Imagine that someone invents a new cigarette that produces even more tar and harmful chemicals. Nobody is quite sure how much worse it is than a standard cigarette. Read more
I can’t pretend that dinnertime on the 21st of October was anywhere near as exciting as dinnertime on the 3rd of November. On the evening of Sunday the 3rd, I expect most of us were tuned into the final overs of the third cricket test, hoping that New Zealand would be the first to sweep a full test series in India. Read more
New Zealand’s poor productivity statistics are less puzzling if you understand the country’s land use planning and consenting system. It isn’t much of an exaggeration that, for many activities, anyone’s “no” can block anyone else from doing anything. Read more
If next week’s American Presidential election is a coin toss, that coin looks increasingly weighted toward Trump. In early October, the race was much closer to a fair coin toss. Read more
Imagine trying to take instructions from a deceased client, or entering into a contract with your great-great-grandparents. According to our Supreme Court's latest decision, these absurdities might not be far-fetched. Read more
While studying psychology, my fellow students and I replicated a famous study conducted by B.F. Skinner in the 1940s. Read more
The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Nikora v Kruger [2024] NZSC 130 has conjured up a revolutionary new principle of property law. According to our highest court, land can be beneficially owned by the dead. Read more
When a council needs adult supervision, something has gone seriously wrong. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown's intention to appoint a Crown Observer to Wellington City Council reflects mounting frustration with the capital's governance. Read more
2024 is a significant year for elections with over 60 countries having been to the polls or are going to the polls this year. The United States election on 5 November is without doubt the most consequential. Read more
Having worked at the Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney from 2008 to 2012, I know how inspirational the think tank’s annual Consilium conference can be. Last week’s gathering on the Gold Coast certainly was, not least because of a remarkable speech by historian Sir Niall Ferguson. Read more
Wellington City Council’s recent turmoil highlights a widespread misunderstanding of New Zealand’s local governance. Most Kiwis believe mayors wield significant power over councils. Read more
On Tuesday, Ngāi Tahu set a compelling vision of tino rangatiratanga centred on economic self-determination. The late Māori King Arikinui Tuheitia asked iwi and hapū to hold four hui to build ‘kotahitanga’ – unity. Read more
A few weeks ago, soon after checking into my hotel in Varanasi, I got a knock at my door. It was the manager, asking if I’d noticed that my visa was about to run out in precisely twenty-four hours. Read more
Jordan Peterson’s latest message to his followers is a masterclass in rhetorical sleight of hand. Peterson delivered a keynote address at last week’s ARC conference in Sydney, which was also broadcast on Sky News Australia. Read more
My recent column, “Parliament should rein in our runaway Supreme Court,” sounded the alarm on a troubling trend. Our highest court is overstepping its bounds, reshaping laws in ways that challenge Parliament’s authority. Read more