If we're starting to talk about Waitangi Day, the end of the year has arrived. So what will John Key and Phil Goff be reflecting on as they tuck into their Christmas pudding?
Read MoreBill pays (another) hefty bill
Bill English is no doubt hoping Dipton-gate will disappear fast following his decision to pay back all his ministerial housing allowance. But will it?
Wobbly and messy
The benign winter is over but spring is proving autumnal for the Government
Read MoreGreed is definitely not good
It's not just the less well-off who should feel aggrieved by fat cat salaries. One way or another, it's costing all of us
Read MoreBill English: Let them eat cake
Airy dismissals, as Marie Antoinette found, can be lethal for politicians. National is learning that lesson
Read MoreMemo to Labour – catch the ball
There's a number of basic rules in politics – don't make mistakes, and don't fight needless fights. Labour needs to heed both.
Read MoreNightmare on New North Road
John Key was anywhere but New North Rd on Saturday. For National's leader, Melissa Lee's post-by-election wake in the heart of Mt Albert held all the attraction of a swine flu support group
Read MoreChrist's College 1 - Conservation nil
Conservation tends to suffer under National governments, and this year's budget was true to form. Meanwhile, some private schools may be saved from extinction
Read MoreLabour's links to Police, Hager exposed!
Don Brash might dream that Helen Clark hacked his computer, leaked the contents to Nicky Hager, forced the High Court to allow his book to be published, and then oversaw the police investigation which kept her role secret. The truth is more prosaic
Read MoreHelen Clark: frighteningly inspiring
Austere, tough, and cockroach-like in her ability to survive political fallout, yet in her 28-year Parliamentary career Helen Clark inspired a legion of loyal staffers
Read MoreTitular land titles to be reinstated
New Zealand on track for feudal land system, says Parliamentary Correspondent David Lewis Esquire
Read MoreShock! Horror! ACC costs money!
National has issued yet another announcement starkly warning of dark days at ACC. Is it really that bad? Really?
Read MoreWhat's Rodney Hide up to?
With Auckland's governance inquiry drawing to a close soon, we can be pretty sure that our shiny, new, super-slim minister for Local Government is developing a cunning plan
Read MoreHelen Clark's OE
While the Machiavellian world of United Nations appointments means Helen Clark won't find it easy securing her international role, it's one to which she's ideally suited
Read MorePlease, let's get money out of our politics
The Electoral Finance Act is up for repeal, but what will take its place?
Read MoreIt's a good day for human rights and justice
Obama today signed an executive order closing the US military prison at Guantánamo Bay and ending America's use of torture
Read MoreIt’s whisky time for Labour
A close look at voting patterns reveals that New Zealand First and the Maori Party will be firmly in Labour's sights as they plan a 2011 comeback
Read MoreAn outbreak of political niceness
Our leaders have shown recently that, when they really try hard, they can be quite pleasant. Long may it continue
Read MoreAn exceedingly pluvial country....
Sir Geoffrey Palmer once sympathised with flood victims by noting the rainy nature of New Zealand's climate. As weather patterns change and water becomes a political issue, we might yearn for a bit more pluvialism
Read MoreLittle guys take a few blows
As details of National's agenda emerge, it appears the new government might be less progressive than appeared on the campaign trail.
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