Latest FromNA - Opinion
![Opinion: Life is just a pain in the neck](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Opinion: Life is just a pain in the neck
Jonny Wilkinson's cerebral palsy forced a neck operation - he asks was it worth it.
![Loyal despite anti-nuclear stance](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Loyal despite anti-nuclear stance
We've just been a "weak member" as a conservative US think tank recently described us.
![Shock horror - the wine glass is stemless](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Shock horror - the wine glass is stemless
A toast - "Here's to you and balls to Trump".
![Get ready - the UDA is coming to town](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Get ready - the UDA is coming to town
The new authority will be able to override many local council decisions.
![A picnic in the park can be fun](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
A picnic in the park can be fun
The ducks plucked up some courage and came in closer, that's when it all started...
![Diving in the Chathams](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Diving in the Chathams
In April, 1971, I first went to the Chathams in a team of four paua divers from Auckland.
![Should there be a tax on meat?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Should there be a tax on meat?
Before you tax something you need to define it. So what, exactly, is meat?
![Joe Bennett: My inbox filling up fast as Xmas looms](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Joe Bennett: My inbox filling up fast as Xmas looms
Christmas marketing, it is all enough to make you weep and run for the hills with the dog.
![A lot at stake in teacher pay battle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
A lot at stake in teacher pay battle
Teachers look united, and in the sympathy stakes I think they're doing pretty well.
![My desperate letter to Santa](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
My desperate letter to Santa
Kevin Page finds Christmas tradition under threat and sends an urgent letter to Santa.
![I like my motorised Excalibur](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
I like my motorised Excalibur
If you know what you're doing a tree that has grown for a century can be felled in a flash
![Free universal dental care remit brings hope](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Free universal dental care remit brings hope
There's widespread concern at people not being able to afford basic dental care in NZ.
![Super this super that, enough already!](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Super this super that, enough already!
Super's a lie. But you can't ban it and it won't die.
![Jonny Wilkinson: Preparing for surgery](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Jonny Wilkinson: Preparing for surgery
Over the years I've found the best way to face adversity is to make it an opportunity.
![Lesson for all of us in unwinding of Jami-Lee Ross](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Lesson for all of us in unwinding of Jami-Lee Ross
The beauty of tragedy is that the drama allows us to reflect on our own human failings.
![Opinion: Why we need courageous politicians](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Opinion: Why we need courageous politicians
50/50 chance we can avert the worst effects of global warming; but there's a big cost.
![Mrs P shops, Kevin Page returns the favour](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Mrs P shops, Kevin Page returns the favour
The contents of my return bag tipped out on to the counter and there, for all to see...
![Jonny Wilkinson: Quite outrageous](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Jonny Wilkinson: Quite outrageous
I thought I was outrageously cool when I had my Mark II Jaguar-Daimler.
![The pie, a thing of wonder and surprise](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
The pie, a thing of wonder and surprise
Many oddments have been baked into pies - the heads of relatives, 4 and 20 blackbirds.
![Opinion: Take the GST off petrol](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Opinion: Take the GST off petrol
To tax necessities when capital gains aren't taxed is an undeniable injustice.
![Anyone for a spot of Car Cricket?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Anyone for a spot of Car Cricket?
A new version of 'Car Cricket' scores with Kevin Page.
![Vaughan Gunson: Good morning, man](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Vaughan Gunson: Good morning, man
"Why are you so grumpy in the mornings?" my partner asks me on occasions.
![Joe Bennett: Life is like a game of pool](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Joe Bennett: Life is like a game of pool
God smacks the cue ball into the pack. The balls go everywhere. What's done is done.
![Opinion: People power halts chicken farm plans](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Opinion: People power halts chicken farm plans
The locals took this fight seriously and opposed it, this week that translated into a win.
![Rural living offers simple pleasures](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Rural living offers simple pleasures
Townie Gord Stewart has wonderful memories from his time in the country.
![Detail lacking in National MPs' promises](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Detail lacking in National MPs' promises
Time to stop misleading people with vague promises and omissions of detail.