I started this blog post wanting to layout the issues left unresolved after a week of reportage on meth houses. I finished it furious at the inept government response, not just since 2016, but since the report was released. Phil Twyford has work to do
Read MoreBill English
Predictable polls and bye-bye Bill
As all things new come to dominate New Zealand's political landscape, National will be forced more quickly than it hoped to confront its own need for change. Tonight's poll offers succour for the party, but tolls the bell for Bill.
Read MoreIn defence of discord
Kumbaya be damned... Labour needs to pull-up its big boy pants, thank National for its robust approach and get on with business. That is how you become a great government
Read MoreSchrodinger's cat is Malawi's flag
Winston Peters' announcement that he will enter a coalition with Labour gives the 2017 election its final meaning. But it sounds like it was a very, very close run thing.
Read MoreThis is it - a government - soon - maybe
Maybe there will be a government this week. Maybe not. To fill the vacuum speculation is the only alternative.
Read MoreA worry-wort's guide to Election 17 - the Majors
While we wait for the specials to be counted and negotiations to begin, we can review what happened in Election 2017. A determinedly glass half-empty view of the results shows the big two parties have plenty to fret about
Read MoreExclusive: Winston weighs up which way to go
Pundit can reveal an exclusive report from inside Winston's head... We see what he's actually thinking
Read MoreA new beast of a government, whichever way Winston goes
The vote this election was quite predictable, but the journey of the campaign was not and whichever new government we get, it will be very different from the John Key years
Read MoreBill makes history before heading into the Winston maze
With so much analysis it can be easy to miss the wood for the trees at this point. While there's still nothing certain about our next government, we can look back to look forward and recognise the historic nature of this result
Read MoreHow your vote may turn into a government
So who might be able to work with whom after this weekend's election? Well, it's complicated...
Read MoreWhich New Zealand are you voting for?
In election week, it all depends on what you see when you look around the country that will determine who gets to celebrate on Saturday night
Read MoreTime for true transparency (& I don't just mean tax)
The lack of transparency in this campaign is galling, but it's not just around tax and water. Under MMP we're voting for a coalition government and it's time politicians started acting like it
Read MoreRisky Business: Decision 17 debate has candidates on slippery ground
National and Labour leaders show just how close it is and how much is at stake, by upping the risk factor with new policy announcements live in the second leaders debate
Read MoreA taxing debate night, but everything's changed
It was a wonkish, nervy, tepid debate, but the political earthquake had come earlier and it changes the way we look at Election 17
Read MoreWhat lies beneath this election campaign
Just under a month out from Election 17, the former deputy Prime Minister looks at the state of the parties and makes some picks
Read MoreArdern v English: Is this the time of transformation?
A stark difference has arisen between the two major parties in recent days - one doubling down on old ways and another bursting with new generation vibes. Peter Dunne's resignation reinforces the sense that generational change is coming. But when?
Read MoreTiming is everything for Ardern & Labour
Jacinda Ardern and Labour have time on their side for a change. It may allow New Zealanders to think it's their 'turn', but only if they can avoid distractions like, oh, trans-Tasman squabbles
Read MoreIt's Leadership, Stupid
Policy is important, but the 2017 election is now about leadership. Change versus the status quo. Who has the X-factor? In six weeks we will know
Read MoreOhariu & Epsom: Is it different this time?
It must be just about campaign time, because the dirty deals to game MMP are back in the news. But are they as dirty as they used to be? And do they still matter?
Read MoreIt's really too nice of a Sunday morning to be outraged
Sir Geoffrey Palmer fears that the Government's response to a Supreme Court ruling may be "deeply offensive to the rule of law and a constitutional outrage." At the risk of challenging a legal Goliath, I must demur.
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