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Mike Houlahan
Mike Houlahan
Mike HoulahanPolitical Editor
mike.houlahan@odt.co.nz

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NationalAugust 12

Opinion: Send in the clowns as ringmaster Luxon wins again

Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins do not agree about a lot, but they were likely unified on one front today.
Opinion: Send in the clowns as ringmaster Luxon wins again
Opinion: Send in the clowns as ringmaster Luxon wins again
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OpinionAugust 11

Awaiting the PM, whoever you are

On Friday the Prime Minister will be in Christchurch to speak at the South Island Election Conference. And who might the Prime Minister be? We’ll come back to you on that one.
Awaiting the PM, whoever you are
Awaiting the PM, whoever you are
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DunedinAugust 11

Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, stuck in the middle with Eb at OUSA debate

THERE can be few things worse than being at work and quietly going about doing your job while, unbeknownst to you, you might not actually have a job tomorrow.
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, stuck in the middle with Eb at OUSA debate
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, stuck in the middle with Eb at OUSA debate
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OpinionAugust 7

A reminder to Te Pāti Māori of the talent they have squandered

TE Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris does not get that many days in the Parliamentary sun.
A reminder to Te Pāti Māori of the talent they have squandered
A reminder to Te Pāti Māori of the talent they have squandered
SouthlandAugust 1

Election 2026 interview: ACT’s Todd Stephenson

This week's Election 2026 political interview guest is Act New Zealand Southland list MP Todd Stephenson.
Election 2026 interview: ACT’s Todd Stephenson
Election 2026 interview: ACT’s Todd Stephenson
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OpinionJuly 31

So near but so far from unanimity on firearms reform

On March 23 2019, a week after the senseless and repugnant terror attack on two Christchurch mosques, I opined in this column that the looming reform of the Arms Act promised in the wake of that atrocity needed to be careful and considered, and that all New Zealanders needed to feel protected by any new laws.
So near but so far from unanimity on firearms reform
So near but so far from unanimity on firearms reform
DunedinJuly 31

Taieri candidate missing as Opportunity releases party list

The Opportunity Party has released its party list, which has its Dunedin candidate David Bainbridge-Zafar placed at a potentially electable 8.
Taieri candidate missing as Opportunity releases party list
Taieri candidate missing as Opportunity releases party list
NationalJuly 20

Election 2026 interview: National's Joseph Mooney

This week's Election 2026 political interview guest is National Southland MP Joseph Mooney.
Election 2026 interview: National's Joseph Mooney
Election 2026 interview: National's Joseph Mooney
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OpinionJuly 17

South gains the very first HOSI under freshly passed law

HOSI is such a strange little word; it feels like it should be the name of a type of medieval bagpipe or that of a mascot from the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
South gains the very first HOSI under freshly passed law
South gains the very first HOSI under freshly passed law
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OpinionJuly 10

The woes at Wakari reach the House of Representatives

Parliament is in recess now but before MPs departed for a break they put in the hard yards and then some.
The woes at Wakari reach the House of Representatives
The woes at Wakari reach the House of Representatives