Future or past? Merit or representation? This leader or one of the previous ones? National has been making some headlines this week and getting on the news. But not in ways that helps Todd Muller
Read MoreThe party of mixed messages
Paula Bennett
"Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts ... "
National apparently doesn't think gang members with criminal records are properly human. Or, rather, they don't deserve to be given the same rights that full humans possess.
Read More2016 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 MoreDoing the right thing
Today the right thing was done for two individuals by public officials who were not forced into doing so. Let's just take a moment to savour an occasion when things worked the way they should.
Read MorePulling levers, not pulling people down
When it comes to our homelessness crisis, you can come up with constructive ideas or, it seems, you can blame those living in their cars for bringing it on themselves
Read MoreState of the Nation II - John Key
John Key took social housing head on in his first big speech of the year and in doing so raised the ideological politics of ownership, trying to cast it in a new light
Read MoreWhen is an asset sale not an asset sale? & other questions about the Social Housing shambles
National is trying to the 'nothing to see here' line when it comes to its social housing policy, but the truth is it's in a tangle and has no mandate for sale
Read MoreTime to close down Zombie towns?
The inequality debate reaches beyond individuals to towns and regions, so what can we do when an entire town is in the doldrums?
Read MoreNew boundaries = new strategies for major parties
One new seat added in Auckland. But that single proposed seat has ramifications that will ripple across the city with some surprising winners and losers
Read MoreChildren's Commissioner fronts for Nats on food in schools: Corporate agenda rules
Food in schools – Russell Wills now Key’s puppet – targeting, corporatisation and the charity model rule
Read MoreBeneficiary 'impact' highlights poverty of social policies
Auckland's first-ever beneficiary 'impact' demonstrates poverty of policies as well as of people
Read MoreDemolition derby: National's approach to solving unemployment
National announces cuts to minimum youth wage levels - a disastrous policy that will destroy jobs, not create them
Read MoreWelfare protest - back to the cells
Arrested for the first time in over a decade in protest against welfare reforms - a response to the critics - and I also stage a return to Pundit
Read MoreDon't do it Paula: Why Bennett's latest scheme should be removed at birth
Good on the government for its determination to keep having the "uncomfortable conversation" about child abuse. Sad it's not talking much sense
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 MoreChange the end of the story for our abused kids - have your say on the Green Paper
How New Zealand is protecting its next generation clearly isn't working. Norm Hewitt, former All Black-turned-children's champion, is urging all New Zealanders to "say something" on the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children, and change the end of the story for 160,000 at-risk Kiwi kids
Read MoreSpecial votes and the DPB parents factor
With the specials about to be announced, what are the ramifications for the new government? And what's likely to happen next?
Read MoreQuick thoughts on National's welfare policy
Is National really what it seems on welfare reform? I don't know about you, but I'm getting really mixed messages. I'm also not sure the second child/one year policy will survive the election
Read MoreBrighter future report: Two child welfare queens should flunk job interviews
How much breeding counts as “breeding for a business?” And what’s in a “work requirement?” The answers may surprise.
Read MoreBennett's Green Paper an excuse to party – but what about the kids
Paula Bennett releases Green Paper for Vulnerable Children – a great campaign photo op – but how about some real commitment to help the most vulnerable children right now – those growing up in deepening poverty?
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