Chris Penk First published by The BFD 19th June 2020 The BFD is serialising National MP Chris Penk’s book Flattening the Country by publishing an extract every day. Winners picked and losers packed The economic response to the COVID-19 threat was a mixed bag from the start. In mid-March,
Chris Penk First published by The BFD 18th June 2020 The BFD is serialising National MP Chris Penk’s book Flattening the Country by publishing an extract every day. How bad can it possibly be? Having indulged in that favourite New Zealand pastime of measuring ourselves against other countries, it’
Chris Penk First published by The BFD 17th June 2020 The BFD is serialising National MP Chris Penk’s book Flattening the Country by publishing an extract every day. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! In my experience (and I did live there for a few years), our Australian brethren are commendably direct.
Chris Penk First published by The BFD 16th June 2020 The BFD is serialising National MP Chris Penk’s book Flattening the Country by publishing an extract every day. Perspectives I am a National Party MP. As such, I’m a member of Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, at least
Chris Penk First published by The BFD 15th June 2020 The BFD is serialising National MP Chris Penk’s book by publishing an extract every day. Flattening the Country It was only supposed to be the curve that got flattened, not the whole country. This is the real story of
How interesting that the media has rediscovered that housing is a problem in this country. I say “rediscovered” because, of course, this was a hot topic between late 2008 and late 2017. After that time, the debate cooled considerably, even as the market continued to heat. I wonder why. If
What’s in a name? When I first heard about James Shaw’s school funding debacle, I thought that the taxpayer funding of an outfit called “Green School” was some kind of unfortunate coincidence. Surely a Green Party minister wouldn’t be so crass as to funnel taxpayer money to
I’ve been thinking a bit about Newshub recently asking Judith Collins if she’d accept the result of the upcoming election. The answers given by my boss were spot on, mostly expressing disbelief at being asked the question in the first place. Ultimately Ms Collins’ answer was along the
Last week’s adjournment debate in Parliament was mostly pretty predictable stuff. No one should have been surprised at the attempts to rewrite history in the PM’s speech, for example. The techniques used by our Communicator-in-Chief are worth looking at closely, though, as it’s always good to peek
As election rumblings grow louder it’s worth reviewing some of the key fault lines of the last three years. Some of these cracks in the public square will inevitably re-open in the next term, especially in the (unlikely!) event that the current government is returned. Among the most significant
In my opinion, the most overlooked attribute of political leadership is a sense of humour. I don’t claim that it’s the most important attribute, mind you, just that it’s given the least credit relative to its significance. Take the case of National’s new leader, Judith Collins.
