The COVID Files examines what New Zealand decision-makers knew as vaccination requirements expanded into employment and participation. Drawing on official advice, OIA records and Royal Commission findings, the investigation traces changing evidence on transmission, concerns over mandates for younger people, the impact of Omicron and the consequences for workers who declined vaccination. It asks a central question: as the evidence changed, were…

What if the greatest transfer of wealth in New Zealand's history required neither invasion nor the outright sale of the country's assets? What if its citizens retained ownership on paper while gradually losing the authority to determine how their land, water, minerals, forests and infrastructure were used? Imagine, for a moment, that you were writing a political thriller. Your fictional objective is the acquisition of a prosperous island…

Nearly a month after a woman and two very young children were killed at a Rotorua home, a man charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship has been released on electronically monitored bail. Police have described the deaths as homicides, but publicly available information does not show that the man has been charged with causing any of the three deaths. Report by eLocal · Three deaths inside a Rotorua home on the night of 7…

With the 2026 election approaching, five political parties have put competing agricultural, environmental and tax policies before around 350 farmers at Mystery Creek in Waikato. Behind the campaign promises lies a larger question for rural New Zealand: which policies protect productive capacity and property rights while dealing credibly with water quality, emissions and long-term economic resilience? Report by eLocal · Representatives from…

New Zealand's environmental policies are facing an unprecedented test under its free trade agreement with the European Union, after a Dutch environmental organisation lodged the first climate-related complaint through the EU's trade enforcement mechanism. The Government rejects the allegation, but the dispute raises a wider question for New Zealand: how much control over domestic environmental and energy policy was effectively constrained when…

The NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party says the cancellation of a Runanga Meet the Candidates forum highlights a wider problem of political gatekeeping ahead of the 2026 General Election. The party alleges Councillor Kate Kennedy falsely blamed venue restrictions for excluding candidate Sue Grey before cancelling the event. It has lodged a formal Code of Conduct complaint and is calling for transparent, equal rules governing candidate access to…

When a property is sold, everyone seems to know what they are owed: the bank, council, lawyers, agents and IRD. But who checks what may be owed back to the owner? Tracy Lynch follows the ledgers behind mortgages, interest, GST, rates and property sales, arguing that every liability, deduction, credit and adjustment should be reconciled against the underlying records. The principle is simple: if an amount is due, prove it. If a lawful…

Andy Loader challenges the idea of “white privilege” in New Zealand, arguing that ethnicity does not determine wealth, hardship or opportunity. He questions race-based funding, co-governance and the expanding influence of Treaty policy, while arguing that assistance should be based on individual need rather than ancestry. Loader contends that New Zealand’s future depends on equality before the law, open debate and democratic government in which…

Discover European comfort made for real life with Josef Seibel at Halliwell Shoes. With German shoemaking heritage dating back to 1886, the collection combines quality craftsmanship, modern styling and everyday comfort. Explore versatile men’s and ladies’ styles, including extra-wide fittings and larger sizes, with features such as quality leather, removable footbeds and lightweight, flexible soles. Visit Halliwell Shoes in Pukekohe and let the…

Discover retirement with more time for what matters at Acacia Cove Village. For resident Jill, village life has brought new friendships, activities close at hand, freedom from home maintenance and the reassurance of a safe and secure community. With independently owned Acacia Cove able to make decisions locally, residents can spend less time worrying about everyday responsibilities and more time enjoying the people, activities and experiences…

Meta could face one of the largest corporate penalties in US history after a New Mexico jury found Facebook repeatedly misled consumers about how their personal information was collected, protected, shared and used. The state is seeking as much as US$40 billion, but the final penalty has yet to be determined and Meta argues the proposed amount is excessive. INR Report: Based on reporting by RT HERE · A privacy case originating in the Cambridge…

NATO's chief insists the alliance is defensive, even as member states claim they can strike Russian targets. Moscow's OSCE envoy Dmitry Polyansky calls NATO's actions a direct threat. Russian forces intensify strikes on Ukrainian military, energy and logistics infrastructure as Putin says Kiev's hold on Donbass is becoming unsustainable. Meanwhile, the EU rejects Ukraine's request for an additional US$27 billion, calling it "unexpected and…

Brazilian authorities have opened an investigation into allegations that US government funds were intended to support civil-society organisations campaigning against the country's Supreme Federal Court. The controversy comes immediately before Brazil's presidential election and amid an increasingly bitter dispute between Brasília and Washington over judicial power, censorship, tariffs and political influence. INR Report: Based on reporting by…

BRICS nations collectively possess enormous energy resources, but recent supply disruptions have exposed a fundamental weakness: membership does not guarantee access to another member’s oil when a crisis strikes. An emerging proposal would move cooperation beyond declarations by positioning emergency oil stocks closer to importing countries and agreeing access before shortages begin INR Report: Based on analysis by Manish Vaid for RT HERE ·…

A Flydubai passenger jet bound for Tel Aviv was forced into an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after its captain was stabbed during a violent cockpit confrontation and the aircraft entered a dramatic descent. Israeli authorities say the co-pilot apparently attempted to crash the aircraft, but his motive and whether the incident constituted a terrorist attack remain under official investigation INR Report: Based on reporting by Tyler Durden…

Marine Le Pen's National Rally has achieved a significant institutional breakthrough in France, winning enough Senate representation to establish a parliamentary group in the upper house for the first time. The result does not give RN control of the Senate, but it strengthens a party already deeply embedded in the National Assembly and European Parliament as France approaches its 2027 presidential election INR Report: Based on reporting by RT ·…

An extra edition of RT’s Sanchez Effect sees Rick joined by The Young Turks co-host Ana Kasparian to discuss US domestic and foreign policy. Kasparian argues Democrats and Republicans offer little real alternative on foreign policy, particularly toward Russia, while many Americans would rather prioritise prosperity at home. She also warns of possible escalation with Tehran, arguing Trump being a “sore loser” makes the prospect of ending the…

An attempt by the US state of Tennessee to execute convicted murderer Christa Pike has ended with the 50-year-old alive but critically ill after receiving two injections of the execution drug pentobarbital. The extraordinary failure, Tennessee's second aborted execution this year, has forced the state to suspend executions while questions mount over its lethal-injection procedures INR Report: Based on reporting by Jonathan Allen for Reuters,…

Set in a sought-after Pukekohe location within the Valley School zone, this substantial 250sqm family home offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms and two generous living areas on approximately 780sqm. Designed for easy entertaining, it features expansive decking, a swim spa and excellent indoor-outdoor flow. A home office, double garage, solar and battery system and EV charger add everyday practicality and impressive energy efficiency to this…

Discover refined family living on Grace James Road, Pukekohe, one of the area’s most prestigious addresses. Set on 940 sqm, this impressive five-bedroom, three-bathroom home offers two generous living areas, a beautifully appointed open-plan kitchen and flexible accommodation ideal for families, guests or working from home. Covered patios provide year-round outdoor living, while double internal-access garaging, extensive parking and a peaceful…

Discover space, privacy and versatility on an impressive 3,372 sqm section in Paerata. Recently refurbished, this three-bedroom home offers comfortable family living, while substantial shedding and workshop space provides exceptional room for vehicles, storage, trades or hobbies. Surrounded by established greenery, yet around three minutes from Paerata Train Station with easy access to Pukekohe and the Drury motorway, it combines lifestyle…

Set on 1.12ha (more or less) of established, park-like grounds, this beautifully maintained Franklin lifestyle property offers privacy, space and picturesque rural views. The generous 353sqm (more or less) single-level home features four bedrooms, three bathrooms and multiple living areas, ideal for family life and entertaining. With six-car garaging, substantial shedding and easy access to Pukekohe, schools and motorway connections, this…

Step into effortless modern living with this beautifully finished brand-new four-bedroom home at 32 Rongoa Maori Way. Offering 195sqm of thoughtfully designed space, it features light-filled open-plan living, a stylish contemporary kitchen, two modern bathrooms and double internal-access garaging. Quality finishes, underfloor bathroom heating, excellent storage and easy indoor-outdoor flow complete the package, with convenient motorway access…