Responses to the flag referendum and the TPPA have parallels overseas such as supporting Trump in the US and Brexit in Britain. A sizeable proportion of the population think that the government is not listening to them and doesn’t care about them.
Read MoreCYF reform: Moving from 'we must do something" to 'are we doing the right thing?'
Trouble-shooting the CYF reforms: Yes,we need to act, but there are two big political calls underlying the radical overhaul that raise questions about whether this is the best way to go
Read MoreDoing the maths on historical monuments
Colonial monuments have rightly come under scrutiny. We should not the remove controversial reminders, but we do need to tell a wider range of stories about history in our public places
Read MoreConfirmation: importing (some) medical marijuana is lawful
Provided it was lawfully obtained overseas for the treatment of a medical condition, you legally are permitted to bring up to 31 days worth of medical marijuana into New Zealand. Here's the proof.
Read MoreSlater slams history. At least the discussion of it
A fascinating bit of reporting on our history draws out one particular hater and a bit of nonsense. But the topic itself is an intriguing debate
Read MoreWhen not lying isn't enough
Is the Prime Minister playing fast and loose with intelligence information? We now know that he knew more about those jihadi brides than he first let on
Read MoreA Lack of Interest
Are we entering a long period of secular stagnation in which interest rates are low? We cannot foresee all the implications.
Read MoreGod Save the Flag vs God Defend the Flag?
The story of our national anthems might provide guidance for how to proceed with the flag.
Read MoreThe time is always right to do the right thing
Without anyone apparently noticing, the Auckland Transport Board has decided for Auckland ratepayers just when it is appropriate to convey their political beliefs to the world. Can they really do that?
Read MorePaying the price in Auckland
What's an affordable house worth in Auckland these days? The Prime Minister reckons 'it depends', but actually it doesn't. Plus, his Trade Me slip up
Read MoreBubble and Pop.
The history of New Zealand is speculation on farm land which stokes up debt, with disastrous consequences when the bubble bursts. The New Zealand industry is going through another one.
Read MoreThe lost Kiwiblog post on Wicked Campers
Do inequality and poverty matter?
A journalist’s list of the ten most important issues politically facing us did not mention inequality and poverty. Why?
Read MoreSo ya thought ya might like to go to the show ...
I'm probably not the first person to note this, but Donald Trump's presidential campaign presents as an example of life imitating some fairly average art.
Read MoreWhich Parliament is truly sovereign?
Arthur Taylor's most recent attack on the ban on prisoner voting has failed. But we learnt something about New Zealand's constitution as a result. Oh - and judges really need to think about how their words may sound to all those who read them.
Read MoreWho will be the first blogger that Winston Peters puts in jail?
Are you a blogger who knowingly writes lies about your political enemies/friends in an effort to sway how people vote? Winston Peters has just won a court case that could see you get jailed for up to 2 years.
Read MoreThe cost of Keytruda: The CEO & the PM at odds?
John Key says his budget boost for Pharmac should be enough to get a melanoma drug over the line, after the Pharmac CEO says it wouldn't fund Keytruda even if it had the money. Let's unpack this...
Read MoreMore on bringing medical marijuana into New Zealand ...
Apparently Peter Dunne thinks [update: thought ... see end of post!] I'm wrong about bringing medical marijuana into New Zealand. Here's a longer discussion of why I don't think I am.
Read MoreThe Great Republican Fire of 2016
The Republicans started their own fire. But Donald Trump is a whole new kind of arsonist and the party's now burning out of control
Read MoreMedical marijuana in Australia - next stop New Zealand
Australia has just passed the laws needed to allow medical marijuana to be grown and distributed. Once that starts happening, New Zealanders will be able to go across the ditch to get it - and then legally bring it back here.
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