Taxing matters
Sir Michael Cullen is one of the finest finance ministers New Zealand has produced.
Editorial
Preventing food terrorism and sabotage
Preventing food terrorism and sabotage
The integrity of our food supply chain has become ever more important as the global market place has shrunk thanks to improved freight options.
Aurora must front up
Aurora must front up
The Commerce Commission's decision to take Aurora to court appears to vindicate the fierce criticism the company has faced for putting profits over replacing rotting power poles and other crucial...
The goal of affordable electricity
The goal of affordable electricity
Electricity prices have been a major burden for some of New Zealand's less well-off.
Editorial: Future of Otago water concerns all
Future of Otago water concerns all
Those observing last week's landmark Otago Regional Council vote about the handling of Central Otago water issues might feel excused from needing to understand what happened. But actually, there is...
Accountability needed at Fonterra
Accountability needed at Fonterra
Fonterra is a major part of the New Zealand economy. It is the country’s largest company and its fortunes affect not only dairy farmers but also the wider community.
1080 debate should die but will not
1080 debate should die but will not
The case for 1080 use in New Zealand’s forests is overwhelming, no matter the fervent protests of the past two weeks.
Time to wrest back control
Time to wrest back control
On the face of its, National dodged a bullet when New Zealand First leader Winston Peters decided to support a Labour-led Government.
Editorial: Te Reo a taonga for us all
Te Reo a taonga for us all
It was 1975 when the first Maori Language Week was celebrated in New Zealand.
Removing cellphone black spots
Removing cellphone black spots
News a date has been set for the introduction of cellphone coverage across the Lindis Pass will come as some relief to the emergency services and roading contractors covering what is the South...
Winter Games a win for South
Winter Games a win for South
The two-week-long Winter Games wrapped up last Saturday, bringing an end to a period of festivity, high-achievement and excitement for much of the South.
Unrealistic expectations for landlords
Unrealistic expectations for landlords
As spring approaches, thoughts of warmer and sunny days enter the minds of people who have been cold in their homes over winter.
Councils disconnecting with public
Councils disconnecting with public
Open democracy has taken a blow at the Dunedin City Council.
Racing industry's integrity at stake
Racing industry's integrity at stake
New Zealand's harness racing industry has been shaken to the core as leading trainers and drivers face court appearances charged with either connection to race-fixing or supplying drugs.
PM's Nauru trip a lost chance
PM's Nauru trip a lost chance
Reaching the top levels of political leadership can sometimes blind people to the way the rest of the world works. So it has seemed over the last week as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern defended her...
Self-belief Invercargill's biggest asset
Self-belief Invercargill's biggest asset
Few New Zealand towns have been the butt of more jokes than Invercargill. Mick Jagger famously compared the southern city to an unsavoury orifice and for the last several decades many New...
Queenstown must look to Europe
Queenstown must look to Europe
There is an elephant lurking in the room that is Queenstown's housing crisis, despite this week's well-received announcements by Housing Minister Phil Twyford.
Dunedin in the Pink
Dunedin in the Pink
What a buzz. The Ed Sheeran concerts left a broad afterglow in Dunedin, and the Pink concert on Saturday night achieved the same result, albeit not quite on the same scale.
Pussyfooting around the issue
Pussyfooting around the issue
Furry, purring bundles of cuddly love? Or vicious killers of precious native fauna?
Free speech and Chelsea Manning
Free speech and Chelsea Manning
The irony is stark.