John Bishop

A study of internal communications practices in New Zealand organisations has found that the communicators rely on anecdotal evidence rather than scientifically gathered data to show the value of their work.

Under these circumstances, the study's authors say," it is difficult to prove that the communications activities are making any real contribution to organisational goals."

The findings of the study by Massey University communications students Kate McDavitt and Bruce Faull were presented to communicators in Wellington last night.

Three quarters of the 78 communications professionals who completed the online survey were from central and local government.

The Commerce Commission is gearing itself to receive an increase in companies applying for clearance to merge on the basis of a "failing firm" argument.

"In the current economic climate the Commission expects more firms to put forward an argument that they are failing and that the only option is to sell to a competitor that already has a substantial degree of market power", commission competition branch director Deb Battell says.

She made it clear to a business audience in Wellington last week that while failing firm arguments would be appropriate in certain circumstances, firms would still be expected to put a robust case to the Commission.

Published in the National Business Review of 27 July 2007

Greater use of wind power is likely to mean more uncertainty in the electricity system, an issues paper from the Electricity Commission says.

Ironically for advocates of green electricity and those seeking to reduce greenhouse gases more wind turbines could result in more use of thermal stations.

The Electricity Commission and Transpower modeled four scenarios with the amount of wind power ranging from 420 MW to 2 250 MW. Increasing use of wind power would increase "the variability and unpredictability" in the system, according to the commission's paper.

Published in the DominionPost of 19 November 2008

Now that the election is over, a new government has been formed, and a new opposition team has been settled, it's timely to ask whether there is a way back for Labour. The answer is yes, but it will not be simple or easy.

For Labour to win, three things need to happen. One is that National has to fail. Naturally John Key and his new Ministers will resist that to their utmost. But bad luck and adverse international events have thrown governments off course before, despite the talent and determination that the Ministers might bring to the Cabinet table.