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

Valda Muller’s nut farm in Bannockburn. PHOTO: GERHARD EGGER

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

David Clark, Michael Woodhouse and Matt Doocey debate the whats, whys and hows of the inchoate...

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

Health minister Dr David Clark addresses the media. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

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

Health Minister David Clark addresses the Epidemic Response Select Committee. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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

Jacqui Dean (left) is set to replace Sarah Dowie as National’s
...

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

Clutha mayor Bryan Cadogan at Representation Commission hearings in Dunedin this week. PHOTO:...

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

Rino Tirikatene looks on from the back as colleagues David Parker, Jacinda Ardern, Clare Curran...

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?

Queenstown will benefit from the Government's recently announced infrastructure package. Photo:...

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

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

Health Minister David Clark. PHOTO: THE NZ HERALD

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

Invercargill National MP Sarah Dowie addresses the House.PHOTO: PARLIAMENT TV

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

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones with Dunedin South MP Clare Curran after the...

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

Clare Curran in Parliament last Thursday. PHOTO: PARLIAMENT TV

Human side of politics on display

Contrary to what some might believe, politicians are actually people.

Members' worthwhile Bills left to languish

A great white shark cruises past a shark cage diver off Edwards Island, near Stewart Island.PHOTO...

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.