It can take courage to champion what you believe in. Especially when your views are at odds with those of the crowd. And more especially today, when social media’s cauldron of hate can quickly vilify anyone speaking out against politically correct ‘wisdom.’ Read more
One of the underappreciated joys of parenthood is lying to your children. Read more
Confirmation came this week that New Zealand’s once world-leading school system continues its steady decline. Read more
Despite what Education Minister Chris Hipkins would have us believe, you cannot simply google everything. Read more
Moving to New Zealand in 2003 was a bit like stepping into an underpowered time machine. The new-release movies in theatre were ones that had hit the big screen in the US months earlier. TV series lagged by months, or even a season. Some web-based services seemed years behind. Read more
The Ministry of Business’ Fair Pay Agreement discussion paper released last month took a long time coming. Read more
When the government presses ahead with incomprehensible proposals, you have to ask “Why?” Read more
On Monday, Lawyers for Climate Action (LfCA) launched in the New Zealand Parliament. It was the silk-wearing equivalent of protesting school children. It also showed the same enthusiasm for handing government more power. Read more
This week, opposition leader Simon Bridges announced he would introduce an elite anti-gang task force if elected. Read more
Forgive them for they know not what they have done. Even for those of us without religious convictions, this is not a bad rule of thumb. Read more
It is too easy to convince ourselves of things that are not true. Read more
No one has ever accused the Germans of boundless optimism. There is a reason the word Weltschmerz (world-weariness) was once coined in Germany. Read more
Imagine putting $100 in a bank account that earned 2% annual interest but being unable to calculate how much would be there at the end of one year? ($102) As an NBR reader, that question was probably easy to answer. Yet, in a recent survey of 1000 adult New Zealanders, only 57% answered correctly. Read more
“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands”. Clapping is a common gesture across all cultures – even babies clap. There is nothing scary about clapping, is there? Read more
“For a child in Bluff who might be interested in muttonbirds, they are not going to be interested in the fact that there are seven continents in the world." Read more