Articles by John MacDonald
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Employers should be able to hire whoever they want
Thursday, 30 October 2025, 1:34pmEver since the 1930s, when American soldiers were based all around the world, people in many countries have been antsy about...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Another ham-fisted announcement from the Labour Party
Tuesday, 28 October 2025, 12:49pmSo another ham-fisted announcement from the Labour Party. In fact, it wasn’t even an announcement. Because of a leak, it...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: The Minister for the South Island is (rightfully) ducking for cover
Wednesday, 22 October 2025, 1:38pmThe Minister for the South Island is ducking for cover. I probably would be too, if I was him. Because he knows it’s going...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: How could anyone turn a blind eye to this?
Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 1:13pmSome days you hear about something which absolutely beggars belief. Today is one of those days. You hear about something...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Judith Collins is egging on parents and it needs to stop
Monday, 20 October 2025, 1:31pmThe Government is really spooked by this week’s mega strike. With about 100,000 people expected to walk off the job on Thursday. If...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Would harsher fines really change driver behaviour?
Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 1:01pmIsn’t it weird that, in the past 25 years, we have spent millions and millions and millions of dollars on road safety campaigns,...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Compulsory helmets for skaters is a no-brainer
Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 1:11pmI’m right behind the call being made today for helmets to be made mandatory at recreational ice skating and roller skating...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: We need compulsory voting
Monday, 13 October 2025, 1:03pmIf you voted in this year’s local body elections, congratulations. You can consider yourself a member of a very exclusive...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Isn't the Drug Foundation stating the obvious?
Thursday, 9 October 2025, 1:03pmI support the NZ Drug Foundation’s push to decriminalise drug use and drug possession. The key point here is “use” and...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Keeping victims of crime in the dark isn't good enough
Thursday, 9 October 2025, 11:34amIs it good enough that the victim of a nasty assault in Christchurch has had to hound the police for four weeks to find out...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Is the ED in our second-largest city up to scratch?
Tuesday, 23 September 2025, 1:15pmIs it good enough? When you hear a doctor at Christchurch Hospital say that patients are dying in the waiting room and car...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Residential parking permits - yay or nay?
Monday, 22 September 2025, 12:41pmWould you be happy to pay $110-a-year for a residential parking permit, so you could get a park outside your place whenever...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Still confident in and patient with the Government?
Friday, 19 September 2025, 1:33pmMy confidence is shot and my patience is wearing thin. That’s my answer to the question I’ve got for you. Which is: How would...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: E-scooters need to be classified as vehicles
Monday, 15 September 2025, 12:52pmIf the amount of money spent on ACC claims over the past five years for e-scooter injuries doesn’t convince you that tighter...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: How important is it that Tom Phillips' enablers are found?
Wednesday, 10 September 2025, 12:53pmI’ve really surprised myself. Because, even though I think it’s totally shameful that people have been helping Tom Phillips...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: I was wrong and the police were right
Tuesday, 9 September 2025, 1:17pmI was wrong and the police were right. After yesterday’s events, I’ll admit that I was wrong when I said over the last...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Compulsory KiwiSaver is a no-brainer
Monday, 8 September 2025, 1:20pmWinston Peters’ idea of making KiwiSaver compulsory is a no-brainer. It’s not a new idea. But it’s a great idea. It’s also...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Do heavy court workloads justify crims getting off lightly?
Thursday, 4 September 2025, 12:49pmSir Ron Young, who used to be a high court judge and used to be chair of the Parole Board, thinks shorter sentences could...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Who says we're drinking responsibly?
Friday, 29 August 2025, 1:55pmAssociate Health Minister Nicole McKee is talking nonsense when she says most of us who drink alcohol do it responsibly. If...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: The not-so-super rescue plan for shoppers
Thursday, 28 August 2025, 3:01pmIt’s just over four years since the Commerce Commission released its first report on the supermarket sector in New Zealand...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: The absurdity of our insurance market
Wednesday, 27 August 2025, 2:05pmIf this doesn’t convince you that the insurance system in this country is broken, nothing will. Consumer NZ has revealed...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Is user-pays being taken too far?
Monday, 25 August 2025, 12:55pmWe'll be chewing through the power in the south this week with the frosty weather. Which is the "ideal time" for Transpower...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Fix the Clean Slate law or get rid of it?
Friday, 22 August 2025, 12:39pmHow do you feel about people being allowed to hide their convictions? There are two ways of doing it. 1) Just don’t tell...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Regional council's tone deaf $40k pay increase
Thursday, 21 August 2025, 1:14pmWhat would you say to a $40,000 pay rise? Yes please? If you’re the chief executive of Environment Canterbury regional council,...
