Latest fromBest of Political Analysis
<i>Gwynne Dyer:</i> Berlusconi acting like typical Italian male
Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi's promiscuous behaviour isn't really frowned upon by his countrymen, writes Gwynne Dyer.
Tapu Misa: No easy formula for pupils doing well
If you tell children they're failures, they tend not to disappoint you.
<i>John Armstrong</i>: Military cuts robbing Peter to pay Peter
The joke doing the rounds is that there seems to be no spare cash for anything more than hiring consultants to squeeze more money out of the Defence Force's budget to hire even more expensive consultants...
<i>John Armstrong:</i> Declaration featherlight but rich in symbolism
The declaration is so light on where the NZ-US relationship goes from here that it could have floated out of the Beehive on hot air.
<i>John Armstrong:</i> 'Let's cuddle up to Washington'
The Govt's defence white paper stresses that NZ's security is enhanced by improving bilateral relations with "like-minded" states.
<i>Audrey Young:</i> Leadership muted as maverick blasts bill
There is a simple reason MP Hone Harawira is winning the public relations war within the Maori Party over the bill his leaders have negotiated to repeal Labour's Foreshore and Seabed Act.
<i>Fran O'Sullivan:</i> Two digit salute's not a sign of victory
No one will remember any prime ministerial egg-on-face when the Hobbit omelette is finally cooked.
<i>Brian Rudman:</i> Hobbit folk grovel to feudal movie lords
Every employee in the land should be concerned at the hammering the actors have got for daring to ask for meaningful negotiations.