Lowering the voting age can only be good for democracy
Lowering the voting age can only be good for democracy
Not every teenager will be interested in voting and aware of the issues of the day, but plenty will be, writes Elspeth McLean.
When moths collide
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Opinion: George St turnaround taxing on the brain
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George St turnaround, ho-hum endorsement taxing on the brain
Funny that now he's a councillor and the bit outside his shop is finished, Cr Brent Weatherall seems much happier about the George St upgrade, Elspeth McLean writes.
Getting a free ride through life on social media
Getting a free ride through life on social media
It was not exactly a conversational coup, accusing a young family member of being an attention-seeker.
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Bumblebee’s visit fails to take sting out of circumstances
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Bumblebee’s visit fails to take sting out of circumstances
On a good day the appearance of a mildly annoyed fat bumblebee in my bathroom would give me a thrill.
Ombudsman ambitions killed off by lack of respect for OIA
Ombudsman ambitions killed off by lack of respect for OIA
Any fantasy I might have had about growing up to be an ombudsman vanished when I read last week’s report "Ready or not?", writes Elspeth McLean.
In the pursuit of greater transparency
In the pursuit of greater transparency
Now spring is almost here, transparency is on my mind.
Access to public services should not require digital savvy
Access to public services should not require digital savvy
It was being on the losing end of an interminable game of "I spy" waiting for a bus which never came last week that did it.
Getting to grips with Bill harder than grasping rugby stats
Getting to grips with Bill harder than grasping rugby stats
Sometimes I wish I could care about the All Blacks.
Rats — so hard to get rid of, and they always return
Rats — so hard to get rid of, and they always return
It's been like No 10 Downing St around here in the past week.
Matariki a special time to reflect on those who have died
Matariki a special time to reflect on those who have died
On the eve of our first Matariki holiday, I was making chicken soup for a recently bereaved family and thinking about the dead.
Battle for openness ahead
Battle for openness ahead
The cat was unimpressed by the last meeting of the Southern District Health Board, preferring to hunker down under the duvet to avoid seeing it on my laptop.
Banging on about doors solves little
Banging on about doors solves little
I have been trying to downplay it.
Fishy apology no balm for bizarre, abominable banter
Fishy apology no balm for bizarre, abominable banter
For the past week, I have been trying to make it up to my teeth.
Anti-stuff brigade’s preaching sparks anger
Anti-stuff brigade’s preaching sparks anger
I would have screamed if I thought it would do any good.
Amazon unionisation news great start for beleaguered workers
Amazon unionisation news great start for beleaguered workers
Hooray for the news that Amazon warehouse workers in Staten Island have voted to unionise.
Peddling a greener message
Peddling a greener message
Cyclist haters would have loved it.
You can hide out briefly, but the news machine will persist
You can hide out briefly, but the news machine will persist
Despite my myopia, my hindsight is always 20/20.
Nay, it’s never OK to hit a horse, even if it’s done by a person you admired
Nay, it’s never OK to hit a horse, even if it’s done by a person you admired
Where's Mark Todd when you need him?
Lessons from Harriet as Covid cacophony has us all on edge
Lessons from Harriet as Covid cacophony has us all on edge
It was a literal meltdown.
SDHB’s reaction indicates colonoscopy saga not over
SDHB’s reaction indicates colonoscopy saga not over
Those whose eyes have not glazed over during ongoing coverage of the Southern District Health Board’s management of colorectal cancer diagnosis would have been shocked by a Health and Disability...