Kim Dotcom and John Banks have quite different stories about their relationship. It might matter an awful lot who is telling the truth.
Read MoreNo, today is not our national day
Five reasons why talk of turning ANZAC Day into our national day is not smart
Read MoreAfghanistan – lest we forget
New Zealand troops could be out of Afghanistan next year – but are we stumbling out of one ill-considered international military commitment straight into another, and what happens to our reconstruction and development commitment to the country our troops are leaving?
Read MorePrisoners' treatment humiliating and cruel
Depressed and suicidal prisoners in New Zealand are placed in so-called 'at risk' cells where they are deprived of sleep and subjected to humiliating searches
Read MoreSteven Joyce: SkyCity just pining for the fjords
That SkyCity deal is sweet as. The law hasn't been traded, more pokies won't do any harm and now that the government's saying it might walk away from the deal, well, that doesn't amount to a backdown. Yeah right.
Read MoreThe end of the mental recession?
With houses prices hitting new highs in our main cities, is the sense of economic gloom finally lifting from New Zealand? And what implications might that have for MPs?
Read MoreNo doubt the precogs have already seen this (redux)
When National revealed its "law and order" policy before the last election, I wrote this post on it. Now that Judith Collins reportedly is preparing to introduce legislation to deliver that policy, here are some more thoughts.
Read MorePutting the Public Service TV Pot back on the boil
Television New Zealand and NZ On Air have managed to bring the pot of public broadcasting services back to the boil – one with its very commercial salaries, the other with more funding for “commercially attractive” local content.
Read MoreForeign ownership - time to learn from other countries?
The Crafar Farms sale has become a flashpoint for public concern over foreign ownership. As politicians figure out how to repsond, how can we keep the land without closing the door to business and trade?
Read MorePlus ca change, and all that ...
I've made my submission to the Electoral Commission's MMP Review. Can you say the same?
Read MoreTax: Everything in Combination
If we think about our taxes one at a time, we might think one thing. But if you consider them all together, a different picture emerges.
Read MoreNational in turmoil & still popular – it's Labour which needs ACC
National's ministers are looking shakey amidst allegations of cronyism and defamation. So who's benefitting in the polls? Um, National. So what's going on?
Read MoreThe Lombard verdict is no accident
Where's the line between error and crime? If you want to be lenient towards the Lombard Four because they made a simple mistake, then hardly anyone deserves to be locked up
Read MoreSpot the difference ...
One of these cases is not like the other, one of these cases is not quite the same. Can you tell why?
Read MoreIt's not a lie if you believe it is true
Judith Collins is threatening defamation action against those who accuse her of leaking. But I thought you could say anything you wanted about MPs?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday March 29
Assad accepts peace plan to end crackdown as death toll hits 9000; Annan's diplomacy a convenient way out, but will it stick?; Australian government calls for criminal investigation into claims Rupert Murdoch's News Corp engaged in "high-tech piracy" in the 90s; damaged reactor at Fukushima Daiichi plant contains radiation up to 10 times the lethal dose; Iran nuclear talks could start in a fortnight; Cuba rejects Pope's call for reform; angry Greeks to vote for fringe parties in coming elections; and more
Read MoreLow tax for me, high tax for thee
Our tax system asks too much of those with little, and too little of those with much.
Read MoreHalf a baby for everyone!
The police decision not to prosecute Bradley Ambrose means we'll never really know what happened at Newmarket's Urban Cafe. And that suits everyone just fine.
Read MoreNick Smith – A Greek Tragedy of his own making
Nick Smith got it right, then wrong, then right again. But Is this the second or third act in the Greek tragedy that is his political career?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday March 22
French police in armed standoff with man suspected of killings at Jewish school; Obama to visit Korean border ahead of nuclear summit in Seoul; Myanmar invites US and EU to send observers for parliamentary byelections; Somali pirates free British hostage; Peru cancels UK Royal Navy visit; and more
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