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Local representation lack in Parliament concerning
Parliament is not actually back at work yet, but its constituent parties have now at last worked out where their MPs will be sitting and what jobs they will be doing.
Southern Say
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Forming govt: ‘Complainers need to get a grip’
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Forming govt: ‘Complainers need to get a grip’
Earlier this week a reader emailed to ask what the enthusiastic proponents of electoral reform in the 1980s and ’90s made of the seemingly interminable delay in restoring politics as normal.
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Legislation facing reconsideration by new govt
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Legislation facing reconsideration by new govt
A fortnight ago, before illness laid me low, I suggested that readers had the advantage over me in that a new government might have formed after I had filed that week’s "Southern Say".
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Turnout in the South down across board
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Turnout in the South down across board
Now that the dust has settled a little, what lessons can we in the South learn from Election 2023?
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Greens visit to rally the troops, National not so much
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Greens visit to rally the troops, National not so much
As the election campaign enters the home stretch, the non marginal seats of Dunedin are not a magnet to most political party leaders — on that, more shortly.
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Small halls central to Act’s campaign
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Small halls central to Act’s campaign
There are many reasons why Act has its best asset in the Lake Wānaka Centre in prime time, rather than strutting the stage somewhere more populous.
Te Tai Tonga candidates join televised debate
Te Tai Tonga candidates join televised debate
‘Tis the season for election debates, with podiums and politicians springing up all over the place.
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Little cars fire up Luxon’s personality
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Little cars fire up Luxon’s personality
One of the biggest hurdles politicians have to clear is the mysterious, undefinable quality of likeability.
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Points scored by all in important debate
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Points scored by all in important debate
Political debates are a mixed breed.
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Southern say: Gutsy showing on campaign trail
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Gutsy showing on campaign trail
OPINION: As symbolism goes, the start of Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ day in Dunedin did not bode well.
Labour’s Verrall courts traditionally blue district
Labour’s Verrall courts traditionally blue district
If there is one truism about electioneering, it is that politicians will go where the votes are.
More successful than given credit
More successful than given credit
In what is likely Michael Woodhouse's last week in Parliament the Dunedin list MP made several thoughtful contributions which should have reminded National of the skills it has so carelessly discarded.
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Heartfelt testimonies impress committees
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Heartfelt testimonies impress committees
The final weeks of the parliamentary year are always hectic, as governments strive to get law changes through before the end of the final sitting block.
Stepping back with no regrets
Stepping back with no regrets
There are many ways you can measure a political career.
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Political landscape a mixed blessing
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Political landscape a mixed blessing
The South likes to think it punches above its weight in almost all things, but political representation has not always been one of them.
Curly questions as Parliament counts down
Curly questions as Parliament counts down
Things can get a bit hectic as Parliament nears the end of its time.
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Steering legislative ship through choppy waters
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Steering legislative ship through choppy waters
It has been a big week for Rachel Brooking, who got to steer the government’s legislative ship for several parts of the passage of the Natural and Built Environment Bill.
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Advocates railing against health inequities
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Advocates railing against health inequities
There are many things that the South is short of in the health sector, but one thing the region has no dearth of is activists prepared to stand up and fight Otago and Southland’s corner.
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Govt marches on with irresolute disabilities policy, little support
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Govt marches on with irresolute disabilities policy, little support
Many of us will have cringed through a situation where ourselves or someone we know is trying as hard as they can to make things better for somebody but is only succeeding in making things worse.
National reveals approach to hospital
National reveals approach to hospital
For some of you this will be a dream come true, for others it will your worst nightmare.