Tawera Wichman was caught using a "Mr Big" undercover trap. The Supreme Court (narrowly) said that this was OK - but that there are still problems with how the Police can mount such operations. And now I can tell you all this freely and openly.
Read MoreErdogan's swift coup revenge...
Turkey's President Erdogan is hell bent on revenge against those who tried to oust him in the country's latest military coup. The round-up of suspects and the crack down on human and civil rights is nothing short of staggering….and concerning.
Read MoreHousing and Monetarism
The Reserve Bank cannot deliver affordable housing by itself. Its actions have to be coordinated with the government's. Unfortunately the monetarist framework of the Reserve Bank Act obscures this.
Read MoreCorrections should get rid of all 2,500 volunteers
If the Government was serious about reducing re-offending, the Corrections Department would pay for professional reintegration services instead of relying on well meaning volunteers like Ngapari Nui
Read MoreThe United States of Guns and Racism
Last week's executions in the United States - of five police officers and two young black men at point blank range - should have the shock value to wake up that nation, but it won't. Politics has immediately taken hold, with the black president a sitting target. Apparently it was his job to fix racism because he's black. Apparently he has failed.
Read MoreMisleading Pop-economics and Populism
Too much of pop-economics is misleading to the point close to being lying. No wonder there is a widespread rejection of it by the populace.
Read MoreBlair as tormented victim…
Tony Blair's spin mastery has worn out. The Chilcot inquiry may not have found him to be a liar, but it would be difficult to imagine his legacy as any but Bush's starry eyed poodle who became jointly responsible for the destruction of Iraq and the catastrophic consequences we are all witnessing today.
Read MoreWhat lies beneath: Another (good) govt u-turn
Bill English wasn't interested in helping with infrastructure a few weeks ago, now National is riding to the rescue. It's a good move, but another sign of a panicked government
Read MoreSaudi Sheep deal: New facts, new questions.
New revelations demand answers from the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister about how knew what in the Saudi sheep deal. Has Murray McCully misled cabinet?
Read MoreIn the Best Interests of Her Children?
Punitive public policy too often ignores its impact on the children involved.
Read MorePure profit... even if pure science says it's safe
As the rest of the world moves towards more GE food, New Zealand stands apart. And while that may make little scientific sense, it could be very good for our bank balance
Read MorePaula Bennett's reading comprehension failure
Back when I was at school, we used to have to do tests where we'd read a section of writing and then answer questions about it. Perhaps Paula Bennett ought to be given a few of these to sharpen up on, because she seems to have trouble with her comprehension skills.
Read MoreMicawber Down Under
Nineteenth-century migrants may have come here to escape oppressive laws, but the laws migrated too. It was late in the twentieth century that we abolished one of the most oppressive ones. Our origins are less humane than we like to pretend.
Read MoreWhen good trials go bad
Sick of #Brexit analysis? While most legal proceedings are more boring than watching grass dry, this one crazy transcript will shock and amaze you!
Read MoreVerily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the Leask of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me
The Ombudsman's finding that Derek Leask was badly treated by the State Services Commission is quite damning. It also matters for all of us concerned about the limits on governmental power in New Zealand.
Read MoreKey: "why in two years and why not longer?"
John Key has over-turned the most difficult decision of his Prime Ministership without answering the central questions this u-turn raises
Read MoreThere’s a slow, slow train comin’ up around the bend
It's pretty much just a matter of time until aid in dying (or, "voluntary euthanasia", if you're wanting to scare the children) law reform arrives in New Zealand. A couple more signposts for that journey were erected in the last few weeks.
Read MoreBrexit and Nostalgia
It is unclear why anyone is voting for Britain leaving the EU nor, in many cases, why they are voting for remain. What are the possible alternatives? How is Britain or New Zealand to function in an increasingly globalised world?
Read MorePulling levers, not pulling people down
When it comes to our homelessness crisis, you can come up with constructive ideas or, it seems, you can blame those living in their cars for bringing it on themselves
Read MoreWhy isn't cabinet doing what it says it should for Teina Pora?
Teina Pora has been given the thing he said he wanted most – a formal apology for the 22 years he wrongly spent behind bars as an innocent man. He also has been offered $2.5 million in compensation. Applying the Cabinet’s own principles, it ought to be in excess of $4.5 million.
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