Latest from Paul Little at large

Paul Little: A skippity hop and I cross the road

The number of harried souls who insist on crossing the road in the middle of traffic rather than using a pedestrian crossing a couple of metres away is growing. They are, of course, protected by the magic of the Skippity Hop.

Paul Little: Let's go back to cheerios and chips

I'm not sure how I'd react if I got a bill for activities at a birthday party one of my kids didn't attend. Would I throw it in the bin or would I burn it? Hard to call.

Paul Little: Trees, not cars, make a liveable city

The stand of six 80-year-old pohutukawa on Great North Rd near the SH16 interchange works could use a hug right now, writes Paul Little.

Paul Little: Before you die, have a life

A doctor has argued that, provided pain relief is available, cancer is the only death that leaves us in a position to make our peace with those we love and to tidy up loose ends.

Paul Little: Faith and trust up in the air

Every day more than 8 million people travel in planes, taking around 50,000 flights. For an activity that's so commonplace, flying engenders a lot of fear and superstition.

Paul Little: We're not imbeciles, mate

Most people are aware that anyone who fronts the media on a controversial issue likely will have rehearsed their answers to expected questions.

Paul Little: Dread, grinches and do-gooders

For most of us, Christmas is a time of unrelieved joy - crackers, carols and cake - but a significant number of people fear the festive season

Paul Little: How dare those children squeal?

Spare a thought in your charity for the residents of Stonefields, an "urban village" at Mt Wellington where, among other things, the "planting of pohutukawa trees along the boulevards,....

Paul Little: Housing crisis needs bold cure

Heeding politicians' pleas to focus on policy, not things they'd rather you didn't look at, and to play the ball not the man, many refocused this week on issues such as immigration, foreign ownership and somewhere to live.

Paul Little: Integrity missing from politics

Paul Little: Mourn our star obsession, too

It gets harder and harder to tell what's real and what isn't in our daily lives, writes Paul Little.

Paul Little: Stand-up slogans fall flat

Colin Craig has been a compelling performer in the campaign so far. How he manages to say so much using only one vowel is a constant source of amazement, writes Paul Little.

Paul Little: Act's race card a vile play

Jamie Whyte's college specialties included the nature of truth and belief, but his speech to the Waikato Conference stretched one and beggared the other, writes Paul Little.

Paul Little: Art paints a picture about us

A healthy amount of public art tells you a lot about a community, writes Paul Little.

Paul Little: Apology would be a nice change

As the election date nears, politicians are working harder than ever to demonstrate to us why they don't deserve our respect, writes Paul Little.

Paul Little: Waffle, woe in Brown's city plan

Finances for the plan to create the world's most 'liveable' city are so parlous, it appears, that to fund what Auckland needs Brown may need to break a promise, writes Paul Little.