One of the biggest weaknesses in New Zealand politics is an understanding of how our local government works. One of the many reasons for this, might be the number of layers of local governance and the fact that in some areas these have been amalgamated to form - for lack of a better word - super council. But with National announcing the…

A lawyer named Tania Waikato has compiled a list of schools that have said that they will honour their Treaty of Waitangi obligations, despite National Party M.P. and Minister of Education, Erica Stanford removing them. Anti-Maori lobby group Hobsons Pledge called it a victory when Ms Stanford announced that the legal obligations that tie schools to the Treaty would be renounced.

Serco could not be trusted with N.Z. prisons, so why our health? (Credit: A.I). Serco. Have you as a reader, ever heard anything good about this British multi-national which provides government services on a contract basis in numerous countries around the world. Remember Mt Eden Prison fight club? It was a fight club organized by the Killer Beez Gang at Mount Eden Prison, for a period of time in the mid 2010's including when British multi-national company Serco was responsible for operating the prison on the Crowns behalf.

New Zealand Parliament and Beehive (R. Glennie) A few days ago I heard that support for Labour had risen to 38%, whilst needing Te Pati Maori to help them into the Beehive. This continues the slow but general upwards creep of the centre-left in New Zealand, as voters struggle with living costs, a failing economy, a huge number of loved ones and friends moving overseas and an assault on our environmental reputation.

Last week, former Police Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing child pornography and bestiality material. The guilty pleas which have rocked the Police and drawn angry condemnation from Parliament, have since been followed by a damning 135 page report into Police handling of Mr McSkimming's case. The (in)actions are damning. Senior Police officers stopped Ministers of the Crown seeing complaints from a woman who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Mr Skimming.

The Yellow Legged Hornet has been found in Auckland (123rf). Meet the Yellow Legged Hornet (hereafter v. velutina). This most unwelcome insect has been discovered in Auckland. Nobody is quite sure how long it has been here, but the multiple reports of confirmed sightings suggest it is unfortunately somewhat established. For beekeepers, horticulture, viticulture and other industries, this is potentially the biggest threat to be positively identified in New Zealand since the varroa bee-mite incursion of the early 2000's.

Is a Members Bill in Parliament about to ban fireworks? (Source: AI) New Zealand First is moving to ban private use of fireworks. As a kid I, my mates, parents and relatives had great fun letting a few off at big family events - New Years, Guy Fawkes and the occasional birthday. Lighting sparklers to wave around and Catherine Wheels that spun crazily on the ground, as well as low level devices with names such as Vesuvius that you placed on the ground and a fountain of sparks would go up - it was all fun and games until we started to realise the socio-economic cost of it.

Then Prime Minister Helen Clark and United Leader Peter Dunne inspecting our constitutional elements (Ashley W. Smith, 2004, Turnbull Library) Former Minister, the late Jim Bolger believed that New Zealand should become a Republic. To that end he declined a Knighthood that would have given him the title Sir James Bolger. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark said that it is inevitable New Zealand will become a Republic, but she did not consider a N.Z.

Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. It is infiltrating our way of life, from writing exams to potentially taking over everyday chores and employment roles. Its bewildering speed of evolution has left politicians in its wake, and articles regularly appear pointing to one challenge or another beginning to evolve. In this article I explore what my five primary concerns with A.I.

The performance of Minister of Finance Nicola Willis is a talking point. (Credit: Reece Baker/RNZ) The disgruntlement is clear to hear. When editors like Luke Malpass and columnists Damien Grant are talking about a centre-right coalition being in trouble, it most probably is. When talk back radio hosts - Mike Hosking of all people - believe something is wrong with National and the Government it is leading, it is safe to say there is a problem.

On Thursday 23 October over 100,000 nurses, doctors, midwives and teachers are going to strike. Whilst not a general strike in the sense that workers across the employment spectrum go on strike, this is expected to be the biggest in New Zealand in decades. It is too small to be called a general strike. It is not to say New Zealand has not had a general strike before, but the protest action being planned for 23 October 2025 is significantly smaller than a strike in 1979 where in a country which then had barely 3 million people, 300,000 workers walked off the job for 24 hours.

Voting for the 2025 local Government elections closed at the weekend. (The Press) "If you don't bother voting, you can't have your grumbling rights for the next 3 years" It is Wednesday 15 October, and the dust is settling on the 2025 local government election outcome. In an election cycle that turned out the lowest voter numbers in over 30 years, a mixed bag of results have played out across the country - and look at why we just recorded the lowest turn as a percentage of the population in 36 years.

Earlier this week the home Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters was attacked by vandals. A crowbar was used to smash a window which showered broken glass into the house, onto the family dog and cut his partner. THERE IS NO PLACE IN NEW ZEALAND FOR POLITICAL VIOLENCE OF ANY KIND. If I sound angry, yes I am. The whole of the New Zealand political spectrum - …

In yet another announcement likely to negatively impact on young people and families with young people, the Government is announcing a further crackdown from November next year on eligibility for help. The attack by Mrs Upston and Mr Luxon is also strikingly ignorant of current incomes for a lot of people when balanced against the money in the bank after paying rent/board.

Repertory Theatre 05 September 2010, a day after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake (R. Glennie) When New Zealand went to bed on 03 September 2010, probably no one had given the slightest thought to a seismic odyssey beginning in Canterbury in the small hours of the following morning. Fewer still imagined the horror it would unleash 172 days later. 15 years later with brutal lessons learnt, it is not surprising many in Christchurch and elsewhere are upset at the changes coming in earthquake compliance.

Following the refusal by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters to acknowledge the State of Palestine, many people have taken to social media bemoaning the absence of an "independent foreign policy". I thought I would take the opportunity to outline why I think we need one and how it could look. Trump? Xi? Or a third way? (Kathryn George) CHINA…

As the Israeli attempt to destroy Gaza through genocide rolls relentlessly on, the purpose and function of the United Nations is more in question than at any time since the Cold War ended. But why is it like this, and what can be done? In 1945 as one of the most harrowing chapters of humanity’s history drew to its close in the dying days of World War Two, representatives of Allied Governments met to convene a meeting that would form the United Nations.

Twizel landfill - an example of waste infrastructure in rural N.Z. (R. Glennie) You have probably seen the adverts promoting 100% Pure New Zealand. Nice glossy adverts with somewhere like Milford Sound on a clear day with Mitre Peak reflecting nicely in the water. They look great and are certainly effective at drawing people in. But how accurate are they?

A tweet by A.C.T. Leader David Seymour ignores the fact that political rhetoric stokes tensions. The murder of U.S. far right political advocate Charlie Kirk has seen a divisive, contentious debate erupt around around his conduct. Halfway around the world, politicians in New Zealand are advocating remembering Mr Kirk, despite him having nothing to do with our politics or society.

In addition to Labour leading in 3 of the top 5 issues, it leads in all but four of the remaining issues (RNZ). It's a damning chart. The National Party, not even two years into its first term of office is trailing the left-leaning parties Labour, Greens and Te Pati Maori on all but three issues across a range of separate policy areas.