Not given in vain
MP goes in to bat for rare ‘honour’
A Dunedin MP’s diligence confirmed a place of unusual prominence for an Otago soldier during the Gallipoli landings, Mike Houlahan writes.
Mike Houlahan
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Southern candidates’ struggles
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Southern candidates’ struggles
It has not been a good few days for parties other than Labour hoping to elect MPs from the southern region to Parliament.
Sad ironies as patient’s advocacy lives on
Sad ironies as patient’s advocacy lives on
Parliament does not usually set out to be deliberately ironic, but often the way its processes work mean that it inadvertently gives one cause to shake one’s head.
Southern cancer patients harmed by long delays
Southern cancer patients harmed by long delays: report
Hundreds of people in Otago and Southland suffered harm as repeated calls to address dire wait times for cancer treatment were ignored, an explosive new report says.
Cancer report 'horrendous' read
Cancer report 'horrendous' read
Patient advocate Melissa Vining was utterly overwhelmed when she read the Health and Disability Commissioner’s scathing report on Southern cancer treatment services.
Brooking takes up Minister of Oceans and Fisheries position
Brooking takes up Minister of Oceans and Fisheries position
Dunedin list MP Rachel Brooking yesterday made a meteoric rise from first-term backbencher to be a minister of the Crown.
Triumph and tragedy spurs proposal
Triumph and tragedy spurs proposal
Everyone loves a sporting triumph — a Black Ferns World Cup, Wānaka young people winning Winter Olympic gold medals, an Otago woman topping the motorcycling world.
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Week of House firsts for southern MPs
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Week of House firsts for southern MPs
It was a week of firsts in Parliament for our southern MPs: Rino Tirikatene passed his first Bill as a minister and Joseph Mooney asked his first primary at Question Time.
DHB back from the dead for last huzzah
DHB back from the dead for last huzzah
It is Easter, approximately, the time when the resurrection is marked, so it seems a fitting time for district health boards to make a comeback from the dead.
MP’s time in House rained on by Nash
MP’s time in House rained on by Nash
Wednesday was meant to be Dunedin Labour list MP Rachel Brooking’s day in the sun.
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Locals give their views on PM’s statement
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Locals give their views on PM’s statement
The rolling maul of political punch and counterpunch that is the debate on the Prime Minister’s statement was brought to a halt on Wednesday, and southern MPs were at the front as it staggered...
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Forestry needs questioning, like all land use
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Forestry needs questioning, like all land use
With the greatest of respect to the multibillion-dollar timber industry, it would be fair to say that not many people’s first inclination when a political party announces a portfolio reshuffle is...
Accessibility Bill seen as talkfest, unenforceable
Accessibility Bill seen as talkfest, unenforceable
Back in August last year, Southern Say considered the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill, noting that very few of the people who the Government intended to help by passing it seemed very...
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Top has clear strategy for southern seats
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Top has clear strategy for southern seats
So, there we were, all agog at the prospect of Parliament being back after a two-month absence — go on, I know you were — when Cyclone Gabrielle derailed everyone’s thinking.
Reshuffles take a back seat to Hipkins’ big clean-out
Reshuffles take a back seat to Hipkins’ big clean-out
As you may recall, Labour and National did some cleaning over the summer break and neatly rearranged their front benches for the new parliamentary year.
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Clark pushes grocery industry Bill, shows health minister hospital site
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Clark pushes grocery industry Bill, shows health minister hospital site
There are plenty of moments in politics which seem like exercises in futility, and Monday morning served up another one.
New minister sees hospital as key issue
New minister sees hospital as key issue
Incoming Health Minister Ayesha Verrall says the future of the new Dunedin Hospital project will be a major focus for her.
What of southern MPs after Ardern and reshuffle?
What of southern MPs after Ardern and reshuffle?
January is usually a sleepy month in New Zealand politics, when very little happens and topical columns take a break due to there being, well, very few topics to discuss.
Labour reacts well to crisis, avoids leadership battle
Labour reacts well to crisis, avoids leadership battle
The usually solid political management skills of Labour demonstrated over the past five years have been shaky in the past 12 months, but over the last three days it's reacted perfectly to an unexpected crisis.
‘Privilege and responsibility’
‘Privilege and responsibility’
A trip to Auckland today, the annual Ratana celebrations tomorrow, and being sworn in on Wednesday means Prime Minister-designate Chris Hipkins has little time to reflect on his sudden rise to power.