Andrew Dickens Afternoons

So the baby shower in parliament is becoming a down pour. Yesterday the Greens Julie Anne Genter announced she's having a baby, she called a press conference at midday. It would be nice to say these sorts of things don't matter so much anymore in 2018 but in calling a press conference to announce a piece of family news Julie Anne Genter was admitting that for many people this is still a big deal. It bugs a lot of people who believe that when you get into politics you're there to serve the people 365 days a year and you're not supposed to disappear for a few months to have children and those people are wondering why it seems to be happening more often. For them, I have a few observations. First of all, Parliament is becoming younger. At the last election, the average age of our politicians was just a nick below 50. While the 50s to 60s were the most represented there's a bubble of of MPs aged 30 to 50. Not surprisingly these people are at baby making age. There are more MPs aged 20 to 40 too. The left-leaning

Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper says Bill English's resignation as National leader was absolutely his own decision and he was not pushed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper says Bill English's resignation as National leader was absolutely his own decision and he was not pushed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did the party that won the most vote lose it’s leader so soon. Surely he had a mandate, surely he had support. Why did it happen?It begs the question whether the National Party has lost its way.And, of course, the big question is who is next.But I want to take this moment to congratulate Bill English for his service. There is no shame in today’s developments. He has been the 2IC impeccably. As the second most important person in government for nine years he steered the economy as well as anyone could hope for. His has had a very competent political career.As a former Treasury official, as a man who spent 27 years in parliament, as a Minister of Finance, and as Prime Minister, his CV is fantastic and there will be no end of governance jobs offered to him as he begins his third age, where he will spend his time pursuing his own personal goals, and spending time with his familiy. Who he thanked, and in that thanking of his family, he was close to tears. Politician's families make enormous sacrifices, and it

How did the party that won the most vote lose it’s leader so soon. Surely he had a mandate, surely he had support. Why did it happen?It begs the question whether the National Party has lost its way.And, of course, the big question is who is next.But I want to take this moment to congratulate Bill English for his service. There is no shame in today’s developments. He has been the 2IC impeccably. As the second most important person in government for nine years he steered the economy as well as anyone could hope for. His has had a very competent political career.As a former Treasury official, as a man who spent 27 years in parliament, as a Minister of Finance, and as Prime Minister, his CV is fantastic and there will be no end of governance jobs offered to him as he begins his third age, where he will spend his time pursuing his own personal goals, and spending time with his familiy. Who he thanked, and in that thanking of his family, he was close to tears. Politician's families make enormous sacrifices, and it

Today is our National Day.  It has been for a very long time and it will continue to be for a very long time ahead.It has been endorsed by multiple governments and generations.  I’ve heard the old debate again, that it isn’t our national day and perhaps Anzac Day should be instead and that argument belongs to people with different barrows to push than this day and it’s significance.Anzac Day is an enormously important day, laden with much emotion and meaning and as such it doesn’t need to saddled with the added responsibility of the national day. Anzac Day is a day to look back, but Waitangi is a day to look forward as our original peoples and our newest arrivals get together and celebrate and pledge unity and progressAnd Waitangi Day is a good day and always has been. I was in Australia this year for Australia Day. There, three Melbourne Councils chose not to celebrate the day.  Some call it Invasion Day because it only commemorates the arrival of European settlers.  Our Day commemorates when Maori and the s

Today is our National Day.  It has been for a very long time and it will continue to be for a very long time ahead.It has been endorsed by multiple governments and generations.  I’ve heard the old debate again, that it isn’t our national day and perhaps Anzac Day should be instead and that argument belongs to people with different barrows to push than this day and it’s significance.Anzac Day is an enormously important day, laden with much emotion and meaning and as such it doesn’t need to saddled with the added responsibility of the national day. Anzac Day is a day to look back, but Waitangi is a day to look forward as our original peoples and our newest arrivals get together and celebrate and pledge unity and progressAnd Waitangi Day is a good day and always has been. I was in Australia this year for Australia Day. There, three Melbourne Councils chose not to celebrate the day.  Some call it Invasion Day because it only commemorates the arrival of European settlers.  Our Day commemorates when Maori and the s