Students’ wellbeing at centre of new code
Last Friday, with whatever fanfare it might have received drowned out by the Howl of a Protest farmers rally, the Government released a new code of practice for the pastoral care of tertiary and...
Southern Say
Labour cannot afford to ignore rural concerns
Labour cannot afford to ignore rural concerns
For something set up as an apolitical organisation, farmer advocacy group Groundswell is having a heck of a political impact.
Southern say: No shortage of scrutiny for audit extensions
Southern say: No shortage of scrutiny for audit extensions
Fellow citizens, be warned, we are in a time of crisis: New Zealand is suffering a severe shortage of auditors.
Fake urine Bill stalls, but issue will surely be back
Fake urine Bill stalls, but issue will surely be back
If you have ever ventured the opinion that our politicians are taking the piss, Parliament gave you ample opportunity to repeat that claim on Wednesday.
Worry about fingers in monetary policy pie
Worry about fingers in monetary policy pie
Late on Tuesday evening, just before the country got completely distracted by the rude reappearance of Covid-19 on its radar screen, Parliament took another step towards reimagining how the Reserve...
Southern Say: Flock of Greens flying regularly to Dunedin
Southern Say: Flock of Greens flying regularly to Dunedin
Green MPs Elizabeth Kerekere and Eugenie Sage are in Dunedin tomorrow hosting a public meeting on housing. They aren't the first representatives to pop down in recent times - and they're not going to be the last, writes Mike Houlahan.
It is time to brace for fluoridation anger
It is time to brace for fluoridation anger
Columnists like to give the impression of being oracles, but it does not take prophetic powers to figure out what is going to happen after this week’s effort rolls off the presses.
Old Bills linger on, waiting for their time
Old Bills linger on, waiting for their time
There are some Bills which just sit around Parliament for years and years, jammed up in the process but moving no further forward.
Southern say: Q'town in focus as PMs pay visit
Queenstown in focus as PMs pay a visit
This weekend, Queenstown will be the centre of our political universe.
Grief, drive for change taken to committee
Grief, drive for change taken to committee
In the past few years, Dunedin woman Corinda Taylor had learned much more about the legal system than she ever wanted to.
Southern Say: Thorny debate keeps Dean’s hands full
Southern Say: Thorny debate keeps Dean’s hands full
Speaker Trevor Mallard has instituted a new policy in recent weeks, where each day one of his assistant Speakers reads the prayer which starts the proceedings of Parliament.
Accounting for climate brings rivals together
Accounting for climate brings rivals together
Politically, David Clark and Michael Woodhouse do not have that much in common.
Clark takes credit for getting reform rolling
Clark takes credit for getting reform rolling
Wednesday must have been a day of mixed feelings for David Clark.
Otago connections in Bill of Rights debate
Otago connections in Bill of Rights debate
On Wednesday afternoon, while MPs were upstairs making law, downstairs in committee room 3, some of their colleagues were contemplating a profound change to how those laws are made.
New National MP tells his rags-to-riches tale
New National MP tells his rags-to-riches tale
Just as circumstances prevented National’s newly-elected MPs from making their maiden speeches when they intended, Southern Say’s plans to look at those orations last week fell by the wayside.
Southern say: Hospital issues taken up in debate
Ambulance, hospital issues taken up in debate
Parliament broke fresh ground with its first "local issues" debate this week, offering MPs the chance to speak but, crucially, they need to focus on a matter of local rather than national importance.
Woodhouse’s attack role keeps him on the move
Woodhouse’s attack role keeps him on the move
As a member of the parliamentary rugby team, Michael Woodhouse keeps relatively fit, which is just as well given his punishing schedule on Wednesday morning this week.
Healthy debate proof parties can work together
Healthy debate proof parties can work together
It did not take long for Covid-19 to make its malign presence felt in the political debate of 2021, as the reappearance of the pandemic disease in the community dominated proceedings this week.
Petitions get a dedicated committee
Petitions get a dedicated committee
Cynics have been known to scoff that the go-to solution for a politician faced with a problem is to form a committee.
It is not easy being green, for any party
It is not easy being green, for any party
Last Sunday, with much fanfare, the independent Climate Change Commission released its draft advice to the Government about what it — and by extension all New Zealanders — need to do to meet the...