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It turns out woolly thinking is something to be applauded
Proof positive this week that individual voices can turn around the ocean liner that is Parliament.
Southern Say
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All the fun of this year’s Taxation (Annual Rates) extravaganza
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All the fun of this year’s Taxation (Annual Rates) extravaganza
Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose, as some of our more educated or veteran MPs may have contemplated this week as the Taxation Bill hoved into view.
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In the unlikely event of emergency call Chippie
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In the unlikely event of emergency call Chippie
This might seem a bit unlikely, but bear with me . . . Labour could be feeling a trifle worried about its impregnable grasp on Dunedin.
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This is not a dream, you really are acting transport minister
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This is not a dream, you really are acting transport minister
It sounds like the stuff of nightmares ... you go to work having mentally planned how your day will go, but then you find out that you are doing another job entirely.
Peace breaks out as MPs debate dairy and the environment
Peace breaks out as MPs debate dairy and the environment
Working together is always easier than pulling in opposite directions.
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Monday night political football proves to be a ratings winner
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Monday night political football proves to be a ratings winner
There are any number of ways you can measure how popular a political party is, polling being the obvious one.
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Blithe spirits, the cavalry, and filling every minute of the day
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Blithe spirits, the cavalry, and filling every minute of the day
Sometimes, being an MP requires you to behave in a manner as if you are blissfully unaware of what is happening in the outside world.
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Shane Jo-Jo sings Get Back as Parliament tunes up again
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Shane Jo-Jo sings Get Back as Parliament tunes up again
Parliament began for a new year on Tuesday with a show of unanimity, MPs from across the House joining in paying tribute to Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming and the late Te Pāti Māori co-founder Dame Tariana Turia.
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The first step of a long and arduous journey
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The first step of a long and arduous journey
For most politicians the year has just begun with the traditional three Rs — reshuffles, retreats and Rātana.
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Getting together to address the great offshore wind gap
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Getting together to address the great offshore wind gap
There are not many occasions when Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Green Taieri list MP Scott Willis agree on an infrastructure policy.
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Going slowly along the fast track legislation
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Going slowly along the fast track legislation
Rachel Brooking was somewhere between heaven and hell this week.
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Seeking precision and finding equivocation
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Seeking precision and finding equivocation
There are few things more appealing than some time spent talking about health sector infrastructure and investment.
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Southern Say: In the red corner
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In the red corner
There have been many great parliamentary rivalries over the years ... Muldoon vs Lange, Clark vs Brash, Michael Cullen vs anybody.
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Abandon the razor, and the dangling ETS sword
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Abandon the razor, and the dangling ETS sword
A minor change or a surrender in the fight against climate change: take your pick on what the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Bill actually does.
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Looking forward to confronting the past
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Looking forward to confronting the past
With due respect to the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill — let alone the Contracts of Insurance Bill and Contracts of Insurance (Repeals and Amendments) Bill — the biggest show at...
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You won’t see nothing like the mighty Cliff
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Come all within, you won’t see nothing like the mighty Cliff
Parliamentary security is not overly fond of seeing vehicles on the forecourt - it still has nightmares about former National MP Shane Ardern driving Myrtle the tractor up the stairs in 2003.
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Walking the path to a bright tomorrow, or not
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Walking the path to a bright tomorrow, or not
Fourteen months.
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Trying to remain as angry as possible for another two years
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Trying to remain as angry as possible for another two years
Yes, the turnout for the Dunedin Hospital protest march was very impressive indeed.
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Getting a good workout during the environment estimates
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Getting a good workout during the environment estimates
Due to circumstances beyond the government’s control much of this year’s Estimates Debate was crammed into this week.
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An emotional reminder that what Parliament does matters
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An emotional reminder that what Parliament does matters
Despite the aspersions of some that the legislation which Parliament passes is not actually that important, it really, really is.