Morally - and borrowing Michael Sandel's terminology here - there must be some limits to markets; and running a correctional facility is certainly crossing it. Factually: US' private prison system has reduced itself to national shame, and arguments for why it would be any better in New Zealand are not convincing enough.
Read MoreAmericans are talking about it, some in UK are also sitting up and taking notice; it's time New Zealand also tackles Rugby safety issues head-on
Read MoreWith Christchurch and Wellington city councils crossing the million mark; Auckland and Marlborough's touching 400,000 dollars; followed by Hawke's Bay and Hamilton city councils spending close to $300,000; it's time for some clear-cut guidelines on how tax-payers money is spend by councils on their website redevelopment
Read MoreWith a sex ration favourable to women since last few decades, New Zealand faces the problem contrasting to emerging nations such as India and China where female foeticide is a major social evil
Read MoreWith proliferation of retirement villages in recent times, the need now is to put in place regulations to protect the interests of elderly residents of such homes
Read MoreNew research points that about 15,000 Indian troops – almost three times more than previously thought – served at the Turkish battlefield side-by-side the Anzacs
Read MoreAfter Labour's ill-conceived Chinese surname saga, Finance Minister Bill English gave a hint about potential backlash (though, not in so much words) from the Chinese Government after returning from that country recently. But if Singapore example is anything to go by, protecting one's national interests (read - selling milk to China) without upsetting the Chinese Government (read - enforcing a stamp duty on foreigners buying property in Auckland) is certainly feasible.
Read MoreIt needed something special and NZ Opera has delivered it. Coming out remarkably well from the dangers of being compared to the previous renditions of an opera so well-known and oft-performed, Giacomo Puccini's 100-year-old story of love and betrayal between a Japanese geisha and her US naval officer husband, is set to mesmerise Christchurch in the coming week.
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