Planners who want to reshape the city to support public transport are swimming against the tide, writes John Roughan. It appears planners now agree.

Isn't it a little disturbing that genetic science has caused Angelina Jolie to remove a perfectly fine pair of breasts? Asks John Roughan

Investors in Mighty River Power should send the champagne next week to Russel Norman, Green Party, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Traffic engineering is probably the only realistic solution to Auckland's congestion, writes John Roughan. "The busway, like the bridge, is fine."

Spy stories have never appealed to me. At the end I'm usually left wondering what was the point exactly of all the secrecy, danger and intrigue? What was the "intelligence" that was so well hidden and precious the hero had to risk his neck for it?

To find statesmen of the century whose global influence was comparable to hers, you have to go presidents of the United States, writes John Roughan. It was, after all, the American century.

Each time it makes a threatening gesture to its sister in the south, the US and China respond like different parents. But a sibling often knows a troubled child better than either parent, says John Roughan.

My heart sank at the news the Govt is taking over negotiations on the price of power supplied to Southland's aluminium smelter and will subsidise that relic of "regional development".

Dame Sian Elias and fellow judges of the Supreme Court made a remarkable declaration of confidence in you and me and our adherence to a constitution this week.

It is not often you get a chance to look in the window of the Beehive's inner sanctum and see how a Prime Minister works.

Recommendations of amendments to the Building Act to give owners of reinforced masonry buildings a deadline to bring up to earthquake standard or demolish them - which threatens many heritage buildings.

We should let our leaders dream. When they return from lying in the sun in a summer like this one, we ought to hear what they have been thinking.

Sir Paul Holmes got a sense of his obituaries this week when he received the honour he deserved.

Clubs lose their place when money comes from above.