MMP could have been overwhelmed by nay-sayers, but Simon Power's process will make for a fairer referendum, mimicing Jim Bolger in the 1990s
Read MoreIPCC under the microscope – but isn’t that what science is all about?
The controversy over errors in the IPCC's assessment of climate change have people asking whether it's all a beat-up. But where's the peer reviewed evidence that no risk exists, asks one of the IPCC's authors
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Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday February 18
American stimulus one year on – salvation or waste of billions?; Japan becomes largest holder of US debt as China bails; Kim Jong-Il's birthday celebrations; Tensions growing around Falkland Is.; and more
Read MoreThe cubicle dairy kaleidoscope
Last December’s uproar about whether we should have cubicle dairy farming in New Zealand was misinformed, because it’s already happening in New Zealand
Read MoreElectoral finance reform: first impressions
The Government has announced what it plans to do with the law on electoral financing. Not all that much, actually.
Read MoreJohn Key - "National park miner"
John Key expects more mining in Crown land, which includes our national parks. Is this going to be his year for living dangerously?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday February 17
Operation Moshtarak: bin Laden associate captured but 15 civilians killed; Australian terrorists sentenced; Clinton warns Iran becoming a military dictatorship; Israel gives Russia telling off; and more
Read MorePrime Minister’s statement: taxing questions
The Green response to John Key’s tax policy statement raises questions about who they’re representing, and some bits of their policy they momentarily forgot
Read MoreKey's uranium shares - gone by lunchtime, but what about the rest?
There's no scandal in the PM's uranium shares, but there is an opportunity for John Key to mine the politics of the situation by providing an example to New Zealanders on ethical investing
Read MoreThe ghosts of the civil dead
Paul Quinn wants to take us back to the days when all prisoners could not vote. Why on earth would he want to do that?
Read MoreCan someone explain the crazy property market?
With the housing market so volatile, vendors are girding their loins while buyers are hopelessly confused
Read MoreModernising New Zealand’s drug law
Unsurprisingly, initial political reaction to the Law Commission's drug law review has been negative, despite its measured approach. So how can we tackle the drug problem in New Zealand?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday February 12
Iran claims to have become 'nuclear state' (+ analysis); EU steps in to save Greek debt; Blackwater kicked out of Iraq; Australian employment better than expected; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday February 11
US offers nuclear compromise as Russia turns on Iran; Security forces arrest journalists and opposition ahead of Iranian revolution anniversary; Honda latest automaker to issue recall; Germany steps in to rescue Greece; Russia ally wins Ukraine election; and more
Read MoreFitzsimons' valedictory, and Values
Jeanette Fitzsimons’ valedictory speech in Parliament today ends a political era. Will it be the death of the Greens, or their coming of age?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday February 10
Expectations rise of Greece bailout, despite government reluctance (+ analysis); Toyota announces worldwide Prius recall; Gates wants Iran sanctions in 'weeks not months'; experts committee to lead French identity debate; and more
Read MorePM's speech: Time for a scrap
Key's likeability is about to be tested as he tells voters that GST is on the rise. At last parliament has something tangible to get its teeth into
Read MoreParents and pupils—pawns in a power game
The stand-off between teachers and politicians over the introduction of national standards in schools is simply a side-show in a much bigger struggle over who controls the country’s education system
Read MoreNothing marks a party like a few executions
This week's 31st anniversary of the establishment of Iran's Islamic Republic is likely to be marked by bloody and brutal crackdowns on protesters and the execution of nine currently on death row. The question must now be how long before the regime implodes.
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