Over the weekend the newspapers provided some interesting reading, as did articles coming into my Inbox from overseas. Both sources, domestic and international showed there is a strong wind starting to blow. It is picking up speed and the possibility of a cyclone cannot be discounted. This wind is blowing
The Tauranga by-election was really about whether National’s majority reflected a return to near normality or could Labour prove its 2020 result was more than just a Covid one. The result reflected the former, as a 4% gap in 2020 was turned into a 42% gap last weekend.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in this week’s rearranging of the deck chairs was the demise of Trevor Mallard. Who would have thought Ardern had her political gun aimed at her Lord Protector, the Speaker of the House? As someone not known as a straight shooter, Ardern had no option
In the Weekend Herald there was extensive coverage relating to revitalising the CBD, particularly Queen Street. I should say I rarely venture into Queen Street for two reasons: I have no need to and, perhaps more importantly, I have no desire to. This is a far cry from when I
The idiom “foxes in the henhouse” goes back at least as far as the 1580s. It describes a set of circumstances in which someone who should not be trusted has been chosen to protect someone or oversee a situation. The choice involves someone directly unsuitable for the task, such as
The headline of this article was supposed to refer to both the council-controlled organisation and the service itself. While researching for relevant information I came across a RNZ interview Lisa Owen conducted this week with Auckland Transport Acting Group Manager Metro Services, Darek Koper. Based on his interview, if
Information Opinion It has been interesting, though not surprising to hear the amount of blarney emanating from between Jacinda Ardern’s pearly whites in America. The Prime Minister of New Zealand constantly, at home and abroad, tries to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Her ministers
The Weekend Herald deserves congratulations for their investigative journalism on the subject of mental health. What is being unearthed shows just what a parlous state our health system is in overall. Covid over the last couple of years has exacerbated an already dire situation. That, however, should not be used
If anyone of prominence dares to criticise Maori, up pops Jack in the box, Willie Jackson. David Seymour, also of Maori Heritage, has just done so and Willie is highly incensed. He has labelled Seymour a “useless Maori”. While recognising that Seymour does have Maori whakapapa Jackson said he was
It is a habit of mine on a Saturday morning to pick up the Weekend Herald from the local Superette. The owner is always very friendly and after a few minutes of amiable conversation I return home in fairly good humour. Sitting down with a cup of freshly brewed Yorkshire
A few weeks ago I wrote The Best of a Bad Bunch and the overripe banana pic is still relevant when talking about Christopher Luxon. He was very green when he became National Party leader, but I think he is ripening nicely. I am aware that not everyone shares this
Warning Long read: 1,394 words Jacinda Ardern recently implied that in her MPs she has talent to burn, including herself no doubt. This was in relation to Louisa Wall’s resignation as an MP. She said, on One News Breakfast, “there were many other talented MPs who had not
The lead article in the Weekend Herald should have taken nobody by surprise. ‘PERFECT STORM’, it blared. ‘PUBLIC TRANSPORT ON BRINK OF COLLAPSE’. Auckland Transport is running out of money to operate its buses, ferries and trains. Who would have thought? The answer is anyone driving around Auckland in a
This Labour Government, right from the outset, has shown itself to be pig-ignorant when it comes to private enterprise. Their members are union-friendly (beholden) and business-antagonistic. Nothing illustrates their attitude better than Covid. They effectively left the tourism and hospitality industries to bleed to death. Their complete
It’s coming up to three weeks since I last put my finger to the keyboard as family circumstances have led me to be somewhat busier than usual. I have however managed to keep tabs on most of the political machinations. The last two words of my headline succinctly cover
I am writing in support of the writer of the Letter to the Editor published on the BFD headed “Why You Shouldn’t Dismiss National and ACT”. The basic tenet of the letter I agree with. The writer is making the point that stating that you cannot give National or
