Opinion

Ardern's biggest task: heroic yet modest

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on her way in to speaking to media yesterday.

OPINION: The Government's task is tougher than it seems: maintaining ordinary Kiwi lives in extraordinary times

A party of climate deniers

Harry Mowbray and son Tom at the Matangi Dairy Factory.

OPINION: Watch out Winston, a new Heartland party is eyeing your provincial base.

Grant Robertson: We'll get through this

Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the Government is working with business and unions to cope with economic fallout ...

OPINION: Coronavirus is a global problem. The Government's focused on keeping NZ safe and helping businesses cope.

Ardern's performance in Australia 'embarrassing' video

Jacinda Ardern's confrontation with Scott Morrison over Australia's deportation laws was not a good look, writes Steve Elers.

OPINION: It's hard to understand why our Government has a problem with Australia's deportation laws that allow it to send back our criminals.

Fenwick a man without peer

Environmentalist and businessman Sir Rob Fenwick passed away earlier this week, surrounded by his loved ones.

OPINION: New Zealand has lost a man of extraordinary consequence this week.

Coronavirus: Winter stimulus is coming

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pulled out his Government's wallet.

OPINION: No-one quite knows how coronavirus will play out politically, but it will certainly mean more spending.

A time to reflect

The March 15 terror attacks produced an outpouring of grief and support.

OPINION: We have learned much but there is more to understand about March 15.

Life would be dull without them

Shane Jones' "nuanced oratory" comes "of being at home in a culture that values skill with the spoken word", Rosemary ...

OPINION: Even slack men in power can enjoy themselves more than women trying to hard to be perfect.

The day Trump discovered Covid-19

Trump said US clusters of coronavirus were "seeded" by European travellers.

OPINION: Trump's coronavirus travel ban from Europe will hurt NZ, but may sharpen the Government's response.

Who pays for the crisis?

Airlines are being hit hard by coronavirus.

OPINION: Politicians and bosses grapple with the health crisis.

This economic shock is different

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern with Finance minister Grant Robertson hold a very media statement conference about ...

The Government is getting ready to roll out its coronavirus response, but will it work?

Why Shane Jones is irresponsible

NZ First Minister Shane Jones.

OPINION: MPs set the bar, so it's not hard to see why interest groups indulge in misinformation.

The zero dollar guide to lobbying

Phil Quin asks: Are lobbyists good for anything more than schmoozing and influence peddling?

I was a washed up Labour hack with a stupendous drinking problem so I got a job in PR, writes Phil Quin.

Coronavirus could decide election

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gives a brief media statement around Covid-19 after a special Cabinet meeting earlier this ...

OPINION: Two sharply different economic plans to fight coronavirus are emerging. But it's how the Government keeps the public informed that matters.

More dangerous than he seems

Shane Jones clearly understands the politics of identity - but has he really thought through the things he comes out with?

OPINION: Shane Jones might be smart, or he might be winging it. Either way, he's gathering fan boys.

We need to talk about Bernie

Investors, especially in America, are starting to look past the rubble of the virus and to imagine, astride their ...

OPINION: For Kiwis, many of Bernie Sanders policies are unremarkable. But trade is a different story.

The coronavirus election video

Kiwis almost universally know about the virus and think it will negatively affect the economy.

OPINION: Coronavirus poll underlines how important this issue will be to voters come September.

Do you feel lucky, Adrian?

Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr will be weighing up whether or not to cut interest rates.

As the Reserve Bank gears up to cut rates because of coronavirus, the governor should ask himself the Dirty Harry question.

It's time to pipe up and fix water

Wellington Water staff work on fixing sewerage pipes on Willis St, in the city.

OPINION: Problems with water and sewage not good enough in a modern, wealthy city, says Nicola Willis.

Reasons to remove trade barriers

Lambing ewes at Kaihoka, near Collingwood, in July last year.

OPINION: Agricultural exporters should get the same opportunities in world markets that industrial goods enjoy.

Who is Paul Goldsmith?

Paul Goldsmith has spoken of his dislike for a heavy tax burden.

OPINION: The man who might control the nation's purse strings come September is a bookish blackbelt.

PM scores a win from Aussie lose-lose

PM Ardern delivered a blunt message to her Aussie counterpart.

OPINION: Ardern put gangs front and centre on the political stage - and even managed to blame Australia for it.

It's time to end the secrecy

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel's election expenses are being investigated.

OPINION: We need greater transparency over public donations.

Why ScoMo should be ashamed

Ardern with Morrison in Melbourne last year.

OPINION: Kiwis are big contributors to Australia's success. The Australian Government needs to be reminded of that fact.

No 'sickie' for politics

Women wear protective masks in China, where more than 2700 people have died from coronavirus.

OPINION: The coronavirus is an unpredictable threat

Hypocrisy in public service bill

Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt says there is a glaring hypocrisy at the heart of proposed public service ...

OPINION: Reforms before Parliament spell out public servants' human rights - but not those of the public they serve.

Where will the cuts come from?

Converting the light vehicle fleet to electric cars is an obvious way to cut emissions.

OPINION: With the feebate dead, it's difficult to see where much-needed emissions reductions will come from.

Vital support for carers snatched away

Jenny Compston's son Jackson Messiter, who has Angelman Syndrome.

OPINION: Respite care was promised that actually worked for my family's circumstances. Now it's on hold.

More marine reserves needed

Commercial fishermen estimate they'll take $3 million hit from the loss of  catch, with the rock lobster industry hit ...

OPINION: We'll need something akin to the Paris agreement on climate action to save marine diversity.

How to fix the housing crisis

Let's try looking at what might work in housing, rather than the usual policy mirages, says Steven Joyce

OPINION: Partisan party policies are doomed to fail - the solution lies in learning from the past, writes Steven Joyce.

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