Compared with other democracies, New Zealand has relatively few checks on its parliament, so it would be misjudged to extend the gap between visits to the ballot box, writes Liam Hehir. Nick Smith, National’s spokesman for electoral reform, has suggested a number of reforms to the rules about how and when we elect members of … Read more
As National searches for a support partner, there is fresh talk of a new centrist environmental party. But is it something voters are looking for, asks RNZ’s Chris Bramwell It is no surprise talk of a new environmentally-focussed centrist political party is being welcomed by National, because under MMP it will need a support partner if it … Read more
Does the way we approach drug law form fundamentally overlook what addiction is all about, asks Danyl Mclauchlan It’s been a long time since I smoked pot. My friends and I used to smoke it at school. We were bored, I suppose, but in retrospect this was a terrible place to take drugs. My prevailing … Read more
The much-vaunted Kiwibuild programme isn’t going to come close to reaching the initial house building targets. So what has gone wrong? And can it be salvaged? AUT expert Professor John Tookey answered some of our questions. The numbers on Kiwibuild are bleak. Thirty three houses built to date. A target of 1000 for the first … Read more
The ongoing ‘Gilets Jaunes’ protests in France should serve as a warning to NZ politicians, writes Jeanette Fitzsimons: fail to explain the benefit of carbon pricing (and where the money is going) and you’ll reap the consequences. A price on carbon has been a key demand of serious climate action for three decades now, but … Read more
The National Party has underscored the importance of the drug law reform debate by appointing its deputy leader to a new role devoted to the issue. Is there any reason for hope, or should we prepare for wedge politics, asks Russell Brown The charitable view of Paula Bennett’s appointment to the new role of National … Read more
Today brings confirmation about the depth of the crisis in a global context. We need bold action, not tinkering at the edges. And overhauling the tax system has to be part of the change, write Geoff Simmons The Demographia Housing Affordability Report released today shows our country is losing at housing. We are the worst … Read more
With the PM’s withdrawal agreement shot down, but Britain still set to leave the EU on March 29, a new course of action is needed – and fast, writes Leeds University political scientist Victoria Honeyman. As the clock ticks down to March 29 2019, all of the political manoeuvring, negotiating, arguing and fighting is coming … Read more
The revelation in 2009 that Green MP Keith Locke had been spied on since age 11 caused an uproar and prompted an inquiry into SIS surveillance. Now, he writes, the SIS has been forced to apologise for calling him ‘a threat’ in internal documents. Last April I received a letter from Rebecca Kitteridge, the director … Read more
For a very long time the electricity market has been dominated by providers. The Spinoff spoke to a company shifting the balance towards the consumer. Imagine sitting at the pub having a beer on a cold winter’s night and your phone vibrates in your pocket alerting you to a sharp drop in the spot price … Read more
I’ve worked at parliament for three different MPs over five years. For the first time, I’m now working for a woman MP, and the kind of messages sent to her online are shocking. “Hey, what are you up to tonight?” “Is that your boyfriend?” It’s 9.37pm and I assume my MP has had the gall … Read more
He’s a lot of things: a commentator, political PR guy, Twitter scrapper, dad, recovering alcoholic – even Mongolian ambassador. But Matthew Hooton’s main focus at the moment is chalking up a philosophy Master’s in London. Toby Manhire meets one of the most fascinating – and polarising – characters in NZ politics Life is a like … Read more
The US federal government shutdown is a case of political and economic vandalism, committed by politicians against the people who elected them, writes Alex Braae from the USA. The guy in the museum got quite agitated when I mentioned we were about to drive to White Sands National Park. He was already a slightly wild-looking … Read more
Rangatira ki te rangatira: Ardern’s approach to Waitangi commemorations offered the chance to break from the bad old days under PMs of both parties, wrote Annabelle Lee This post was first published January 24 2018 Every Waitangi it’s the same. The lack of gratitude shown by Māori at being among the poorest, sickest, most unemployed and … Read more
Drug-testing group Know Your Stuff has warned that tests at five events in New Zealand this summer have found MDMA pills laced with bath salts or N-ethylpentylone, a substance linked to deaths overseas and hospitalisations in New Zealand. This follows Police Minister Stuart Nash this week saying, in the wake of stories around toxic drugs found … Read more
The Jami-Lee Ross saga prompted many to draw parallels with Dirty Politics, the 2014 exposé of attack politics and tactics emanating from the then prime minister’s office. The author of the book argued in the Spinoff that it is a stark reminder that our politics remain at risk from the poison of dirty politics. This … Read more
Our experts think outside the proverbial box and serve up one leftfield prediction for the year to come in politics Alex Braae None of Phil Goff, Lianne Dalziel, or Justin Lester will face a challenger who gets within 20% of them in the mayoral elections. Madeleine Chapman Nikki Kaye will become leader of the National … Read more
This year Winston Peters finally took the reins of power, albeit only for six weeks of maternity cover. Ahead of Peters’ stint in charge, Toby Manhire surveyed a truly extraordinary career This story was first published on the Spinoff in April, and originally ran in Barker’s 1972 magazine. For someone who styles himself as a straight-shooter, Winston Peters … Read more
Our experts cast their minds ahead to the sweeping politiscapes of 2019. What, we asked, are the three issues on which 2019 could hinge? Alex Braae Climate change politics, specifically how they relate to farming. So, uh, where exactly do we stand when it comes to China and the USA? We haven’t seen the last … Read more
The leader of the National Party was heavily criticised for delivering a tone-deaf interview on the prime ministerial baby. Hayden Donnell resolved to help him beat his demons and redefine his personal brand. This post was first published 26 June 2018 The worst thing was he thought it was going well. Simon Bridges was revelling … Read more
Susan St John of the Child Poverty Action Group assesses the government’s impact on the lives of the most deprived children after its first full year. For children’s advocates the end of 2018 saw much cause for gratitude and celebration. Grant Robertson affirmed that Budget 2019 will have a wellbeing focus. For the first time … Read more
The bombshell story about a story that wasn’t a story sent shockwaves through the New Zealand reckons machine. This post was first published on May 3 2018 At least four news organisations have over recent months been following up on the malevolent bullshit being peddled about Jacinda Ardern’s boyfriend Clarke Gayford by anonymous cretins on … Read more
Jacinda Ardern’s full speech to the United Nations General Assembly. This post, first published September 28 2018, was viewed in tens of thousands. The NZ prime minister’s speech called for kindness over fear, accountability, and collectivism on inequality and climate change. E ngā mana nui o ngā whenua o te ao Tēnā koutou katoa Nei rā … Read more
The Jami-Lee Ross saga was unique in New Zealand’s political history. Danyl Mclauchlan explains why. This post was first published Oct 20 2018 So much of what happens in politics never makes it into the media. Every now and then a journalist – out for an early run or stumbling home from a late night … Read more
The prime minister delivered many speeches, but only one baby, in 2018. There was only one way to cover the leadup, and that was our liveblog, which became a minor global sensation. To enjoy it properly, please scroll to the end and read from bottom up. This liveblog was first published in June 2018 Updates … Read more
In the first days of 2018, as she embarked on a critical year for her newly formed government, Jacinda Ardern hosted Spinoff editor Toby Manhire at her Auckland home. This post was first published Feb 1 2018 Mid-morning, Anniversary Monday, and Auckland is melting. “Yesterday, I was trying to write a speech, and it was … Read more
Continuing our review of the year in politics, our firmament of experts offer the definitive summary of 2018 in just one sentence. For more of the political year in review –and 2019 in preview – go here Huh, turns out it can get worse from here. – Alex Braae Too many people, too many opinions … Read more
To kick off our review of the year in politics, we asked our experts to pick the best and worst performing individuals (or parties or institutions or whatever). To come in the next few days: 2018 in a sentence and predictions for 2019. Alex Braae Champs Paul Goldsmith. Constant hits put on the obvious weirdness … Read more
The report on Thompson and Clark revealed seven government departments have engaged with a spy agency that acted unlawfully. It seems no one was safe from being spied on if they disagreed with government policy, and this should be a Watergate moment, writes Greenpeace’s Russel Norman. Around the beginning of 2017, Greenpeace received leaked information indicating that … Read more