A budget for the country please.

A budget for the country please.

Normally we have to wait until the budget comes out before we hear that most overused of post-budget phrases, “there’s nothing in the budget for me”. This time around, the serial compainers have beaten even the finance minister to it, with claims that there’s nothing...
Asylum seekers ahead; proceed with caution

Asylum seekers ahead; proceed with caution

It’s nice to see our political leaders playing a constructive role on the international stage again. Last week, we saw our Foreign Minister joining other global leaders in calling for both sides in the Israeli conflict with Palestine to give serious consideration to...
The Remuneration Authority is tone deaf

The Remuneration Authority is tone deaf

The latest announcements by the Remuneration Authority suggesting an increase in parliamentary salaries strikes me as a government department that is tone deaf to the state of the country and the needs of the people. Most of us are feeling the pressure brought about...
When TV news is the news

When TV news is the news

Media people love reporting on the media. As a result when media companies start shedding services, people or programmes in this case, it can become the biggest story in town. And so we’ve had the news items, the coverage of meetings with staff, and finally the...
Bad behaviour

Bad behaviour

Last week’s news that New Zealand school students are among the worst behaved in the OECD came as quite a surprise. On reflection, it probably shouldn’t have. My immediate reaction was one of embarrassment. Those inside the education system were not so surprised. The...
When language is used to divide

When language is used to divide

There’s a nasty theme emerging in New Zealand politics. It’s come on gradually, particularly over the last year or so, but has become somewhat exaggerated recently, particularly in the months since the new government was sworn in. I refer to the use of highly emotive...