SECTIONS

week in politics

NationalDecember 15

Year of missing out for English in a new age of politics

David Seymour made a stinging comment in his closing speech on the End of Life Choice Bill first reading debate - that Bill English's contribution had seemed from a different age.
Year of missing out for English in a new age of politics
Year of missing out for English in a new age of politics
OpinionSeptember 8

Lack of vision beginning to hurt English

National’s current performance on the election campaign trail would have to be classified as one of the party’s most confused, insipid and uninspiring showings since ... well,  since the last time Bill English was leader of the National Party.
Lack of vision beginning to hurt English
Lack of vision beginning to hurt English
OpinionFebruary 6

Mr Reliable sets course for election

It is beginning to look like a legacy: John Key's practice of setting the election date early in election year. Bill English toed the line last week.
Mr Reliable sets course for election
Mr Reliable sets course for election
NationalMay 25

Takes on tax adding topsy-turvy twist to Budget 2016

It is not often that the big surprise in a Budget is something that will not be in it at all.
Takes on tax adding topsy-turvy twist to Budget 2016
Takes on tax adding topsy-turvy twist to Budget 2016
NationalMay 6

Targets run for cover after 'jobs for the boys' jibe

Last week, Donald J. Trump set out his "America First'' foreign policy.
Targets run for cover after 'jobs for the boys' jibe
Targets run for cover after 'jobs for the boys' jibe
NationalApril 29

Taking Labour leader to Iraq 'mission accomplished'

At first blush, the Government's invitation to Labour leader Andrew Little to visit the troops in Iraq appeared to be a trick.
Taking Labour leader to Iraq 'mission accomplished'
Taking Labour leader to Iraq 'mission accomplished'
NationalApril 22

Super City specialist: Twyford’s rise in Labour assured

Foreign buyers, property speculators, banks, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, council rates, baby boomers - they've all had a lift one way or another from the overheated Auckland property market.
Super City specialist: Twyford’s rise in Labour assured
Super City specialist: Twyford’s rise in Labour assured
NationalMarch 11

Sir Michael back in the limelight and thriving on it

You can take the man out of politics but Sir Michael Cullen's bravura performance when delivering a briefing on the review of intelligence agencies shows you can't take the politician out of the man.
Sir Michael back in the limelight and thriving on it
Sir Michael back in the limelight and thriving on it
OpinionDecember 25

Time to get over PM’s ‘cake-of-soap’ faux pas

On the case of the Prime Minister and the cake of soap, it may just be time for people to take a sip of chamomile tea.
NationalDecember 11

Pressures on Govt this year less onerous than previously

The international fight against Isis has provided bookends to John Key's political year but it is a year that has proved remarkably mild on the domestic front compared with the turmoil of recent years.
NationalNovember 27

With National, Maori Party defining iwi participation

Bill English gave an important speech at Parliament this week about Maori, the state and self-determination.
NationalNovember 13

John Key's trust dented and Speaker looks a bit shaky

Watching John Key's behaviour over this week has been similar to watching him during the Teapot tapes in 2011.
John Key's trust dented and Speaker looks a bit shaky
John Key's trust dented and Speaker looks a bit shaky
NationalNovember 6

Inspector's questions restore confidence in spy agencies

Anyone raised on Perry Mason knows there is a golden rule for lawyers - never ask a question in a public courtroom to which you don't already know the answer.
Inspector's questions restore confidence in spy agencies
Inspector's questions restore confidence in spy agencies
NewsOctober 16

Clark and Key best leaders seen in a 30-year career

Here is a message to the anonymous Herald reader who was so angry with a column I had written that he offered to drive me to the airport on condition I left the country.
Clark and Key best leaders seen in a 30-year career
Clark and Key best leaders seen in a 30-year career
OpinionSeptember 18

Support partners more important to National

The importance of National's support partners - Act New Zealand, United Future and the Maori Party - has grown immensely from election night a year ago.
NationalSeptember 12

Stability a small yet vital win for Labour

Next week is an anniversary Labour leader Andrew Little and his predecessors will remember but won't be celebrating.
Stability a small yet vital win for Labour
Stability a small yet vital win for Labour
NationalAugust 28

'State of Care' report timely for the Government

Children's Commissioner Dr Russell Wills has done the Government a huge favour with his report, ''State of Care'', this week, whether he intended to or not.
NationalAugust 14

Flag debate 'conundrum' for Labour, Greens

Being a political animal, I decided the irresistible rugby match during the last Rugby World Cup was Russia v America at Yarrow's Stadium in New Plymouth.
NationalAugust 7

Succession must be carefully planned ahead of time

To vary an old joke about very old men marrying very young women, the next leader of New Zealand First may not have even been born yet, let alone reached the voting age.
Succession must be carefully planned ahead of time
Succession must be carefully planned ahead of time
NationalJuly 31

Labour struggling to pin down its bottom lines

Was there ever a more contrary bunch of people than New Zealanders?
Labour struggling to pin down its bottom lines
Labour struggling to pin down its bottom lines
NationalJuly 24

Voter fatigue may erode National's conference bravado

If this weekend's National Party conference runs true to recent form - and there is no obvious reason why this year's gathering of the clan will depart from that script - it will be so stage-managed that any vitality or vibrancy will have been sucked out of the affair before it has even begun.
NationalJuly 18

National done like a dog's dinner by Labour foray

The National Party might have fooled itself into thinking otherwise, but it was done like a dog's dinner by Labour this week.
National done like a dog's dinner by Labour foray
National done like a dog's dinner by Labour foray
NationalJuly 3

State house sell-off planholds many a bombshell

Bill English sure dropped an almighty bombshell in confirming the possibility that hundreds of the country's state houses could end up in Australian hands.
State house sell-off planholds many a bombshell
State house sell-off planholds many a bombshell
NationalJune 26

Big question now is whether Colin Craig's brand still cuts it

In the public's mind, Colin Craig's confession that aspects of his relationship with his former press secretary, Rachel MacGregor, were ''inappropriate'' begs only one question: just how inappropriate?
Big question now is whether Colin Craig's brand still cuts it
Big question now is whether Colin Craig's brand still cuts it
NationalJune 19

Auckland housing breaches National's veneer of control

You hum it; Nathan Guy will sing it.