Just how is it that National appears to be on the edge of victory this year?
Read MoreThe Nats shouldn’t be in with a shot. They are. Here are 5 reasons why.
Coronavirus
Coronavirus Covid-19 might be a very tiny creature but it is making its influence felt in 2020 no doubt about that.
Read MoreA Sub-Prime Minister?
Have we now entered into a period of diminished prime ministerial authority? If so, is that anything new?
Read MoreThe Trustless Economy
Has economic productivity suffered from the lowering of public trust?
Read MoreLooking for magnanimity amongst the Dems
At a time of great division Abraham Lincoln was able to look for unity. Yet it’s hard to see candidates for the US presidency trying to rise above the polarised moment and show the same sort of leadership. But there was a sign tonight…
Read MoreConsultation and Generic Managers
I prepared this note for some friends who were arguing with a government agency over whether they were adequately consulted. (It does not matter which one; the disagreement about consultation standards is widespread.) For sometimes a public servant says that there has been consultation on a matter of public interest. Yet many stakeholders cannot recall that happening. The dispute may revolves around the meaning of ‘consultation’.
Read More“Seriously but not literally” Kiwi edition; or, the dark art of the double secret dog whistle
Was Simon Bridges’ false claim that average wage earners pay 33% in tax a mistake, or a clever double dog whistle … and if the latter, what can be done about it?
Read MoreIncome Inequality Is Rising
It would be easy to report my latest findings on the income distribution with grandiose hysteria. But I am a social statistician and readers deserve a sober assessment. The conclusion that high incomes are rising faster than the rest is powerful enough on its own.
Read MoreDonations & loss of property rights means Racing Bill should be withdrawn immediately
The donations from racing industry members to the New Zealand First foundation mean the Racing Industry Bill must come under more scrutiny from its coalition partners
Read MoreA happy warrior comes home: Mike Moore's funeral
Mike Moore was laid to rest yesterday at his beloved Dilworth College. And so were some of the demons that surrounded him and the Labour Party and quite where he fits in New Zealand politics
Read MoreWho Pays for the Roads?
The proposed infrastructural spending on roads leaves open a whole range of issues such as who pays and who benefits.
Read More"It's not over til the fat lady sings": RNZ and Concert FM
What were they thinking! It is not the time to contemplate changes to Concert FM while massive changes to public broadcasting are in the wind.
Read MoreMuddled Thinking About RNZ.
Sometimes public policy in New Zealand is like the Red Queen who announced 'sentence first – verdict afterwards'.
Read MoreWaitangi Day is not a day of national unity, which is fine.
Sometimes it is appropriate for us to have occasions of introspection, discussion and argument.
Read MoreA eulogy for Andrew Brough
For some it’s just a passing news headline. But when your musical hero dies it can cut deep and bring back all sorts of memories. Such it was with the tragic death of singer-songwriter Andrew Brough
Read MoreManifesto for the Text
It is time that the people demanded something be done about the parlous state of Archives New Zealand and the National Library and of public policy towards literacy and the text generally.
Read MoreIran and the USA
Amidst a brainless array of summer stories came the danger of a US-Iran war. So why does the US hate Iran so much, why does it side with the Saudis and what’s at stake?
Read MoreMike Moore - Working Class Hero 1949-2020
Mike Moore, who died today, was arguably New Zealand’s greatest political success story, despite a career littered with frustrations. He could infuriate and intrigue. He could go off on tangents. But his magpie mind made him one of the sharpest operators around and his heart for the working classes speaks to his remarkable character
Read MoreNo, no, no to 'roads, roads, roads' – where the money could be going
The government’s road bings is clever politics but a slap in the face for those genuinely concerned about the twin crises of climate and inequality. There’s more money to spend and here’s how to spend it…
Read MoreReflecting on the Future of Brexit
The somewhat dis-United Kingdom is leaving the EU. I thought it might be useful to review my columns on Brexit.
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