All capable of growing some more love
All capable of growing some more love
Embeded in some of the worst human actions is fine human action.
Commentary
Dotcom mess could give impetus to Labour
Dotcom mess could give impetus to Labour
One sad outcome of the Dotcom affair is that a rogue who should not have got residency has been transformed into a national celebrity.
How we changed over 60 years
How we changed over 60 years
We called her Betty Windsor in the 1960s, thinking to be smartly sniffy and disavow 1950s childhood awe at the imperial pageantry of the film A Queen is Crowned. But Elizabeth II finessed us: the "bourgeois monarchy" is still in business, respected more now than for decades.
Greens, Labour jostle for position
Greens, Labour jostle for position
Next Monday is the Queen's official birthday here: a time to mark her 60 years on the job. On Friday, a gathering near Upper Hutt will mark the 40th anniversary of the birth of the world's first national green party - one measure of the many deep changes in the Queen's Commonwealth.
Forums way to generate consensus, lasting policy
Forums way to generate consensus, lasting policy
Tony Ryall last week redistributed some money from the generally sick to cancer patients. Hekia Parata redistributed some from teacher numbers (class-size ratios) to training and testing the teachers (but not pay them more).
Blunt messages about a brave new future
Blunt messages about a brave new future
In politics there is the big and the small, the past and the future. Most prime ministers prefer the big and the future but usually spend much of their time on the small and the past.
A tide in the criminal affairs of men
A tide in the criminal affairs of men
Anne Tolley cracked the law-and-order whip last week: a lifetime register for child sex offenders. But is the public still enthusiastically for the "Crusher Collins" line on crime?
Various threats arise from one-armed bandit deal
Various threats arise from one-armed bandit deal
Here's a way to think small: park a box halfway up Auckland's Queen St and invite the world there for confabs, with views of office buildings and shops.
No return to the old 'ordinary'
No return to the old 'ordinary'
Economists and politicians talk endlessly of economic "recovery". But what are we "recovering" to?
Companies, grow some fit morals
Companies, grow some fit morals
Easter's just passed, a time to think of higher things; such as whether capitalism can have a moral purpose.
Time for a transtasman customs union?
Time for a transtasman customs union?
Here's a picture of Australia that may not be familiar: average net household wealth fell 6.5% in 2011 to be 11.5% below the 2008 peak; house prices are falling and sales last year were at a 17-year low; mortgage arrears are rising; retailers' profits have plunged; the construction industry is contracting sharply; GDP rose only 0.4% in the December quarter.
Comment: Key, Shearer must both be wary
Comment: Key, Shearer must both be wary
One thing voters look for in a government is sure-footedness. Vacillation and uncertainty are the kid brothers of vote-killing disunity. They give oxygen to opponents.
NZ brand, economic future tied
NZ brand, economic future tied
Last week, Climate Change Ambassador Jo Tyndall briefed "stakeholders" on the global negotiations, in which New Zealand has an outsize role.