Parties are only just launching their election campaigns and already we're down to bare knuckle bruising over burning effigies, obscene chants and a book about dirty tricks.

I spent a very interesting afternoon this week listening to politicians explain why they should be voted into office in next month's general election.

I'm so over whether Ritchie McCaw did or didn't do something in that dying-minute ruck that cost the Crusaders the Super Rugby title against the Waratahs in Sydney a fortnight ago.

There are no rights in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians; only wrongs. So, for any outsider to take either side is to choose which wrong to support.

Our region has some truly amazing people and I was lucky enough to meet some of them on Wednesday night.

When all the talk last week was about getting behind the Crusaders before the Super Rugby final in Sydney, I scoffed.

In less than a month, the All Blacks will run out on to McLean Park in Napier for a test match against Argentina.

Of course we intended to watch the Super 15 final. Live. I don't know whether it was just assumption or whether I had seen it advertised somewhere but we were geared up for a 9.30pm telecast. Live.

How many people near retirement or already retired have a big third and/or fourth unused bedroom?

Financial education is now more widely available in NZ schools, and only 30% of students were in schools where financial education is not available, compared with the OECD average of 48%.

"Build a system that even a fool can use, and only a fool will want to use it." I don't know who said it but you could always look it up on the internet. Just double click on "my computer".

One thing I have learnt from my years in business is that uncertainty kills growth and diminishes vision, writes David Trim.

The fun and games at the Hawke's Bay Regional Council seem to be continuing unabated. The latest squabble is between councillor Tom Belford and deputy chairwoman Christine Scott.

Can someone tell me why Kane Williamson is bowling at all? The cornerstone of NZ cricket's batting way after Ross Taylor retires, what could possibly be the reason for rolling his arm?