Pity the Australians - they have been watching Prime Ministers fail for too long. Leadership coups provide compelling drama but they should not happen when a party is in power.

The astounding thing about Lydia Ko's first triumph in a golf major, the Evian Championship in France, is it seemed so matter of course.

The 2015 Harmful Digital Communications Act had its critics as it passed through Parliament.

Fears that young people are influenced by popular culture should not be the basis for arbitrary banning of award-winning books.

The Prime Minister has been too quick to rule out the addition of Aaron Dustin's Red Peak to the shortlisted flags that will be the subject of next month's first referendum.

There have been ripples of criticism in Britain over the Cameron Government's revelation that RAF drones have killed two British nationals in Syria.

The Cabinet's response yesterday to the Syrian refugee crisis is no more than a token gesture.

No country can stand aside if it wants to be recognised as a fully participating member of the international community, and that includes New Zealand.

When it is considered how much rest home workers have to do for aged people in care, few would begrudge them a substantial improvement on the pay they receive.

The landscape is littered with airlines that failed to make a go of servicing this country's regions.

Michael Woodhouse is right. The rules governing shop trading on Easter Sunday are complex and relatively arbitrary.

The practice of New Zealanders in their 20s throwing caution to the wind and heading off to London on working holidays is no longer such a cultural phenomenon.

All eyes in the rugby world have turned to the selection of squads for the World Cup. Each major contender has a quandary or two.

The shortcomings at Child, Youth and Family reflect an agency that hasn't coped with a significant switch in societal attitudes to child abuse.

New Zealand was a latecomer in establishing a register for sex offenders. Now, however, Social Development Minister Anne Tolley seems intent on making up for lost time.

New Zealand is a small boat in a storm, but a fairly sturdy one. We have ridden out the past few tempests in the world economy without being swamped and that offers confidence we can survive this one.

Rapid increase in visitors who are spending more suggests country offering good value for money.

Some might cheer Ashley Madison breach, but it shows even ordinary people can be hit and hurt by the cyber-zealots.

Screening for any cancer is a big decision and the case needs to be compelling. Only when it is should a national programme proceed.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully ought to stand aside while the Auditor-General conducts her inquiry into the Saudi sheep deal.

No serious road accident involving a visitor to this country represents good publicity for the tourism industry.

Tap beneath the surface of an issue and all sorts of questions emerge.

Two major factors - falling international coal prices and a $320 million mountain of debt - proved the undoing of state-owned coal company Solid Energy.

No one expects 'The Donald' to be President, but his rivals might be better to go for him now before he spoils his party's chances.

A convincing display is needed to quell concerns the ageing team could be following the same path as the 1991 World Cup team.

Last year's Mood of the Boardroom survey showed businesses and consumers cock-a-hoop about this country's economic prospects. The mood yesterday was less confident.

The 40 designs selected this week from more than 10,000 proposals have given some focus to the question of whether we should change our national flag.

Even in department stores throughout Europe, it is hard to escape Auckland. That is because of the widespread presence of a Dutch clothing range called NZA New Zealand Auckland.