In 2004, the Nature Heritage Fund funded DOC’s Crystal Valley purchase, because of its outstanding conservation values. Last week DOC agreed to give part of the Valley, freehold, to Porter Heights Ski Field, to build an alpine lodge. What’s changed?
Read MoreGlobal leaders meet to affirm unity of purpose in Libya; US officials warn rebels lack organisation to hold gains; Radioactive water puts Japan on "maximum alert"; Over 120 dead in Yemen explosion; How sound are Chinese loans?; and more
Read MoreNATO warplanes bomb Qaddafi's hometown as rebel attack (+ analysis); Obama to address nation and Turkey offers to mediate; Yemeni president retracts resignation offer; Democrats and Republicans set to clash again on Budget cuts; Fukushima workers face new threat; and more
Read MoreThe Labour leader has shown his sincerity over the Hughes case, but was he wise? How safe is his leadership? And where oh where was the plan?
Read MoreQaddafi forces press forward as coalition airstrikes turn to ground forces (+ multimedia); Questions arise about lack of support for other uprisings in region; Japan food banned amidst fears of tainted food; At least ten dead in Syrian mosque attack; Portugal PM resigns complicating EU summit; and more
Read MoreDefending Darren Hughes may well be a fruitless task. But here's an attempt to do so ...
Read MoreThe case of the latest MP in trouble shows once again how perilous it is to risk becoming an MP -- and how party selection processes militate for MPs who are 'safe', to the detriment of democracy
Read MoreObama says again he wants US to relinquish "leading role" in Libya; Qaddafi remains defiant; Tokyo water is unsafe for infants, but there is no immediate threat to adults, officials say; Australians protest proposed carbon tax; Six killed in Syrian mosque raid; Portuguese lawmakers to vote on austerity measures; and more
Read MoreCoalition bombing close to eliminating Libyan air defences; US tries to hand over leadership as F-15 crashes and allies divide (+ analysis and multimedia); Karzai announces Bamiyan hand-over from July; Japanese radiation spreads to marine life; Europe agrees on vast rainy-day fund; and more
Read MoreAs the allies drop bombs on pro-Qaddafi troops in Libya, little – or perhaps no thought has been given to an exit plan nor what happens if the Libyan despot survives?
Read MoreThe Budget - zero or otherwise- has suddenly become even more important than ever, as the government tries to borrow without incurring debt and cut spending without taking money from the economy
Read MoreThe government’s austerity measures are exactly what they ruled out in 2009. And so is their defence of cutting taxes in a fiscal hole. This tells us more about backroom dealings in the Beehive than about a good plan to get New Zealand back on track.
Read MoreNAWAC’s proposed new minimum standard, for ‘enriched’ cages for battery hens, still denies the hens the daily things that bring most joy to their clucking hearts: freedom, and humanity
Read MoreAllied air strikes protect anti-regime rebels, but Qaddafi forces repel advances (+ analysis & multimedia); Electricity back on at Fukushima plant, but cooling systems not working; Military leaders switch sides in Yemen; Obama holds up Brazil as model for protesting states; and more
Read MoreAssuming nuclear-generated power for New Zealand is a non-issue, what should be our stance on it globally?
Read MoreI'm nearly 40. I'm working on my grumpy old man persona. Bloody young people and their goshdarnit ways ...
Read MoreHelicopters and water cannon turned on Japanese nuclear plant, putting workers at risk (+ analysis); Millions without power as 9000 still missing and death toll tops 5000; US backs Libya no-fly zone, warning bombings would be necessary; Violence spreads in Cote d'Ivoire; and more
Read MoreNuclear crisis grows with further damage to reactors (+ analysis); Japanese Emperor makes rare public appearance to urge "hope"; China postpones nuclear projects; Pakistan court frees CIA's Raymond Davis; Violent crackdown in Bahrain; and more
Read MoreThere'll be a lot of silliness before National's foreshore and seabed law gets passed. Here's my contribution.
Read MoreThe Greens’ policy platform needs as much rebuilding as any other party’s, to make it strong and sustainable
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