Get your kit off, it's election year and the major parties are putting out already. We have a real choice about our economic future before the summer's over, so it's time to start asking the questions and doing the maths
Read MoreUncategorized
Waste minimisation, writ short
The last New Zealand Waste Strategy had 30 targets. A 2009 discussion document proposed 14. The new strategy has … none
Read MoreTwittering towards democracy - fact or fiction?
A new generation of practical revolutionaries in the Middle East is daring repressive regimes to bow to popular reform rather than resort to brutal crackdowns. They are armed with little more than the power of social media and a belief that the basics in life trump Islamist ideology.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday January 28
Egypt protests continue--four activists killed, up to 1000 arrested; China now willing to 'contain' North Korea, says US; Australia considers temporary tax to help pay for flood reconstruction; Arab protests spread to Yemen; Haitian ruling party withdraws support for its candidate; Sarkozy defends Euro, says he and Merkel would never let it fail; and more
Read MoreFight Obesity – Nationalise the Dairies!
Here's an idea as we go into election year. Instead of part-privatisation of state-owned assets, especially those which generate essentials such as energy, why not nationalise the food outlets?
Read MoreAussie Aussie Aussie? Um... Um... Um...
As we approach Waitangi Day, it's worth considering that New Zealanders are not (contrary to popular belief) uniquely plagued by self-doubt
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday January 27
Obama wants to spend on education, high-speed rail and clean-tech and freeze discretionary spending; China's premier encourages public criticism; Toyota recalling 1.7 million vehicles with faulty fuel pipes and pumps; Lebanon calm again after protests; World Economic Forum opens in Davos; and more
Read MoreHistory the way it should have happened
Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is quite a piece of work. Think she could lead the free world?
Read MoreDomPost tries to kneecap Labour's tax policy
The Dominion Post throws National a freebie by misrepresenting Labour's new tax policy, and by doing some scaremongering to boot.
Read MoreGoff’s green smalls, and the new old Alliance
Labour leader Phil Goff tossed off another election strip-tease item yesterday; underneath was something green
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday January 26
Medvedev blames airport security for security breaches allowing suicide bombing; civil rights groups and passengers say screening measures at US airports are intrusive; US businesses in favour of free trade deal with Korea; anti-Hezbollah protests in Lebanon; rare day of protest in Egypt; US economic outlook improves; and more
Read MorePhil Goff's New Zealand and the fear of 'second-term National'
MMP politics is like a jigsaw puzzle, and Phil Goff revealed a few more pieces today, which he hopes will create a picture with Labour back on a Treasury benches. State of the nation? Nah, state of the coalition more like...
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday January 25
Lebanese leaders debate formation of new government as Hezbollah show hand(+ analysis); Drought in China thretens food prices; Palestinian Authority claims leaked documents are "lies"; Tunisian protesters tear gassed as they demand further reform; and more
Read MoreDictators and the smell of money
As a tyrannical dictator is ousted in Tunisia don't lose sight of another who has returned to Haiti to cash in on the billions of aid dollars...and meanwhile back in Canada, relatives of the Tunisian are moving in to my neighbourhood!
Read MoreI try to abide by the methodology, when all I want is to follow my heart
It is very important that Ian Wishart hears your honest-to-god, really-what-I think views on critical socialmatters.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday January 21
China admits it has much to do to improve human rights; Is it a shift in tone from President Hu? (+ analysis); Wikileaks banker fined then re-arrested; Who really killed Daniel Pearl?; Japanese debt reaches "critical point"; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday January 20
Tunisian government flounders; Arab leaders to offer struggling Arab economies $2 billion; more evacuations in flood-hit Victoria; economists cast doubt on Vietnam's financial policy; Saudi leaders give up on Lebanon mediation; Karzai postpones inauguration of Afghan parliament; Baby Doc Duvalier charged with corruption and embezzlement 25 years after leaving Haiti; and more
Read MoreHow do you solve a problem like Hone?
Hone Harawira thinks the Maori Party needs to dance to his tune. Are his colleagues going to pull the plug on his stereo?
Read MoreThe Minister “who took the fish out of fish and chips”
Species ranked ‘nationally critical’ are dying in our fisheries. Legislative fixes have twice been voted down by the National party
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday January 19
Chinese president arrives in US for four-day state visit; experts say Chinese diplomatic trip could be most important in 30 years; lack of progress with North Korea-South Korea relationship; Tunisian PM defends new government with old ministers; former Haitian dictator Baby Doc Duvalier returns; and more
Read More