Winston Peters says John Key will hold an early election. John Key says he won't. John Key is right - but not for the reasons he says.
Read MoreNational government
Perhaps Judith Collins needs to slow down just a wee bit
Judith Collins let us know what she thinks about how the Police currently enforce speed restrictions on our roads. Not only did she actually get this wrong, but she probably shouldn't be telling us anyway.
Read MoreQuick thoughts on the foreign trust lobbying affair
Some very quick thoughts on the matter of the PM's lawyer and his lobbying efforts, written on a Friday afternoon while waiting for a taxi to take me to the airport. So don't expect anything too deep and meaningful!
Read MoreWe’ve always been at war with beneficiaries
The Government is seeking to retrospectively change the law to match the Ministry of Social Welfare's practice. Retrospective legislation is bad generally, and very bad in this case.
Read MoreHere’s what to do about inequality
If a large majority of us are worried about inequality and National is making the problem worse, not better, why isn’t the Left doing better politically?
Put me on the board! Put me on the Cadillac board!
The incentives the Government is dangling before prospective investors in Meridian Energy show just how much pressure its "Mixed Ownership Model" policy is under.
Read MoreThose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it
The Crown won't be able to change Sky City's gambling concessions without paying for it. But it isn't the Crown that would do so.
Read MoreWhy the rush to sell Mighty River? Politics.
Selling state-owned assets isn't a growth plan, in fact it makes debt worse
Read MoreA press release we will never see
First they came for the partners of beneficiary fraudsters, and I was silent. Then they came for the professional advisors of corporate entities, and I thought "hang on - this is completely ridiculous!"
Read MoreIf it's just a symbol, why do you care?
Is John Key being advised by Auckland law graduates?
Read MoreThe (creaky) rise of the Grandpa State
We may have got rid of Nanny, but someone’s clearly still doing the babysitting
Read MoreWhat are you prepared to sacrifice for our kids?
Sacrifice isn't a popular word, but the government green paper on vulnerable children poses some tough questions for all of us. For one, if we're to really help the worst off, are we prepared to stop judging them?
Read MoreNecessitas non habit legem
There is a dispute out in the sea. The police must be able to arrest someone ... musn't they?
Read MoreSometimes an emergency really is just an emergency
I know everything is political. But not every political decision is partisan.
Read More2010: A political year of half-measures
The government ended the year on the political mountain top thanks to a lot of luck and bucket full of caution... And my belated pick for minister of the year
Read MoreCarers or teachers? Why early childhood education matters
If a 3-year-old's teacher adds $320,000 to the future income of that child's class, should we pay a bit more to keep that teacher in ajob? Or would you rather have a tax cut now?
Read MoreNational's putting the central back in centre-right politics
For every tilt to the right, the government has a counter-balancing move to the centre. Whether that's due to mixed-up ideology or the height of political pragmatism, this is a National government a long way from the party of Richardson, Shipley and Brash
Read MorePM's speech: Time for a scrap
Key's likeability is about to be tested as he tells voters that GST is on the rise. At last parliament has something tangible to get its teeth into
Read MoreSecond 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 MoreStaying relevant – how NZ can matter to the world
Hillary Clinton's visit almost put us on the world stage for a second or two. It raises the question about our place in the world and why another other country should bother to notice us
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