Explore the archive
Find articles and conversations by date, subject or search expression.
Searching: posts Sorted by: newest Results: 31–50 of 50
Post
Should be no surprise to anyone that the Nats and Maori Party are cutting help for tabacco addicts while upping the cost of their ciggies. They don't care about better health. Don't care about helping poor people get off an expensive habit. It's all about sopping…
Post
Can we pease have some reporting on the actual issues in the super-major race and where the candidates stand? I'm so sick and tired of loading the news-sites to be told who spent what on what (with the implication that there's all a massive scandal…
Post
John Armstrong reports that Clare Curran is preparing a private members bill that would see more government work going to Kiwi businesses. I suspect this will have the free-market loonies up in arms despite the fact that procurement policies like this are pretty standard around…
Post
If I raised this question with respect to leftie politicians I'd be accused of all sorts of one eyed prejudice. So I'll raise it with respect to right wing politicians instead. John Banks is in the news again this morning for all the wrong reasons:…
Post
The documentary "There Once was an Island: Te Henua e Nnoho" that my partner Lyn Collie has spent her 'spare' time producing for the last four years is about to get it screened in New Zealand at the film festivals starting this weekend. It has…
Post
Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
Post
In today's ODT Colin James raises the question of how long Key will stay as the Prime Minister. James has been around too long to get caught out by hanging his hat on a prediction but he's not ruling out Key stepping down in his…
Post
Just spotted in the NZ Herald that receivers for the Crafar dairy farm empire have announced that state-owned farmer Landcorp has been unsuccessful in its attempt to buy the properties: Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said the failure of the Landcorp bid now meant Prime…
Post
Why let politicians have all the fun? Now the British public can get in on the service slashing action too - via Facebook. The government there has launched a Facebook group to support the Treasury's "Spending Challenge" - where the public is invited to share…
Post
"Major festival events linked to the 2011 Rugby World Cup could be shifted to Wellington because of Auckland's party central fiasco, Government sources say." - Tracy Watkins Wait, "Auckland's party central fiasco"? Whose idea was "party central" again? Oh right. John Key: "The current agreement…
Post
By David Farrar, Keith Ng, Rob Salmond, and Tim Watkin. Many people are concerned about the quality of public affairs journalism in New Zealand. Being concerned is a good start, but how can you take the next step? How can you help make it better?…
Post
New Zealand hero Pete Bethune isn't one for mincing his words - now that he's free to speak them. He's described the New Zealand Government as a "fat little lapdog" to Japan, eager to roll over and submit to the bullying of any power, no matter…
Post
NZPA reports Bill English is lining up more cuts for public services under the cover of getting the books in the black. According to English: In our first two Budgets, the Government took early steps to bring deficits and Government debt under control. We will…
Post
I think I decided quite some time ago that I don't want to be an MP. I was reminded of the decision recently when I had an interesting chat with someone who does want the job (and will very likely have it in 2011). The…
Post
Judith Collins is lauding the supposed economic benefits of the private prison at Wiri in South Auckland (soon to be filled with people sentenced under all these new laws the Nats, the party of freedom, are passing with no impact on the crime rate). Apparently,…
Post
Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
Post
A couple of headlines on the topic of National Standards caught my eye this morning. At time of writing the front page of Newsroom has the following: National Standards Support - Education Minister Anne Tolley says the overwhelming message from principals and school trustees gathered…
Post
In case you didn't spot it in the papers (who for reason seem to be covering it this time), the latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows support for John Key's National-led Government has strengthened to 58.5% (up 3%), comprising National Party 53% (up 2.5%),…
Post
Something that really boiled my blood a few weeks back, but which I haven't had a chance to write about yet was this post by National Party pollster David Farrar on the topic of a recent lull in homicides in a single police district. It…
Post
Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...