Mana could help National reach 50%
Internet Mana gives National a cast of villians to parade before voters
Read MoreHere’s what to do about inequality
If a large majority of us are worried about inequality and National is making the problem worse, not better, why isn’t the Left doing better politically?
Banks redux
Having slept on the Banks decision, here's some slightly more ordered thoughts on the matter.
Read MoreI know nothing
John Banks has been found guilty ... just as I confidently said would not happen.
Read MoreHistory never repeats
David Farrar thinks that Labour is bad for not doing what National has not done as a result of the Electoral Commission's report into MMP, and Labour should not do what David thinks National should have done as a result of their election victory in 2008.
Read MoreThat's the price I pay for hating Key the way that I do
If you'll excuse the paraphrasing of Billy Bragg, it seems appropriate as the left leave the moral high ground for a bit of electoral mud-wrestling and coat-tailing. But at what cost?
Read MoreSay no to the Cup of Te
No way should Labour do a 'Cup of Te' deal.
Labour should stand up for its own strong values.
Read MoreHow the path to election victory might go through the Maori seats
There is a single biggest loser from Laila Harre's appointment to lead the Internet Party... and it's not the Greens
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