Let me say at the outset that it is not my intention to be overly harsh in my critique on Willie Jackson, but it is hard to take the man seriously, except on the issue of Maori rights otherwise known as co-governance: it is important to take him seriously
In case anyone is in any doubt, the PC stands for Police Constables and not Politically Correct. Thanks to this Labour Government there are probably too many of the latter already. I’m not suggesting police want to be PC but I am somewhat suspicious of the guidelines under which
Why on earth does the National leader, Christopher Luxon, bother to go to Ngaruawahia? Is it a case of if you don’t go you’re insulting your supposed hosts, and if you do go it’s their chance to insult you? Regardless, it serves no useful purpose. ACT and
Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray was arguably the most popular poem of the 18th century. An elegy is a burial hymn and such a one might be suitable for Labour on October 14. In fact, there are a couple of verses from the poem that might
Labour is going to lose this election in the opposite way to its last result. In three years, this bunch of misfits are on track to turn a stunning win into an equally stunning loss. If you want proof I suggest you read Mike Munro’s article in the Weekend
Last month Nicola Willis released Labour’s leaked policy on GST: to make fruit and vegetables exempt. At the time Labour refused to confirm or deny it was their policy. Grant Robertson was actually against it. Even he had worked out the many fishhooks that would eventuate. A lawyer’s
Reading Tova O’Brien’s stuff on Stuff one can only wonder how much she contributed to Today FM’s early exit from the media landscape. She was given the unenviable task of beating Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB. She may have dreamed of doing so. Reality of course is
Part-time Stuff journalist and owner of Club Burlesque on Auckland’s K Road, Verity Johnson is appalled. She says neither National nor Labour politicians understand the appeal of public transport in Auckland. Verity says we (Aucklanders) are obsessed with getting around. It’s all we talk about. Therefore Verity
I don’t care how many times the upstart Police Minister from Hutt South tells me I should feel safer: the fact is I don’t and very likely the majority of the country doesn’t either. The little woman can bleat on all she likes about her extra 1800
The forthcoming election will see a change of government. In that sense, the election can’t come soon enough. The banishment of the worst, most inept and non-achieving government in living memory to the Opposition benches will be cause for celebration. I take issue with the prophets of doom
In 2017 Labour came in on the crest of a wave led by “Surfer Girl” Jacinda Ardern. Who remembers the Beach Boys song written by Brian Wilson? The song is described as a teenage daydream; it swoons over the object of his affection, imagining their future together seemingly before they’
I purchase one paper regularly each Saturday – the Weekend Herald. I wouldn’t give you tuppence for the daily edition. It could more correctly be called the Herald Advertiser. The Weekend Herald, while not short of advertising, is a more substantial paper. Opinion writers, particularly those with a left bent,
The tragic event that took place in the Auckland CBD on Thursday morning was a stark reminder that new approaches are needed to stem the rise in serious crime in this country. Not just crime committed by adults, but also by school-age children. Obviously any new ideas cannot be
The Labour Party election slogan could easily be turned against them. The majority of voters are probably thinking ‘In It Because of You’ would be more appropriate. It, in this case, referring to the proverbial pile. ‘In It For You’ is at best highly misleading and at worst a falsehood.
In light of Chris Hipkins’s “captain’s call” to stymie the prospect of taxing the ‘rich pricks’, he has put himself between a rock and a hard place. His choice was to try and capture the middle ground or not offend the loyal left. I think he made the
Listening to a political chat with Sean Plunket and Chris Trotter turned out to be a revealing experience. Chris Trotter is one of the few people on the left of the political spectrum I have time for. His replies to questions are measured and honest. If you listen to him
