So, You Want To Buy Your First Home?
Money does not grow on trees, it grows on houses. It is pure magic!
Incognito
An Introvert’s Guide to Spending Money*
Don’t waste your money on shit, spend it on good shit.
Words of Outrage or Outrageous Action?
Do you reward rage with rage or do you ignore it and walk away quietly?
Tranquillum
Don’t expect a jellyfish to grow a spine, they just bob along on the current and keep moving, gently, slowly, kindly.
A Bit About How (my) Moderation Works (at present)
An attempt to clarify some misconceptions and dispel some urban myths about (my) moderation.
PPE from a Universe Far, Far Away
An antidote against the pounding waves of BS coming from inside and outside Aotearoa.
A Stunt Scene from Mission Impossible*
In NZ politics, the perception of fairness matters more than actual fairness.
National Has Found a Moral Compass
National has embarked on a moral crusade to not lose the Election.
Is National Just Inconsistent or Incompetent?
National’s new job-creation scheme appears to be inconsistent with their desire to fully re-instate the 90-day trial period.
Draconian Tourism or no Tourism?
If overseas tourists want to visit NZ, they may have to give up a little bit of their privacy to keep all of us safe.
How Not to Engage in Public Debate
The best way to engage in public debate on the lockdown is to be open, clear, and transparent and show the facts. A press release full of beliefs and reckons is unhelpful and irresponsible.
Are the Vultures Already Circling Above?
We cannot go back to business as usual after the lockdown but can we shape the way things will be for the greater good?
National’s Petition is Cynical Populism
National is trying to steal show political leadership and relevance by launching a petition.
Addendum added
About Carrots and Sticks
How can we improve motivation to stamp out this virus in New Zealand?
Holding the Government to Account or Concern Trolling?
When Opposition Spokespersons behave like concern trolls, we have a problem.
One Virus to Rule Them All
Trying to make sense of what’s happening is mindboggling.
Constructive Criticism and Team Work In Politics
Team play is more important than ever in politics.
Known Knowns and All the Other Ones
We cannot know everything and our only option is to trust others who know stuff that we don’t.
It Is the Thought That Counts
Antagonistic personalities are an obstacle to effective politics tackling major present problems.
MMP Mark II*
What beats MMP? Open-list proportional representation with a low threshold would be a good option.
Democratisation by Social Media and the Internet Is Just Meaningless Waffle
Social Media and the Internet are literally in our faces 24/7 but our political engagement is diminishing.
Two Referendums Too Many
The referendums on two contentious issues could cloud and crowd out the General Election.
Smells Like Stale Male Spirit
We live in a rich and diverse society but this is not reflected in our local government.
Dinosaurs Fight Extinction Rebellion
Dinosaurs are speeding up our extinction.
Simon Bridges Going Blue in the Face Barking at Green Cars
Simon Bridges is barking madly at green cars.
Toll by Stealth
A tunnel is like a wormhole to another dimension. It changes people’s behaviour ever so slightly, ever so briefly, without them realising.
Politics is like a Traffic Jam
Traffic jams are frustrating, waste time and money, have no cause or purpose, and they are all the same.
The Attack of the Snowflakes
National is playing the innocent victim of Budgetgate whilst being the aggressive attacker all along.
Politicians Don’t Know Jack
Politicians rely on information provided to them, not on an encyclopaedic memory and an IQ of a genius.
Beware of Truth Sayers
We don’t all have to know all the facts and admitting ignorance is no shame but a virtue.
Same old dirty National
National is still embedded in Dirty Politics.
Hate Speech Is an Evitable Evil
Online behaviour like any other behaviour can be modified but this will not happen by itself.
This Could Happen To You
For some reason, this story struck a nerve. An 80-year old had his 59-year career terminated by an impersonal e-mail from a faceless […]
Everything Should Be Made As Uncomfortable As Possible, But No Less Comfortable
When providing a voluntary carbon-offset scheme, make it as simple as possible, but not simpler, and tell people about it.
Kiwi Cultural Cringe is Alive and Well
New Zealand is too small for high-achievers and star-performers and does not offer enough challenges and rewards.
Don’t Rock The Titanic!
The pace of politics of transformation is glacial but it is unstoppable.