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OpinionJune 19

Frantic scrutiny of MBIE

Parliament has spend this week enjoying/enduring (delete as you see fit) scrutiny week, its twice yearly in-depth examination of government expenditure by select committees.
Frantic scrutiny of MBIE
Frantic scrutiny of MBIE
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OpinionApril 17

Embracing opportunities

It is a cliche that Dunedin matters little in the national political scheme of things: its seats are reliably red.
Embracing opportunities
Embracing opportunities
DunedinApril 16

Ardern, Robertson reunion a crowd-pleaser

The reunion of the leaders of the last Labour government in Dunedin last night was like watching a reunion gig by one of your favourite bands.
Ardern, Robertson reunion a crowd-pleaser
Ardern, Robertson reunion a crowd-pleaser
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OpinionApril 10

Tilting at electoral windmills as the Alliance gallops again

The South has plenty of MPs — nine all up, across five parties — but no party leaders and only two ministers.
Tilting at electoral windmills as the Alliance gallops again
Tilting at electoral windmills as the Alliance gallops again
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OpinionApril 3

Take a trip north to Auckland — good luck finding a house

Southern Say is, deliberately and unapologetically, a column which focuses on the exploits of MPs from south of the Waitaki and political activity in our region.
Take a trip north to Auckland — good luck finding a house
Take a trip north to Auckland — good luck finding a house
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OpinionMarch 27

Parliament tries to find homes for friends of Lily and Zoi

Parliament is many things to many people but this week it broke new ground by setting up in the pet rehousing business.
Parliament tries to find homes for friends of Lily and Zoi
Parliament tries to find homes for friends of Lily and Zoi
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OpinionMarch 20

Critters, fresh water and the endless growth agenda

Parliament was in recess this week but the last few days have been anything but a break for members of the environment select committee.
Critters, fresh water and the endless growth agenda
Critters, fresh water and the endless growth agenda
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OpinionMarch 13

Taking a gamble and the law of unintended consequences

The thing about politics, to borrow a cliche, is that you pay your money and you take your chances.
Taking a gamble and the law of unintended consequences
Taking a gamble and the law of unintended consequences
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OpinionMarch 6

For Willis, the govt’s LNG terminal proposal is a gas, gas, gas

In Parliament, much like life itself, things move swiftly. The burning issue of the day can flame out in a matter of hours, let alone last an actual 24 hour news cycle.
For Willis, the govt’s LNG terminal proposal is a gas, gas, gas
For Willis, the govt’s LNG terminal proposal is a gas, gas, gas
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OpinionFebruary 27

Conscience matters on booze sales

It is not often that Miles Anderson and Rachel Brooking vote the same way on something. Or Scott Willis and Penny Simmonds for that matter.
Conscience matters on booze sales
Conscience matters on booze sales
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OpinionFebruary 20

Invercargill MP poised to legislate herself out of existence

Something many people do not know about the building which includes Parliament’s debating chamber is that there is another similar chamber just behind it.
Invercargill MP poised to legislate herself out of existence
Invercargill MP poised to legislate herself out of existence
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OpinionFebruary 6

Racing this time in two contentious high-stakes handicaps

Monday morning is early in the week for an existential crisis, but that was what Parliament’s primary production select committee had on its schedule.
Racing this time in two contentious high-stakes handicaps
Racing this time in two contentious high-stakes handicaps
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OpinionJanuary 30

MPs respond to prime minister’s vision for the year ahead

Parliament is back, an election date set and everyone’s motors are up and running for a big year ahead.
MPs respond to prime minister’s vision for the year ahead
MPs respond to prime minister’s vision for the year ahead
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OpinionJanuary 2

Those getting stuff done, or needing to get more stuff done

Although everyone else does "Politician of the year", at Southern Say we eschew such tawdry baubles.
Those getting stuff done, or needing to get more stuff done
Those getting stuff done, or needing to get more stuff done
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OpinionDecember 26

You need to help the aged, ’cause one day you’ll be older too

"Help the aged, don’t just put them in a home," Britpop band Pulp sang in one of their more unusual singles, Help The Aged.
You need to help the aged, ’cause one day you’ll be older too
You need to help the aged, ’cause one day you’ll be older too
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OpinionDecember 12

Arming up for emergency legislation and lengthy urgency

To the surprise of absolutely no-one, Parliament once more adopted urgency this week as the government pressed to get a plethora of Bills progressed before Christmas.
Arming up for emergency legislation and lengthy urgency
Arming up for emergency legislation and lengthy urgency
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OpinionDecember 5

The griller gets grilled under the health committee’s scrutiny

This past week has been Scrutiny Week at Parliament, where the actions of ministers and ministries are put under under the spotlight during a series of committee hearings.
The griller gets grilled under the health committee’s scrutiny
The griller gets grilled under the health committee’s scrutiny
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OpinionNovember 21

Seeking a unified approach to making the golden years glow

The hurly-burly of politics seldom intrudes on the quiet halls of Bupa Windsor Park Care Home in Gore.
Seeking a unified approach to making the golden years glow
Seeking a unified approach to making the golden years glow
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OpinionNovember 14

Compounding interest in select committees banking inquiry

Yes, it has been a big few days at Parliament, what with MPs being expelled and a major corruption scandal at New Zealand Police.
Compounding interest in select committees banking inquiry
Compounding interest in select committees banking inquiry
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OpinionOctober 31

Summoning up the energy to be enthusiastic about wool

As has been noted in this column before, New Zealand First Taieri list MP Mark Patterson likes wool.
Summoning up the energy to be enthusiastic about wool
Summoning up the energy to be enthusiastic about wool
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OpinionOctober 24

Hard work being sorry

As a trained lawyer, Joseph Mooney will be well familiar with the legal adage "hard cases make bad law".
Hard work being sorry
Hard work being sorry
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OpinionOctober 17

Thank you very much, thank you very very very very much

Back in 1942, Greer Garson won the Best Actress Academy Award for her work in Mrs Miniver.
Thank you very much, thank you very very very very much
Thank you very much, thank you very very very very much
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OpinionOctober 3

Being popular does not make it right when it comes to a vote

Parliament is on holiday now, but that does not mean politics has stopped.
Being popular does not make it right when it comes to a vote
Being popular does not make it right when it comes to a vote
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OpinionSeptember 26

Saving the rights of teenage workers, one petition at a time

For this week only Southern Say is venturing over the border from the South — but not so very far away — for an inspiring tale
Saving the rights of teenage workers, one petition at a time
Saving the rights of teenage workers, one petition at a time
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OpinionSeptember 19

The custom of dragging a debate out as long as possible

It is the nature of Parliament that sometimes things which matter not one jot, and which everyone pretty much actually agrees on, take up an enormous amount of the House’s time.
The custom of dragging a debate out as long as possible
The custom of dragging a debate out as long as possible