1Labour Pains The spectacular failure of the New Zealand Labour party in the Selwyn by-election has again left the party questioning what it stands for. For the moment, talk of disintegration has been forgotten as the party decides whether it is a left-wing party, or a party in the center. The key to all of this is first deciding on some basic policy issues. Labour will need to answer these questions if it is to stay in one piece.

2In Good Stead He's the sort of writer who's as colourful as any of the characters he invents. C.K. Stead, literature professor, poet, novelist, columnist, anti-war protestor, and slayer of sacred cows. He made himself less than popular with the politically correct thanks to his outspoken views on cultural sensitivities and feminism. Karl Stead remains unmoved by his critics as Ross Stevens finds out on the road with the author who is promoting his most recent book, 'The Singing Whakapapa'.