Trying Hard To Lose

National Party candidate for Epsom Paul Goldsmith last night told a business gathering in Newmarket that he was once a mercenary for former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The revelation came after a television news poll showed Mr Goldsmith is well in front of ACT’s John Banks in the race for Epsom electorate. Prime Minister John…

Shame On John Key For… Something

Amelia Wade of the Herald reports: Already under pressure because of the “teapot tape”, John Key may have added to his legal woes with a signature. Yesterday, the grinning Prime Minister walked in Phil Goff and Helen Clark’s shoes and autographed a banknote – technically breaking the law. It is illegal for a person to…

Officials Fear Vote-Splitting Contagion

Electoral officials have confirmed that they have been stockpiling hundreds of plastic buckets, first aid kits and bottles of hand sanitiser in preparation for next Saturday’s general election. Officials are concerned about the threat to public health in the event of a mass outbreak of tactical voting, and have been drawing up contingency plans to…

Right Thinking: On How To Persuade

Everybody’s favourite authoritarian libertarian returns with a blistering new column As a powerful media figure and celebrated columnist, I know something about making a persuasive argument. My opinions inspire terror in my opponents, so naturally they take every opportunity they can to shut me down. That’s why you won’t find any of my columns in…

When John Met John

Key: Hi John. Banks: Hi John. Key: By the way, John, I wanted to say you’re looking good. Fitter and trimmer. Banks: You too, John. You’re looking very good to me. Key: The glasses suit you too, John. They make you look more intellectual and sophisticated. Banks: Why thank you, John. Key:  No problem, John.…

Which Is The Lucky Country?

Consumer confidence is down, manufacturing slumped in October, Europe is teetering on the edge of economic meltdown, unemployment is up, the government is running a massive deficit, we’ve had a credit downgrade, economic growth is stagnant, the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, the cost of living is rising for most people, and…

ACT Gets The Green Light

Although the ACT Party is floundering in the polls, the party today launched a bold new transport policy. ACT Leader Dr Don Brash said he was confident that the public of New Zealand would embrace the policy once they understood its detail. “We look forward to working with a National-led government to introduce this initiative,”…