Macklemore is coming!

I’m excited.

Also dissapointed to see Paddy Gower labelling the race a 'tossup'. Probably the horse-race mentality behind that.

… even if Kim Dotcom did not have permanent residence, why on Earth the GCSB would be assisting the police in circumstances such as these currently appear to be…. the overall objection of the GCSB, which should guide its operations, “is to contribute to the national security of New Zealand.”

Could closer US-NZ relations be construed as contributing to “the national security of New Zealand”?

I've often thought that, if we ever do get an upper house, it should be part-time, House of Lords-style. A more diversely-skilled upper house would complement the professional-politician style of our House of Representatives.

I think the crucial variable is whether the supporters of the major party in such a coalition are upset. I.e., if you had a Green/Maori/NZF/Labour Government, where Labour had less seats than National, then, sure, a lot of National voters would be upset - but, as those voters wouldn't represent a majority of voters, that's not really an issue. I don't think Green/Maori?NZF voters would have an issue either, as they're likely to have a different view of the mmp system. So I can only see there being an issue when Labour voters are upset with their party forming a government, which seems a little ridiculous, though plausible.