Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Does the Government need to take over the Mt Maunganui landslide inquiry?

Right, it seems there’s a very good chance that Tauranga City Council is going to have the inquiry they’ve launched taken off them and run by the Government instead.

The Government hasn’t actually said those words out loud just yet. What they have said is that there is a strong case for a Government inquiry.

Clive Bibby: The inquiry that failed to get to the truth

I have never reacted to a Government sponsored inquiry (the Parata led review of land use in the Tairawhiti and Hawkes Bay regions) with as much shear disappointment as l do having watched the TV reports and the published comments from those who will most likely oversee the recommendations for changes that are necessary to avoid a repeat performance.

 In some ways, l am a reluctant responder to a “review” (note the different label which is a more accurate description of the one former Forestry Minister Nash obviously wanted) that had all the information it needed, including that gleaned from important “ground zero“ submissions ie. those whose farms were partially destroyed during the cyclone.

Frank Newman: Another day. Another inquiry.

Last week the Prime Minister talked tough about petrol prices. She quite earnestly said, "I am hugely concerned at the level of price that consumers are currently paying at the pump for fuel" and that motorists were being "fleeced" at the pump.

The bottom line is that the Government intends to rush through changes to the Commerce Act to allow the competition watchdog to investigate the margins on fuel. The findings will be reported back to the government next year and the PM has assured motorists that she will "prioritise a response to it".

I don't disagree that motorists are being "fleeced", but it’s not by service stations. The PM's tough talk comes just days after central government imposed a new excise tax adding another 4 cents onto the price of petrol.