Andrew Dickens: We need to learn the difference between needs and 'nice to haves'

So, the Herald, in the weekend, came out and called the anti-cycle lane movement a culture war in its editorial. They pointed out the bleeding obvious - that cycleways aren't the reason there is not enough money to improve our roads. They pointed out that cycleways make up 1 percent of our transp…

Andrew Dickens: Why not kill the Treaty Principles Bill now?

So the latest twist in the Treaty Principles debate is that the churches have come out against it. More than 400 church leaders are urging MPs to vote against David Seymour's bill. It's the latest chapter in a debate that has been described as 'divisive'. If you don't think it's been divisive yo…

Andrew Dickens: Someone has to point out the obvious now and then

I was going to start my programme today with some thoughts about the energy crisis, but something else has popped up. But I will share with you some fun facts: Did you know that New Zealand uses the same amount of electricity in 2024 as we did in 2004? Even though our economic activity and popul…

Andrew Dickens: Reality always catches up to politics

Do I need to remind you that politics is show business? It's all about seeming to be the best instead of necessarily being the best. This is why politicians often say the most ridiculous things and make the most outlandish promises. It’s also why they boil complex issues down to simple catchy slo…

Andrew Dickens: Can we really say the rock star economy is back?

The corner has been turned. The 5-year pandemic pandemonium has been tamed. Inflation is down and we've had the first interest rate cut since the Reserve Bank realised they’d overstimulated everything 5 years ago. Proof that tax cuts were not inflationary, says the Finance Minister. And that is t…

Andrew Dickens: Is the long winter of discontent over with a good spring to come?

The winter solstice was on June 20 and 21. The longest night and the shortest day, but wisdom tells us that the depths of winter does not fall until 6 weeks after the solstice. It takes a while for actions to provoke a reaction. So right now is the depths of winter and much is at the worst it has…

Andrew Dickens: I'm truly confused over Dr Anthony Jordan's resignation from Pharmac

I have always avoided getting into the Treaty principles debate.   It’s just too much of a swamp to get trapped in.   Either you’re for David Seymour's debate on a reset, in which case some will call you a racist.   Or you’re against a select committee debate means the racists will call you a wo…

Andrew Dickens: Can we ever return to civil public discourse?

There is only one story in town. I realised this when I entered the newsroom and everyone was still itching to talk about it. Firstly, I am so glad the assassin was unsuccessful. The repercussions from this attempt are already dramatic enough. If Trump had been slaughtered, then the reaction …

Andrew Dickens: The ferry saga is a pox on both National and Labour

I wasn't here last week because I was attending a funeral. A dear friend. 58 years old. Gut cancer. A reminder to us all- live life. Don't put things off. So, last week I thought I'd talk about the ferry debate and I thought that the issue would be over by now. But it's not. It rumbles on like t…

The Beatles in New Zealand - it's been 60 years!

On this day 60 years ago, 4 young lads from Liverpool arrived in Wellington on a plane to commence a week long tour of New Zealand. And they changed everything. It was the Beatles. It wasn't like we weren't warned. The week before was chaos as they toured Australia. 250,000 youngsters welcomed th…