The Republicans started their own fire. But Donald Trump is a whole new kind of arsonist and the party's now burning out of control
Read MoreMedical marijuana in Australia - next stop New Zealand
Australia has just passed the laws needed to allow medical marijuana to be grown and distributed. Once that starts happening, New Zealanders will be able to go across the ditch to get it - and then legally bring it back here.
Read MoreAre we spending enough on healthcare?
The government is restraining its spending on healthcare – perhaps by over $2 billion a year. Is that what we really want?
Read MoreOn Trump, Hillary, brokered conventions and the 'silent majority'
On the eve of Super Tuesday, the Republicans are torn, Rubio is using Trump to boost himself and Clinton is laughing all the way to the bank
Read MoreCh-ch-changes: Are you – or your child – doing the best course?
Most university classes start today... but is university the smart way to go? And which training leads to the best incomes? Two pieces of research can help you make a wise choice... or even change paths
Read MoreTrump Panic
As Donald Trump stays way out front in the Republican nomination race, the party hierarchy is in full fret and could have run out of time to stop its current worst nightmare. The next few days will be crucial for the party base, and the privileged old guard.
Read MoreNational's Auckland problem -- a tale of two cities
More houses or not more houses, that is the question that's starting to create real tension inside the National Party as one of the government's key economic policies comes under pressure from its own
Read MoreTPPA: Three reasons to say no way
As select committee hearings on the TPPA draw closer... the arguments against ratification, all together in one place
Read MoreEven a judge of the District Court sometimes must have to stand naked
A simple message to the Herald on Sunday - there is nothing wrong with being naked. Even if you are a Judge.
Read MoreYou may not play the Calvinball the same way twice
A (former) judge may be going to say that David Bain is not innocent beyond all reasonable doubt. That doesn't necessarily mean he won't get compensation, but it makes it a bit harder to do so.
Read MoreDo the ISDS Provisions in the TPPA Reduce Our Sovereignty?
The short answer is all trade reduces sovereignty to some extent. The TPPA is no exception, but its effect is probably small.
Read MoreACT swings and misses with burglary policy reheat
David Seymour is having a swing at winning over voters with a reheated ACT law and order policy and bit of Rodney Hideism. Which recalls the last time ACT tried this on...
Read MoreThe Apogee of the Authentic?
New Hampshire, the so-called Granite State, was rocked to its political core Tuesday with outsiders Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders trampling all around them to win the latest hurdle in the long battle for the job of Leader of the Free World. A scary thought indeed.
Read MoreAnd we're off! Policy & polls to start 2016
A look at the polls and strategies as the parliamentary year gets under way...
Read MoreGoing nuclear over the TPP: Is trade the new divide?
Is the TPP the current equivalent of New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance? How did it become such a defining issue? And will its impact last?
Read MoreUS elections: time for the real picture to emerge
Perhaps Donald Trump is rewriting the rules of US politics. But let's not forget that's been said before and frontrunners often fade when the voting starts
Read MoreCan We afford Not to Adopt the TPPA?
A key issue may not be what is in the TPPA, but that by not adopting it we may ruin the other international agreements we are pursuing.
Read MoreTrump or be Trumped
Donald Trump appears to have set the chickens on the fox with his decision to snub Thursday's Fox News Republican debate. Will anyone tune in now the ringmaster of this circus has gone rogue…well more rogue?
Read MoreThe lame duck wins the day for Auckland
The government's move to start the rail loop in Auckland two years earlier than planned undermines past promises, generates new political risk and creates an unlikely hero
Read MoreHeaven's help and the US Primaries
As Donald Trump hits a new poll high of 41% just days before the Iowa Caucus, it beggars belief that he's now hoodwinked God's rather large Republican Evangelical army, and is going to take the first prize in the caucus/primaries. At least it is entertaining.
Read More