SECTIONS

commentary

OpinionDecember 11

Politician of year - and one of four decades

It's time to anoint the politician of 2017. It has to be Jacinda Ardern.
Politician of year - and one of four decades
Politician of year - and one of four decades
OpinionDecember 4

A population challenge bigger than just numbers

National will soon have some finance numbers to get its teeth into. So will Labour, writes Colin James.
A population challenge bigger than just numbers
A population challenge bigger than just numbers
OpinionNovember 27

Ardern's choice: sticking plasters or building assets

It has been a month for centenaries of revolutions: Vladimir Lenin's Russian coup and Martin Luther's challenge to Catholic authorities. Their legacies are very different.
Ardern's choice: sticking plasters or building assets
Ardern's choice: sticking plasters or building assets
OpinionNovember 20

Has service to the public become servility to ministers?

Here's a number to make the new Government’s day: 48% more people are positive than are negative about where the country is now going.
OpinionNovember 13

Grow up, petty Parliament!

Senior ministers have been abroad on national business: trade and climate change.
Grow up, petty Parliament!
Grow up, petty Parliament!
OpinionNovember 6

Tax will be the ultimate reform test

Bill English's mission is to stop the new Government "frittering away'' his government's fiscal and economic gains.
Tax will be the ultimate reform test
Tax will be the ultimate reform test
OpinionOctober 30

Opportunity for Ardern over 'wellbeing'

Jacinda Ardern's intricately-interlocked ministry is in place. The BIMs have been delivered. One will likely open a door to a wide new space Ardern will want to drive into.
Opportunity for Ardern over 'wellbeing'
Opportunity for Ardern over 'wellbeing'
OpinionOctober 23

Can Ardern set NZ on crucial path into 2020s?

Yesterday was Labour Day. Actually, it was Labour day last Thursday, courtesy of Winston Peters.
Can Ardern set NZ on crucial path into 2020s?
Can Ardern set NZ on crucial path into 2020s?
OpinionOctober 16

A turning point in our international positioning?

Usually, domestic matters are top of mind for a prime minister. But whoever is prime minister - still unknown at the time of writing - will face what may be the biggest foreign policy challenge in a generation.
A turning point in our international positioning?
A turning point in our international positioning?
OpinionOctober 9

This is the world of MMP - get used to it

There has been much ''grumping'' that Winston Peters and New Zealand First, with a 7.2% vote, decide who leads the government. That's MMP.
This is the world of MMP - get used to it
This is the world of MMP - get used to it
OpinionOctober 2

What form will the next Maori party take?

To borrow the formula for English monarchs: the Maori Party is dead; long live the Maori Party. But who will the successor be?
What form will the next Maori party take?
What form will the next Maori party take?
OpinionSeptember 11

Opinion: Joyce's 'fake news' fiscal hole backfires

Experienced political commentator Colin James says Finance Minister Steven Joyce's fiscal hole claim was "fake news" which has backfired badly for National.
Opinion: Joyce's 'fake news' fiscal hole backfires
Opinion: Joyce's 'fake news' fiscal hole backfires
OpinionSeptember 4

Changes afoot with younger parliament

There is one certainty in this election of upsets, diversions and career endings: Parliament will be younger. The under-40s will swell in number. So will the lower-40s.
Changes afoot with younger parliament
Changes afoot with younger parliament
OpinionAugust 21

Labour launch strong on personality and positioning

The good news for Labour at its campaign launch on Sunday was Jacinda Ardern: sure-footed, traditional-and-modern and an overflow crowd ranging from fired-up to goggle-eyed.
Labour launch strong on personality and positioning
Labour launch strong on personality and positioning
OpinionAugust 14

Economics 101 Ardern's priority

Economies don't work quite the way they used to. Will Labour convincingly address that at its official campaign launch on Sunday?
Economics 101 Ardern's priority
Economics 101 Ardern's priority
OpinionJuly 24

Liberty lesson for nation in a bubble

The chief guardian of freedom in the ``land of the free'' will give a speech tomorrow evening. But it will not be free. Welcome to today's wobbly ``Western'' world.
Liberty lesson for nation in a bubble
Liberty lesson for nation in a bubble
OpinionJuly 17

Labour needs bold policies, not caution to start making inroads

Tomorrow, with the weekend's mid-ranked parties' conferences over, Labour will have another go at getting traction.
Labour needs bold policies, not caution to start making inroads
Labour needs bold policies, not caution to start making inroads
OpinionJuly 10

Power beckons but to which party?

The third- and fourth-ranked parties will hold their pre-election conferences this weekend in Auckland.
Power beckons but to which party?
Power beckons but to which party?
OpinionJuly 3

Is 'social investment' a passing fad?

Expect to be assailed day-in-day-out in the election campaign with "social investment''.
Is 'social investment' a passing fad?
Is 'social investment' a passing fad?
OpinionJune 26

Dull and constrained; a winning combo

Here's an imaginary Bill Labour and National could usefully join forces to pass after the election: tighter gun laws to stop people shooting themselves in the foot.
Dull and constrained; a winning combo
Dull and constrained; a winning combo
OpinionJune 19

Numbers fine - for now

Three months out from the election, the numbers are going National's way. But are they going the right way for the longer term?
OpinionJune 12

Rogue state, sad state and a hyper state

Rex Tillerson was here last Tuesday, days after the New York Attorney-general filed an action against the firm he headed.
Rogue state, sad state and a hyper state
Rogue state, sad state and a hyper state
OpinionJune 5

Many potential constitutional changes

Opinion polls tell us the republic is some way off. William, Kate, George and Charlotte keep us swooning.
Many potential constitutional changes
Many potential constitutional changes
OpinionMay 29

Unfinished business from the Richardson era

Steven Joyce's well foreshadowed reshuffle last Thursday of tax thresholds, rebates and allowances tells us there is unfinished business from the Ruth Richardson era.
Unfinished business from the Richardson era
Unfinished business from the Richardson era
OpinionMay 22

It's election time - oops, Budget time!

The usual stream of pre-Budget dish-outs has this year swelled to a torrent. What's up? An election.
It's election time - oops, Budget time!
It's election time - oops, Budget time!