Articles from ‘elocal magazine’ in ‘Current Affairs’

In politics, authenticity is currency — and in an election year, credibility can matter more than policy detail. As Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins delivered his State of the Nation address, questions lingered not just about Labour’s direction, but about its record in government and whether voters feel they’ve heard true accountability. Veteran broadcaster Duncan Garner has offered a sharp and provocative take — imagining the speech he believes…

The political landscape in New Zealand has just been turned upside down by a devastating new Freshwater poll. National has plummeted to 30 percent while Labor has climbed to 37, creating a nightmare scenario for the government just months out from the election. In this episode, Duncan and the panel break down the "shark-infested waters" National has entered. We look at the very real possibility that Finance Minister Nicola Willis could lose her…

On December 16, the Salvation Army and Community Housing Aotearoa released survey results indicating that in Auckland, the number of people living without shelter rose from 426 in September 2024 to 940 in September 2025. The figures relate to people sleeping rough or without any form of accommodation. · Government housing support fell over the same period, with funding reduced from $655 million last year to $577 million in the year to June…

Jacinda: The Untold Stories has now spent four consecutive weeks on the official nonfiction bestseller list. More than 250 retailers nationwide are stocking the book, with multiple reorders and strong sell-through. Alongside that success, some customers report cancelled orders, reduced stock, or difficulty accessing copies. · Centrist says the issue raises broader questions about cultural gatekeeping beyond media and academia. · One of the…

As expected the Reserve Bank has today reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.25%, bringing it to 2.25%. Writer: Staircase Financial · While a modest adjustment, this move reinforces the Bank’s confidence that inflation pressures have eased and that the broader economic recovery can now be supported by lower borrowing costs. · For buyers, homeowners, and investors, the message is clear: financing conditions are moving steadily in your…