The resurgence of COVID-19 raises real questions as to whether the September 19 election date will need to be changed. If it does, how can that happen?
Read MoreWhither New Zealand's September 19 election date?
Ardern's conservatism could be the very thing that keeps her flying high
Jacinda Ardern’s popularity means Labour is defying gravity as the election campaign kicks off. But it’s not through breaking the rules and doubling down on transformation… and her approach could be winning some surprising fans
Read MoreThis election is brought to you by the letter C
While Covid is the big C this election, you can also put character, campaign strategy and culture on the list of things to consider. And then there’s the return of Caucus
Read MoreCommonsense Economics from Two Very Good Economists
‘Good Economics for Hard Times’ should be on your reading list.
Read MoreChalk one up for the good guys ...
In its last hours before ending for the election, our Parliament finally repealed Part 4A of the Public Health and Disability Act 2000. That might sound boring, but it actually matters quite a lot.
Read MoreThe Holistic Perspective of Bryan Philpott
We are failing to think though the interdependencies in an economy.
Read MoreSeymour & Shaw: Winning the anti-shenanigan vote
The Greens and ACT stand out as relative winners in recent polling and for much the same reasons. But there’s one big difference
Read MoreTo charge or not to charge, that is the question
Should returning New Zealanders be charged for the time they must spend in isolation? That turns out to be a really tricky question to answer.
Read MoreMañana Politics
Just where in the economic spectrum does the current National Party stand?
Read MoreIf I were to kiss you then go to hell, I would
Daniel Clinton Fitzgerald has been in jail for three-and-a-half years. The Court of Appeal has just ruled he must stay there, perhaps for as long as another three-and-a-half years. All because … he kissed a woman on the street without her permission.
Read MoreDesigning a Health System for Health Care Delivery
A recent column was concerned that the next health system redisorganisation was about centralising control, without adequate accountability, rather than about how to provide better health care. There has gotta be a better way.
Read MoreAnd now, some policy: The case for national insurance
There’s a better way to help people cope with the sort of employment dislocation caused by events like the current virus. We ought to start talking about it now.
Read MoreWhat National MPs need to weigh: Weeks v years... Collins' high base v low ceiling
National MPs meet tonight having to make some quick decisions with profound implications. One MP stands out as ready and road-tested, but would National act in haste only to repent at leisure?
Read MoreNational's problem with privacy and privilege
National’s pattern of mishandling the private data of New Zealand citizens has again landed it in hot water. Is the party’s new leader willing to act or will he try to sweep it under the carpet?
Read MoreThe Rules of Consultative Engagement
During a recent public consultation on the future of Archives New Zealand, a key report was suppressed. The Ombudsman has ruled that the refusal was unjustified. Sadly, the consultation was over by the time of the the decision has been made. However, the law on the use of the Official Information Act has been clarified.
Read MoreCentralising Health Care
Is the consequence of the Simpson Report proposals for restructuring the health system poorer accountability to people?
Read MoreEmbassy raids prompt questions: Are our spies making burglars and hypocrites out of us?
SIS raids on foreign embassies suggest New Zealand’s intelligence services are undermining the central plank of our foreign policy… and making hypocrites of us all. Surely it’s time our government stopped ignoring our history
Read MoreThe party of mixed messages
Future or past? Merit or representation? This leader or one of the previous ones? National has been making some headlines this week and getting on the news. But not in ways that helps Todd Muller
Read MoreHinges of History: After Covid-19?
Will the Covid Crisis lead to a dramatic redirection for New Zealand and the World?
Read MoreSome half-hearted victory song
It’s a shame that last night’s passage of the Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Bill got overshadowed by parliamentary shenanigans. But let’s pause and note what it all means, anyway.
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