Removing elected officials, replacing tried and true legal tests and processes with a non statutory, unreviewable Strategy, and changing rights of appeal half way through statutory processes - these features and more are the result of the new Act that signals a new era for the management of water in Canterbury.
Read MoreClassic 'us and them' politics
Wanna guess how many dole bludgers there are in New Zealand? Let me set you straight
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 1
More bombings in Russia kill at least 12 (+ analysis); India and Pakistan feud over Indus River water; Obama and Sarkozy want urgent Iran sanctions; Serbia apologises for Srebrenica; and more
Read MoreTo pee or not to pee
What do Housing Minister Phil Heatley and North Shore City mayor Andrew Williams have in common – beyond a couple of bottles of wine?
Read MoreThe beautiful game of politics
Politics and sports are separate things. Yeah, right.
Read MoreNeutering an agent of our constitution
Why a robust constitutional framework requires Archives New Zealand's organisational independence
Read MoreGood riddance Shell, and all you represent
I've been running my own personal protest against Shell for more than a decade, so I'll be delighted to see the sale of its petrol stations and its blood-stained brand removed from this country
Read MoreCanterbury matters
Can we stop talking about Auckland, just briefly? Canterbury matters as much to the future of New Zealand, and tells us more about the character of the government
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 30
Moscow suicide bombs point to comeback of Chechnyan insurgency; Suu Kyi's party to boycott Burmese election; Obama in Afghanistan: praises troops, not Karzai; US Congress goes after Chinese exchange rate; and more
Read MoreMining Our Natural Potential: not specious, just stupid
An open letter to Gerry Brownlee, surgically exploring his cranium, and finding some fossils inside
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday March 26
Russian leak: US and Russia to cull hundreds of nuclear warheads under new treaty (+ analysis); EU on verge of Greece debt package; Chinese telco takes on Google; Dubai finds more money for Dubai World; and more
Read MoreWhen you ain't got nothing, you've got nothing to lose
David Bain has filed a claim for compensation with the Minister of Justice. He'll be damn lucky to get it.
Read MoreWelfare's "future focus" looks pretty fuzzy
Social development minister Paula Bennett promises a benefit reform that brings “an unrelenting focus on work”. But just how sharp is that focus going to be?
Read MoreHate speech, free speech...or just Ann Coulter?
When American right-wing maven Ann Coulter was shut down in Canada, she resorted to type—she went feral—but the whole incident brings in to focus the fine line between free speech and hate speech
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday March 25
Netanyahu has chilly meeting with Obama as Israel confirms building plans; Kurds lose sway in Iraq election; Private security guards kill Somali pirate; China's Google stance hurting its economy; and more
Read MoreSusan Couch's Pyrrhic victory
The Supreme Court has given Susan Couch the right to sue the Corrections Department for William Bell's evil actions. But it's probably made it impossible for her to win her case
Read MoreWhy are National and Labour trying so hard to LOSE Auckland?
Labour's candidate selection for the Auckland electorates seemed odd, but National's willingess to risk the city for a bit o' gold and silver in the Coromandel is one hell of a punt
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday March 24
Google to stop censoring search results in China; American held by North Koreans identified; Obama to meet with Netanyahu; Pakistani and US defense chiefs meet; Britain to expel Israeli diplomat; and more
Read MoreHistory in the making - healthcare wins and mining losses
As Barack Obama enjoys the thrill of history, John Key should take a look at his own party's history on mining before commiting too heavily to some big holes in the ground
Read MorePrime Minister talking money, dairy talking crap
Last week’s outbreaks of foot in mouth, by John Key and Federated Farmers, were illuminating and obfuscating, respectively
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