Hearing the use of the Maori language on mainstream media during Maori Language Week provoked Don Brash to again demand that we be "one people" united in our Britishness. No doubt there are many people who agree with him. But is the tide of history leading to a more diverse society and is Maori language and culture becoming part of all of our lives?
Read MoreWe can do better than this
A dislike of capitalism is something that unites the partners in the new government. They believe it has done more harm than good. But what do they actually mean? And what is their alternative? Over the next three years we will find out and whether our lives can be better.
Read MoreThis is it - a government - soon - maybe
Maybe there will be a government this week. Maybe not. To fill the vacuum speculation is the only alternative.
Read MoreRelax - Winston Peters, Negotiations and getting the best from MMP
It has been 21 years since the first Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) election. But we do not seem to be learning how to get the best from the system. We are treating it like First-Past-the-Post (FPP). It is time to relax and play to strengths of MMP.
Read MoreTax and Spend - isn't that what all politicians do?
All politicians, even those who say otherwise, raise taxes and spend money. The question this election is - what do they spend the money on? Politicians need to tell us not just what they will do but also explain why it will make a difference.
Read MoreIt's Leadership, Stupid
Policy is important, but the 2017 election is now about leadership. Change versus the status quo. Who has the X-factor? In six weeks we will know
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 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 MoreHave we had enough of austerity politics?
British voters have "had quite enough of austerity politics", says Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn. He should know. He came from nowhere to within a whisker of defeating the Conservatives preaching anti-austerity. Are voters thinking the same way in New Zealand? If so which party will benefit in the September election?
Read MoreBetter a Banker in Rolls Royce than a Fascist in a Tank
The new President of France, Emmanuel Macron, wants French people to "embrace the future". Time will tell if he can make that possible, but his is a better message than the Trumps of this world who want to embrace the past
Read MoreSuffer the little children to come unto Trump
Trump and his enablers tell us bombing a Syrian air-force base was driven by humanitarian principles. It was not. It was about ratings.
Read MoreThe Productivity Commission's Report on Tertiary Education was not productive – it needed to be
According to the Productivity Commission the current tertiary education system is blocking innovation. But in its recent report that promised to put forward New Models of Tertiary Education it delivered none. Its failure should not end the debate. There is an urgent need to bring about change
Read MoreIt may walk like social investment & quack like social investment, but it's not social investment
The current approach to social investment suggests we can use big data and new technology to better understand who will access public services and fix them. But this is not social investment
Read MoreCan we finally agree on how to run schools?
New Zealanders have been arguing about education since the Royal Commission on Social Policy in the 1980s told them the needs of all students were not being met. After thirty years of debate confusion reigns. But there is a way forward
Read MoreA revolt against the future
In the days of Trump and Brexit, it could be time for those who want a society based on openness, knowledge and new opportunities to revisit an out-of-fashion idea
Read MoreWhy we should reject the politics of despair
A message to Kiwi politicians this election year: Must try harder
Read MoreThe changing climate of climate change policy
The new government's climate change policy is killing innovation, undermining science and abandoning our role as an inspiration to other countries
Read MoreYour part in resolving the global crisis
New Zealand has turned from a nation of squirrels to one of nutty spenders, yet there's still little debate about just how the global recession will change our behaviour
Read More