Television New Zealand and NZ On Air have managed to bring the pot of public broadcasting services back to the boil – one with its very commercial salaries, the other with more funding for “commercially attractive” local content.
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Foreign ownership - time to learn from other countries?
The Crafar Farms sale has become a flashpoint for public concern over foreign ownership. As politicians figure out how to repsond, how can we keep the land without closing the door to business and trade?
Read MorePlus ca change, and all that ...
I've made my submission to the Electoral Commission's MMP Review. Can you say the same?
Read MoreTax: Everything in Combination
If we think about our taxes one at a time, we might think one thing. But if you consider them all together, a different picture emerges.
Read MoreNational in turmoil & still popular – it's Labour which needs ACC
National's ministers are looking shakey amidst allegations of cronyism and defamation. So who's benefitting in the polls? Um, National. So what's going on?
Read MoreThe Lombard verdict is no accident
Where's the line between error and crime? If you want to be lenient towards the Lombard Four because they made a simple mistake, then hardly anyone deserves to be locked up
Read MoreSpot the difference ...
One of these cases is not like the other, one of these cases is not quite the same. Can you tell why?
Read MoreIt's not a lie if you believe it is true
Judith Collins is threatening defamation action against those who accuse her of leaking. But I thought you could say anything you wanted about MPs?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday March 29
Assad accepts peace plan to end crackdown as death toll hits 9000; Annan's diplomacy a convenient way out, but will it stick?; Australian government calls for criminal investigation into claims Rupert Murdoch's News Corp engaged in "high-tech piracy" in the 90s; damaged reactor at Fukushima Daiichi plant contains radiation up to 10 times the lethal dose; Iran nuclear talks could start in a fortnight; Cuba rejects Pope's call for reform; angry Greeks to vote for fringe parties in coming elections; and more
Read MoreLow tax for me, high tax for thee
Our tax system asks too much of those with little, and too little of those with much.
Read MoreHalf a baby for everyone!
The police decision not to prosecute Bradley Ambrose means we'll never really know what happened at Newmarket's Urban Cafe. And that suits everyone just fine.
Read MoreNick Smith – A Greek Tragedy of his own making
Nick Smith got it right, then wrong, then right again. But Is this the second or third act in the Greek tragedy that is his political career?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday March 22
French police in armed standoff with man suspected of killings at Jewish school; Obama to visit Korean border ahead of nuclear summit in Seoul; Myanmar invites US and EU to send observers for parliamentary byelections; Somali pirates free British hostage; Peru cancels UK Royal Navy visit; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 20
Syrian forces clash with non-violent protesters in Damascus, after further car bombing; East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta defeated in election; five men suspected of terrorist links killed by police in Bali; four shot dead in Toulouse; dozens arrested as Occupy Wall Street movement reaches six months; Pakistan PM refuses to write letter on graft charges; and more
Read MoreThe opportunity of debt
Just because you and I need to save more, who says the government needs to do the same? With cheap money around, how about we turn this whole austerity kick on its head and start talking about growth?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday March 16
US and Britain affirm special relationship and commitment to diplomatic solution over Iran; US-UK foreign policy established after 9/11 about to end; Assad emails reveal advice from Iran, shopping sprees; South Korea-US free trade deal comes into effect; Britain may lose AAA credit rating; Ugandan victims react angrily after seeing Kony 2012; and more
Read MoreSolving the Ports of Auckland dispute
The way to get the Ports of Auckland back on track is for the Auckland City Council to step back, change its expectations and take the long view. As it stands, two key assumptions about the port are dragging it down
Read MoreGreat Digital Switch-On could be a Great Switch-Off for Regional TV
Our broadcasting bureaucrats are herding regional television broadcasters into using digital terrestrial transmission services. Unfortunately, the folks at home aren’t following their lead.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 13
US Army sergeant kills 16 in Kandahar, provoking outrage in Afghanistan and retaliation threats; Personal revenge likely motivation, theorizes Pentagon; Bodies found in street after Homs masscare – but who's to blame? Japan struggling to rebuild one year on from tsunami and quake; Signs of weakness in Chinese economy; Pakistan wants to talk to terrorists; and more
Read MoreDavid Shearer steps out – says a lot & not much
The new Labour boss has read the public mood well by putting his name to limits on foreign ownership, but is playing his cards close to his chest on the policies that will define the first chapter of his leadership. So what policies are for the chop?
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