Over the next year, John Key faces a choice between his – and New Zealand's – international reputation on one hand and National's support base on the other as he wrestles with reducing our carbon footprint
Read MoreJohn Key
On War, restraint & Trojan horses
National's decision to stand alongside our allies but not to 'go to war' strengthens our narrative as a small country with its own mind, but beware mission creep
Read MoreThe problem with our economy is too many tea breaks?
The labour reforms this week reveal a government that has given up on any hope for a competitive economy and is willing to engage in class warfare on behalf of its 'Judith Collins wing'
Read MoreGot a mystery? Just ask John!
I'm not saying that John Key is an incurable gossip ... but he sure seems to get told a lot of stuff by random people.
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Where is the Middle?
Labour needs to work out whether they go for the "missing million" or the middle voters. And if they get it wrong they could be looking at another 6 years in opposition
Read MoreI quite like beer, the rugby no so much
Grant Robertson is gay. And he likes rugby. And he drinks beer. All of these things are true - so can we now get on with it?
Read MoreWhat's behind the rush to change our passport laws?
We're already stopping people from using NZ passports to go and fight in the Middle East. So why do we now urgently need to change the law to do this?
Read MoreKey starts to flesh out poverty & housing plans
John Key has dug his toes in as he refuses to listen to some of the expert advice on poverty reduction, but more interesting is where he's indicating he will move
Read MoreParty renewal: National's success, Labour's failing
If National can adapt to change, why can't Labour?
Read MoreHow David Cunliffe is like Scarlett Johansson
Labour has to take the blame for creating a bizarre mystique around David Cunliffe's motivations, and his supposedly aloof nature. The problem is not really Cunliffe, it's PR
Read MoreThe truth about our 'rockstar economy'
A softening of the housing market, falling dairy prices and potential weakening of the Chinese economy do not bode well for New Zealand
Read MoreThe Key to a 4th term
An emphatic win for National raises a whole series of questions, especially for a left-wing struggling to understand middle New Zealand... and then there's Dotcom
Read MoreA firm prediction about what will happen on September 21
Or, rather, some speculative ruminations on what will happen if Winston Peters holds the balance of power and won't commit to supporting either bloc in the House.
Read MoreThe Moment of Truth #2 – Humpty Dumpty words
All sides in the current spying debate are choosing their words very carefully as the search for lies intensifies. But what do those words mean?
Read MoreWinston or Colin? How 2017 will determine Key's choice
If National maintain current polling and both the Conservatives and New Zealand First get to five percent, Key will be in the catbird seat. But which might he choose and why?
Read MoreNot business as usual: Key's leadership style & the bloggersphere
Claims the Prime Minister must have known about dirty politics around him ignore the reality of his CEO style and the Law Commission has more work to do on new media
Read MoreWill an inquiry make it all better?
With two Dirty Politics inspired inquiries on the go, where are they taking us? And will they make everything better?
Read MoreBlue on blue
Dirty polls, what Winston wants & debates
The latest poll suggests trust issues are moving some voters, the risk of giving Peters what he wants and debate expectations...
Read MoreThe "Dirty Politics" stories - where are we?
The Dirty Politics brushfire is starting to dampen down. Time to rake over the ashes and see what got left behind.
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