National’s Nick Smith comments on a report by the NZ Council for Infrastructure Development, which identifies infrastructure as the key economic problem for New Zealand – and the Resource Management Act as the primary barrier to new infrastructure investment, just as we pointed out in the Telecommunications submission. Nick Smith says: The Auckland blackout, Wellington’s [...]

Infrastructure, New Zealand, Politics, Wellington | 2 Comments »

This afternoon I was interviewed on the steps on Parliament by Mihi Forbes from TV3. Campbell Live is doing a piece tonight on ‘what it means to be a New Zealander’, prompted by Don Brash’s comments that there are no pureblooded Maori left (which is true enough). Naturally they sought out the Libertarianz position on [...]

Libertarianz, New Zealand, Politics | 3 Comments »

But first, from FP Passport: “Ignorance is Bliss.” America, you have a problem. Only in the United States are Annie Leibovitz photos considered more important than the dire situation in Afghanistan… Foreign Policy’s Passport blog also picks up on one of John Robb’s recent posts on Global Guerrillas, “Taking Out Musharraf.” Pakistan recently suffered a [...]

4GW, Failed states, Infrastructure, Islam, South Asia, Terrorism | No Comments »

International reaction to Thailand’s recent bloodless coup d’etat has been overwhelmingly negative. This is unsurprising – being deposed in such a way is hardly an appealing thought to any politician. However, I think the coup, while undemocratic, is probably a genuinely good thing for Thailand’s democracy. It may not have been an inspiring display of [...]

4GW, Non-state actors, World | 1 Comment »

The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy (VRWC) that Helen has been raving about not only really exists, they have released their latest piece of propaganda in a not-so-secretive fashion. Shiny! If you like the video, you can also grab the mp3. I hear rumours that soon we’ll be able to buy T-shirts proclaiming our membership of [...]

Labour, New Zealand, Politics | No Comments »

Did you not see us victorious upon the Yarmuk, The way we prevailed in the campaigns of Iraq? The virgin cities we conquered, as well as The Yellow Meadow, on our galloping steeds. We conquered before that Busra, which was Impenetrable even to the flying crows. We killed those who stood against us With flashing [...]

4GW, Empire, Islam, Middle East, Terrorism | No Comments »

Tongan protestors, courtesy of Planet-Tonga.com. More photos here. King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV was buried yesterday, as part of a month of official mourning, including lavish feasts, countless gifts and a blend of local and Western traditions. Here are some media analyses about the death of King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV: NZ Herald: A far-sighted monarch, Stuff: [...]

Pacific, Politics | 2 Comments »

From the front page of Wikipedia: Anti-government protests in Budapest turn violent, after Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány of Hungary admits his party lied to win an election. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark stole $800,000 of public money to win an election and is currently denying that it was illegal and revealing dirt about opposition [...]

New Zealand, Politics, World | 1 Comment »

It’s true! Edit:  I should point out that these pics, which Luke uploaded from my camera, were actually taken by Leanne.  Credit where credit’s due…  Phil

Art, New Zealand, Personal, Wellington | 6 Comments »

Cult guru to hang for Tokyo subway attack Yemen foils attacks on oil, gas facilities Fresh street fighting in Dili Annan says Non-Aligned Movement more important then ever The confirmation that Japan will hang the leader of Aum Shinrikyo should serve as a reminder that terrorist threats aren’t the exclusive province of any particular religion; [...]

4GW, Infrastructure, Non-state actors, Pacific, UN | 9 Comments »