Author Archive
Why the America’s Cup is better than Rugby
Written By: - Date published: 10:41 am, June 19th, 2017 - 136 comments
And now for something completely different. Is the America’s cup a more potent example of New Zealand’s unique place in the world than the Rigby World Cup.
Debt to Income Loan Limits
Written By: - Date published: 7:56 am, June 15th, 2017 - 116 comments
The possible introduction of debt to income lending ratios will potentially have an enormous effect on New Zealand’s housing market.
Act’s Euthanasia Bill
Written By: - Date published: 10:05 am, June 12th, 2017 - 83 comments
Following the selection of David Seymour’s private member’s bill euthanasia will be debated this year in Parliament.
The 50th anniversary of the Six Day War
Written By: - Date published: 8:44 am, June 6th, 2017 - 55 comments
This week marks the anniversary of the Middle East six day war. How have things developed and what can be done to achieve lasting peace?
Eight years to an electric transport world
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, May 31st, 2017 - 66 comments
The pace of change in transportation may mean that some time soon private ownership of petroleum cars may disappear.
A lesson from South Korea
Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, May 30th, 2017 - 16 comments
The history of the Korean peninsular suggests that there is more than a remote chance of nuclear war breaking out some time soon.
How to rescue Trump – and make up with Putin
Written By: - Date published: 8:24 am, May 18th, 2017 - 22 comments
What can the U.S. security collective do to work with their government and achieve something positive with Donald Trump?
The looming battle over property
Written By: - Date published: 9:10 am, May 15th, 2017 - 122 comments
Housing may be the issue that decides this year’s election. And if Labour wins Andrew Little will have a major crisis to deal with, one that he has to solve.
A lesson from South Korea
Written By: - Date published: 8:19 am, May 10th, 2017 - 9 comments
South Korea has responded to corruption allegations by electing a new president who plans to dump their equivalent of the SIS and oppressive security laws, greatly tax the wealthy, clean out corruption, and hugely strengthen the public sector.
Macron and Trudeau mean yes for Ardern
Written By: - Date published: 7:21 am, May 8th, 2017 - 96 comments
The election of Trudeau in Canada and Macron in France suggest that the path to electoral success may be with younger fresh faced and untainted candidates.
The patriotic millionaires
Written By: - Date published: 11:54 am, May 3rd, 2017 - 128 comments
In America a group of millionaires have emerged who are advocating for increased taxation for the wealthy and increased democratic rights to everyone else.
Is the Labour Housing policy even possible?
Written By: - Date published: 8:50 am, April 30th, 2017 - 129 comments
If Labour wins in September what state infrastructure can it utilise to deliver on its promise to build tens of thousands of affordable homes?
Donald Trump and Florida
Written By: - Date published: 11:55 am, April 27th, 2017 - 11 comments
The US economy may start unravelling when because of rising sea levels boats in Florida are no longer able to clear canal bridges.
The French Presidential Runoff
Written By: - Date published: 8:37 am, April 26th, 2017 - 79 comments
The French Presidential run off presents worrying signs for progressives. Why is the electorate sliding to the right?
The first 100 Global Trump days
Written By: - Date published: 8:45 am, April 24th, 2017 - 19 comments
Donald Trump’s had his first 100 days ruling his big chunk of the world. Things have changed dramatically from Barack Obama’s time.
Reshuffle
Written By: - Date published: 8:08 am, April 24th, 2017 - 52 comments
Bill English is to announce a cabinet reshuffle today. What should he do?
My five books for Donald Trump
Written By: - Date published: 8:20 am, April 16th, 2017 - 9 comments
What books should POTUS read during this most religious of times.
Resource Management Act Third Reading
Written By: - Date published: 9:53 am, April 6th, 2017 - 19 comments
Nick Smith’s RMA reforms are close to being completed. Will his high homes for the reforms be met?
Banks and the Housing Crisis
Written By: - Date published: 8:23 am, April 5th, 2017 - 15 comments
Because of our our central government’s refusal to build social housing and both NZTA and AT rigorously avoiding urban development integration, the default control of housing supply lies with Australian regulation of New Zealand’s retail banks and their lending.
Avoid big plans and win
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, April 4th, 2017 - 27 comments
To win the 2017 election Labour does not need a broad suite of policies, rather it needs to make sure that it is asking the right questions.
The 60th Anniversary of the European Union
Written By: - Date published: 2:17 pm, March 29th, 2017 - 3 comments
Last week the main heads of the European Union governments got together to celebrate 60 years since the first declaration in Rome. This is a good time to review if it is still fulfilling its original goals.
China is in New Zealand to stay
Written By: - Date published: 1:06 pm, March 28th, 2017 - 39 comments
At a time when the United States is reducing its diplomatic capacity and its willingness to enter into International Treaties New Zealand’s willingness to deal with China places it in an almost unique position in the western world.
Global oil and global decline
Written By: - Date published: 9:45 am, March 26th, 2017 - 26 comments
Peak oil is being talked again with suggestions that it may be only 5 years away. And Saudi Arabia’s Aramco is thinking of starting to divest itself of its petroleum assets.
More thoughts on the Labour-Greens Budget Responsibility Rules
Written By: - Date published: 8:39 am, March 25th, 2017 - 111 comments
The Labour-Green Budget Responsibility Rules announcement this week ought to dispel the notion that Labour and the Greens cannot work together.
Five ways Donald Trump is wrong about Islam
Written By: - Date published: 7:37 am, March 7th, 2017 - 20 comments
Donald Trump’s recently announced replacement policy in immigration is wrong. And this is why.
Slightly smug about MMP
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, March 4th, 2017 - 22 comments
2017 will be New Zealand’s eighth election under MMP, over 22 years. With very strong democratically elected governments appearing right across the world digging in for the long term, it’s useful to take a moment for MMP.
Forest and Bird takes it the Government in the Supreme Court
Written By: - Date published: 8:10 am, February 24th, 2017 - 25 comments
The Crown is seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal decision obtained by Forest and Bird which is preventing Conservation land in the Hawkes Bay from being used for the controversial Ruataniwha dam.
2017
Written By: - Date published: 7:48 am, February 23rd, 2017 - 130 comments
The left is facing the possiblity of its fourth election loss in a row. What type of campaign should it run this year to win?
Is this the impossibility turning point?
Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, February 14th, 2017 - 49 comments
There’s a wonderful fiction still propelling the world that the 21st century will bring an ever-expanding arc of freedom and prosperity to the vast majority of humanity but the reality seems to be anything but.
Bloomberg warns world of New Zealand’s toxic trusts
Written By: - Date published: 7:56 am, February 12th, 2017 - 21 comments
Bloomberg magazine has highlighted how foreign trusts are damaging New Zealand’s reputation and are being used for criminal activity.
Sad
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, February 9th, 2017 - 109 comments
Ad wonders how left wing Trump supporters are now feeling.
Recent Comments