Who knows whether John Banks will be found guilty next year, only the courts can decide. But in the court of public opinion, a trial is as bad as a conviction
Read Moreelectoral law
My colors, my honor; my colors, my all
Did you know MPs are considering making it an offence, punishable by a fine of up to $20,000, to wear a green ribbon in your hair on election day? If you think this is silly, you'd better tell them so ... soon.
Read MoreAnother four easy pieces
Starting with wearing the niqab in court, moving to messing up prisoner disenfranchisement, passing through justifying yet more limits on election day activity, and finishing with a new theme song for Apple.
Read MoreFour easy pieces
In which your esteemed author tells you who the Labour leader must be, explains why the Government had to appeal the "Quake Outcasts" case, warns you that your right to wear silly lapel pins on election day is under threat, and calls on David Farrar to save Great Britain.
Read MoreEvery end is a new beginning
I thought I'd written the last word on New Zealand electoral law. Then bloody Judith Collins tells the world she's going to make a whole lot more.
Read MoreStop wasting our time
The National Government isn't going to bother even thinking about the Electoral Commission's recommendations to reform MMP. I wish that they'd told us this was the plan before we spent our time and effort engaging with the issue.
Read MoreYou know what really grinds my gears?
In which your humble author vents his spleen indiscriminately about things that happen to be in the news.
Read MoreHow much democracy is "enough" democracy?
Is Hone Harawira's decision to force a by election a cynical abuse of public money or a noble commitment to accountability? Yes.
Read MoreAnd now the storm-blast came, and he Was tyrannous and strong
"Day after day, day after day, we stuck, nor breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean." Could this be Hone Harawira's parliamentary fate?
Read MoreAnd they're off!
We're going to the polls on November 26. Let the law begin!
Read MoreI am in blood stepp'd in so far ...
Let's assume the Maori Party really wants Hone Harawira gone. What then?
Read MoreHow do you solve a problem like Hone?
Hone Harawira thinks the Maori Party needs to dance to his tune. Are his colleagues going to pull the plug on his stereo?
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