Three new polls reinforce an unchanging overall political landscape and underscore a recent trend that is bad for Labour, good for the Greens, and bad for the left generally
Read MorePolling update: Labour's loss is Greens' gain
Why the bad news isn't as bad as it looks
The double downgrade is exactly what the government didn't want eight weeks out from an election. But is it really so bad? Or does it speak to a larger narrative?
Read MoreThe truth behind the Don Brash strategy
What if Don Brash had an alternative motive for his tactics since his takeover of ACT? Is it all a cunning plan?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 30
German parliament behind EU plan to increase eurozone's rescue fund; Slovakia expected to be biggest obstacle to enacting the eurozone rescue fund expansion plan; experts say Greek debt default is now inevitable; China has warned Asian countries not to hide behind US military backing; two Tibetan monks set fire to themselves to protest Chinese authority; violent incidents in Afghan war up 40 per cent this year; South Africa refuses visitor's visa to Dalai Lama; and more
Read MoreUpdated Poll of Polls – two myths exposed
The race to become the next government is effectively over, but there is intrigue in some of the secondary numbers
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 29
EU President says euro debt crisis "greatest challenge", proposes financial transaction tax; German parliament set to vote on second Greece rescue; Pakistan heaps praise on "all-weather friend" – China; Typhoon in Philippines leaves 21 dead; US and EU criticise Israel for 1100 more illegal homes; Second minister resigns over crackdown on Amazon road protests; and more
Read MoreThree cheers to becoming a Two Flag Nation
They're just wee flags squeezed onto car windows. But they symbolise something much more than rugby and something I hope will out live the Rugby World Cup
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 28
Greek and German prime ministers meet to discuss Greek's debt and implications for eurozone; Greek parliament expected to pass a new property tax to reduce budget deficit; Thai rebels target civilians; Australian government to allow women to serve in special forces and frontline combat units in next five years; Ahmadinejad visits Sudan, says like Iran it is victim of "powers of arrogance"; Russian finance minister resigns over Putin's planned return to presidency; and more
Read MoreFor law geeks only ...
I realise repeated posts on the issue of hidden video cameras is not a sure-fire way to increase traffic to this blog, but here we go again ...
Read MoreSeriously, politicians: What the hell?!
Why does our political landscape so often resemble open mic night at the local comedy club?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 27
New eurozone rescue plan would write down 50 percent of Greece's public debt; Euro itself now under threat, say experts; Islamist militants ambush Filipino soldiers on island of Jolo; suspected suicide bomber attacks church in central Java; World Bank triples aid to Horn of Africa; French Left wins majority in Senate for first time in 50 years, threatening Sarkozy's re-election bid; and more
Read MoreThanks ... but computer says "no"
My prospects as a freelance fixer of public policy problems look distinctly unpromising.
Read MoreThe election campaign so far: Trevor one, Steven nil
With the Rugby World Cup brouhaha you'd be forgiven for forgetting there is an election soon. Mike Williams compares the performance of campaign managers Trevor Mallard and Steven Joyce
Read MoreACT says bye-bye Bosco - turns to the drug vote. Or not
ACT's John Boscawen reads the writing on the wall as the party tries to win over the lock 'em up crowd and the decriminalise drugs crowd at the same time
Read MoreShock, horror, naked political self-interest on display
Obama's dreaded 3am phone call may soon be to tell him Palestinians protesting for their freedoms, as their Arab neighbours are doing, have been mowed down at Israeli controlled checkpoints. What will he suggest to Netanyahu then?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 23
Palestinian Authority to submit UN membership application despite opposition; Global markets plunge on perception Fed is running out of ideas; Greece comes to a standstill due to strikes; Yemen deaths grow prompting fears of civil war; China opposes US-Taiwan fighter jet deal; and more
Read MoreFurther on "the Geddis solution" ...
My name is being dropped as the author of a potential way to fix the "problem" of covert video surveillance following the Supreme Court's intervention in the Urewera trials. What are the issues at stake?
Read MoreGreek default? Yawn. Recession? Sigh. But here's a coincidence...
The unsurprising surprise of Europe's economic woes and the IMF's latest predictions gets the once-over from new Pundit Fiona McMillan, a London-based New Zealand business journalist.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 22
Obama opposes Palestinian statehood vote, telling UN there is "no shortcut" (+ analysis and visual history); Tens of thousands rally in West Bank to support statehood; Taliban say peace talks were all a ploy to kill Rabbani; North Korea joins talks to end nuclear programme; US extends drone attacks into Africa; and more
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