When is a subsidiary not a subsidiary, but an independent and untouchable private fortress? When it's being investigated by the keystone cops at Parata & Sharples Detective Agency
Read MoreHekia Parata
Why karma will keep on koming for National
It was a killer line about karma from Hekia Parata. Not only did it reveal her true feelings, it encapsulated what the government can expect in 2013 as it heads into its fifth year
Read MoreEasing back into the year + Parata & Sharples
Two leading politicians are staying put. Risky stuff. And what I'm doing next...
Read MoreBible-bashing barbarism must end
Latest incident of young girl left kneeling in corner during Bible class reinforces need for urgent law change
Read MoreHow to pass national standards – according to Hekia Parata
In which I work my way through the minister's explanations of national standards and award myself a gold star for effort
Read MoreCharter schools & mixed messages -- is this an intelligent design?
More innovation or wacky ideas? And how does the government square a commitment to quality teaching with its decision to let anyone's Uncle Jim teach struggling kids? Just a couple of the questions posed by charter schools. But wait, there's more...
Read MoreNational forgets history lessons in class size debacle
A lack of political memory and of old-fashioned electorate experience are at the heart of National's F-grade performance on education and class sizes. If MPs did their homework they'd start looking, well, closer to home
Read MoreDon't look here! Look over there!
What does a government do when people are talking about things that don't suit it? It gives people something else to talk about instead.
Read MoreDeepwater protection - too little, too late
Environment Minister Nick Smith has finally confirmed that
Deepwater protection - too little, too late
Environment Minister Nick Smith has finally confirmed that
Mana from Matt & Loves Labour’s Lost
The Mana by-election was Labour's pre-campaign test. It flunked
Read MoreMatt McCarten stands for Mana, promising to "change the campaign"
The union boss is taking his show on the road... all the way to Mana. McCarten wants to "make them work for it", and it's a safe bet both Labour and National will be on the receiving end of his sharp tongue
Read MoreNational News Brief, Thursday November 6
Obama's win may affect FTA talks; final leaders debate overshadowed by Obama; Blue Chip investors told to pay up or lose their homes; plum government roles on offer; NZ wine industry ever stronger; car prices to rise
Read MoreNational News Brief, Friday October 3
Dairy prices to drop; Cullen favours US bailout plan; National and Maori Party "cosy up"; Reserve Bank makes money trading the Kiwi dollar; Agent Orange blamed for veteran's death; and more
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