Articles in ‘Current Affairs’

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 2026.…

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…

Karl Barkley from Operation Good Oil has raised serious concerns regarding New Zealand’s energy security. The recent closure of the Marsden Point Oil Refinery, the only oil refinery in the country, by the previous Labour Government under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, has sparked a debate about its far-reaching implications. The closure happened without public consultation, raising alarms about the nation’s future energy stability and economic…

Some see the fight over TikTok as a fight for data sovereignty, while others see any ban as a threat to information democracy. Calls to ban TikTok have turned the political landscape into something more like a theatrical spectacle. During a recent hearing by the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Republican Congressman Michael McCaul made bold claims that downloading TikTok opens a personal information gateway for China The hearing revealed a…

Introduction Michelle Makori, Lead Anchor and Editor-in-Chief at Kitco News, interviews Carol Roth, New York Times bestselling author of ‘You Will Own Nothing,’ who warns that we are on the brink of a financial world war where financial stakes will shift. She dives into the global elite’s plan to come out on top – the process that threatens to leave us owning nothing and under centralized control. Roth explains what is behind the World…

As mentioned in Winter ills Part 1 today I will discuss supplements that can help prevent and/or treat winter ills such as cods and flu’s. Certainly our micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are best consumed in whole foods such as vegetables but there are so many factors that make the availability, amounts needed and absorbability of micronutrients challenging to achieve from wholefoods. I will discuss these in another blog but for now…

Summary The conversation covers a range of topics related to the New Zealand budget, foreign affairs, political commentary, and criticism of various political parties. It also delves into the Māori Party and its actions. The speaker, Mykeljon Winckel, provides a critical analysis of the budget and the performance of different political parties, offering a unique perspective on the state of affairs in New Zealand. Keywords New Zealand budget,…

The Human Rights Commission and the National Iwi Chairs Forum1 are working together on a campaign to transition from New Zealand’s existing democratic government system to a radical race-based constitution. In 2010, the Iwi Chairs Forum initiated the ‘Matike Mai Aotearoa, the Independent Working Group Constitutional Transformation’ project to explore the creation of a new constitution. The Terms of Reference did not ask the Working Group to…

Summary The prevalence of fake food in the Chinese market poses a grave threat to people’s health and erodes trust within society. This conversation explores various shocking examples of fake food items found in China, including fake beef, fake lamb, fake rice, fake noodles, fake tofu, fake buns, fake tea, fake honey, and even fake sea cucumber. The production processes and ingredients used in these fake food items are revealed, highlighting…

Short-term exposure to high levels of air pollution kills more than one million people every year. And while Asia and Africa are particularly at-risk, Australia isn’t immune to the danger. With climate change making smog and bushfires more common, it’s likely more people will die from air pollution in coming years — especially in densely populated cities. Those are some of the key findings from recent research, published in Lancet Planetary…

The violent unrest in New Caledonia France’s Pacific island territory is alarming. Sadly, the island territory is no stranger to violence. Here’s what’s worth knowing about the crisis. How serious are the riots? The country is experiencing a wave of violence on a scale not seen since the terrible events of the 1980s — a period of near civil-war between supporters and opponents of independence that ended with landmark political accords in 1988…

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has opened consultation on what would be the first government-backed digital NZ currency. The consultation is open until July 26. Amidst the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s proposition of a pioneering government-backed digital currency, a profound question emerges: at what cost does progress come? The envisaged Reserve Bank Digital Currency (RBDC) heralds a new era of financial convenience and accessibility,…

Summary The conversation explores the potential impact of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) on the economy and the role of banks. The guest argues that CBDCs would lead to a dystopian scenario and a Soviet-style economy. He criticizes the current economic models used by central banks, stating that they do not consider banks or money. The guest explains that banks create money out of nothing and that governments do not create money but…

By: Democracy Action In July/August 2023 the Tūpuna Maunga Authority destroyed around 60 healthy mature trees on Ōtāhuhu Mt Richmond, just because they were not native. And it has said it is coming back for more. The Authority applied for a non-notified resource consent to chop down 278 exotic trees on the maunga, nearly half of its entire forest canopy. Ōtāhuhu locals and people from the wider Auckland community say they are shocked at this…

The conversation between Mykeljon Winckel and Sue Grey explores the theme of reputation over humanity and the lack of accountability in corporate and government decision-making. They discuss examples such as the British Post Office case and the compulsory fluoridation of drinking water in New Zealand. They highlight the importance of questioning and challenging the system, as well as the need for community engagement and unity. The conversation…

An article in the UK Daily Telegraph entitled “The ‘black sheep’ brain chip start-up backed by Bezos and Gates” and a fascinating Tucker Carlson interview with a German Scientist Dr. Michael Nehls entitled “The Indoctrinated Brain” raise all sorts of deep and intriguing questions about consciousness, biotechnology, and mind control. Mind control and consciousness-bending technology are current buzz topics in the popular press being followed…

Over the first half of the 20th century the world saw growing rates of heart disease mortality. From the 1920s to the 1960s more and more people were dying from heart attacks. It was described as an epidemic of heart disease. But in the mid-1960s heart disease mortality suddenly plateaued. In the United States, for example, around 35% of overall deaths could be attributed to cardiac causes in 1966. From that point on heart attack mortality…

Will There Be Practical Changes to the National Policy Statement on Fresh Water? Summary In this conversation, Mykeljon Winckel speaks with Bryce McKenzie from Groundswell about the changes in government and their impact on farmers. They discuss the shift from a government that didn’t listen to farmers to one that is more receptive. They highlight the changes in regulations, particularly the national policy statement on fresh water, and the…

I have long been a critic of the blanket reduction of speed limits across the wider Franklin area by Auckland Transport (AT). Under their Safe Speeds programme, AT carried out speed limit reductions on over 200 roads in Franklin, 33 of which they identified as having a high risk of death or serious injuries occurring. These roads were reduced from 100 kph outside of town centres and settlements to 80 kph and in some places (past schools, for…