In which our hero riffs about Air New Zealand, Singaporeans, frozen corn, foodieism, and the Burger King barbeque bacon burger, all in one masterful jam session. Inspired by, well, this
Read MoreMine | No mine: the fight for Denniston
The fight over the different kinds of wealth on the “impoverished” Denniston plateau is about more than just Denniston. Chances are, it could finish in the Supreme Court
Read MoreBank Robbery deja vu
In 2008, a depressed man robbed a bank – not for the money but so the judge would send him to prison. He got no help in prison and three years later he did it again. Is it time for an inquiry into our judicial system?
Read MoreToo many problems, why am I here?
We are told the Supreme Court's ruling on the use of covert video surveillance has caused a major headache for the Police. Let me fix that for you.
Read MoreRWC chaos - three surprises & some finger pointing
Looking at the meltdown on the Auckland waterfront on RWC opening night, why didn't National MP's push the alarm button? And why did McCully's own committee predict no more than 50,000 people?
Read MoreOnce upon a time in te Urewera ...
Smile! You may be on Police camera ... and may be again.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 20
Obama to release $3 trillion deficit-reduction plan; Obama plan includes $1.5 trillion in tax increases, which Republicans expected to oppose; China closes solar panel factory that has been focus of anti-pollution demonstrations; South Korea and US working on joint response to small-scale attacks from North Korea; gunmen kill 36 in a Burundi bar; Farc rebels in Colombia attack police station; and more
Read MoreThe (creaky) rise of the Grandpa State
We may have got rid of Nanny, but someone’s clearly still doing the babysitting
Read MoreThe Opening Skirmish Ended, Let the Battle Proper Commence
MPs who say things in Parliament are absolutely protected from any legal consequences. The officials who tell them what to say aren't. Who'd be a public servant?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 16
Investors and markets queue up to predict Greece default as bank shares drop; Merkel warns German MPs about predicting Greek collapse while minister explores what would happen if Greece left the eurozone; New Libyan leaders call for democratic state with sharia law; Japan wants better defence relations with China; Religious violence in Nigeria; Republicans reject Obama tax plans; and more
Read MorePalestine goes the whole hog
The Palestinians will seek full statehood at the UN Security Council next week so as to negotiate peace on a state-to-state basis. Why could that possibly send Israel and the US scrambling? Why indeed.
Read MoreScoring political points in the RWC chaos game
The government has been as twinkle-toed as a winger five metres from the try-line in its handling of the opening night chaos down on the Auckland waterfront. Here's the government's playbook laid bare...
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 15
NATO & Afghan forces repel most complex assault on Kabul in decade of war; 11 killed as Taliban strengthens its negotiating hand (+ analysis); China to target domestic growth and buy Euro debt; Moody's cuts ratings of French banks; US tries to block UN vote on Palestine; African Union asks world to seize moment against militant group; and more
Read MoreThe seal basher, and the hang ‘im high club
Twelve months in prison for clubbing to death 23 seals, injuring others, leaves nobody with anything to celebrate.
Read MoreThe powerful Professor Mutu
Margaret Mutu has stirred the pot with comments about restricting white immigration. But the true bite comes in her claim that she can't be racist, a claim that no longer holds water
Read MoreEconomics & asset sales: Why governments get consistently ripped off
Governments are bad negotiators, because democracy demands they tip their hand before going to the bargaining table. That means governments get the short end of asset sale deals
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 13
European stocks drop as fears over Greek debt default increase; three French banks at risk of being downgraded by credit agency Moody's; violent clashes between Christians and Muslims in Indonesia; China's trade surplus at $17.8 billion for August; South African youth league leader guilty of hate speech; US marks 10th anniversary of 9/11 attacks; and more
Read MoreA real reason for road rage - Auckland's trains and no loop
The misuse of Don McKinnon, the road rage of Tau Henare and how the Rugby World Cup train debacle is just a foretaste of things to come for Auckland
Read MoreWho is winning the 9/11 Wars?
Ten years after those terrible attacks, Al-Qaeda has changed the US way of life. At the same time, the US has fragmented the terror group and killed most of its leaders. So who's winning?
Read MoreOMG, that's the cream of the Republican crop?
A God-quoting, science-doubting, swaggering Governor from Texas for President...what could possibly go wrong?
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