Simon Cunliffe

Little trust in brave new online media world

Information has indeed become a battleground over which politicians and the media face off, some of the time in an uneasy truce, but just as often in a sparring, confrontational mode.

Cause and effect: the price of cheap money

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Never has been; never will be.

Education drives society's growth

I was out of town for the duration of the Festival of the Arts, sod's law, and in particular I was sorry to have missed the 50th anniversary of the University of Otago Burns Fellowship.

An unattractive league of their own

An unattractive league of their own

It was Zoo Weekly magazine's Most Hated poll that got me going.

Greed and toxic loans: the music has stopped

In the 1987 movie Wall Street, directed by Oliver Stone, Michael Douglas, playing a particularly disinhibited corporate raider called Gordon Gekko, trumpets the memorable epithet, "Greed is good". Yuppies the world over cheered in the aisles.

Peters versus Glenn: bonfire of the vanities

Winston Peters has plundered a deep well of antagonism towards the media all his political life.

Key, leadership, and the audacity of hope

It's good to have role models, to aspire to the heights others reach, to see in world figures the virtues we would want to emulate in ourselves. To share their vision. To hope.

One night out drinking

Let's be clear about one thing: no-one made the crowd congregate on Castle St on Saturday night; no-one forced them to go to the pub and get liquored up, some to the point of fall-down drunkenness; no-one forced them to go out and take advantage of the rock-bottom booze specials seemingly designed for the weekend; no-one asked them to act up for the cameras; no-one coerced the more reckless among them to heave bottles, stones and expletives at the gathered constabulary.

SMOKO: Nonstop gushing like a bad dose of norovirus

Unkind words have been said about our Olympic commentary team and, stick though it might in my patriotic craw, I have to say I agree with them.

SMOKO: Giving voice to hills and silent majority

Popped into the launch of Brian Turner's new book on Monday night: Into the Wider World - a back country miscellany.

The sweaty beginnings of enlightenment

I've been reading Greg McGee's Tall Tales (Some True): memoirs of an unlikely writer which is a rollicking good yarn if you're interested in rugby, writing and an insight into the curious machinations and contorted history of modern New Zealand theatre and television.

Winston's doing Labour a favour

Labour probably won't see it this way, saddled as it is with an embarrassing problem it could well do without, but in a small way, Winston Peters might actually have paid them a significant compliment.

More media scrutiny across the Tasman

I've just returned from a few days in Australia - a winter getaway to the Sunshine Coast - and was reminded once again just how close we are as countries. In all kinds of ways, but not least physically in this age of jet travel (carbon emissions notwithstanding).

Good to be in a place that counts

The terrace crowd during Saturday's All Blacks-Springboks match at Carisbrook. Photo by Peter...

Good to be in a place that counts

I was on the terrace on Saturday night, swaying with the jammed-in throng of good natured - if too-well-oiled - supporters from far and wide, shoulder to shoulder, voice to voice with this roiling communion of the faithful, washing down the occasion with Speight's and high spirits.

Exam marking: it's just obscene

If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all.

Is this man Clark Kent?

It's going to be a long year - deciphering policy from the promises and the public relations. And, on Monday, John Key demonstrated just why.

NZ trusts men in uniform eating chocolate

Every publication has to have one.

Criminal what can be done with a few facts

"New Zealand, A land fit for Criminals" - the roadshow, coming to a town hall near you.

He flew too close to the sun and got burnt

He flew too close to the sun and got burnt

Over Queen's Birthday, I read about the "honoured" and their many good works, and I read about a person who has slipped below the radar: a son of the manse, who grew up with fierce Christian pacifist beliefs, and who went on to become a prominent New Zealand citizen and a successful, if flawed, politician.

Smoko: Taking a closer look at new smacking poll

At University, the first time round, I majored in rugby and cricket, and minored in "social studies".

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Simon Cunliffe