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OpinionDecember 18

Lifetime's learning, insights peculiar privilege of journalism

Colin James, as he retires as a regular newspaper columnist, reflects on the role of, and the privilege of being, a journalist.
Lifetime's learning, insights peculiar privilege of journalism
Lifetime's learning, insights peculiar privilege of journalism
NationalJanuary 22

Ratana visit strengthening Maori ties

Prime Minister John Key will be welcomed to Ratana at 1.30pm today, in a visit to a place which has special significance for political leaders.
NationalJanuary 21

Ministry told to cut conference

News that Health Minister Tony Ryall has ordered his ministry to cancel a conference next month of more than 300 health professionals has caused a mild case of hand-wringing in Wellington, particularly from the Opposition.
NationalDecember 17

Leaders finding their feet at question time

Prime Minister John Key showed he was going to be a formidable target when he fielded his first set of questions in Parliament today.
Leaders finding their feet at question time
Leaders finding their feet at question time
NationalDecember 16

Goff and Key to square off

Labour leader Phil Goff gets his first chance this afternoon to question new Prime Minister John Key on whether he has confidence in his ministers and why but the Government is also planning an attack on some of Labour's unfunded legacies.
NationalDecember 15

Labour relishing chance to attack Govt

Senior Labour MPs are eagerly awaiting the start of Parliament this afternoon because they are expecting to get their first chance to ask questions of the new Cabinet ministers.
NationalDecember 11

Urgency of new Government no surprise

At the risk of seeming completely out of step with some of my fellow political commentators, I do not have a problem with the new Government rushing through Parliament legislation it wants passed before Christmas.
NationalDecember 10

Maori Party opposed to employment Bill

The first cracks in the relationship between the National and Maori parties appeared last night when the five Maori MPs decided unanimously not to support the Government's Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which was introduced to Parliament under urgency.
Maori Party opposed to employment Bill
Maori Party opposed to employment Bill
NationalDecember 10

Business at breakneck speed

Labour made a meal yesterday of the debate in the House on the Taxation (Urgent Measures and Annual Rates) Bill, complaining the urgency motion prevented public input into the tax changes being introduced by the Government.
NationalDecember 9

Two new Dunedin MPs swear allegiances

Dunedin South MP Clare Curran and National list MP Mike Woodhouse were sworn in yesterday to officially become Dunedin's two newest MPs.
Two new Dunedin MPs swear allegiances
Two new Dunedin MPs swear allegiances
NationalSeptember 25

Maori vote courted with sitting of Bills

The importance of the Maori vote in deciding the next government was amply demonstrated in Parliament yesterday as five individual Treaty Settlement Bills were debated under urgency.
NationalSeptember 24

Key roasted at question time

The National Party lost momentum in the House today during question time when Prime Minister Helen Clark and Finance Minister Michael Cullen turned the tables on leader John Key over his buying and selling of Tranz Rail shares.
NationalSeptember 24

PM should hear Benson-Pope

It is unclear whether Prime Minister Helen Clark will be in Parliament at 5.30pm today when Dunedin South MP David Benson-Pope gives his farewell speech in the House. But she should be.
NationalSeptember 23

Labour buoyed by wins against Key

Labour Party MPs had more of a bounce in their step yesterday as they started to believe the balance of public opinion was about to shift towards them following some wins by Finance Minister Michael Cullen against National Party leader John Key.
NationalSeptember 23

Labour MPs ready to 'skewer' Key

National Party leader John Key has started his damage control on his holdings in Tranz Rail shares as Labour MPs prepare to skewer him during question time in the House this afternoon.
NationalSeptember 22

Blatant last-minute electioneering

The "Wellington crowd" will this afternoon get to celebrate their rugby team winning the Ranfurly Shield when a parade starts from outside the old Government House at 12.45pm.
NationalSeptember 10

National may offer rebate on health insurance: Anderton

A National-led government is likely to offer tax rebates for people with private health insurance, according to Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton.
NationalSeptember 9

Another week, another leak: Trevor Mallard

What is happening in the National Party ranks?
NationalSeptember 8

Bills pushed through as Glenn talks

Parliament will today operate in parallel universes as the final session of the year draws to a close.
Bills pushed through as Glenn talks
Bills pushed through as Glenn talks
NationalSeptember 8

Agendas waiting for date to be set

The Government's much lauded, but also criticised, emissions trading scheme legislation should pass into law today, leaving Prime Minister Helen Clark with no further excuse to delay naming an election date, except she does not have to yet.
NationalSeptember 8

November 8 looks likely date for election

November 8 is looking the most likely date for the election but Prime Minister Helen Clark is still keeping it to herself.
NationalSeptember 4

Act leader raises stakes against Peters

Act New Zealand leader Rodney Hide has raised the stakes in the battle he is waging against New Zealand First leader Winston Peters by laying a complaint with the police against the party.
Act leader raises stakes against Peters
Act leader raises stakes against Peters
OpinionSeptember 4

False election campaign being waged

The imitation election campaign continues in Parliament as the Government rams through last-minute legislation it needs passed under urgency.
False election campaign being waged
False election campaign being waged
NationalSeptember 3

Peters likely to fill urgency vacuum

Parliament was sitting under urgency yesterday as the Government continued with its programme of passing legislation before the election, the date of which is still unknown.
NationalSeptember 3

Politicisation concerns PM

As New Zealand First leader Winston Peters reappears before the privileges committee this morning to answer questions relating to a $100,000 donation from expatriate billionaire Owen Glenn, Prime Minister Helen Clark has raised concerns about the politicisation of the process.