The Maori seats are here to stay. NationaI has been purposefully vague about its abolition plans, and even if it was serious, getting the job done would mean a long and complex process of constitutional reform
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National News Brief, Wednesday October 22
Contact Energy raises prices and directors' fees; highly skilled workers join dole queue; middle-income families head to food banks; banks charge up to $20,000 to discharge mortgages early; Kiwi-trained teachers heading to Middle East; and more
Read MoreA world of appalling social alternatives
Superb production of Jenůfa allows us to walk into a world we have, thankfully, lost
Read MoreCool heads prevail on the back nine
As we approach the last fortnight, it's gun-to-the-head time in our election. With Labour's private polling suggesting it's closer than we think, the test for Helen Clark and John Key will whether they can keep a cool head
Read MoreLast wine pack is spoken for
Another winner with Pundit
Read MoreCommunity Chest: Check out our World News Brief
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Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 21
Chinese growth slows, inflation grows; India slashes interest rates; Thailand on knife-edge awaiting Thaksin verdict; terrorists charged in Turkey's "trial of the century"; and more
Read MoreThis week's poll of polls and coalition musings
With little movement this week's poll, we look at bottom-lines and why New Zealand First seems to be anchored at around three percent
Read MoreNational News Brief, Tuesday October 21
Man loses eye after being lost in the health system; Greens choose Labour; National promises more cops for South Auckland; Labour launches first attack ad of "goofy" Key; New Zealand men's sperm count falls; and more
Read MoreGenerational change: a question of language
An important dimension underpinning generation change is political language. Jon Johansson analyses both main party leader's opening addresses and finds scant evidence of any new paradigm emerging.
Read MoreNational News Brief, Monday October 20
GST and taxes could jump in next five years; interest rate to dive; inflation at 18-year high; Key wants to work on lending guarantee; marriage breakdown could cost taxpayers $1b a year; Rings actors finally get payday; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 17
Economy dominates final US presidential debate; candidates promise to end dependence on Middle East oil; Nikkei down 11 percent; new corruption charge rock Thai PM; US drones drop missiles in Pakistan; and more
Read MoreNational News Brief, Friday October 17
Key does flip flop on Maori seats promise; New Zealand First wants to cut immigrants to protect jobs; Coroner pushes to raise the driving age; petrol prices higher than they should be; the popular iTeddy; and more
Read MoreLast US Presidential debate too little, too late to save John McCain
John McCain distances himself from the Bush years and champions Joe the Plumber, but he was too negative and too angry to ruffle a smooth Barak Obama.
Read MoreTariana Turia tries to lure National voters
While the polls tell Pita Sharples that a coalition with Labour is the only realistic strategy, Tariana Turia is escalating her efforts to attract National and its base
Read MoreIs John McCain really The Penguin?
... And is Obama Batman? A little video fun ahead of today's final US presidential debate
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 16
EU leaders kick-off financial summit; Asian and European sharemarkets stall; shots fired on Thai-Cambodian border; Russia and Georgia sidelines peace talks; and more
Read MoreJohn Key and the Pita promise
The media gets its teeth into the question of whether or not National really intends to abolish the Maori seats
Read MoreCanada's Groundhog Election
Stephen Harper remains Canada's PM after an election in which barely half the electorate bothered to vote. What the country needs is the jolt of proportional representation
Read MoreNational News Brief, Thursday October 16
National would increase Super Fund investment at home; Labour offers $165,000 houses; norovirus outbreak kills two in Auckland; Real Groovy in receivership; top jockeys charged with cheating on drug test; Helen Clark says debate was "a game show"; and more
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