Coalition government reflects a nation’s diversity. Electoral arrangements show it.
Read MoreAre Things Falling Apart?
MMP
Are We Sure That We Have a Well-Functioning System of Government?
Why doesn’t our government reflect New Zealanders; why doesn’t Parliament make them?
Read MoreDo Elections Deliver What We Want?
MMP may deliver a parliament which reflects us, but frequently the government does not.
Read MoreDemocracy is Not Just Voting
The Way the Voting is Organised Matters Too.
Read MoreWhither Coalition Government?
Coalition governments are a consequence of MMP. They may better reflect us and our democratic aspirations than the Winner-Takes-All ones of the past.
Read MoreWell you picked your tree, now bark it up
The Labour-NZ First coalition deal proposes taking our electoral laws back to 2001-2005. I don't think thats a good place to revisit.
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 MoreRelax - Winston Peters, Negotiations and getting the best from MMP
It has been 21 years since the first Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) election. But we do not seem to be learning how to get the best from the system. We are treating it like First-Past-the-Post (FPP). It is time to relax and play to strengths of MMP.
Read MoreThe numbers are in, let the politics begin
The official election results finally have been announced. They tell us what we thought they would - so now what will they mean?
Read MoreHow governments form under MMP ...
AUT's Julienne Molineaux has written a must-read guide to post-election processes ... anyone wanting to know anything about this should go and read it.
Read MorePolitics Makes Strange Bedfellows
This is a series of quantitative thoughts on the election outcome. It is based on the 2017 election night vote. Specials are likely to change precise voting shares and even seats. However potential changes do not invalidate the column’s overall conclusions.
Read MoreThe morning after the night before
What do we know, don't we know and think we know after the election night results?
Read MoreI Have a Little List
With most parties having announced their lists for the next election, we need to think about how the system works.
Read MoreIn which universe will Winston Peters become PM?
In a classic piece of misdirection, we're being urged to look away from the recent Labour-Greens MOU and towards a future with Winston Peters as PM. I did, and there really isn't much there.
Read MoreThe fat lady's final notes
The final count of the votes, including special votes, has saved us from having to revisit our ideas about majority governments under MMP. Oh - and I (sort of) told you so.
Read MoreLabour and Greens voters are more alike than different
If voters can see the commonality between Labour and the Greens, why can't political analysts?
Read MoreWill Judith Collins cost John Key his third term?
And other assorted closing thoughts on this most unusual of election campaigns.
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 MoreNaked on the cross-benches – the latest MMP fad
It seems the latest trend in minor party politics is political nudity, draped in just the merest hint of government
Read MoreColin Craig is asking for the impossible
Colin Craig has just one thing he wants from National in any post-election deal. Unfortunately, it's something that National isn't able to give him.
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