Turns out King Gerry is not an absolute monarch. This is a good thing.
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Will Hobbit gold lift tourism’s gloom?
New Zealand has been slipping off the international tourism radar since the Rugby World Cup. Can New Zealand movie-makers put us back on screen with global travelers? The Peter Jackson Formula is about to be put to the test.
Read MoreThe Final Battle for Syria?
The Syrian regime has been dealt its most serious blow in sixteen months of repressing and killing its own people. The bombing of its military heart by revolutionaries may accomplish what has eluded endless and fruitless diplomatic efforts.
Read MorePlanet Earth is blue
Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Read MoreClinton's democracy headaches
US recognition of Egypt's democratically elected Islamist President, begs questions over the fate of Gaza's democratically elected Islamist leaders, how the US forces old Egyptian military friends to play democratic ball, and, right next door, convince Israel to chuck out a report that, if implemented, will end Israel's (albeit disputed) claim to be a democracy.
Read MoreWorld News Brief – Out of office reply
In which we take a break
Read MorePeter Dunne – The Power of One
Look at that, Peter Dunne is interesting again. The man from Ohariu could have a fair bit of sway in the next couple of years
Read MoreThe folate debate - no easy choices
Having stalled for three years and tried to minimise public debate, National is facing a tough decision on whether or not to compel bakers to put folic acid in all our bread. Either way, there's a price to pay
Read MoreWhat is necessary is never unwise ... is it?
The Scott Guy murder case - my comments on Watkin's initial thoughts
The point at which Pundit gets all meta, with a post commenting on another post ... or, my thoughts on Tim's initial thoughts on the Ewen Macdonald trial verdict.
Read MoreEwen Macdonald verdict - what next?
A few initial thoughts on what comes next after the not guilty verdict in the Scott Guy murder case
Read MoreHow National deceived itself over class sizes
Understanding how National got into such a mess over class sizes after Budget 2012 - trade-offs, downsides and backdowns.
Read MoreGetting out of the way is not enough
The government's laid the table for a growth party, but business is failing to RSVP. So why is National acting as if everything's going to plan? Where's Plan B?
Read MoreSo long, Seven – It’s been good to know you
TVNZ 7 gave us a glimpse of what a real public television service could be. Our last nationwide, non-commercial TV channel is off the air. Even Kim Dotcom turned out with the thousand Aucklanders who marched to mourn its passing last night. So what’s next?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 27
NATO condemns Syria for shooting down Turkish plane; South Korea to suspend imports of Iranian oil; Japan to double sales tax by 2015; Taliban kills 13 Pakistani soldiers; Paraguay's recently ousted president vows comeback; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday June 26
Member of Muslim Brotherhood wins Egyptian election -- first Muslimist elected head of an Arab state; Malaysia to deport Iranian bomb suspect; Chinese spacecraft docks with orbiting module, paves way for Chinese space station; key figure in 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks arrested; German finance minister rejects Obama's criticism of euro crisis, says he should reduce US deficit first; and more
Read MoreSurplus, what surplus? National's core brand at risk
Some have always reckoned National's target of surplus by 2014-15 was "fairyland", but oh no said John Key and Bill English, don't you worry. Now Alan Bollard has joined the naysayers, National has to realise just what's at stake
Read MoreWorld news Brief, Friday June 22
Britain and Ecuador at standoff over Julian Assange's bid for political asylum; China asks Cambodian officials to extradite French architect with links to Bo Xilai's wife Gu Kailai; a Burmese court sentences to death two Muslim men convicted of the rape and murder of a Buddhist woman; South African couple held by Somali pirates since October 2010 released; new prime minister appointed in Greece; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 21
Mubarak on life support after suffering stroke in prison; Cambodian police arrest associate of Bo Xilai's wife; 90,000 people displaced by ethnic fighting between Buddhists and Muslims in Burma; Pakistan's Supreme Court ousts PM; Russia won't intervene in Syria; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 20
G20 leaders pressure Europe to boost economic growth; China pledges $43 billion to International Monetary Fund's reserves; Chinese and Philippine vessels withdraw from disputed Scarborough Shoal; Afghan militants killed in attack on coalition base; governments urged to 'seize the moment' at Rio environmental summit; and more
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