Southern Say

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Testing the boundaries of electoral review

Proposed new rules about drawing electorate boundaries probably will not stop Wānaka sticking out...

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Testing the boundaries of electoral review

A fortnight ago, rather overshadowed by the ruckus surrounding and then resignation of former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, the final report of the Independent Electoral Review was released.

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New minister needs to start walking the talk on mental health

New Zealand’s first Minister of Mental Health, Matt Doocey. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

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New minister needs to start walking the talk on mental health

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey recently threw his weight behind efforts to restore international air travel to Dunedin. But as NZ's first ever Minister of Mental Health, he may leave an even larger imprint.

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Year of surprising resignations, change draws to a close

Jacinda Ardern is stepping down after five and a-half years as Prime Minister. Photo: RNZ

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Year of surprising resignations, change draws to a close

Even though every political year seems like a long one — and election years doubly so — 2023 in politics seems to have gone on and on forever.

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Southern MPs in local derby on water policy

Rachel Brooking and Penny Simmonds (below) trade questions, and occasionally answers, on fresh...

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Southern MPs in local derby on water policy

It is Tuesday afternoon and all fans of Parliament are tuning in to watch Question Time.

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Southern MPs in select committee musical chairs

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Southern MPs in select committee musical chairs

If you cannot make it into Cabinet, there is always the chance that you might score a portfolio outside of Cabinet, or a parliamentary under-secretary’s role.

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NZ First’s Patterson in his roles for good reason

Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson. PHOTO: FRANCINE KEACH

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NZ First’s Patterson in his roles for good reason

Nestled down near the bottom of the ministerial list on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website sits, almost last but certainly not least, Taieri NZ First list MP Mark Patterson.

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Local representation lack in Parliament concerning

Parliamentary Service is blocking the TikTok application on all Parliamentary Service-managed...

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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.

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Forming govt: ‘Complainers need to get a grip’

Act New Zealand leader David Seymour, National Party leader and Prime Minister-elect Christopher...

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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

The future of Forbury Park is a step closer to being decided, but the wrangling is likely far...

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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

Taieri Labour MP Ingrid Leary. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY

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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

Taieri candidate Scott Willis, co-leader Marama Davidson — with her newly-purchased Dunedin...

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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

Act New Zealand leader David Seymour on the campaign trail in Wānaka. Photo: Milo Long

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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 Labour MP Rino Tirikatene. PHOTOS: WHAKAATA MĀORI

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

National Party leader Christopher Luxon casts an eye over a Mini pick-up at Bill Richardson...

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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

Act New Zealand leader David Seymour and Labour Finance spokesman Grant Robertson spar at the ASB...

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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

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announces expanded places for medical school trainees in Dunedin...

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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 Waitaki candidate Ethan Reille and Health Minister Ayesha Verrall front up to Oamaru...

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

Michael Woodhouse’s possibly final speech in Parliament. Photo: Parliament TV

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

Corinda Taylor testifies to a parliamentary select committee. PHOTO: PARLIAMENT

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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

Retiring Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean and Jimmy. PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Stepping back with no regrets

There are many ways you can measure a political career.

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Southern Say