Geoff Parker: Waitangi National Sick Day a huge success.

Yesterday’s first protest against the Waitangi Day annual charade, which called for people sick and tired of the aggression and lies to take a ‘sick day’ on Friday, was a magnificent success.

Tim Beveridge: The responsibility should go back the families and communities themselves

I don’t mind telling you that I sort of avoided talking about this topic a couple of days ago because it’s simply grim.

But the revelations are continuing following the death of baby Ru, with the latest including that the uncle of the slain toddler has criticized Oranga Tamariki saying that he asked the agency back in December to remove the child from the family home.

Tim Beveridge: How do we prevent ourselves from relying on the health system?

I’ve gotta be honest with you that I’m feeling a little punch drunk digesting the latest stories and statistics about our health system under pressure.

So, bear with me while I throw a few stats at you, just to package it all up.

Tim Beveridge: What difference will the police pursuit policy make?

It's expected today that Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is going to announce a revision of the police pursuit policy and that a “fleeing driver framework would be introduced.

The New Zealand Herald is reporting that this framework is going to give the police, finally, the discretion that everyone's been calling out for. So they're going to give them the discretion whether or not to chase, based on an assessment of the crime that the driver has committed, and the risk they pose to the public.

What difference when it comes to crime is this really going to make?

Tim Beveridge: A couple of thoughts about Anzac Day

A couple of thoughts about Anzac Day – which as we know is the day of remembrance specifically for the soldiers who fought and died in the Gallipoli campaign during World War I.

Over time, of course it has come to represent more than just the Gallipoli campaign, and it has become an increasingly important day for both Australia and New Zealand. I would argue —for New Zealand— possibly it has become the country's most important national day.

It is the day that brings the nation together, with services and parades held in cities and towns throughout the country.