A small crowd gathered at a vigil on Saturday to pay tribute to those affected by the blaze in Tai Po that left more than 150 dead.

WalletHub study puts Midwestern states in the top 5 based on health, safety, cost of living.

韓國女神全智賢憑藉《我的野蠻女友》、《來自星星的你》等作品爆紅，成為亞洲家喻戶曉的女神。近期她與姜棟元合作主演韓劇《暴風圈》，開播後連日拿下台、港、韓收視冠軍，口碑不俗。然而第4集中，全智賢飾演的角色一句「為什麼中國會偏好戰爭？」台詞，加上劇中呈現「大連髒亂不堪」的畫面（實則是在香港拍攝），立刻引發中國網友強烈不滿，風波持續延燒，如今連代言也被撤下。

Comment: Former Prime Ministers Helen Clark and John Key attending China's World War II victory parade risks validating a world view at odds with NZ's

The NZSIS has warned that foreign states are exploiting travel opportunities to build influence in New Zealand. A cultural exchange trip to China by 33 police staff earlier this year is now being cited by experts as a textbook example. Emails released under the Official Information Act revealed “shocking naivety” in its organisation, while security specialists described the visit as having “all the hallmarks of a foreign interference operation.”

NZ facing its “most challenging security environment” in years from foreign interference, espionage, and more young people being radicalised online.

Western governments often speak out for some oppressed peoples while staying silent on others — and that silence has consequences. From Palestine to Taiwan, Hong Kong to Xinjiang, selective solidarity in policy and media filters down into our institutions, shaping whether diaspora communities feel heard, protected, and safe.

In New Zealand, Tall Poppy Syndrome discourages visible success, and when combined with ableism, it creates a culture of hidden achievements and silent identities. Drawing from research and lived experience, this article asks: who gets to be proud without being punished?

A late-night Rolls-Royce crash in Sydney left a chauffeur fighting for his life — and turned 23-year-old driver LanLan Yang into the internet’s latest mystery heiress. In Australia, the facts are straightforward. In China, the official media barely mention her. In between, a rumour ecosystem has exploded — from claims of CCP-linked iron ore wealth to fantastical bodyguard legends. This is how two information universes collided, and why so many people want Yang to be someone she may not be.

Masking is often seen as inauthentic, draining, and harmful — but for many neurodivergent people, and especially for those of us who are 1.5 generation migrants and people of colour, it is more complex. Like Pamela Anderson stepping away from the “character” the world expects, I have been playing different roles my whole life. The difference is that for me, masking is not a choice made for self-expression. It is a way to survive in systems that are not built for us. In my upcoming interview with Authenticity Studio, I explore how culture, ableism, and privilege shape the way we mask — and what it would take for unmasking to become a safe option for everyone.

YouTube video by American Thought Leaders - The Epoch Times

There have been at least two secret interviews by Chinese law enforcement on NZ soil, but police say they can’t confirm the exact number.

Jimmy O. Yang’s sold-out comedy shows at the Hong Kong Coliseum marked a triumphant return to his birthplace. But the public reaction—both celebratory and critical—reveals deeper tensions around identity, belonging, and the complexity of being a 1.5 generation Chinese immigrant.

Attending the 2025 Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference reminded me that disability inclusion isn’t just about equity for the few—it’s about creating systems that work for all. Here are some personal reflections on what the public sector still needs to get right.

Three very different exhibitions. One shared question: who gets to decide what counts as art? From the grassroots energy of Auckland Zinefest to the prestige of European modernism, this piece reflects on the ongoing tension between institutional authority and community voice in our galleries and museums — and why we need a better balance.

Fantasy dates. Virtual boyfriends. Acrylic stands. In Japan and China, what began as fandom devotion has evolved into an immersive emotional economy. From the rise of 2.5D culture to China's cosplay commissions inspired by otome games like Love and DeepSpace, the lines between fiction and intimacy are blurring fast.

Blind boxes aren’t new—at least not in Asia. Long before Pop Mart and Labubu took over shelves in London or Auckland, Japanese capsule toys and Hong Kong collectible crazes like Chiikawa were already inspiring massive queues and fandoms. This article explores the cultural roots of blind box toys, their global rise through Pop Mart, and growing concerns about sustainability, scalpers, and state censorship.

“Why didn’t she leave?” is the wrong question. This article explores how coercive control traps victims in silence—and why society keeps blaming them.

A fellow ethnic person asked me today "where did you come from?" So I responded "New Zealand". He then asked me again, "No, where did you come from?" "New Zealand." "I mean your forbearer.s" "I don't want to answer that question because I think that is rude." You may think , Gees, why are you so rude and why wouldn't you just admit that you are Chinese?

I keep this blog for me to write whatever I wanted to at times. Many times. It doesn't always have to make sense, nor seek readers' agreement. For me, it is a chance to voice my alternative views about all things from politics to observations to, well, wahtever the heck I wanted to write about. Few days ago Bryce Edwards wrote a piece on NZ Herald entitled: …

New Zealanders have been informed about the protest in Hong Kong through various media, showing live feed from Hong Kong for the past two weeks, and having various discussions as to why Hong Kongers are protesting for their rights to have universal suffrage. For many New Zealanders, they may not see how this is important to them, unless they have to or will stopover in Hong Kong as part of their international travel.

Full transcription can be found here. The Story can be found here.

Cyberbullying and the world of online communications