How many beneficiaries does it take to make a crisis? And what does history tell us? When were benefit numbers at their worst? For all this and more, read on...
Read MorePaula Bennett
John Key's heart of darkness
Key announces ministerial group to advance welfare reform – welfare to form key part of National's 2011 election campaign – beneficiary bashing to the fore, again
Read MoreBaby farms & welfare mums
Huge changes are being made to early childhood education under the cover of the earthquake, as the government warms up for welfare reform
Read MoreRebstock report a little ripper
From eugenics to workfare, the Welfare Working Group report released on Tuesday has the potential to destroy lives, hopes - and our welfare system itself
Read MoreNational's rampage against hobbits and workers reaps its own reward
National is certainly on the offensive with its employment and welfare reforms, even proposing a law change specifically to benefit producers of The Hobbit; but it faces a new mood of resistance and dissent
Read MoreWelfare report aftermath – we won't be fooled again
Response to last week's Welfare Working Group report shows that not so many of us are fooled by shonky stats and a new generation of beneficiary bashing rhetoric
Read MoreDoing the time warp with National – can the Left do better this time round?
In the face of National's employment law and welfare reforms, how will Labour and the unions respond?
Read MoreWelfare: even the debate gets privatised
Second Wellington welfare conference in two weeks locks out all but the wealthy or well-funded
Read MoreClassic 'us and them' politics
Wanna guess how many dole bludgers there are in New Zealand? Let me set you straight
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 MoreWon't someone PLEASE think of the children?
New Zealanders have spent more than two years angsting over whether parents should be permitted to smack their children. Meanwhile, as a society, we've been failing our kids
Read MoreJust say no to the Small Poppy Syndrome
The real concern in this country isn't our jealousy of wealth and success, it's our knee-jerk meanness towards those at the bottom of life's heap
Read MoreTwo grumps and a prod - from Bennett & Garrett to drink
As The Verlaines put it so pithily, sometimes "there's too many things to talk of at any one time." [sic-Ed]. Paula Bennett... David Garrett... Andrew Becroft...
Read MoreThe hide of Hide
Local government minister Rodney Hide didn't earn the nickname "Rhino" for nothing. Still trying to ramrod Super-City government into Auckland, he is now taking on the rest of New Zealand
Read MoreNational and the art of managing expectations
Pundit's latest poll of polls shows National cruising on a flat sea of likeability, overseas issues and carefully crafted PR. Even the 'dissent' is perfectly scripted
Read MoreSuper-City – the shape of things to come
Official papers released by Local Government Minister Rodney Hyde show his blitzkrieg plan for
National News Brief, Wednesday January 21
Read Barack Obama's inauguration speech; biggest drop in inflation in 10 years; ANZ and ING being investigated by Commerce Commission; melting ice shelf could cause sea level rise; bullying fears outweigh most others for teens; Paula Bennett wins kudos for breaking up fight
Read MoreNational News Brief, Tuesday January 20
MP wades into West Auckland mall brawl; Graduates keep studying rather than risk job market; helicopter rules put patients in danger; Christchurch City wants more sewage in its rivers; and more
Read MoreThe Beltway Blues: Random Thoughts from Inside the Bubble
Cue harmonica: It looks like the more things change in parliament, the more they stay the same.
Read MoreNational News Brief, Wednesday December 10
Paula Bennett axes $200,000 conference; KiwiSaver changes cost taxpayers; National fast-tracks First 100 Days legislation; Hanover investors agree to rescue package; parents warned about dangers of "co-sleeping"; Privy Council rejects Bain's request
Read More