An outstanding debate happening in the Spinoff comment section today

They say hindsight is 2020, but that was five years ago. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/03-...

The government’s new earthquake-prone building rules aren’t without risks, but they might finally give Wellington the confidence to grow. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/01-...

Political super-group Vision for Wellington presented its final ‘vision’ for the city, but is anyone still listening? thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-...

New Zealand is punching above its weight in cowardice

Maybe New Zealand can no longer claim to have an international moral standing but at least we still have kiwi onion dip

Reposting this in the wake of today's embarrassing news thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-...

Ray Chung talking about a time when council officers escorted someone out of a public meeting after only three questions: "that was my most embarrassing moment on council". Alex Baker: "THAT was your most embarrassing moment in council?"

Game-changing suggestions from the crowd at Vision for Wellington's final event. Imagine if Wellington could become a thriving metropolis like Blenheim.

Look! The CRL URL IRL!

Definitely one of the weirder interviews I've done.

Wild stuff in the Upper Hutt mayoral race. Bloxham is such a complete piece of shit and I feel for Peri having to deal with his crap. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-...

In a trend of terrible men being involved in politics, here’s the latest from Graham Bloxham who’s made it his duty to harass a number of us. #nzpol thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-...

An abusive email was sent to an Upper Hutt mayoral candidate. The sender says he has nothing to do with the incumbent mayor’s campaign. But locals and other mayors suspect otherwise. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-...

Dear Auckland, there are too many similar-sounding suburbs nowadays. Glendene, Glen Eden, Glendowie, Glen Innes, Mt Eden, Eden Terrace, Grey Lynn, New Lynn, West Lynn. Please eliminate three. I am not a crackpot.

4 of the top 5 Wellington mayoral contenders have now confirmed their support for the Māori ward (Little, Baker, Calvert, Tiefenbacher). Ray Chung is opposed.

A yes/no question at the Mt Vic Mayoral debate: Would you vote to remove further character and heritage protections? Andrew Little and Pennywize the Rewilding Clown were the only candidates to say yes. (Alex Baker was not in attendance)

After ‘revealing’ a $7.5b Amazon deal that was confirmed four years ago, what else could the prime minister dust off from the past? thespinoff.co.nz/politics/02-...

The Wellington mayoral campaign is in full swing, and things are getting weird. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/02-...

✔️ Saw two chonky Kereru ✔️ New album from The Beths ✔️ Wellington on a good day

At her campaign launch for the Māori ward seat, Tory Whanau launched a broadside at Ray Chung, Nicola Young, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and anyone associated with campaign group Better Wellington - "Vote them out. They don't deserve to represent you."

New Zealand’s lack of action in response to Israel’s genocide is absolutely shameful and makes us complicit in the suffering of the Palestinian people. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-...

"New Zealand seems determined to repeat the mistakes of 1976. That might be what’s most damning of all – that we are a country failing to learn from our past." The case for New Zealand action against Israel thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-...

In 1976, New Zealand's silence on apartheid led to an Olympic boycott and left a lasting black mark on our international reputation. Nearly 50 years later, we face a similar test: Gaza. My long read for The Spinoff: thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-...

Wellington mayoral candidate Don MacDonald says as mayor he will abolish Thursdays. Would you support this?

A deep dive into the unintentional political commentary of a weird internet game made by a Nimby activist group. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/26-...

There's a dividing line in journalism between those who are sceptical of power and those who are impressed by it.

As an aficionado of the performing arts, Todd Stephenson is deeply familiar with the methods of Konstantin Stanislavski, and specifically his famous mantra: “There are no small parts, only small actors.” And clearly, he has taken it to heart. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/21-...

More seriously, we've had flash games like this with beating politicians in the past. This one isn't graphic, but it's still throwing weapons at a politician who screams in pain (yes, that is one of the sound effects) & I don't think this being a right wing male politician makes it better.

Nimby group Live Wellington is so mad about upzoning in the new District Plan that they made a 2005-era flash game where boomer homeowners throw cricket bats at housing minister Chris Bishop's head.

Andrew Little released his housing policy and, on the whole, I'm impressed. Wellington desperately needs development, but with the new District Plan complete the council doesn't have many levers left to pull. Little managed to find some. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/19-...

There are more public houses, shorter housing waitlists and fewer people in emergency housing – so why are more people sleeping rough? thespinoff.co.nz/politics/14-...

What looks like a fight about safety, cost and aesthetics is really about something bigger. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/12-...

The government isn’t being misleading about transport spending – it’s pioneering a transformative new mindfulness tool. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-...

At the national infrastructure conference, politicians from both major parties talked a big game about bipartisanship. But their actions tell a different story. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/07-...

Bipartisanship was the big theme at the national infrastructure conference. So why was there so much focus on Singapore and Hong Kong?  thespinoff.co.nz/politics/07-...

Twelve candidates – including at least one actual clown – have put up their hands for the worst job in local politics. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-...

A block-by-block review of Cuba Street thespinoff.co.nz/partner/29-0...

Wellington is the only metro region in New Zealand that is consenting more new houses now than it was this time last year.

Wednesday’s question time was a perfect reminder of why people hate politicians. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/24-...

Wow. The Taxpayers' Union is jumping on the land value rates train.

Blaming colourful toilets for council rates rises is like saying millennials can’t afford a house because of avocado toast. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-...

I've changed my mind, this election is going to be awesome.

Diane Calvert is better than Ray Chung and I'm fine with saying that again. Good night everyone.

Say what you will about Diane Calvert, but she is a MUCH better candidate and councillor than Ray Chung. She's a skilled political operator. Many people on this site might not like her politics. But she's at least competent, intelligent and capable of engaging with issues in detail.

Another one bites the dust. Andrea Compton was by far the most talented Independent Together candidate. This is a tough loss for team Chung.