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Electorate carving fiddly for panel
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Electorate carving fiddly for panel
Readers may remember that a year or so ago the Government established an independent commission to review New Zealand’s electoral law.
Southern Say
MPs pay homage to Hillside pilgrimage site
MPs pay homage to Hillside pilgrimage site
One of the innovations of this Parliament has been the Local Issues debate, a sporadically-scheduled couple of hours for MPs to sound off about whatever they feel like, just so long as they can fit...
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Mixed reaction to PM on southern sojourn
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Mixed reaction to PM on southern sojourn
The weather should be politically neutral but sometimes you wonder... a fortnight ago Chris Luxon came to Dunedin in the midst of teeming rain, while Grant Robertson and Chris Hipkins have enjoyed glorious sunshine for their visits.
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Bold to rule out working with Te Pāti Māori
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Bold to rule out working with Te Pāti Māori
Get used to seeing National leader Chris Luxon out and about in Otago and Southland.
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Mooney vexed by messy conundrum
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Mooney vexed by messy conundrum
It has been said, from time to time, that politicians talk nothing but crap.
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Mooney vexed by messy conundrum
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Mooney vexed by messy conundrum
It has been said, from time to time, that politicians talk nothing but crap.
A Bill with profound possibilities
A Bill with profound possibilities
Parliament generally, makes laws which apply to anyone and everyone, including the Crown. But, rarely, it considers a law which applies to only a single person.
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‘Waka jumping laws’ put to the test
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‘Waka jumping laws’ put to the test
Michael Woodhouse has danced delicately around the sensibilities of Speaker Adrian Rurawhe a few times since returning to the role of shadow leader of the House.
Brooking’s fishing gig far from easy
Brooking’s fishing gig far from easy
If you are a newly-appointed minister, what you crave is something nice and simple to do early doors.
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Southern candidates’ struggles
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Southern candidates’ struggles
It has not been a good few days for parties other than Labour hoping to elect MPs from the southern region to Parliament.
Sad ironies as patient’s advocacy lives on
Sad ironies as patient’s advocacy lives on
Parliament does not usually set out to be deliberately ironic, but often the way its processes work mean that it inadvertently gives one cause to shake one’s head.
Triumph and tragedy spurs proposal
Triumph and tragedy spurs proposal
Everyone loves a sporting triumph — a Black Ferns World Cup, Wānaka young people winning Winter Olympic gold medals, an Otago woman topping the motorcycling world.
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Week of House firsts for southern MPs
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Week of House firsts for southern MPs
It was a week of firsts in Parliament for our southern MPs: Rino Tirikatene passed his first Bill as a minister and Joseph Mooney asked his first primary at Question Time.
DHB back from the dead for last huzzah
DHB back from the dead for last huzzah
It is Easter, approximately, the time when the resurrection is marked, so it seems a fitting time for district health boards to make a comeback from the dead.
MP’s time in House rained on by Nash
MP’s time in House rained on by Nash
Wednesday was meant to be Dunedin Labour list MP Rachel Brooking’s day in the sun.
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Locals give their views on PM’s statement
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Locals give their views on PM’s statement
The rolling maul of political punch and counterpunch that is the debate on the Prime Minister’s statement was brought to a halt on Wednesday, and southern MPs were at the front as it staggered...
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Forestry needs questioning, like all land use
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Forestry needs questioning, like all land use
With the greatest of respect to the multibillion-dollar timber industry, it would be fair to say that not many people’s first inclination when a political party announces a portfolio reshuffle is...
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Top has clear strategy for southern seats
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Top has clear strategy for southern seats
So, there we were, all agog at the prospect of Parliament being back after a two-month absence — go on, I know you were — when Cyclone Gabrielle derailed everyone’s thinking.
Reshuffles take a back seat to Hipkins’ big clean-out
Reshuffles take a back seat to Hipkins’ big clean-out
As you may recall, Labour and National did some cleaning over the summer break and neatly rearranged their front benches for the new parliamentary year.
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Clark pushes grocery industry Bill, shows health minister hospital site
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Clark pushes grocery industry Bill, shows health minister hospital site
There are plenty of moments in politics which seem like exercises in futility, and Monday morning served up another one.