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.
Southern Say
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...
Southern say: Political machine (slowly) stirs back to life
Southern say: Political machine (slowly) stirs back to life
Politics is something that has largely happened elsewhere for the previous five weeks, something for which we should all probably be very grateful.
What a wild ride the year has been
What a wild ride the year has been
Back in 2010, to mark its 50th anniversary and to shake up its cast, Coronation Street’s writers scripted an explosion and tram crash which took out two prominent characters.
Urgency deals with pills and Bills
Urgency deals with pills and Bills
Over the Christmas break, Wanaka will host the hugely popular Rhythm and Alps music festival.
Privacy law refreshed to reflect the times
Privacy law refreshed to reflect the times
Privacy Commissioner John Edwards was in our patch this week, briefing institutions and individuals on far-reaching law changes about to take effect in his patch.
Woodhouse back in key role in shrunken caucus
Woodhouse back in key role in shrunken caucus
Given the rollercoaster ride he has been on this year, it is unlikely Dunedin-based National Party list MP Michael Woodhouse will remember 2020 fondly.
Clark out of purgatory for a second chance
Clark out of purgatory for a second chance
As a doctor of theology, Dunedin MP David Clark will be very familiar with the phrase "to err is human, to forgive is divine".
Decisions for Dunedin’s new Labour list MP
Decisions for Dunedin’s new Labour list MP
Labour Dunedin list MP Rachel Brooking is still learning to navigate her way through the myriad corridors of the Parliamentary complex, let alone the tangles of the Parliamentary process.
Act NZ propelled into new realms
Act NZ propelled into new realms
Tuesday's report in the Otago Daily Times that Act New Zealand was considering setting up a southern base following its record party vote return in the 2020 election was, predictably, greeted with...
Wealth-tax attack could well persuade some
Wealth-tax attack could well persuade some
SOUTHERN SAY: Tonight TVNZ hosts the final leader’s debate between Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins - a contest of wits in which the participants will have very different agendas.
Southern Say: Finish line finally within sight
The finish line is finally within sight
As Monday dawned, the opening notes of The Final Countdown came to mind.