Malcolm MacKerras has been trying to persuade New Zealand’s politicians to replace their Mixed Member Proportional electoral system with a better one.
New Zealand
Why New Zealand should become our seventh state
MP Kelvin Thomson’s call for Australia to shut the door shut on New Zealand migrants is way off the mark, says Bernard Lagan: we’ve done enormously well by plundering their best and brightest. Let them join the Federation, and everyone wins.
Colebatch: Don’t let the mining boom blow up in our face
Asia’s growth is ensuring the continuation of the Australian mineral boom, but we need to train more workers — since immigration is not popular — and also protect our other industries, argues Tim Colebatch.
50 years of TIME in Australia (and a few less-important islands, too)
TIME magazine is celebrating 50 years of publication in Australia (well, the “South Pacific”, but it pretty much ignores everyone else), including a tribute to its pick of most influential Aussies of the last five decades: Robert Menzies, Germaine Greer, Victor Chang, Eddie Mabo, and Tim Flannery.
Crikey Clarifier: Why do all these celebrities keep ‘dying’ in New Zealand?
Zach Braff is not the only celebrity to have been the subject of death rumours in recent times. He is also not the only one who has supposedly fallen to their death from the Kauri Cliffs. So what’s going on here? Elly Keating investigates.
Political snippets: Footy fever spreads
It’s not surprising that football is front page news today, since it’s that week in September. But, it is surprising that they feature in the editorials in both the Hun and the Tele.
New Zealand rams its way out of recession
The combination of China and strong government spending has arrived to help the Kiwi economy escape its worst slump in 30 years and is now officially out of recession.
The Republic of Australia and New Zealand?
Australia and New Zealand living peacefully as one combined republic? It sounds far fetched, but Rodney Crisp provides a compelling, if odd, economic and historical argument.
Small nations more volatile economically
Small nations, like New Zealand, are often viewed as “paragons of economic virtue”. But they have very volatile economic growth and consumption and more incompetent public servants.
Australia gets grubby at PIF
Australia and New Zealand’s corrupt and underhanded means of getting their way inside the Pacific Islands Forum carries the stench of colonialism, says Greenpeace’s Shirley Atatagi.
New Zealand to be an interstate destination
A deal between Australia and New Zealand to make flights between the countries the same other domestic routes is now in the bag, reports Ben Sandilands, with Jetstar’s CEO stating fares could fall as low as $130 one way.
Humans causing the “sixth extinction” of species
Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islands are likely to become the “extinction hot spots” of the globe, mainly thanks to the human destruction and degradation of ecosystems.
Quake brings Australia and NZ closer. Literally.
Australia is now 300mm closer to New Zealand, after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake stretched the nose of NZ’s South Island ever so slightly. Choice, bro.
Three strikes and you’re offline
New Zealand is to implement a ‘three strikes and you’re offline’ rule in an attempt to fight copyright issues on the internet.
New Zealand’s bloody billboard
The local government in Papakura, New Zealand, have put up a billboard featuring the face of a young boy that leeches blood when it rains, in an effort to promote road safety.
Political snippets: Should Rudd really root for MacKillop’s sainthood?
Richard Farmer reveals breakthroughs in hairy back research and asks if our lapsed Catholic Prime Minister — who now prays as an Anglican — is really the best person to lobby the cause of Mary MacKillop’s sainthood.
Political snippets: The politics of swine flu
Richard Farmer looks at the politics of dealing with a flu pandemic and catches up with pollies across the Tasman.
Fairfax Mags consider nine-day fortnight
New Zealand’s Fairfax Magazines are encouraging staff to switch to a nine-day working fortnight to avoid job losses.
Ticked off: is Milo a health food?
Many nutritionists and public health experts were concerned about the message being sent to the public by the Heart Foundation’s endorsement of Milo, writes Leigh Sturgiss.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Why New Zealand is like a German Land
Frank Costigan … First Dog and Christianity … Intra-Zionist Nazi name-calling
BC-STV vs MMP: a psephological case study
The old British dominions of Australia, New Zealand and Canada make for an interesting psephological compare/contrast exercise, writes Malcolm Mackerras.
Chinese takeaway in the land of the getaway
Enticingly cheap Fiji holidays were on offer this week, just as news seeped out that China will start projects there, focussed on poverty and managing natural resources, writes Kevin Childs.
The strange New Zealand media beast
New Zealand has been at the vanguard of Pay TV competition and yet slightly a protected species from the full effects of competition from the Internet, writes Peter Cox.
