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John Key made a habit of attending the Big Gay Out which was bold for a conservative leader anywhere in the world a decade ago. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Freeing sexuality from politics last hurdle

11 Feb, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Key did much to advance conversation but subject remains final frontier.

Seemingly half of Christchurch decamps to Kaiteriteri every summer. Photo / Getty Images

BUSINESS

Government should not mess with success

28 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Economic success, like great tennis, needs to be appreciated.

President Donald Trump kisses first lady Melania Trump during a hangar rally at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Trump has little impact on 2018's big trend

29 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Despite Trump, women are changing the world.

The public needs to hear more substantial, memorable comments from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, writes John Roughan. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Ardern the invisible PM for much of 2018

22 Dec, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Jacinda Ardern is proving to be an unusually inhibited Prime Minister.

A large crowd gathers at the candlelit vigil held on Federal St, Auckland City, in remembrance of murdered British traveller Grace Millane. Photo / Peter Meecham

NEW ZEALAND

Labour violins play but ovation must wait

15 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Labour governments have one habit that is intensely annoying.

We all guilty of using Santa for adult gratification. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Why Christmas isn't just for the kids

8 Dec, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Santa brings out the child in all of us.

Planners should close the street and see what happens. Don't design too much, just wait and watch what people do. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: 'Wait and watch' the key to good planning

1 Dec, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: The first law of city planning ought to be: Watch what people do.

Last week we were told re-entry will cost $36m. This is madness. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Pike River re-entry now ridiculously expensive

24 Nov, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: A $7.2 million Pike River re-entry plan has somehow become $36 million.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters speak to media at the ASEAN summit in Singapore. Photo / Audrey Young

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Access to Australia could suffer if we take in boat people

17 Nov, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

We need to wake up to our privileged access to Australia lest we lose it.

The names on the Auckland War Memorial Museum lawn did not die for nothing. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Armistice ends a centenary of reading

10 Nov, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Let's be honest, we live in awe of the Great War.

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway ought to have asked his officials to check the claims more closely. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Judging the Government's judgement calls

3 Nov, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: How rigorously would a Labour minister check asylum seekers situations.

Artist's impression of the proposed Auckland Waterfront Stadium. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Waterfront stadium like wine and beer mix

27 Oct, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: A sunken stadium is not the feature the waterfront demands.

National Party candidate Jamie-Lee Ross, watched by his wife Lucy Schwaner, speaks. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

If this is corruption NZ-style, we're lucky

20 Oct, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: The entrapment of Simon Bridges revealed not much to worry about.

I'm not going to listen ever again to Aucklanders claiming they use the car only because the city's public transport is so bad. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Auckland's bus service is not at all bad

13 Oct, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Auckland's bus service is now surprisingly good.

WORLD

John Roughan: Creeps don't change - Kavanaugh still the frat boy

6 Oct, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Watching Kavanaugh, it was easy to see the boy in that frat house.

Serena Williams remonstrates with referee Brian Earley before receiving her unhappy ending courtesy of Naomi Osaka. Photo / AP

SPORT

Roughan: US Open crowd was blinded by Serena hype

15 Sep, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Serena Williams and the American crowd wanted reality to follow their script.

Whether there is trouble tonight or not, the mere possibility has not stopped the Chelsea Manning event going ahead. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Nothing to fear but fear of free speech itself

8 Sep, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Chelsea Manning shows free speech is still in good shape in New Zealand.

Until the Government says no to some needless expenses, business confidence could be elusive. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: This Government needs to say no sometimes

1 Sep, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Business confidence might rise if this Government said no sometimes.

Malcolm Turnbull. Through all the leadership changes of the past decade, Australians have not materially suffered. Photo / AP

WORLD

John Roughan: Swallow the leader Oz's new national sport

25 Aug, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Australia's political turbulence may be a result of economic stability.

Thousands of striking primary school teachers, make their way up Queen St, Auckland CBD. Photo / Brett Phibbs

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Teachers' pay reflects the way they bargain

18 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Teachers' pay reflects they way they prefer to negotiate it.

This country should never be short of builders and other trades well suited to Kiwi can-do. Photo / Michael Craig

BUSINESS

John Roughan: Whole nation on hunt for builderpeople

11 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Business confidence may be down but the economy is still going strong.

Two big concerns should be on Jacinda Ardern's mind as she returns to fulltime PM duties. Supplied photo

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Two big concerns for returning PM

4 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Two big concerns stick out for returning PM Jacinda Ardern, John Roughan writes.

It is coming up a year since Andrew Little stepped aside as Labour leader, a decision which led to Jacinda Ardern's promotion. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: A year on from Little's game-changing call

28 Jul, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: A year ago then Labour leader Andrew Little made his game-changing decision.

Lauren Southern hates Islamic attitudes to women and for that reason she hates Islamic immigration.

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Hate speech does not mean a hated view

21 Jul, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Hate speech should not be too widely defined.

Lauren Southern is essentially a journalist who asks unwelcome questions. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Our town halls are now censored by Goff

14 Jul, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Since when were Auckland town halls closed to "divisive" events?

France's Antoine Griezmann, left, and Argentina's Javier Mascherano challenge for the ball during the round of 16 match between France and Argentina in Kazan, Russia. Photo / AP

SPORT

John Roughan: It's enthralling to see nations at play

7 Jul, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Football's World Cup shows distinctive nations at play.

It is going to get worse in the next week or two if hospital strikes go ahead and schools are hit too. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Nurses not helping Labour's 'fair pay' plan

30 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Public sector strikes will not be helping business confidence.

Jaciunda Ardern and Clarke Gayford with their new baby girl. Photo / Instagram

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Labour needs to treat baby carefully

23 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: The public would not respond well to crass exploitation of our royal baby.

David Seymour in Dancing with the Stars. Photo / Three

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: We're seeing a voters' revolt on TV

16 Jun, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: "Dancing with the Stars" voters are venting and showing their rebellious side.

Sir peter Glickman's report was refreshing to read. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Roughan: Take a long look in the mirror

9 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Blame health and environmental zealots for the over-reaction of meth smoke.

President Donald Trump meets Kim Kardashian in the Oval Office at the White House to discuss prison reform. Photo / White House

WORLD

Kim's strategy harpoons a mighty big fish

2 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Is North Korea's new tone a vindication of all Trump's tough talk on Twitter?

Palestinian protesters burn tires during a protest at the Gaza Strip's border with Israel. Photo / AP

WORLD

John Roughan: Israel's anniversary turned predictably sour

19 May, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Israel marked is 70th anniversary with provocation and bloodshed.

Our national superannuation fund wants to invest in an Auckland tram line. Image / Auckland Transport

NEW ZEALAND

Rail deal may go off track for Super Fund

12 May, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: The Super Fund needs to face a financial risk on light rail.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, left, is welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: This generation needs more than a nuclear moment

21 Apr, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: If we are going to lead the world against climate change, let's hope it follows.

This Government is making the most of the bill for Middlemore. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Don't buy Govt's Middlemore myth

14 Apr, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Middlemore gives the Govt a good excuse of a tight budget but don't buy its myth.

If the traffic was as bad as Aucklanders like to complain, why would they get back in their cars every morning? Photo / Nick Reed

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Memo NZ, don't pay for Auckland's follies

7 Apr, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: The rest of New Zealand should not have to pay for Auckland's phony problem.

Broadcasting Minister Clare Curran during her press conference over the Hirschfeld saga at Parliament on Tuesday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: A quiet cup of coffee can be good for govt

31 Mar, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: People in government should be able to talk to anyone they need to.

The greatest fallacy in our transport debate is the idea an urban roading system has a finite capacity. It doesn't. Photo / Peter Meecham

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Spare me this March Madness

24 Mar, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Fallacies about Auckland traffic congestion can be costly for the country.

A woman walks by a huge screen showing U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, in Tokyo. Photo / AP

WORLD

John Roughan: Trump and Kim could end this Korean farce

17 Mar, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Trump should withdraw US forces from Korea in exchange for nuclear disarmament.

Ministers pose for an official photo prior the signing ceremony of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Photo / AP

WORLD

John Roughan: TPP is a breakthrough for a UN dream

10 Mar, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: TPP is a step towards fulfilling one of the United Nations dreams.

This week Monica Lewinsky joined the #MeToo movement. Photo / Getty Images

LIFESTYLE

#MeToo: God knows why some men don't back off

3 Mar, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: The #MeToo movement should restore some old social graces.

Careers in environmental sciences probably thrive on public health warnings but let's not be ruled by them. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Don't let joy germs keep us out of the water

24 Feb, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Should we believe the health warnings on Auckland beaches or are we being played?

Steven Joyce is National's best choice for this term whatever may happen. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Steven Joyce best choice for Nats

17 Feb, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Steven Joyce should be National's next leader.

The Tino Rangatiratanga flag flies. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Māori didn't rally to their own flag

10 Feb, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Waitangi confirmed Māori are content to be back in the Labour family.

Bill English is much more than a fiscal conservative. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

English wants to retire despite success

3 Feb, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

OPINION: National's high polls make it hard for Bill English to step down.

Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern with partner Clarke Gayford who will be looking after the First Baby. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Can Ardern juggle ruling country and baby?

27 Jan, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

OPINION: Can a PM function with a baby? She will have her work cut out.

I don't care if we legalise cannabis but don't treat it as a health problem. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: How not to legalise drugs

20 Jan, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMNET: Treating cannabis as a health problem is a recipe for political regret.

What if Jim Anderton had been leading the Labour Party in 1984? Photo / NZPA

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: What if Anderton had been PM?

13 Jan, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Jim Anderton could have been PM and history would have been different.

A sign at Takapuna Beach, Auckland. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Whatever has happened to 'she'll be right'?

6 Jan, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

We can take beach pollution warnings with a grain of salt.

Flooding in Edgecumbe forcing exacuation of residents. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: How was climate change for you?

30 Dec, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Climate change has begun and we hardly remember the storms.

NEW ZEALAND

Homecoming kids make a happy Christmas

23 Dec, 2017 5:30am
5 minutes to read

OPINION: It is remarkable how much young families travel these days.

National leader Bill English during the debate in Parliament, Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: National ends the year strong

16 Dec, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: December poll shows National still has the confidence of its disappointed voters.

If enough voters in those unfortunate localities don't want treated water, good luck to them. Photo / Stephen Parker

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Let them drink untreated water

9 Dec, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: We don't need a new government agency to monitor drinking water.

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Trump and Brexit did not win our election

2 Dec, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Let's not believe we voted to be a less open, confident country.

Will the quality of universities suffer when students are no longer charged for tuition? Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Free entry does not build a great university

25 Nov, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Free entry could send our universities downhill.

Refugees and asylum seekers hold up banners during a protest at the Manus Island immigration detention centre in Papua New Guinea. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

Roughan: Manus Island: Kiwis are not busybodies

18 Nov, 2017 10:03am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Kiwis practical, liberal, reserved people who generally do not rush to judgment.

Auckland city. Photo / NitiChuysakul Photography

NEW ZEALAND

Super City oblivious to life on the ground

4 Nov, 2017 11:01am
4 minutes to read

There are eight million stories in the naked city, this is one of them.

NZ First leader Winston Peters and incoming Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Parliament, Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Capitalism's human face is not Peters

28 Oct, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Winston Peters has got nothing worse than a regional slush fund from Labour.

NZ First leader Winston Peters gets to choose our government. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: Peters appears to mean business this time

14 Oct, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Peters is cooking up something serious this time.

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: A fourth election victory is truly historic

7 Oct, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: National's historic achievement should tell Peters what to do.

Mr 7 per cent (probably, after the specials) is planning to sit like King Solomon and invite bribes from both sides. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

John Roughan: A coalition of losers could happen

30 Sep, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: A personality cult gets to decide our next government.

Former PM Sir John Key was overseas for much of the campaign but says he was able to keep in touch - watching the first leaders' debate in his cabin on a cruise ship off Croatia. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Key: English did better than I would have done

24 Sep, 2017 9:21pm
4 minutes to read

Former PM John Key feels the election result vindicated his decision to resign.