Simon Power needs to do some research
Simon Power talking on Q+A on Sunday showed a abysmal ignorance about how matters operate in his own portfolio. He blamed lawyers and […]
Social issues
Government and Industry response to factory farming pathetic
When Mike King, comedian, celebrity, and front-man for the pork industry’s advertisements for the past few years found out the truth about the […]
All the misinformation fit to print
The Herald are currently running a poll asking ‘[s]hould people facing charges punishable by less than three years imprisonment be able to be […]
Drinking Liberally Auckland
Join all your favourite lefty liberal drinkers at Drinking Liberally Auckland When: 7pm, Wednesday 20 May Where: Galatos, 17 Galatos Street, Newton (just […]
1600 Dead Again
Each year and every year, around 1600 New Zealanders die prematurely because we live in cold damp houses. This “excess winter death rate” […]
Power on Q+A
On Q+A this morning, Justice Minister Simon Power flew a kite on some possible changes to the justice system. The first was raising […]
The Defence Act is a dead letter
No Right Turn wrote a post on an important point of governance that needs more discussion. Reproduced with Idiot/Savant’s permission. Last week, we […]
The real apology
The PM’s office Melissa Lee has released an apology for her ‘crims on the motorway’ comments. Well, not a genuine apology – ‘it was […]
Going Backwards II
A recent piece in the New York Times highlights the absurdity of going backwards with the apparent reorganisation of the Families Commission around […]
Going backwards
I don’t know about you guys but when Family First says something is great I get worried. So when those reactionaries say NACT has […]
Thinking about a referendum on MMP
There is an interesting paper by Mai Chen in NZ Lawyer Online about the pros and cons of the referendum on MMP that […]
When more is less
Colin Espiner writes: “Another thing that’s being clearly signalled is that Labour’s previous spending promises in health and education won’t be honoured in […]
On the shootings in Napier
I’m sure I speak for everyone when I express my condolences towards the victims in the Napier shootings and the families of everyone […]
Act creates Wanganui fashion police
Last night, Chester Burrows’ bill allowing the council of Wanganui to ban people from wearing the insignia or symbols of any organisation they decide […]
School support staff fighting for a fair deal
Cut public spending then we can have tax cuts! It’s such a nice, appealing slogan when you say it fast without engaging the […]
Not my Leaders
Hide and Banks do not strike me as the kind of men you feel safe about having too much power. They never have […]
Farewell Michael
Well the other shoe has dropped, and Michael Cullen has now left parliament. His valedictory speech is classic Cullen – best line (re […]
When liberals become illiberal
Much as I disagree with those who oppose the freedom of same sex couples to marry, I also can’t stand those that attack […]
Another one bites the dust
And so another of John Key’s “big ideas” is shown to have been costed by monkeys. Treasury study suggests fibre plan will fall […]
Drinking Liberally Auckland – the future of Auckland governance
Join all your favourite lefty liberal drinkers at Drinking Liberally Auckland When: 7pm, Wednesday 29 April Where: London Bar – corner Queen and […]
Budget 2009: Why not tax the rich?
With the Government openly preparing the public for spending cuts in the upcoming Budget, No Right Turn reminds us that there are alternatives […]
Don’t fear the reaper
The Government’s response to the recession so far has been to curl up in a ball and hope it will go away. Incredibly, […]
Where’s my pony?
Umm, some posts we get sent are a bit quirky. Enjoy. _____________________________ OK. I’ll confess. I’m one of the ones who fell for […]
Look Mum they stole my city …
After the success of the meetings about the super-city in Waitakere and Manakau yesterday, here are a few more of interest in date […]
Govt still refuses to act on youth smoking
A couple of months ago you may remember Tony Ryall rejecting a health select committee recommendation that cigarettes and tobacco be kept out […]
Memo: Re: Torture
“You know what is in room 101, Winston. Everyone knows what is in room 101” The release last week of four memos from […]
When is the required referendum?
I agree with the title of the Herald’s editoral today: “Let citizens have say on Super City“. Unfortunately, the editoral itself is wishy-washy. […]
Vote Yes
Why are the questions in citizens-initiated referenda always written by idiots? You want people to vote for your cause, right? So frame the […]
Veitch saga shows it really is no longer OK
I know it’s not The Standard’s style to follow the media in the disgusting practice of turning real people’s lives into soap opera but there […]
Turning a blind eye
Unlike some of the other Standard writers, I don’t usually find Fran O-Sullivan too bad but her reporting of Key’s trip to China […]
Bad medicine
What plan? Government incoherent
Peeking through the OECD policy brief there were some interesting issues when looking at the short-term economic issues over the next few years. […]
Nats still involved in dodgy donations
The Herald covers some of the donations to parties and candidates before the election. One of the big donors was the Road Transport […]
NZ’s debt in perspective
Remember when John Key used to say “New Zealand has a growth problem, not a debt problem”? He doesn’t say that anymore, which […]
Mana enhancement
The Maori Party MPs always read from pre-prepared speeches in the House. Here’s one they might like to read on Budget Day: We […]
Chopper’s vice
Trevor Mallard reminded us in comments of another story that illustrates Anne “Chopper” Tolley’s great intellect. Soon after she became minister, Tolley had […]