No, but we need to address poverty. Focusing on poverty targets which are not to be achieved in the time of the government which sets them is wasting energy and opportunity.
Read MoreLessons from the weekend of politics
A few takeaways from the local body elections, including lessons for Labour and National and the start of 'The Phil & Bill Show'. Whoooo will win?
Read MoreDesmond Tutu on end of life choice
Desmond Tutu, archbishop emeritus of Cape Town and a Nobel Peace laureate, has some thoughts on a person's right to dignity at the end of life that are worth considering.
Read MoreEarning it: The Swarbrick lesson 2016
In which a late night twitter discussion rammed home the importance of candidates having to 'earn it' and the media's coverage of "foregone conclusions" is defended
Read MoreThe Over-Representation of Maori in the Criminal Justice System.
A report explains why: small but accumulating biases together on top of adverse early-life social and environmental conditions.
Read MoreHobson's Choice trumps Hobson's Pledge
Brash is back and so we have to explain again why his argument is built on rubbish and rubble. And we can do it with his own words.
Read MoreHobson's Choice trumps Hobson's Pledge
Brash is back and so we have to explain again why his argument is built on rubbish and rubble
Read MoreRethinking Trade Policy.
We don’t need to refresh trade policy; we need to rethink how best to engage with the world in the context of increasing globalisation.
Read MoreQuick - to the validating machine!
The Department of Corrections was doing what the courts told it was the law. The courts were wrong about that, so now the Department of Corrections owes prisoners compensation. That's exactly how our law is supposed to work.
Read MoreShut up, Stuart Nash (with added thoughts on the Nikolas Delegat case)
Stuart Nash is trying to make political hay out of Nikolas Delegat's crime and punishment. The problem is, in doing so he's calling for the undermining of New Zealand's constitutional arrangements. That's ... not a good thing.
Read MoreOn the socially contextual nature of treating voters
Meng Foon's giving $20 to a long-time acquaintance is about respect, not corruption.
Read MoreDeveloping Our Understanding of Poverty
Last week’s report on wellbeing and the household income distribution told us some new things. Are we listening?
Read MoreWorser and worser
So, it turns out that we don't just have Nuk Korako to thank for wasting Parliament's time on debating how best to advertise lost property auctions that never get held. National Party MP Jono Naylor and Transport Minister Simon Bridges played their part, too.
Read MoreIf Nuk Korako's Bill is such a good idea, why did no one say so earlier?
Nuk Korako told the House that lots of people had contacted him to praise his proposal to save Airports from having to advertise lost property auctions in their local papers. So just how many of those people earlier told the Government that his proposal was needed?
Read MoreChiefs' Mad Monday investigation: A rucking farce
The NZRU's investigation is at best meaningless and at worst a cynical circle of lies and spin that leaves everyone involved with a stain on their reputation.
Read MoreThe only thing stopping you is yourself
Winston Peters says John Key will hold an early election. John Key says he won't. John Key is right - but not for the reasons he says.
Read MoreAre New Zealanders anti-intellectual?
Is it possible to have sensible discussions in public?
Read MoreWill Housing Prices Crash?
What are the possibilities for the future housing prices? What can we do?
Read MoreJust because it's been done before doesn't make it right
Auckland Transport appears to think that selling houses is a more important activity than trying to influence how people may vote. Is this just a sign of the times, or are they simply wrong?
Read MoreAnother Ministry of Silly Walks?
As the proposed Ministry of Vulnerable Children shows, we do not take prevention seriously.
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