1 million Aussies? Don’t get too excited
So 1,001,880 Australians visited New Zealand in the year to May, up 3.7% over the last May year despite the recession Yay? Well […]
The mask slips
The child beating lobby launched its “Vote No” campaign site today. They’ve worked hard in this campaign to present themselves as regular Kiwis […]
Protest for pay equity
Earlier this year the National/ACT government announced it would be closing the Department of Labour’s Pay and Employment Equity Unit, which was set […]
Treasury on swine flu
Here’s the key part of Treasury’s report on the impact of swine flu, released on Friday: Typically Treasury, it’s more interested in GDP […]
It’s got to be the woman’s fault
Now, some might want to look further into David Garrett’s misdemeanours. Some might ask how many strikes does this guy get?: Drunkenly equating […]
I call bullshit
I’d prefer not to wade into the David Garrett sexual harrassment fiasco, but having seen his pathetic blame-shifting in the media I’ve got […]
Knee-jerk wins again
Does anyone understand why prisons are so expensive to construct? They’ve got to be secure They’ve got to be safe for the prisoners […]
Lessons unlearnt
Matt McCarten, who has managed more than a few election campaigns, does a good post facto analysis of where National went wrong in […]
Pigs, kiwis… and a king!
From SAFE: Join Mike King, one of New Zealand’s leading comedians and pig campaigners, launch an exciting new pig-friendly initiative to help end […]
Focussing on the things that matter – to the Aussie banks
What on earth is going on between the National Party and the banks? The week before last Key and English were waxing hot […]
My two cents on Garrett
It’s a good outcome of the Worth scandal that these things are now being dealt with. Worth was known as a man women […]
Roger Douglas on Key and English
Commenting on Key’s policy to force the Guardians of the Super Fund to invest 40% of funds in New Zealand, ACT’s Roger Douglas […]
“I got the sucker”
Obama kills a fly with his bare hands. Awesome.
One hand giveth, the other taketh away
Last night at the Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards the New Zealand Police and Porirua City Council won the Prime Ministers Award for […]
Caption Competition
Answers still needed from Key
For some reason, Tracey Watkins’ blog is hidden away deep within the Stuff website, far from the other blogs. Which is a pity […]
Server Glitch
I’m unsure exactly what the server glitch was earlier today. The hosting company had a problem with our database going ballistic, so they […]
Pulling up the ladder behind her
Paula Bennett’s image as a Westie solo mum who’s been on the DPB has been an important part of National’s centrist branding. By […]
Unedifying
The Herald reports Pita Sharples has backed down on his demand to ‘open’ the universities to Maori. Now he says: “he wants Maori […]
The scandal that wasn’t there and the one that was
The Herald really really wants to uncover an expenses scandal like in the UK. Think of the fun they could have. But they’re […]
The Daily Refrain takes on Larry Baldock
So. There’s this dude who writes a song a day (weekdays only) and puts it on Youtube. Calls it The Daily Refrain. He’s […]
Is it any wonder the papers are dying?
Taken just now from the front page of Stuff.co.nz: Here’s something a little more substantial you might enjoy.
‘Supercity’ Select Committee Submissions Workshop
The University of Auckland’s Political Studies Department is hosting a free public workshop presented by Rob Thomas to assist people interested in making submissions to […]
350.org
This is the latest YouTube clip from 350.org, the international movement planning a worldwide day of protest on October 24 to demand our […]
On referenda and democracy
I have to disagree with the guest post below, which argues that because citizens’ initiated referenda tend to be brought by groups peddling […]
Who pays for swine flu?
A lot of people (like a million people or more according to the experts) are set to get sick from swine flu or […]
Do citizens-initiated referenda hamper democracy?
It’s hard to argue with the idea of referenda. What could be more democratic than citizens deciding precisely what issues the New Zealand […]
Still voting yes
I fully understand the political reasons for both Key and Goff not voting in the upcoming referendum. Neither want to have an official […]
Thursday theorisin’
Great quote from Gordon Campbell: “Faced with the dying embers of the Richard Worth scandal at his press conference John Key reached for gasoline” […]
National still hate women
Despite women being 51% of the population, and it being women who won National the last election, they are still showing their contempt […]
Baldock gets a smacking
The folks at The Yes Vote point to a hilarious exchange this morning between Sean Plunket and Larry Baldock on Morning Report. Challenged […]
Chauvel on loan sharks
No Right Turn has published an excellent guest post from Labour MP Charles Chauvel about his private member’s bill to stamp out loan […]
Key chickens out
What the hell’s going on with John Key’s leadership lately? He’s just chickened out of answering the traditional question from the Leader of […]
With friends like these…
Judy Kirk claims she didn’t show at Lee’s election night gathering because Coleman had told there was ‘plenty of support’. John Key didn’t […]
‘Crusher’ running scared
I’ve never been the biggest fan of Clayton Cosgrove, but he’s sure got ‘Crusher’ Collins running scared on her cuts to police vehicles. […]
Trust me, I’m the Prime Minister
Some thoughts on Key’s continuing refusal to tell us why he fired Worth. First, it’s tautological to say that a Prime Minister fired […]