Opinion
Time for us to 'woke' up
OPINION: You're free to "stick to your own kind". You just can't force others to follow your faulty philosophy of human relations.
Cheese-baited traps set off 21 times
To quote Rabbie Burns: The best laid schemes o' mice an' men/ Gang aft agley
Not feeling under the weather
Opinion: It's a sunny day as I write this, which surprises me because a couple of days ago the weather forecast was quite dire: cloudy, cold winds and squally showers.
Laying claim to origin of birth
OPINION: It was an interesting scenario – actor Sam Neill claiming he almost choked on his porridge at one of his Central Otago vineyards recently when he saw that the UK media were claiming that their latest cricket hero, Ben Stokes, was English.
Don't hide behind freedom of speech
OPINION: Sometimes the 'satire defence' for offensive speech just doesn't work
Dingle-dangling dongles frustrate
OPINION: To all rugby fans looking forward to watching the Rugby World Cup on Spark Sport, all I can say is "good luck with that".
Big brother takes flight
Opinion: They are ubiquitous and the fulfilment of the world George Orwell anticipated when he wrote his prophetic but chilling novel, 1984.
Freak occurrences take their toll
Opinion: I've heard of it raining cats and dogs but this was the first time I'd heard of a bear falling out of the sky.
No shame in needing to know more
OPINION: Sometimes I think we just don't use this short phrase enough.
Putting station on map
Opinion: On Saturday I embarked on a 220 kilometre journey through the Southern Alps to the West Coast.
The Minister for Being Out of Touch
OPINION: There was a time when I was almost the complete grammar snob.
Learning about past through finds
What would you say to someone if you came back from a big trip and all you could afford to bring for them as a present was a cheap pen?
Mugs, maladies, music, and memories
OPINION: A late gig and an early flight are manageable when the music is compelling.
They played the game right
OPINION: A couple of sayings have recurred to me in the wake of Monday morning's heart-stopping climax to the Cricket World Cup final.
Let's get this issue sorted
OPINION: Capital gains taxes, less punitive approaches to criminal justice and substantive welfare
Bowled over by Black Caps
Opinion: I decided as long ago as last week that this week I would devote my column to the Black Caps' participation in their second successive Cricket World Cup final.
What is a name worth?
OPINION: You can learn a lot writing about divisive issues, like changing the Crusaders' name.
A title can't erase an atrocity
OPINION: I'm sorry, but I have to say it. I don't want the Crusaders to win the Super Rugby final on Saturday night.
Brexit exacerbates hostility
There's long been an underlying animosity between the French and the English.
Andrew Little, champion of Kmart
OPINION: Justice Minister Andrew Little has ignored human rights warnings, instead focusing on Kmart shopping.
Thinking back to Iran visit
OPINION: A couple of years ago Derek Burrows says he was fortunate enough to visit Iran.
Memorabilia has a price
OPINION: Somewhere, tucked away in a box or an old suitcase, I've got the autograph of my schoolboy football hero, Duncan Edwards.
It's a motivation, not an insult
OPINION: I've been pondering when exactly the term 'social justice warrior' became an insult.