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.
Mike Houlahan
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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.
A PM who was ‘anything but complacent’
A PM who was ‘anything but complacent’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is going, but she certainly will not be forgotten.
Time to ‘call it a day’ — Ardern resigns
Time to ‘call it a day’ — Ardern resigns
The annual Labour caucus retreat began yesterday with the ultimate withdrawal, the unexpected resignation of party leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Southern MPs understanding of Ardern's departure
Southern MPs understanding of PM’s departure
Labour's Southern MPs, like the rest of the country, were stunned yesterday when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation.
Woodhouse gets new job in Nats’ reshuffle
Woodhouse gets new job in Nats’ reshuffle
Talk about having your thunder stolen.
Time to ‘call it a day’ — Ardern resigns
Time to ‘call it a day’ — Ardern resigns
The annual Labour caucus retreat began yesterday with the ultimate withdrawal, the unexpected resignation of party leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
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Everyday events and some comedy served to lighten the grim times
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Everyday events and some comedy served to lighten the grim times
Despite the ravages of World Wars 1 and 2, life back home went on.