No way should Labour do a 'Cup of Te' deal.
Labour should stand up for its own strong values.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday June 3
Obama administration announce plans to cut US coal emissions; tension between US and China at security conference; Thailand's ruling military junta releases plans to kick-start economy; Spanish king abdicates in favour of son; Taliban and US negotiate prisoner exchange; and more
Read MoreHow the path to election victory might go through the Maori seats
There is a single biggest loser from Laila Harre's appointment to lead the Internet Party... and it's not the Greens
Read MoreFrom the throne came the verdict, the lake of fire won't be your home
John Banks' political epitaph lies in the hands of a High Court judge. Will it be "John Banks, retired as MP in September", or "John Banks, kicked out of Parliament in June"?
Read MoreThe Left starts to fracture - and thats a good thing
I'm picking that Laila Harre's appointment as leader of the Internet Party will be good for Internet-Mana, but the impact on this year's election will be determined by the relationship with Labour. If Internet-Mana do well this year, though, there might be an important shake-up that will strengthen the broad left in the longer term.
Read MoreWhy Laila? The maths makes sense, but what's in it for her?
So Laila Harre is back in politics via the most unlikely of vehicles -- the Internet Party. The question is why, why, why has she done it
Read MoreHarre will lead the Internet Party, because the Twitter tells me so
If Laila Harre is going to lead the Internet Party, what does that mean? Good? Bad? Happy? Sad?
Read MorePower acquaints a man with strange bedfellows
The MANA Movement and the Internet Party have discovered they both have a lot in common. Each very much wants to get as many of its MPs into Parliament as it can.
Read MoreWhy National is riding high in the polls
I guess if you want a man who'll resist temptation, a Catholic Southland farmer's as good a bet as any. And it's what Bill English hasn't done in the past five and a half years that has National in pole position for this year's election
Read MorePope-ing into the Holy Land
The head of the Catholic Church was never going to stick to a non-political script in his weekend visit to Palestine and Israel, but as has become the hallmark of this pope, its his actions that have again spoken louder than any words...especially in Palestine.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 22
Russia and China sign 30-year natural gas deal; Thai military attempts to mediate between political rivals; Chinese PM argues Asian security problems should be handled by regional players; flooding in Balkans exposes landmines; US to reveal legal justification for drone strikes; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 20
Libyan army deploys militias to Tripoli; Vietnam deploys security personnel to quell protests; South Korean Coast Guard to be replaced by new safety agency in wake of ferry disaster; little progress in latest round of Iran nuclear talks; five Soma mine officials arrested; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 15
UN special envoy to Syria resigns in frustration; anti-China mob sets fire to foreign-owned factories in Vietnam; Japan reconsiders constitutional use of force; Afghan Taliban appoints new commander; Nigeria ready to negotiate for return of schoolgirls; and more
Read MoreRaising kids with grit, not high test scores
We are right not to get too bogged down in educational rankings, but we mustn't ignore their obvious warnings
Read MoreGoodluck with the big smiles now Jonathan
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has been shamed by desperate parents, a horrified nation and world celebrities into accepting sophisticated international aid in the search for more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamic militant group Boko Haram. That he waited so long is criminal.
Read MoreThe Taurima affair: when good reports go bad
The Taurima report paints a slear portrait of a fine journalist who lost his way, but then goes on to make a recommendation that is oppressive and should be resisted
Read MoreSomething To Dü
In a shameless piece of self-promotion, I'd like to tell you about an event I'm coordinating at the start of next month. Some of you might even like to come along to it ... .
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 13
Pro-Russia separatists claim victory in referendums calling for greater autonomy for two Ukrainian states; ASEAN refrains from criticising China over South China Sea clashes; Thai protest leader calls for interim prime minister to be replaced; Boko Haram release video claimed to be abducted girls; Indians vote in final phase of election; and more
Read MoreA taxonomy of scandal
A scandal can be distinguished from a controversy. Immigration policy became controversial in the 90s, the foreshore and seabed in the 2000s. Even though there were bungles, and offensive views and policies were aired, the underlying issue was always sharp disagreement over core values and policies.
In a scandal, the underlying issue is wrong-doing.
Read MoreI'm right, Winston's not, so there
NZ First wants to charge straying MPs $300,000. I say they can't do it. Winston says I'm wrong. Where does the truth lie?
Read More