What is the Fast-Track Approvals Bill and why is sparking backlash
One of the Government’s most contentious bills is now before select committee. The Fast-Track Approvals Bill is designed to speed up the process on consenting major projects, from transport initiatives like roads, to major housing developments. It also allows three ministers the power to make t…
Crisis in New Caledonia: Kiwis caught up as political tensions turns to violence
Amid continuing unrest in New Caledonia, our Defence Force is preparing rescue flights for about 250 stranded Kiwis. Protests in Noumea have been escalating after violence broke out over proposed changes to voter lists – with six dead and hundreds arrested. French authorities have declared a stat…
Julian Assange to face crucial hearing: Is this the end of the 14-year long saga?
The years-long saga of Julian Assange could finally be at an end – in a decision crucial not only to what happens next for the infamous whistleblower – but for press freedom as we know it. 14 years after his site, Wikileaks, published hundreds of thousands of classified US military and security do…
Earthquakes and tsunamis: What the latest research says about the threat of natural disasters
Major earthquakes may not be a regular occurrence in New Zealand, but the threat of them is often in the back of our minds. With a major faultline running through the middle of the country, you only have to look to the events in Christchurch and Kaikoura to know the risk they pose. Now, new model…
Blockout 2024: Cancel culture takes new form in viral trend, but will it have any impact?
There’s a new movement on social media in response to celebrities’ views – or lack thereof – on the war in Palestine. “Blockout 2024” started with an inconspicuous video of a TikTok influencer posed outside the glamorous Met Gala with the sound bite “let them eat cake”. Now, an online movement …
Police Minister Mark Mitchell on how Government plans to tackle gangs and reduce crime
The National-led Government is continuing its crackdown on gangs. Police Minister Mark Mitchell this week announced New Zealand will get its own National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units. The announcement follows a rise in gang violence, including the fatal shooting of a man on Auckla…
Right to disconnect: Can a law change fix our work-life balance?
As the world becomes increasingly online, the lines between work life and home life are becoming increasingly blurred. When you can check your emails on the same device you use to stream TV or talk to friends, avoiding that late night question from your boss is becoming harder to do. Now many are…
National grid crisis: How worried should we be this winter?
The conversation around New Zealand's power supply is heating up again, just before winter. Last week Kiwis were told to conserve electricity amidst a cold snap, over concerns there was not enough power to supply the country. This is not the first time such a warning has been issued, and has prom…
Can Auckland Council save money and keep rates low without removing services?
Auckland Council’s financial situation has been under the spotlight for months now. With costs rising, the council has been trying to find some ways to save money without cutting back on services. Those decisions have ranged from removing rubbish bins around the city, to a since U-turned proposal…
Sports players and head injuries: What does the latest research show?
Head injuries and sports players have been a hot topic of debate in recent years. While the risk of concussions and long-term injuries has been well known for decades, recent concerns have arisen about how those injuries can turn into long term issues like dementia, and that’s despite efforts to r…