There once was a man from Parnell,State assets he wanted to sell;The public were wild, Till he gave them a smile,And now they all think the plan’s swell.

After a momentous week in politics, both main political party leaders were this weekend reflecting on the reaction to their state of the nation speeches. Most commentators and analysts have given John Key a positive tick for what they say was a courageous initiative. Lecturer in Political Studies at Timaru University, Fraser Newdick, said that…

As I mentioned yesterday, I managed to leave my book at home, so I’ve been scrambling around to find something to read during my time on the Coromandel. It’s a shame the local store doesn’t have a better selection of magazines. I’ll just have to make do with what they have.

3 News is reporting that 40 sharks have been spotted off the Coromandel Peninsula. This is no surprise. In this sort of weather the sharks will be out in full force, especially around the Coromandel beaches. Because I’m holidaying in Pauanui I’m ensuring our family takes extra care when we’re out and about. Thankfully we’re…

Prime Minister John Key announced today that New Zealand has designated four more terrorist groups under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002. The groups are the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the National Liberation Army (ELN) of Colombia, Harakat-ul Jihad al Islami of Bangladesh, and the New Zealand Labour Party. “Three of these entities have committed atrocities…

The wheels on the bus are bald and barebald and bare, bald and bare,The wheels on the bus are bald and bareall through the town. The wipers on the bus don’t go at allgo at all, go at all,The wipers on the bus don’t go at allall through the town. The doors on the bus…

Sir Cecil Worthington-Brown gives his opinion on the royal engagement No, indeed I can’t say I approve of this impending royal marriage. Just what is the lad thinking? Marrying a commoner? It should have been obvious to anyone who knows royal history that things would go wrong as soon as the silly boy got himself…

While tens of thousands turned up in Christchurch today for the earthquake relief concert Band Together, another concert dedicated to Christchurch was taking place further north. Thousands gathered in the Auckland Domain this evening for the “Let’s Burn Christchurch” free concert. Concert-goers ranged from the elderly to young families. Police estimated that at least 70,000…

TV host Herman Pond has this morning apologised for comparing Jews to animals and for praising Adolf Hitler. Pond found himself mired in controversy after making his comments on air during an interview with the Prime Minister yesterday. Pond apologised yesterday for causing offence to “the race that killed Christ”. And this morning he began the…

A prominent breakfast television host has again caused controversy, after an on-air tirade comparing Jewish people to animals. The host of Aotearoa TV’s Rise and Shine, Herman Pond, made the remarks during an interview with the Prime Minister, John Key, this morning. Mr Pond claimed that Hollywood was controlled by Jews and that Jewish people should…