Articles by John MacDonald
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Is Christchurch ready for a red zone re-think?
Monday, 1 December 2025, 12:56pmIs it time to have a re-think about what’s done with the residential red zone on the east side of Christchurch? I think it’s...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: 46 years and we still can't get the Erebus memorial decision right
Friday, 28 November 2025, 11:06amIt’s taken 46 years and we’ve still managed to stuff up the decision as to where to have a memorial for the 257 people who...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: We need to go further with Kiwisaver
Monday, 24 November 2025, 12:43pmI’m with the KiwiSaver providers who are saying we need to go further than just increasing contributions and we need to make...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Lessons for the future from the ferry deal
Thursday, 20 November 2025, 1:06pmFor me, one of the best things to come out of yesterday’s announcement about the Cook Strait ferries has nothing to do with...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: I'm paying attention to BusinessNZ, I hope you are too
Wednesday, 19 November 2025, 12:40pmI hope people are sitting-up and paying attention to what BusinessNZ is saying today. Especially the people who have their...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Is the EV bubble about to burst?
Tuesday, 18 November 2025, 1:03pmNew Zealand is about to become a dumping ground for dirty vehicles. That’s what the electric vehicle people are saying...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: I'm meh about the meth plan. But at least it's something.
Monday, 10 November 2025, 1:00pmAt least they’re doing something. But I don’t rate the chances of it working. That’s how I’m feeling about the Government’s...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: If ACC pulls the water safety funding, who gets harmed?
Tuesday, 4 November 2025, 12:43pmCan you believe the bean counters at ACC are taking the knife to its funding for Water Safety NZ? Their reasoning is that...
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Opinion
John MacDonald: Netball's woes are more than just hoopla
Monday, 3 November 2025, 1:02pmMike Hosking’s interview this morning with reinstated Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua could only have gone one of...
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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...
