In preference to weeping, I try to count conservation blessings, and plan my new career as a lobbyist
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Special votes and the DPB parents factor
With the specials about to be announced, what are the ramifications for the new government? And what's likely to happen next?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 9
Merkel & Sarkozy call for "new common legal framework" as crucial EU summit convenes; Leaders divided on "quick fix" vs long-term reforms; European Central Banks cuts rates to all-time low; US insists China a partner not "adversary"; Syria imposes blockade on Turkey border, while South Sudan responds to Sudanese bombing; Australia refuses to sell uranium to Pakistan; Putin blames Clinton for fomenting protest after Russian elections; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, December 8
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denies ordering crackdown against protesters; UN says 4000 people have been killed during the nine-month government crackdown; China to make "extended preparations" for warfare amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea; US and South Korea in talks to revise 1974 nuclear power treaty; Pakistan's Zardari receives treatment for heart condition in Dubai; Greek parliament passes austerity budget; and more
Read MoreCharter Schools: Friend or Foe?
Area men, women panic as Key, Banks unveil December surprise.
Read MoreTowards a new theory of the Greens: transition times
The global green change needed is desperately urgent. Paradoxically, the fastest and best way to achieve it locally might be more tortoise than hare
Read MoreNational-ACT deal Part I - spending cap
This year's National-ACT supply and confidence deal goes futher than the previous one, prompting a lot of indignant questions about ideology, economic management and choice... and a few examples of hypocrisy
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 6
Merkel and Sarkozy meet over Euro crisis; US asks South Korea to cut trade ties with Iran; former Khmer Rouge official denies responsibility for killing two million during 1970s; Islamist parties win majority in Egypt; China commits to climate pledge; Peru declares state of emergency following protests at US-owned gold mine; and more
Read MoreLabour's leader: TV, weaknesses & the Obama factor
The battle for the Labour leadership was first waged in caucus (Shearer), then on TV (Cunliffe). This week it moves to the regions as remains tight. So who does John Key fear most? And why do I keep thinking of Obama & Clinton?
Read MoreBritain + Iran = lose-lose
Iran's hurtling towards being a diplomatic outcast raises cause for serious concern about what is really going on within the country politically, and the impact domestic tensions are having on furthering Iran's nuclear arms ambitions and consequently, its dangerous isolationism.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 2
Hillary Clinton pledges support for Myanmar's democratisation during visit--but says steps taken so far have been "insufficient"; Chinese manufacturing down markedly; UK downgrades diplomatic ties with Iran, considers sanctions; Obama will not apologise for Pakistani deaths after NATO air raid; a second Mexico-US drug tunnel found; and more
Read MoreTowards a new theory of the Greens: neither left nor right
In which I try explaining why the Greens are neither left nor right, why they never have been, and why that is important to their future and ours
Read MoreThe Euro deadline: 10 days and counting
Central banks are trying to get money moving again, but it could all be too little, too late for Europe as the final countdown begins (not as cool as Andrew's musical references, but see what I did there children of the '80s?)
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 1
Tit for tat between Britain and Iran after students raid British embassy in Tehran; International community condemns incident (+ analysis); Clinton arrives in Burma after vieled dig at China; EU to expand rescue fund, but may struggle to raise money; Turkey says Assad "at the end of the road", imposes sanctions; One million on strike in Britain; and more
Read MoreI've just been internalising a really complicated situation in my head
The news declared that the National Party had had a 'historic' election victory on Saturday but, if that was true, National Party people would be looking happier. The reality is much more complicated
Read MoreHe's Goff and he's off -- so who's next?
So the names for the Labour leadership are now in the hat. The caucus has a decent buffet to choose from, but need to remember it's not all about them
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 29
Egyptians vote as protesters demand immediate handover to civilian government; bridge in Indonesia collapses, killing 11; China pursues increased mililtary relations with Myanmar ahead of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit; relations between Pakistan and US further sour; Guyana votes for new government; and more
Read MoreTowards a new theory of the Greens: the election campaign
The Greens’ vibe has changed, but have they lost grip on values with a small and large V? For all the strengths and wins of the 2011 election campaign, it also failed
Read MoreElection results as they come in
Get the latest election information as it becomes available, without having to watch the box
Read MoreMarginal machinations: The seats to watch
Let's take a look at the seats you might want to take a look at tomorrow night
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