Sean Plunket on Morning Report conducting what may be the softest interview ever with Climate Change Minister Nick Smith after the government announced it’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions by 10-20 percent. There’s no follow up questions to why Smith claims a 40 percent target is a “big ask.” It undoubtedly is, but why?

Earlier in the show John Key was being asked about the Government’s change of plan in Afghanistan. After a request from the US, cabinet decided to send the New Zealand SAS back to the country and reduce (or “re-align”) the Provincial Reconstruction Team there. So much about this is incomprehensible beyond the very obvious conclusion that the Government’s made a decision based on what it can get out of cosying up to the US.

Also bewildering is Key’s use of the demonym ‘Afghanistanian’ throughout the interview. Key isn’t an idiot, but can someone in his team please redouble their efforts to stop him appearing so?