In an exclusive eLocal Conversations interview, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters speaks with eLocal founder Mykeljon Winckel about rebuilding the New Zealand economy, establishing a sovereign wealth fund, restoring control over banking and energy, reforming Treaty institutions and putting New Zealanders at the centre of national decision-making. Making NZ FIRST a REALITY · Winston Peters on Sovereignty, Prosperity and New Zealand's…

In an open letter to the University of Sydney, Voices for Freedom co-founder Alia Bland condemns Jacinda Ardern’s appointment as Professor of Practice. Challenging the former prime minister’s reputation for empathy and social cohesion, Bland recounts the personal, financial and social consequences she attributes to New Zealand’s COVID-19 policies. She questions whether the university has considered the experiences of those who lost livelihoods,…

An election advertising campaign accusing Labour and the Greens of backing gangs has ignited a political confrontation involving the Sensible Sentencing Trust, the Green Party, the Taxpayers' Union and a political advertising company. Behind the dispute lies a more substantial question: how should political parties engage with gang-affiliated communities while remaining accountable to victims of gang violence? The controversy also raises…

A brand-new intensive care unit at Waitākere Hospital has no patients, no dedicated staff, no operating budget and no confirmed opening date. The facility was intended to bring critical care closer to West Auckland residents. Instead, its delayed opening has exposed serious questions about workforce planning, hospital funding and whether expensive new buildings are actually delivering additional healthcare capacity. eLocal Report: Based on…

Rodney Fallowfield was released on parole in 2023 after serving part of a sentence for killing his wife, Shirley Reedy. Three years later, he has pleaded guilty to murdering two men in Christchurch. The case raises serious questions about how risk is assessed, how parole decisions are made and what the justice system can learn when a person previously convicted of a killing commits further fatal violence. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by…

National's proposal to make KiwiSaver contributions compulsory for sole traders has exposed a fundamental tension between retirement security and the financial independence of small-business owners. New survey findings suggest that some self-employed New Zealanders could reconsider how they earn a living if the policy proceeds. But beyond the percentages lies a more important question: how much control should the state exercise over money…

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…

Finding quality menswear shouldn't mean travelling into the city. At Lewis’ Mens Fashion in Pukekohe, men from across Southern Auckland can find clothing, footwear and accessories for work, weekends, special occasions and everyday life, all under one roof For men who appreciate good clothing, the difference is often in the details. · The right shirt. A well-cut jacket. Boots that are made to last. Smart casual clothing that looks good without…

Whether you drive a family runabout, a European luxury vehicle or a high-performance car, keeping it properly maintained matters. This October, PS Automotive in Pukekohe is offering the first ten qualifying customers a choice of a $50 fuel voucher or $50 off their standard service Local Expertise for Almost Every Make and Model · When your vehicle needs attention, finding a workshop with the right equipment, experience and technical knowledge…

Set on 6,887sqm (more or less) just minutes from Pukekohe, 83 Settlement Road offers an exceptional head start for your lifestyle dream. Beautifully landscaped grounds, panoramic rural views and a prepared building platform are complemented by water tanks, wastewater infrastructure, geotechnical reports and architectural drawings. An impressive barn-style building, paddock, farm shed, gardens, fruit trees and extensive site improvements…

Experience elevated family living in Pukekohe’s sought-after Valley precinct. Spanning three thoughtfully designed levels and offering 241sqm (more or less) of living space, this impressive residence features five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a light-filled open-plan living area flowing to a generous sun-soaked entertaining deck. With a private upper-level primary suite, internal-access double garaging, low-maintenance grounds and easy access…

Enjoy the best of village living with this four-bedroom family home on a generous 800sqm section in sought-after Patumahoe. Light-filled open-plan living flows to a sunny patio, while the flat, fully usable grounds offer plenty of space for children, pets and gardens. A large standalone garage provides excellent storage or workshop potential. Right next to Patumahoe School and just a short stroll to the village, this is a superb combination of…

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…

Immaculately presented in a sought-after Pukekohe location, this low-maintenance brick home offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms and two generous living areas across 152sqm. The light-filled open-plan kitchen, dining and living space flows to a covered outdoor entertaining area, while the private master includes an ensuite. With double internal-access garaging, an easy-care section and schools, parks, shops, cafés and Pukekohe town centre within…

While Europe plans 100,000 VW layoffs and Canada bleeds factories, Audi plants $4.2B in Georgia. London’s Chatham House playbook to go around your vote is on paper — and voters in Quebec, B.C., and Germany are already saying no! Susan Kokinda opens with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney celebrating Brazil's election, von der Leyen's partnership "thriving" and Carney's "flourishing", set…

Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks transformed American national security policy, the surveillance powers introduced during that emergency remain the subject of intense debate. Now artificial intelligence is creating capabilities that lawmakers in 2001 could scarcely have imagined. The question is no longer simply what governments can collect, but what they can discover, predict and decide about their citizens. INR…

An Israeli advertising technology company has been linked to a surveillance operation targeting internet users in more than 100 countries, including people accessing the internet through Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network. Investigations by cybersecurity researchers suggest that commercial advertising infrastructure was being exploited to identify potential surveillance targets, exposing how the global digital advertising system can be…

Canada is confronting one of the most difficult questions in modern medical ethics: should a person whose only underlying medical condition is a psychiatric illness be eligible for medically assisted death? A recent opinion column in The Globe and Mail has brought the controversy back into public view, exposing deep disagreements over patient autonomy, the limits of psychiatric medicine and the responsibility of governments to provide effective…

Russia and African leaders discuss a three-year cooperation plan, with President Vladimir Putin contrasting their proposed partnership with Europe's colonial past. Russian forces undertake humanitarian mine-clearing operations in Alyoshki during a ceasefire, reportedly assisted by the US First Lady. Meanwhile, Israel's political landscape faces a potential shake-up as Arab parties are projected to double their parliamentary representation,…

A new European security order may be emerging as Washington considers reshaping NATO's role and negotiating compromises with Russia. Geopolitical analyst Andrew Korybko examines a possible post-war settlement involving European military realignment, security guarantees, renewed Russian energy exports and a US strategic pivot towards Asia. Could economic cooperation and mutual security concessions provide the foundations for lasting peace in…

They fell in love in the Dutch East Indies before the Second World War tore their lives apart. For years, each believed the other had died, until an extraordinary encounter at an air force base in December 1947 brought them together again. Originally published in eLocal magazine. Expanded and republished with additional historical context. · Two Strangers on a Staircase · It was late in 1947, at an air force base near Batavia, now Jakarta, in…

Who really controls American foreign policy? In a revealing interview with George Galloway, Tucker Carlson questions whether President Trump or powerful unelected interests determine Washington's decisions. He argues that the US is effectively at war with Russia and that Trump's promises to end foreign conflicts have been undermined. From Ukraine and Iran to intelligence agencies, political donors and presidential advisers, Carlson raises…

What would it take for New Zealand to move beyond managing economic decline and begin building lasting prosperity? In a revealing conversation with eLocal's Mykeljon Winckel, economist and NZ First MP David Wilson explains how his party wants to reshape the country's economic foundations, putting greater emphasis on productive businesses, national ownership, affordable energy and investment that benefits New Zealanders Report by eLocal | eLocal…

New Zealand's decision to abandon domestic oil refining deserves scrutiny beyond the price of petrol. The loss of refining capacity also raises questions about industrial by-products, agricultural inputs and whether successive governments have adequately protected the country's productive economy. The Cost of Losing a Strategic Industry · In March 2022, New Zealand's only oil refinery at Marsden Point ceased operations, ending nearly six…

From flood-affected communities and rising rates to public asset ownership and economic independence, Sue Grey argues that New Zealand needs a fundamental change in how it is governed. Speaking with eLocal's publisher and Founder Mykeljon Winckel ahead of the 2026 general election, Grey outlines her party's approach to restoring local accountability, rebuilding productive capacity and giving ordinary New Zealanders a greater say in decisions…

Classically trained musician, former teacher and government adviser Emma Chatterton joins Mykeljon Winckel for a wide-ranging eLocal Conversation about the experiences shaping her approach to politics. As she seeks to succeed Judith Collins in Papakura, the discussion explores her personal journey, her ambitions for a rapidly growing electorate and the questions facing New Zealand's next generation Report by eLocal | eLocal Conversations | 16…