Opinion: Who's really to blame for the Christchurch council fiasco?
If the mayor or any councillors at Christchurch City Council are reading this, it's probably going to make you feel a bit uncomfortable, writes John MacDonald.
Opinion
Luxon, Seymour deserve better - and we do too
John MacDonald: Luxon and Seymour deserve better - and we do too
I’m very tempted to send Christopher Luxon a text message saying ‘you reap what you sow mate’.
Taking the long way north
Taking the long way north
If you think it is difficult getting from the South Island to the North Island by train, think again - it’s more than difficult.
If Luxon's a chicken, Labour are turkeys
Opinion: If Luxon's a chicken, Labour are turkeys
The feathers are flying between Labour and Christopher Luxon over the leaders' debate which was to go ahead in Christchurch, writes John MacDonald.
From Ranfurly Shield glory to damage investigation
Opinion: From Ranfurly Shield glory to damaging NZR investigation
There are bad days and then there are breaking-the-Ranfurly-Shield-in-half-and-having-a-potential-drug-scandal-on-your-hands days, writes Jamie Wall.
Opinion: Don't sell us short council
Attn Christchurch City Council - don't sell us short
“I will not be selling any of these assets.” Guess who said that before last year’s council elections? None other than Phil Mauger who went on to become mayor, writes John MacDonald.
Dating Diaries: New Zealand’s sexiest region
Dating Diaries: New Zealand’s sexiest region
"One thing that’s clear from this sexy map is that it seems Kiwis have a bit of a thing for kink, especially in Canterbury," writes Lillie Rohan.
Torn over makeshift homeless camp
John MacDonald: I'm torn over Christchurch's makeshift camp for the homeless
A Christchurch surgeon and his partner have allowed a group of homeless people to set up a makeshift camp on their prime central city section near the five-star George Hotel.
Many buildings' seismic risks remain a mystery
Many buildings' seismic risks remain a mystery, despite quakes and standards
Tonnes of water being released on top of five wards full of patients in the 2011 Christchurch quake sounds like enough to wake anyone up. But a new report shows it was not.
Mum's nightmare ED experience with sick child
'Scene from a horror movie': Mum describes nightmare ED experience with sick child
"As a mum I was torn - sit and wait out six hours or more in the so-called 'emergency' department, or head home."
Another fire, another reason to ban fireworks
Opinion: Another fire, another reason to ban fireworks
After fireworks set off a big blaze in Canterbury overnight, John MacDonald asks is it time we got rid of them?
Christchurch police need an Eagle helicopter
Opinion: Christchurch police need an Eagle helicopter
The time has come for Canterbury to have a permanent police helicopter, writes John MacDonald.
The increasing speculation about Ardern quitting
Bryce Edwards: The increasing speculation about Jacinda Ardern quitting
PM Jacinda Ardern flies to Antarctica today, and her media spin doctors will be hoping for some good photo opportunities to lift the leader’s popularity. But they will be asking a lot, writes Bryce Edwards.
Will the real Phil Mauger please stand up
John MacDonald: Will the real Phil Mauger please stand up
I was confused about what Phil Mauger's priorities actually were before the election - and since he won the Christchurch mayoralty I'm even more confused, writes John MacDonald.
Record low voter turnout on the horizon
Record low voter turnout on the horizon
The vast majority of people are not inspired by what candidates have to offer and are not convinced voting in the local body elections really matters, Bryce Edwards writes.
'Don't take personal safety for granted'
John MacDonald: 'Don't take personal safety for granted'
How much of a hero was the passerby who pulled over and intervened to stop a man who was attempting to kidnap a woman in Fendalton?
Fboy Island scandal: What was TVNZ even thinking?
Fboy Island scandal: What was TVNZ even thinking?
The casting controversy surrounding FBoy Island has led to scrutiny about the role a public broadcaster should play in society.
30km/h limit won't 'make one iota of difference'
John MacDonald: 30km/h speed limits won't 'make one iota of difference'
John MacDonald questions a plan to reduce the speed limit on most major Christchurch roads - including Riccarton, Colombo St South, Papanui and Ferry Rds - to 30km/h.
Housing intensification: One size does not fit all
Lianne Dalziel: Housing intensification - 'one size does not fit all'
When it comes to housing intensification rules, the message from Christchurch is loud and clear - one size does not fit all, writes Mayor Lianne Dalziel.
Thumbs up for Chch flipping the bird at Govt
John MacDonald: Thumbs up for Chch flipping the bird at Govt
Right from the outset, the Govt's new housing intensification policy was a dog of an idea, writes John MacDonald.