Todd Muller was National’s inevitable leader who never was, until he became it, writes National Party insider Hamish Price.
Read MoreGuest post: So, just who is Todd Muller?
Politics
Guest Post: So that’s the leadership sorted. What now for National?
A leadership coup so close to a general election isn’t the ideal situation for a party in freefall but by electing Todd Muller as its new leader the National party may see a positive turnabout in fortune writes John Elliot.
Read MoreGrant 'Mr Lucky' Robertson gets to be the ultimate big spender, keeping NZ on life support
Today’s Budget 2020 was nothing like the one Finance Minister Grant Robertson was expecting to give two months ago. It’s a life-support budget, which in any normal year would guarantee an election loss, but instead could help shore up a Labour win
Read MoreNZ's economy has been on ice, but it's about to unfreeze and it will hurt
As we come out of lockdown. so does the economic freeze ray holding our economy in place wear off. Budget 2020 will be all about finding ways to minimise the brutal economic damage that is only just beginning
Read MoreGagging order is double dumb: Disrespecting public sacrifice & damaging Brand Ardern
The email from the 9th floor telling ministers to ‘dismiss’ interview requests about thousands of pages of Covid-19 related decisions wasn’t just bad for government transparency, it was politically stupid
Read MoreHow New Zealand saved the world
How the little country that could somehow did it again
Read MoreThe New Zealand Media: A few modest proposals
New Zealand media were in trouble before Covid-19. But in a matter of weeks the situation has become much worse. Getting the media through the crisis will not be enough. Change is required.
Read MoreChurchill beat Hitler, but Attlee won the election: Election strategies in a post-crisis world
New Zealanders are due to elect a Government in September. Will it be the way the Covid-19 crisis was handled or the creation of a new normal that will determine who wins?
Read MoreWhy Cabinet's decision on when to lift lockdown is like plate spinning
The outcome will be Level Three or Level Four, but the decision itself is not a simple binary. The government has to balance many factors, not least the public’s state of mind
Read MoreContra Damien: what libertarians get wrong about preserving freedom
A short, sharp curtailment of freedom might be better than a protracted, dull one.
Read MoreBob Dylan, COVID-19, Trump and Murder Most Foul
COVID-19 has exposed Trump as not up to the job and America as a failing state. None of this is good for America or the world. Bob Dylan’s Murder Most Foul captures the mood of the times.
Read MoreAfter Covid-19: Towards a New Normal
Covid-19 is a crisis. Everyone agrees there is going to be a new normal. It is time to start saying what we want the future to look like.
Read MoreMaybe axing Clark would be unfair. But what about any of this is fair?
It is imperative that government ministers not be the only people immune from the inevitable vicissitudes of the lockdown.
Read MoreOK, Britney: stop sniping at National for doing its job
If we don’t have unity we must have sharp, focussed and vigorous opposition.
Read MoreTime for Grant Robertson to reveal package #2?
Two weeks ago Grant Robertson announced the coalition government’s $12.1 billion rescue package as “just the beginning”. So when do we get the next bit?
Read MoreNot a grand coalition, but a government of national salvation
Loyal opposition is no longer possible, so national unity is now required.
Read MoreA plea to experts: safeguard your role in public life
In times like these, the role of experts is too valuable to imperil through politics
Read MorePulling together in a crisis: The coalition's biggest test. And opportunity
At a time of crisis, voters look for leadership and politicians have permission to act in ways they are seldom able. Tomorrow’s economic package will test this government and could win or lose them the election.
Read MoreNo half-measures: the risk to the economy is too serious
The government needs to go big or go home. Here are a few things Liam Hehir hopes it plans to announce.
Read MoreStop trying to diminish Jenny Shipley’s barrier smashing
Here’s an idea: don’t be gross
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