Getting to know our Pacific neighbour is increasingly important if we want to take a meaningful role in our own regional backyard
Read MoreSaving the furniture: How much more can Labour stand?
It's late in the day, but the Colmar Brunton poll finally put the question of Labour's leadership front and centre. Under MMP the answers are complex, but it recalls the twists and turns of 1990
Read MoreA new New Zealand is Necessary
The 2017 election is weeks away. Parties are focusing on the immediate issues. It should be different. If we are to have a prosperous, secure, sustainable and democratic future we need to be talking the language of the future.
Read MoreOhariu & Epsom: Is it different this time?
It must be just about campaign time, because the dirty deals to game MMP are back in the news. But are they as dirty as they used to be? And do they still matter?
Read MoreAre Markets Free?
Effective markets are underpinned by the government. The interventions may be sophisticated and well-thought through or they may be clumsy and ineffective. The neoliberal rhetoric of ‘free markets’ leads to the latter.
Read MoreIs the basic income "barking" or an idea whose time has come?
Former Prime Minister John Key thought a Basic Income was "barking". It seems many countries disagree and are piloting the idea. As new technology threatens the jobs of many, might a Basic Income become an essential polcy?
Read MoreTurei's confession: What's good for the goose...
Some have rallied behind her. Some want to 'lock her up'. But Metiria Turei's confession of potential welfare fraud raises more complex questions for her and her party
Read MoreA little bit more on Winston's proposed referendums
Winston Peters says his price for government is two binding referendums. If we believe him, which we probably shouldn't, then let's note some more problems with his proposal.
Read MoreWhen the Water Runs Out.
The growth of farm output may be slowing. Specialty cheeses show an alternative strategy of further post-farmgate processing.
Read MoreThe Greens come out swinging... not just at Winston
Winston Peters won't mind the Greens showing a bit of fight. Rather, Metiria Turei's attack on his "racist" politics is more likely to rattle the cage of another party and send a 'pragmatic' message to voters..
Read MoreBeing a New Zealander.
By exploring the multiple worlds she grew up in in New Zealand, Helene Wong’s memoir ‘Being Chinese: A New Zealander’s Story’ tells us much about our worlds too.
Read MoreIt's really too nice of a Sunday morning to be outraged
Sir Geoffrey Palmer fears that the Government's response to a Supreme Court ruling may be "deeply offensive to the rule of law and a constitutional outrage." At the risk of challenging a legal Goliath, I must demur.
Read MoreMiddle Class Welfare
Jenny Shipley says the middle class has captured the welfare state. But did she understand what the welfare state actually meant before she began attacking it?
Read MoreModeration in all things, even elections
While Todd Barclay and Labour's interens have sparked some life into election year politics, here's hoping we learn from overseas and scandal isn't the dominate theme of Election 2017
Read MoreHow Does Immigration Benefit the New Zealand Economy?
Answering that question proves to be challenging. This preliminary assessment suggests the economic benefits to incumbent New Zealanders may not be great.
Read MoreThis is why they can't have nice things
Did Labour set up an overseas intern scheme in order to evade the limit on political party election expenses? No ... no it did not.
Read MoreWhat's that banner up the top all about?
In case you've been wondering... here's what Press Patron is all about and what it means for you and Pundit.
Read MoreTwo bad decisions, one awful day for National
National's problems are entirely of their own making and come down to some bad decisions. But the real concern will be that it now seems the Prime Minister has been involved in a cover-up
Read MoreIt's not the crime, it's the coverup
The story of Aaron Gilmore ... sorry, Todd Barclay's ... behaviour towards his electorate staff has just got a lot more interesting, as new details about the efforts to cover it up emerge. Might the Police have reason to again become interested in it?
Read MoreThe Death of the Media?
If the Commercial Miracle of Newspapers is Over, What will Replace It?
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