As ‘Chippy’ the new Prime Minister is sworn in today he has the chance to reset his party and its chances at this October’s election. So what arrows does he have in his quiver? Two stand out…
Read MoreIntroducing Chippy, the new bloke
Jacinda Ardern: "For me, it's time". So how will she be remembered?
Jacinda Ardern’s has announced her resignation ahead of this year’s election. So how will New Zealand’s 40th Prime Minister be remembered? What’s her legacy amidst years of crisis?
Read MoreSlouching towards Christmas in this Year of Covid
Two years into the pandemic, 2022 has become our true ‘Year of Covid’ and as we crawl towards Christmas, the disease isn’t letting go of us… or the government
Read MoreIs is the beginning of the end of the toxic Trump TV show?
The 2022 mid-terms may be remembered as the moment when Americans finally breathed out, exhaling the Trump years. So what’s going on?
Read MoreQueen Elizabeth's death a true end of an era, but her legacy of service can live on
Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II we can reflect on a life devoted to principles that are no longe popular, but which we need to learn to value again
Read MoreBullying's long shadow is cast across Sam Uffindell and the National Party
Sam Uffindell’s confession to being a bully is admirable, but it creates some major political problems for National and will raise questions for victims of bullying, including me
Read MoreCorroboration: The key January 6 moment where Trump is exposed
A stunning day of testimony at the January 6 committee hearings in Washington DC has corroborated the key, but under-reported, part of Cassidy Hutchinson’s damning evidence against Donald Trump
Read MoreRoe V Wade ruling shows why abortion is the answer to so many questions about US politics
Today’s US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade is a lesson to non-American’s that abortion remains the deepest, most divisive, most defining issue in US politics. And its impact will be felt far beyond the realm of reproductive rights
Read MoreNew look, but can Labour find a new focus?
Jacinda Ardern has turned necessity into an opportunity, as she starts to reset the look of Labour’s leadership for a new chapter. Her biggest weaknesses are dealt with as she looks for more from new faces
Read More50 days of war in Ukraine: What have we learnt?
Gas, geo-politics, the Crimean War, citizen solidarity, red line and the importance of coastlines… after 50 days of war in Ukraine let’s run through just some of the things we’ve learnt since Vladimir Putin went to war
Read MoreGlobal unity against Moscow sends a clear message to Beijing
The world’s united response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is giving Vladimir Putin pause and resetting geo-political calculations… not just in Moscow, but closer to home as well
Read MoreThe good & bad of NZ's Omicron plan as the wave hits & tactics need to change
New Zealand’s approach to Covid can be boiled down to: Buy time. And it’s worked. But now it’s time to change tactics and execute the plan much, much better
Read MoreThe consequences of Covid & why anti-vaxxers aren't free to cross a one-lane bridge whenever they like
Loud and angry protests against vaccine ‘mandates’, lockdowns and other Covid-restrictions continue here in New Zealand and around the world. It’s framed as a fight for freedom. It’s not. Rather, it’s a battle against consequences. So here’s my response to the ‘freedom fighters’, anti-vaxxers and all those nervous about the loss of freedoms during this pandemic
Read MoreDesmond Tutu 1931-2021: A hero who dared to hope in a moral universe
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was one of my heroes. Here’s why
Read MoreA strong start - but can Luxon last?
Christopher Luxon spent his first, impressive appearance as National Party leader stressing his newness to politics and his leadership pedigree. But are both traits quite the strengths he thinks they are?
Read MoreThe Picnic Period: A sign of our Covid times
Picnics have come to symbolise many things about life in Auckland right now - they are a blessing and a curse, a political masterstroke and a retreat. Now they need to be the start of something more
Read MoreThere can be only one... reason Collins is still in her job
Looking back to this point in the last political cycle, you see Labour tearing itself apart and fighting for the future of the party. National is facing the same crisis, but no-one seems to want to lead
Read MoreThe 'team of five million' isn't all of us. Are we doing enough for the others?
The way we’ve implemented our Covid-19 strategy has come at a high price for a lot of New Zealanders… so are we doing enough now to say thanks and show kindness to Kiwis trapped offshore? And what more could we do?
Read MoreAfter 20 years in Afghanistan, 'a little revenge' has done immeasurable damage
President Joe Biden has declared the war in Afghanistan over, but the 20-year legacy of bitter fruit will remain on our tongues for many years yet. The price for America’s “little revenge” has been paid by us all and we will keep paying it
Read MoreThe lucky lockdown? Is this the kick in the butt NZ needs?
Heading into another level four lockdown with delta finally loose in the community, it looks like our luck might have run out. But maybe not. Maybe this will be the lucky lockdown; the kick up the bum this country needs
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