Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

If Part 1 described a New Zealand that was structurally sovereign — controlled capital flows, manageable external debt, production-led prosperity — Part 2 describes something subtler. Not conquest. Repositioning. The hollowing out did not begin in 1984. It began when the global monetary ground shifted — and New Zealand was manoeuvred, step by step, into a new financial architecture. Part I here... · Bretton Woods Ends — And the Anchor…

“While the government pats themselves on the back for the uptake of golden visas, it is important for us to recognise and understand what we have given away. For as little as $5m investment into the sharemarket or a managed fund, New Zealand has provided access to our public infrastructure and services while also providing far more advantageous tax settings than domestic residents enjoy. I would personally like to see an end to these visas. I…

Christopher Luxon had one job this week: explain to New Zealand where the country stands on the biggest geopolitical crisis in a generation. He blew it. Across a disastrous Monday, including a morning radio round on RNZ, an interview with Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking, and then a post-Cabinet press conference that may go down as one of the worst of his tenure, the Prime Minister fumbled, misspoke, contradicted himself, and ultimately left the…

The United States has carried out what is clearly an illegal bombing of Iran, a brutal theocracy with a long record of repression at home and proxy warfare abroad. So how should New Zealand respond? The Luxon-Peters Government put out a joint statement on Sunday that has been variously described as “balanced,” “careful,” and “a disgrace.” It is relatively positive towards the US actions and condemnatory towards Iran, but it doesn’t fully…

In the heart of Southland, where the air is crisp and country music runs through the veins of the community, two young stars from the Halton Hart family band were dreaming big. Georgia Martin and Meila Scully, known as the award-winning duo The Sparks didn't just want to listen to their idol, Lainey Wilson; they wanted to show her exactly how much she had inspired them. Driven by what they described as a "raging fire" in their hearts, the…

Who said getting older means slowing down? · At Acacia Cove Village, retirement isn’t about winding down — it’s about opening up a new chapter filled with freedom, friendship, and fun. · With practically everything taken care of, residents enjoy more time to focus on what really matters: engaging in activities, socialising with neighbours, relaxing in beautifully maintained surroundings, and living life with a genuine resort-style feel. · …

Sun, Sails, and Steel Guitars: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2026 Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival - If you’re planning a trip to the "Winterless North," there is no better way to see it than when the Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival is in full swing. The term "winterless" is a bit of a local secret, while the rest of New Zealand is starting to feel the first real bite of May , Northland stays famously mild. In May, you’re looking at…

For years, Jacinda Ardern was sold to the world as the face of “kindness.” A crisis leader. A moral compass in turbulent times. · But back home, the gloss has long since worn off. · Strip away the international applause and carefully curated documentaries, and what remains is a country carrying record debt, a fractured social fabric, and a lingering distrust of institutions that may take a generation to repair. · That is the legacy New Zealand…

Something has to give with New Zealand’s electricity market. And this week, the numbers arrived to prove it. The Big Four gentailers (Contact, Genesis, Meridian and Mercury) have just reported combined operating earnings of $1.86 billion for the six months to December 2025. That’s a jump of roughly 45% on the same period last year. Their combined dividend payouts rose 10% to $551 million. Meanwhile, the amount they actually invested in new…

Are voters actually up for a political circuit-breaker this year, or are we stuck with the same stale options again? If a disruptive force is desired, 2026 might finally be the year for the Opportunity Party to break through. Rebranded from “TOP” to simply “Opportunity,” the centrist party is now led by Qiulae Wong, a 37-year-old sustainability consultant who appears to have a better shot at getting into Parliament than any previous iteration…