If Murray McCully told Parliament that MFAT told him legal risk justified the Saudi Sheep deal, then why does MFAT say they never told him that?
Read MoreMurray McCully
2016 in politics: A spinoff from The spinoff
The Spinoff last week asked me to consider the political highs and lows of 2016. So I did that and saw there first package come out over the weekend. So here are my thoughts on all that
Read MoreThe shame of the Saudi Sheep deal, or democracy gone to the dogs
Finally, we see the Auditor-General's report on the Saudi sheep deal and it's "significant shortcomings", and if you're not angry, you haven't been paying attention. Because here's the real story...
Read MoreMy hot takes on the Auditor General's "sheep-to-sand report"
The Auditor General has found that Murray McCully (and the rest of his National Party cabinet colleagues) are not corrupt criminals. They just entered into a deal with a Saudi businessman without really knowing why, what that deal would do, or the basis for giving him some $11 million or our money.
Read MoreSaudi Sheep deal: New facts, new questions.
New revelations demand answers from the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister about how knew what in the Saudi sheep deal. Has Murray McCully misled cabinet?
Read MoreVerily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the Leask of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me
The Ombudsman's finding that Derek Leask was badly treated by the State Services Commission is quite damning. It also matters for all of us concerned about the limits on governmental power in New Zealand.
Read More"Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power"
The only reason that makes any sense for giving a Saudi sheep breeder an $11 million farm is because we thought it might buy us a Free Trade Agreement with his country. It's a good thing that we're not a corrupt nation, isn't it?
Read MoreAn open letter to Murray McCully
Bad things are happening in Nauru. Some of us think Murray McCully needs to do more in response.
Read MoreLet's all just take a deep breath ...
People are starting to demand someone's - anyone's! - head over the Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail diplomatic immunity escapade. What's the rush?, I say.
Read MoreTime to put the punch into ‘punch above our weight’
Words are easy. Don’t just ask the world to vote for New Zealand to get on the UN Security Council because “Our foreign policy has been tested by significant confrontations with some major powers, when we have proved our independence and resilience".
Show the world what we mean. Show we deserve a position of global leadership.
Read MoreFiji’s dose of khaki democracy
Fiji is getting a strong dose of khaki democracy as its de facto military rulers shift from “go slow” to “go fast” on the road to elections they’ve promised next year. It’s a shift that could create big problems forNew Zealand.
Read MoreReality Test for Bamyan’s perfect PRT model
The New Zealand-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan has been presented as a model for building security and stability in Afghanistan – but the cracks are showing as insurgents step up the pressure.
Read MoreScoring political points in the RWC chaos game
The government has been as twinkle-toed as a winger five metres from the try-line in its handling of the opening night chaos down on the Auckland waterfront. Here's the government's playbook laid bare...
Read MoreNow it’s millions for Libya – Why?
It was nice of the Prime Minister to tell us his government committed to recognizing the new government of Libya some weeks ago and would provide it with “millions” of dollars in aid – but it would be better if he told us why.
Read MoreThere ain't no party like a JK party 'cause a JK party don't stop ...
In which the author tries his hand at satire. Results most definitely not guaranteed.
Read MoreAfghanistan: Whoa, Johnny,Whoa…
Something happens when politicians put on the steel helmet and flak jacket to join then troops on the battleground in Afghanistan – over there John Key couldn't stop talking. Back home, however, he's keen to keep secrets
Official information exposes Carter on whaling
Chris Carter’s excoriation of the Key government on whaling is rubbished by official MFAT papers showing similar negotiations when Labour was the government and Carter whaling Minister
Read MoreSAS – Now you see them, now you don’t
A newspaper photographer catches Willie Apiata walking home from an observation mission. John Key promises a new policy of openness about the SAS. The elite troops get involved in the first major fire fight of their mission. Where does the openness go?
Second year blues – a failure of governance
As the Key administration prepares for the opening of parliament for 2010, where is the plan and wisdom required for good governance? And where's the opposition? Here's a report card – in plain language
Read MoreRugby row raises bigger TV issues
Ructions over free-to-air television coverage of the Rugby World Cup raise major questions about the sustainability of