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National minister Chris Bishop has apologised for his outburst at the NZ taxpayer-funded Aotearoa Music Awards. · However, Bishop stood by the substance of his comment labelling Stan Walker’s performance “a load of crap”, a reference, he said, not to the music itself but to the overt political symbolism on stage. · His remark came during a segment featuring tino rangatiratanga flags, and banners linked to Te Pāti Māori, promoting Māori…

More than three decades before June's annual celebration became official, the concept of "gay pride" had already emerged within the LGBTQ+ community. As early as 1966, a group had adopted the acronym P.R.I.D.E., which stood for Personal Rights In Defense and Education. The terms "gay pride" and "gay power" were also influenced by the civil rights movement’s language of "Black pride" and "Black power." Several people have claimed to have coined…

Calls for policewomen had been made since the 1930s, when the National Council of Women started lobbying for women officers. Their efforts were rewarded when 10 women from around New Zealand were recruited in June 1941 – a time of workforce pressures due to the Second World War. · Trainees were required to be well educated, aged between 25 and 40, unmarried or widowed, have shorthand and typing skills, and pass a strict medical test. The 10…

Budget 2025 has drawn a muted response from the public, with a Talbot Mills Research poll showing more New Zealanders think it will hurt rather than help. · However, business leaders and even opposition MPs have welcomed the new investment tax break. · According to the poll, 33% said the Budget would be bad for New Zealand, while 22% said it would be good. Asked about personal impact, just 9% felt it would benefit them. · Talbot Mills…

This Latin American classic is guaranteed to produce mouthwatering, spicy results. · Add a tin of kidney beans, rinsed, to the sauce with the meatballs if you like. Mexican oregano is stronger than Mediterranean, but you can substitute in normal dried oregano and a pinch of ground fennel. · Either way, it makes a perfect mid week meal.  · Ingredients · - For the meatballs - 600g minced beef - 1 small onion, very finely chopped - 2 garlic…

David Seymour has been sworn in as New Zealand’s deputy prime minister, replacing Winston Peters under the coalition agreement. · Both men used the handover to assert political freedom and sharpen their party strategies ahead of 2026. · Seymour downplayed the shift in power but made clear he won’t be moderating his tone in the new role. “I certainly won’t be losing my freedom to think and to speak,” he said. Asked if the job would change him,…

The English claimed many offenses against Joan of Arc. But when they burned her at the stake in Rouen, France on May 30, 1431, they not only immortalized the 19-year-old, but made her a national symbol for the French cause during the long-fought Hundred Years’ War. · Born a peasant in a small French village, the illiterate girl claimed to hear divine voices and see visions of St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret of Antioch…

A celebration of a much-loved teatime treat, these bakes turn out looking like super-chocolatey Bourbon biscuit bricks, and happen to go amazingly well with a brew of builder’s tea. · Ingredients · - 200g Bourbon biscuits (these can be found in Crackerjack) - 100g butter, roughly chopped, plus extra for greasing - 2 tbsp golden syrup - 200g caster sugar - 200g dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces - 2 tsp vanilla extract - 100g…

The steamer Wairuna, en route from Auckland to San Francisco, was captured by the German raider SMS Wolf on June 2, 1917 and later sunk near the Kermadec Islands. The crew was taken prisoner. · The Union Steam Ship Company’s Wairuna (3947 tons) was passing the Kermadec Islands (these lie 800–1000 km north-east of the North Island) when a seaplane flew overhead and dropped a weighted canvas bag on the forecastle head. Inside was a note ordering…