The Useful Rich
New Zealand’s rich are endlessly fascinating, but as wealth concentrates ever tighter we are poorer.
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Wanaka Has No Crime
The purpose of everyone in New Zealand is to keep Wanaka pure.
Peak NZ Liberal
As National dismantles with speed some of the institutional reforms made by the last Labour Government the concern is that we may have witnessed the peak in progressive influence.
The Mini Budget Today
Don’t let anyone be fooled this Christmas dinner by what National is setting out today.
How To Make Bad Law
The cutting of Regulatory Impact Statements is a very serious weakening of holding lawmakers and decision makers to account.
The inspiring Pope Francis
Pope Francis has been pope for a bit over 10 years. He’s made a difference.
Labour needs to open the military-political front
The new National coalition cares little about defence. Defence is surprisingly a large and under-appreciated strength for Labour.
Just One Term
There is every reason to believe National will be chucked out in 2026.
The Left Do Not Own Maori
Labour, the Greens and liberal parts of the media have not adjusted to the fact that liberal and Maori are different things.
Highlights quoted out of the National-New Zealand First coalition agreement
Some of the more unusual policies from the National-New Zealand First coalition agreement.
Terror, human shields, and de-legitimising Israel
Hamas is deploying a set of tough ethical calculations as it planned its attack on Israeli civilians to kill, rape, and kidnap as it did.
What Is peace Anyway?
We are further away from peace in parts of the world than a decade ago. But pessimism about peace isn’t a foregone conclusion.
Australia just made a high impact treaty with a Pacific Island state that puts a question on New Zealand about climate change
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano have announced a deal whereby Australia is offering permanent residency to Tuvaluans affected by climate change, and a security guarantee that will bind both countries close together.
The Injustice of Blackball
There is no “just transition” occurring on New Zealand’s west coast and there should be.
Politics By The Armful
I’m going to show you what a large scale effective political act in a second hand store looked like recently.
Israel and Saudi Arabia
I don’t want to talk about Saudi Arabia but it’s time.
Skyfall comes to Wellington
Skyfall was 10 years ago but it has a message for all public servants local or central as you choose your vote.
The Greens In Real Government in October 2023
What happens if the Green Party gets 10% of the vote and the top 9 get in. And say they get to form a government. What would Greens in Cabinet look like?
An ACT New Zealand
What will New Zealand look like if Act forms part of the next Government?
This Election we need to talk About China
Yes we could do the next five weeks on teeth and taxes, but actually China is pulling us down and our political parties need to make it an election issue.
CHL’s Tarras Airport Idea is Unbelievably Stupid
Queenstown Airport has over three decades generated a radial wealth local effect. The economic and social uplift has been massive. That doesn’t mean there will be similar economic benefits by building another one within just over an hours’ drive of the first one.
New Zealand’s Greatest Economic Threat is Fonterra
Fonterra represents New Zealand’s largest internal economic threat. And promise.
Why New Zealand First Will Get Back In
Winston’s term with Ardern shows what high-delivery, low-foolishness government looked like. That’s why he’s rising again.
Barbie Will Save The World
Ad believes the Barbie Movie will be a mobilising element in regaining Democrat balance in Congress (maybe not the Senate) and the White House.
We Need to Talk About Blackrock
How come New Zealand got to build an entire electricity generating system that lasted for 70 years without much private capital from one massive dam to geothermal and all those pylons and substations and network systems without Blackrock?
National is no nation builder
Nation building projects always take multiple terms, and the risk of Labour losing puts at risk some of the largest and most important we’ve seen in generations.
Donald Trump indicted for trying to overthrow the US government
The question the citizens of the United States will have to ask shortly is not merely how on earth a person like this is a viable candidate for president. The question is really: how could the United States enable a sitting President to carry out this scale of crime?
Should We Worry About Green and Maori Party Taxes?
We need to recognise our risk to the capital flight risk of the 1%, but also recognise the benefit to the 99% of us.
Future Green Wins Will Be Hard
It does not mean they are not worth trying; it means they will be fights against entrenched power.
Year of the Long Grind 2
There will be no respite for any of us this year and National has no cure for it.
Is Manasseh Sogovare Ungrateful, Greedy, or Just Playing Us All?
The Solomon Islands signed an agreement with China on law enforcement and security matters suggests that New Zealand should review the decades of support given to the Solomon Island Government.
How Hipkins Can Still Win
Hipkins being himself is his election-winning attribute.
Prime Minister Hipkins on the Trade Price of Everything
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins spoke this week on how the Government is acting to protect and advance the safety and security of New Zealand and New Zealanders while dealing with those countries that have most influence over us.
Proper Race Politics In Your Face
Who has the better take on the Treaty of Waitangi? Julian Batchelor or Sir Apirana Ngata?
Hipkins in China
A weakened Russia is a Russia made more dependent on China. New Zealand is also deeply reliant on China.
Why Public Ownership Is Great
In the absence of any political party stating clearly that public ownership of major infrastructure is a very good idea, here’s 10 good things public ownership of infrastructure does that private ownership doesn’t.