NZ First candidate could be decisive
The worst-kept secret in politics was finally confirmed this week, with the announcement that Mark Patterson will stand for New Zealand First in Taieri this election.
Southern Say
Lawmakers grapple with sharks, lasers
Lawmakers grapple with sharks, lasers
Politicians are often likened to sharks, but on Wednesday the actual animals had their time in the spotlight in Parliament as Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie’s member’s Bill to permit shark cage diving...
Bill’s semantics can affect industry a lot
Bill’s semantics can affect industry a lot
The law of unintended consequences is a given in most of life’s endeavours, but never more so than in politics.
Parties clash over mental health frameworks
Parties clash over mental health frameworks
"This is a happy occasion," Dunedin North MP David Clark trilled to the House, as the Health Minister steered the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill through its committee stages.
Clark’s actions could cost Dunedin dear
Clark’s actions could cost Dunedin dear
One of the sad truths of politics is that it is incredibly punishing on the families of MPs.
Southern Say: Epidemic committee proves its worth
Epidemic committee proves its worth
It's Parliament Jim, but not as we know it.
What kind of unity will parties show?
What kind of unity will parties show?
On Monday, as a hypothetical exercise, blogger David Farrar imagined who would be in a ‘‘Government of National Unity’’ created to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Govt’s green image to be grilled
Govt’s green image to be grilled
It will not be her grand reveal as National’s conservation spokeswoman, but Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean takes her first major step in her new portfolio this weekend at the party’s Blue Green forum, writes political reporter Mike Houlahan.
National playing a dangerous game over virus
National playing a dangerous game over virus
OPINION: Normally, times of emergency are non-contentious and non-political; it is not regarded as the done thing to try to score points from a government grappling with potential or actual...
Te Tai Tonga looks intriguing contest
Te Tai Tonga looks intriguing contest
New does not really have political dynasties, but the Tirikatene family comes pretty close to the definition.
Southern Say: Does Labour’s package favour North?
Does Labour’s package favour the North?
Parliament does not open its doors until February 11, but the political year is already well and truly under way.
Electorate jigsaw a tricky one to work out
Electorate jigsaw a tricky one to work out
Where in the world does it make sense that the Clutha district is not in the Clutha electorate, that a decent chunk of Dunedin’s southern suburbs are in Dunedin North, and that the deeply inland...
Not too much football over mental health
Not too much football over mental health
In December, when the long-awaited report on mental health and addiction services was released, its authors included within its 219 pages a plea to politicians not use the subject as a political...
MPs thought carefully on euthanasia
MPs thought carefully on euthanasia
Not every issue politicians debate is a matter of life and death but on Wednesday that was, literally, the topic of the day.
Legislation a legacy for totemic Donald
Legislation a legacy for totemic Donald
Fourteen years ago this week, Green Party co-leader Rod Donald suddenly, shockingly died.
Presents from Santa Shane's bulging sack
Presents from Santa Shane's bulging sack
Father Christmas came early this week, in the form of Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and his Santa Sack, otherwise known as the Provincial Growth Fund.
Human side of politics on display
Human side of politics on display
Contrary to what some might believe, politicians are actually people.
Members' worthwhile Bills left to languish
Members' worthwhile Bills left to languish
A few years ago, Parliament reviewed the rules concerning member's Bills, partly in the hope of allowing more MPs a chance of getting their proposed law reforms considered.
National ganging up as election year nears
National ganging up as election year nears
Gangs and politicians have a symbiotic relationship: as long as we have had gangs, politicians have been pledging to crack down on them.
Dowie positives outweigh any residual negatives
Dowie positives outweigh any residual negatives
In a race of any kind a clean get-away is essential, and Invercargill National MP Sarah Dowie has managed just that.