Prime Minister John Key’s first non-party appointment reveals more about his governing style and offers free-thinking NZX boss Mark Weldon a chance to move off the business pages and into politics
Read MoreGaza and Bush from up a ladder
Even in the midst of DIY projects somewhere out beyond Gisborne, it was impossible to avoid the horror of Gaza and the sheer stupidity on display at George Bush's final press conference
Read MoreUS hypocrisy clouds Clinton's Mid-East headache
Can Hillary Clinton salvage a credible US foreign policy from its self-serving history?
Read MoreShalom and Salaam seem the hardest words to say
As the bloodshed increases and the desperation intensifies, it is time to ask what is the ultimate aim of the bombardment of Gaza, and how will the international community stop each side from harming the innocents of the other.
Read MoreEight bouquets and one brickbat
Keith Ovenden's cultural highlights of 2008
Read MoreAlan Greenspan's Icarus moment
As the pillars of capitalism collapsed around him, the man once called the maestro summed up 2008 by admitting, "I have found a flaw"
Read MoreCanada's souring Afghanistan strategy
Afghanistan will be one of Obama’s first tests in office, and his Canadian neighbours are in no mood to be persuaded to stay
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 MoreMERRY CHRISTMAS – The grinch can wait
On the day before Christmas, all through the nation, we jammed the malls, shared a little elation. The bills keep coming, we’re feeling the pinch, and our New Year’s guest could be The Grinch
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 MoreCommunity Christmas letter
Ho ho ho from the Pundit crew. Meeeerry Christmas. Now where's the egg nog?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 24
Europeans may take Guantanamo prisoners; Guinea's dictator Conte dies, prompts coup; Hyundai/Kia declares emergency management; Chinese navy to battle pirates; and more
Read MoreRon Kirk: From Texas, with love
Meet the Texan who could have more say over New Zealand's long-term economic future than Bill English; plus the 10 worst predictions of 2008
Read MoreWhat's in a name, Mr Barack Hussein Obama?
Barack Hussein Obama is going the whole name hog in his inauguration and in so doing he may well define a new political generation. Names it seems are critical in top US politics – think Clinton, or Kennedy or Bush…
Read MoreNational News Brief, Tuesday December 23
Deficit climbs to 92 percent of GDP; Waitangi Tribunal judge steps aside; debate on school hours; don't lick the batter bowl; tasers may kill, says Amnesty; gaming machines "worst" form of gambling
Read MoreA mangled Christmas message
John Roughan reckons he's found religion but he misunderstands the meaning of Christmas
Read More2008 redux: Farewell Awards
Spreading the Christmas cheer before he takes time off to finish his next book, Jon reviews 2008's stand-out political performances, for good and ill,
Read MoreNational News Brief, Monday December 22
Clinics weigh tough choice on abandoned embryos; drug education needed in primary schools: report; Christmas shoppers say 'bah humbug'; another quarter of recession predicted; and more
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 MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 19
Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Norway and others follow US Fed in cutting rates; Chrysler to shuts down US factories for one month; Russia suffers as oil prices fall; 33 Latin countries propose historic economic union; and more
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