Politics
Everything about politics
Where There Are Smokes, There Is Crime
There is nothing in this puritanical list of new restrictions that will deter people from continuing to smoke tobacco or switch to illegal vapes. It will send them away from legal retailers that comply with tobacco laws to illegal, gang-controlled retailers.
News Briefing: 14 March 2025
Republished with Permission Author: Bryce Edwards INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT, FOREIGN INVESTMENT, PPPs RNZ: 'Public institutions' like schools and hospitals shouldn't be owned privately - Chris Hipkins Thomas Coughlan (Herald): PM Christopher Luxon finds his happy place, courting investment to New Zealand (paywalled) Luke Malpass (Post): Urgent but
Could Nicola Willis replace Luxon?
Obviously Nicola Willis does not want to make a coat out of Dalmatians or dress as well as Miranda, but Labour cannot see this, any more than they cannot see that Willis is far more presentable and politically adept than Luxon.
Does Chippy Know Trump’s a Fighter and a Winner?
Chris Hipkins’ attack on Winston Peters makes him look like a fool and a political retard.
Integrity Briefing: Public Service integrity under Brian Roche
Republished with Permission Author: Bryce Edwards The appointment of Sir Brian Roche as the new Public Service Commissioner was met last year with predictable endorsements from the political class. With a career spanning the private and public sectors, Roche has been a go-to “fix-it” man for governments of all stripes.
News Briefing: 13 March 2025
Republished with Permission Author: Bryce Edwards INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT, FOREIGN INVESTMENT, WEALTH VISA Alice Peacock (Newsroom): Guardrails needed to protect NZ from foreign investors – ex-SolarZero employee Giles Dexter (RNZ): What's on the table at the government's infrastructure summit Catherine McGregor (Spinoff): Government sets out its wares for
Labour Need to Lift Their Own Game If They Want Luxon Rolled
Labour could do more to destabilise the National Party, but will they?
News Briefing: 12 March 2025
Republished with Permission Author: Bryce Edwards INFRASTRUCTURE, FOREIGN INVESTMENT, FAST-TRACK Laura Walters (Newsroom): Staying up late for Luxon’s sell-a-thon, hawking NZ to the world John Tookey (The Conversation): Hey big spenders: what foreign investors will really want from the infrastructure summit Brent Edwards (NBR): Fast-track makes NZ more attractive
The Importance of Knowing Your Enemy
Those who fail to learn the lessons that history provides us are doomed to repeat the failures of the past in the here and now.
Yes, You Can Protect Liberty and Security at the Same Time
The key is to understand how the market works.
Just Get Rid of Them
Governments will always wind up corrupt. The more power in the hands of government, the more incentive is given to power-hungry psychopaths and narcissists to gain control of that power.
What Luxon’s Poll Numbers Mean for National MPs
Even before National loses more popularity due to Luxon being unlikable, inept and generally unable to articulate what he stands for, five National MPs are going to lose their seats.