Central Government is speeding into the stormy waters of local government in
Celebrating New Zealand science books
The Royal Society of New Zealand recently announced five finalists for their inaugural Science Book Prize
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 8
US to cut war spending, "direct challenge to military-industrial complex"; China urges restraint towards North Korea; Thai protestors trap PM in hotel; Raul Castro meets US lawmakers; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday April 7
Obama meets Turkish president; Russia and China wary of protesting N Korea rocket launch; what's behind protests in Thai capital; Baghdad bombings; and more
Read MoreTwo-and-a-bit cheers for National's review of electoral finance law
It's not exactly what I would have done, but National's process for reviewing electoral finance laws is largely to be commended
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday April 3
G20 summit addresses free trade and IMF; G2 emerges from US-China meeting; Anti-govt protests in Bangkok enter second week; European Central Bank to cut interest rates; and more
Read MoreHelen Clark: frighteningly inspiring
Austere, tough, and cockroach-like in her ability to survive political fallout, yet in her 28-year Parliamentary career Helen Clark inspired a legion of loyal staffers
Read MoreCanadians ask why their soldiers died to protect extremist laws
The 116 Canadian soldiers who have died in Afghanistan were not sacrificed for the sake of interfering with women's rights
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 2
Obama meets Brown while Sarkozy and Hu express hopes on eve of G20; Netanyahu sworn in as Israeli PM; Japanese business confidence hits record low; US-Russia talk arms reduction; and more
Read MoreAfghanistan – what is the new govt's strategy?
President Obama is in Europe this week to sell allies on a new strategy for
World News Brief, Wednesday April 1
Clinton offers Iran "reconciliation"; China to launch new stock exchange; Britain troops being withdrawal from Iraq; Arab leaders host Latin presidents; and more
Read MoreSo much rubbish: a story in search of some facts
Our politicians seem incapable of giving us straight facts on the serious matter of waste reduction. If only MPs would talk more rubbish...
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 31
Pakistani police target of bombings; Pakistani turmoil explained; South Korea opposes retaliation to rocket launch; China to re-open Tibet's borders; and more
Read MoreNational's big test: A 'brave budget' with no tax cuts
Unless the G20 saves the world or the recession suddenly does the u-turn, National has only got a month before it must bite the bullet and cancel next year's tax cuts
Read MoreCommunity Chest: Reasons to celebrate
Happy birthday Micah and happy anniversary to Pundit
Read MoreJust how far should "self-defence" stretch?
Virender Singh's time in the limelight raises the question – just what should we be allowed to do to "defend" ourselves?
Read MoreHarold Wellman, who moved the Southern Alps
Scientists planning to drill deep into the Alpine Fault to understand more about faults and earthquakes can thank Harold Wellman for discovering the fault nearly 70 years ago
Read MoreTax relief needs to benefit charities, not you and me
Finance failures – our $6 billion blame game
Speak English to Me: No Affectations Please.
Electronic media, television in particular, are marred by detestable mannerisms from unprofessional presenters
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