Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

The Climate Change Commission has warned New Zealand is at risk of missing all of its major emissions targets unless policies change quickly. While the Commission argues stronger climate action will ultimately save households money, critics question whether the current approach places disproportionate costs on New Zealand for little measurable impact on global emissions Report by eLocal · The Climate Change Commission has issued one of its…

Annual inflation climbed to 4.1% in the June quarter, driven largely by soaring fuel prices rather than broad-based domestic demand. Kiwibank says underlying economic activity remains subdued, with cooling rents, weaker consumer spending and resilient household saving habits supporting its expectation that inflation will gradually return to target over the next year. Report by eLocal · New Zealand's latest inflation figures have reinforced the…

Surveillance was once imagined as a camera watched by a police officer in a control room. Today, it is an interconnected commercial ecosystem combining cameras, licence-plate readers, facial recognition, artificial intelligence, cloud storage, digital evidence platforms and enormous searchable databases. · Private companies increasingly build and operate the infrastructure through which governments, police agencies and businesses observe the…

The United States will impose a new 12.5 percent tariff on New Zealand goods as part of the Trump administration's revised trade policy. While exporters will feel the immediate impact, the broader question is whether the decision weakens New Zealand's economic resilience, household incomes and future prosperity. Report by eLocal · The United States has confirmed it will impose a 12.5 percent tariff on imports from New Zealand as part of a new…

Russia's new ambassador to New Zealand has used his first major media interview to argue that Western narratives dominate public debate on the Ukraine conflict while outlining Moscow's diplomatic approach towards New Zealand. In this opinion piece, geopolitical analyst Andrew Korybko examines Ambassador Stanislav Krans' comments, the challenges he believes Russian diplomats face in Western countries, and the role of media in shaping public…

In an interview with Clayton Morris, Australian naturopath Caroline Mansfield discusses research she says found elevated graphene oxide and other environmental contaminants in human blood, along with experiments into nanomaterials and detoxification. The claims remain controversial and have not been independently validated by the wider scientific community. An elocal Report based on an interview published by Redacted with Clayton Morris. · A…

Gisborne's rugby community celebrated the completion of the John Heikell Grandstand at Rugby Park redevelopment today, marking the return of one of East Coast Tairāwhiti's most iconic sporting venues and a significant achievement for the region. · Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson joined Gisborne locals today to celebrate the reopening of the revitalised facility. · “Since opening in 1955, Rugby Park is one of New Zealand's…

Freedom has unveiled a new technology policy that would require government agencies to consider open source software before purchasing commercial products, arguing the change could keep billions of taxpayer dollars within New Zealand. The party says the policy would strengthen digital sovereignty, support local technology businesses, reduce long-term software costs and increase transparency in government procurement while maintaining…

For much of the pandemic, the prevailing public narrative presented by many governments and major media organisations was that COVID-19 most likely originated through a natural spillover event associated with the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. Over the past several years, however, congressional testimony, declassified intelligence material, internal scientific communications and official audits have prompted renewed scrutiny of that…

Ballance Agri-Nutrients has confirmed it is exploring plans to manufacture fertiliser at Marsden Point using by-products from a proposed biorefinery. While still in its early stages, the proposal has reopened a wider national conversation about rebuilding strategic manufacturing capacity in New Zealand—and who should ultimately own it. Report by eLocal · Ballance Agri-Nutrients has joined forces with the Seadra consortium to investigate…