Articles in ‘Opinion’

The NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party is calling on all everyday New Zealanders, hunters, fishers, 4WD clubs, jet boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts to fiercely oppose the Government’s newly introduced Conservation Amendment Bill, labelling it a direct assault on the traditional Kiwi way of life. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · The Bill, touted by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka as a move to "cut red tape," introduces a dangerous new statutory mandate…

New Zealanders overwhelmingly believe professional regulators should stay out of practitioners’ politics, according to new polling released today by the Free Speech Union. The Curia poll of 1,000 voters found 54% believe regulators such as the Medical and Nursing Councils should only discipline doctors and nurses for incompetence or negligence. Only 18% believe regulators should also discipline practitioners for views expressed on social media…

New Zealand has gradually become a more racist country as time has gone by and this process has been ably assisted by the mainstream media. In my opinion, part of the reason is due to the Treaty of Waitangi. The Treaty is a simple document signed in simple times which, if the explanation given by that revered elder Māori statesman, Sir Apirana Ngata - M.A., LLB., Litt.D., is to be considered true, made us all one people with equal rights as…

As we move deeper into winter, the latest tanker movements show New Zealand's fuel supply chain continuing to operate smoothly. Product is moving through the network, imports are arriving as scheduled, and regional distribution remains active. That's the good news. · The less comfortable reality is that these daily tanker movements continue to highlight just how dependent New Zealand has become on imported refined fuel products and…

Given NZ’s vulnerability to natural disasters, this article raises questions about new legislation that should be of concern to everyone. · Two weeks ago we had a flood in our house after a water pipe burst in the ceiling cavity. Within 2 days our insurance company had assessed and settled the claim. We were able to start work immediately to remedy the damage. In contrast, on January 18th we suffered a devastating rain event. Over 300mm of rain…

At the 2026 St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), leaders from Russia, China, Uzbekistan and Tanzania repeatedly returned to one central theme: sovereignty. Not sovereignty as a slogan, but sovereignty as an economic strategy. Sovereignty of finance. Sovereignty of energy. Sovereignty of technology. Sovereignty of infrastructure. Sovereignty of supply chains. Sovereignty of industry. President Vladimir Putin described what he…

As we move through the first week of June, the overall picture for New Zealand's fuel supply remains stable, with regular coastal distribution continuing and several significant international fuel tankers arriving at key ports. While there are some positive signs emerging, there are also a few areas that deserve ongoing monitoring. · The Good News · The biggest positive this week was activity at Marsden Point. · Two international product…

For years New Zealand First has been politically underestimated. Written off. Declared finished. · Told its support base was ageing out. · Yet somehow, election after election, Winston Peters keeps proving political commentators wrong. Now, as New Zealand heads toward the 2026 General Election, a growing number of voters are beginning to ask a serious question: · What if New Zealand First is no longer simply a coalition partner? · What if it…

For years, New Zealanders have been told that giving unelected representatives voting rights on council committees was about inclusion, partnership, and better decision-making. This week, the Government effectively said something many ratepayers have been saying for a long time. · Advice can be appointed. · Power should be elected. · The Government has announced that voting rights on council committees will be restricted to elected councillors.…

This morning the Children's Commissioner and a cross-sector coalition called on the Government to build an independent online-safety regulator. They are too late to ask. The Government is already building one, and it has not waited for a law. Budget 2026 allocated $30.7 million to the Department of Internal Affairs over four years to "develop policy and possible regulatory options to improve children's online safety, subject to future policy…