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OpinionJuly 2

Parliament must be final arbiter on Treaty

We are witnessing a tussle between the courts and Parliament as to who is in charge.
Parliament must be final arbiter on Treaty
Parliament must be final arbiter on Treaty
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OpinionJune 18

If you cannot do it, should you decide who will be doing it?

Water is the most critical issue we face.
If you cannot do it, should you decide who will be doing it?
If you cannot do it, should you decide who will be doing it?
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OpinionJune 4

What is the future for the Waitangi Tribunal?

Now that the Treaty Principles Bill has been consigned to the bin some who want to keep up the conversation about sovereignty and rangatiratanga (Māori self-determination), are refocusing on the Waitangi Tribunal.
What is the future for the Waitangi Tribunal?
What is the future for the Waitangi Tribunal?
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OpinionMay 21

Talking around the issues without the complete picture

If Andrea Vance in The Sunday Star Times had wanted to bring the media into increased disrepute she could not have done a better job than her contribution in that paper on May 11.
Talking around the issues without the complete picture
Talking around the issues without the complete picture
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OpinionMay 7

Council water race a merry-go-round

Throwing out the Three Waters reform because it included co-governance was understandable. But having the government take over the delivery of clean water to communities and the removal of wastewater may be a good idea.
Council water race a merry-go-round
Council water race a merry-go-round
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OpinionApril 23

Dual heritage needs proper accounting

Lies, damn lies, and statistics.
Dual heritage needs proper accounting
Dual heritage needs proper accounting
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OpinionApril 9

Count risks, rewards of new development

Queenstown Lakes has a plan to require developers to contribute to affordable housing. Other councils are interested in this idea.
Count risks, rewards of new development
Count risks, rewards of new development
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OpinionMarch 26

Should we reassess our entry priorities?

Māori and members of other priority groups’ entry to Otago Medical School require 65% average grades. Others need to achieve over 90%.
Should we reassess our entry priorities?
Should we reassess our entry priorities?
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OpinionMarch 12

Time that we took a look at spending

If we really want to take control of horrendous rates increases we need a major change in the way we look at spending by our councils.
Time that we took a look at spending
Time that we took a look at spending
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OpinionFebruary 26

Think of principles and proportionality

For those who think the Treaty of Waitangi does not need further definition to take us into the future, it is worth thinking about how our democracy functions.
Think of principles and proportionality
Think of principles and proportionality
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OpinionFebruary 12

Council spending needs close watch

With the huge rises being proposed for rates, it is vital we receive value for money.
Council spending needs close watch
Council spending needs close watch
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OpinionJanuary 29

An eye on a dollar, an eye on the road

Driving blind is no way to make decisions about spending, especially spending other people’s money.
An eye on a dollar, an eye on the road
An eye on a dollar, an eye on the road
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OpinionJanuary 15

Circling around how decisions are made

Various councillors have justified big rates increases on the basis that either the government has been demanding extra or that we as residents have insisted on increased services.
Circling around how decisions are made
Circling around how decisions are made
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OpinionJanuary 1

Constitutional law: it is all the rage

Who would have thought we could get the people of New Zealand to spend hours talking about constitutional issues in 2024?
Constitutional law: it is all the rage
Constitutional law: it is all the rage
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OpinionDecember 4

We all have a duty to deliver our own rights

We are discovering ever increasing rights which we imagine others must deliver for us.
We all have a duty to deliver our own rights
We all have a duty to deliver our own rights
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OpinionNovember 20

Better question is: who governs NZ?

The real and important question around the Treaty is whether the boring but democratically elected House of Representatives governs New Zealand or whether it is ruled by a much more exciting taniwha, protective to some but dangerous to others.
Better question is: who governs NZ?
Better question is: who governs NZ?
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OpinionOctober 9

Making an informed decision the first time

You could be forgiven for thinking that the interminable meetings the ORC are having about their LWRP are a skirmish between environmental white knights and evil environmental vandals,
Making an informed decision the first time
Making an informed decision the first time
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OpinionJuly 31

Being eagle-eyed and doing one’s job

The Dunedin City Council has every right to have "eagle eyes over every cent" (as is suggested in the ODT 20.7.24).
Being eagle-eyed and doing one’s job
Being eagle-eyed and doing one’s job
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OpinionJuly 17

An agreement we can agree to disagree on

Defining what the Treaty of Waitangi means to all of us collectively seems like the Mt Everest of tasks.
An agreement we can agree to disagree on
An agreement we can agree to disagree on
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OpinionJuly 3

Unrealistic surmises and the real world

If disappointment is the gap that exists between expectation and reality, we are setting ourselves up for some serious disappointments.
Unrealistic surmises and the real world
Unrealistic surmises and the real world
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OpinionJune 19

Consultation is key to nobody listening

Consultation by local councils and government is now an expensive waste of time and money.
Consultation is key to nobody listening
Consultation is key to nobody listening
OpinionJune 5

Battle over place of tikanga is looming

Parliament and the courts are heading for a confrontation around the place of the Treaty and the place of tikanga.
Battle over place of tikanga is looming
Battle over place of tikanga is looming
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OpinionMay 22

Plain talk needed to assess achievement

It is no surprise that charter schools are on the agenda again.
Plain talk needed to assess achievement
Plain talk needed to assess achievement
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OpinionMay 8

Whatever it was for, it was not for water

As the government moves on from Three Waters it is time for a review of the nitty gritty of what actually happened in Otago under the proposal.
Whatever it was for, it was not for water
Whatever it was for, it was not for water
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OpinionApril 24

Do we really need a regional council?

Suggestions for reducing rates so far have just been tinkering.
Do we really need a regional council?
Do we really need a regional council?