John Key’s first 100 days are starting with a hiss and a roar – but a pause for breath and is in order, especially if he wants to avoid ACT building its influence to his right
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 19
$100m oil tanker hijacked by pirates in 92nd attack this year; Chinese government imposes lay-off restriction; British foreign minister meets Syrian leader, fighting flares in Gaza; and more
Read MoreNational News Brief, Wednesday November 19
National cabinet sworn in today; verdicts in Nia Glassie case; housing slump worst on record; John Key reconsiders 'fart tax'; birth rate at highest level since 1962; and more
Read MoreWe don't need all that stuff anyway
The upside of the global recession--and yes, there is one
Read MoreAfghanistan in the media: Pundits on TV
Jihad to continue against "foreign forces" in Afghanistan, as we debate media coverage of our soldiers there on TVNZ 7
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 18
G20 leaders promise fiscal action, reject protectionism; Japan declares recession; Western Australia lifts uranium ban; peace talks promised in Congo; and more
Read MoreAsking mean questions about the coalition deals
A bunch of less-loving questions about the new coalition deals, like how badly the Maori Party's mana has been damaged by its deal and whether Sir Roger Douglas will be on the leadership council
Read MoreThe coalition deals - did Pundit pick right?
Herceptin and hunting, trading schemes and taxes... Is the new government's policy platform what we expected before the election?
Read MoreIf Palin would get north to Alaska, we can busy ourselves with Hilary speculation
The US election may be over but the politics rolls on with Sarah Palin sucking the oxygen out of the Republican Governor's Conference and Hilary Clinton playing cute over speculation she may be named Secretary of State.
Read MoreWelcome to the new world order
Before we write-off this weekend's G20 meeting as a talkfest, let's appreciate the fact that countries outside Europe and North America are finally getting a seat at the table
Read MoreAKA The Specials
Labour and the Greens both need to improve their election night support by more than two percent to pick up seats through the special votes, but they have a lot to gain if they can swing it
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 14
Germany falls into recession; global oil demand dropping; China announces new infrastructure plans; UN runs out of food in Gaza; and more
Read MoreNational News Brief, Friday November 14
Price wars in Christmas run-up will benefit shoppers; Turia says Goff is "bloody patronising"; house prices on the up; cutting edge melanoma vaccine to go on trial; John Key to meet Gordon Brown; Clint Rickards free to practise law
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 13
World Bank offers developing countries $100 billion in aid; President Bush resists automakers bailout; North Korea closes its border to the south; Sudan declares ceasefire in Darur; and more
Read MoreJohn Key, Barack Obama and the poisoned chalice of office
John Key and Barack Obama have more in common than you'd think. The main difference is that New Zealand's prime minister-elect has big shoes to follow
Read MoreNational News Brief, Thursday November 13
National confirms tax cuts and spending despite "bigger" deficit; Maori Party begin hui debating government deal; Mike Williams to stand down; businessman cleared of assassination charges; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 12
US car-makers could follow banks into bankruptcy; Wall St bailout plan at risk; Chinese inflation falls; Zimbabwe unity government deadlocked; and more
Read MoreJohn Key's survival depends on making new friends
Cementing the National Party in the political centre – that is John Key’s major challenge in building a government capable of taking New Zealand through the recession and back to health. Reaching out to Maori is a good start.
Read MoreOne smart, tough Kiwi rooster
Helen Clark, consummate international performer, leaves big shoes for John Key to fill as he heads to Peru's APEC as her successor
Read MoreNational News Brief, Wednesday November 12
John Key's cabinet taking shape; John Banks slashing Auckland budget; bankruptcies up by a third; Phil Goff a workaholic; answers for David Bain; and more
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