Geoff Parker: Kiwis need to be more forthright - Silence is Surrender

For too long, New Zealanders have watched in silence as governments of all stripes have chipped away at the principle that every citizen should stand equal before the law. The steady advance of race-based governance, special rights, parallel systems, and political power granted on the basis of ancestry has gone virtually unchallenged by the everyday New Zealander. That era has to end. This country won’t fix itself, and it certainly won’t return to democratic equality if the public continues to whisper their frustrations privately while remaining silent publicly.

Net Zero Watch Samizdat: Are blackouts inevitable?

UK

Are blackouts inevitable?

Energy expert Kathryn Porter warned that the UK faces a very real risk of blackouts. There appears to be little interest in the subject in Westminster.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 16.11.25

Sunday November 16, 2025 

News:
Iwi Chairs steps in to unite against changes To Education and Training Act
The National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF), supported by a coalition of national education organisations, has launched a petition against the Government’s removal of the requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi by repealing section 127(2)(e) of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Ani O'Brien: A week is a long time - 15 November 2025

A week is a long time in politics. Welcome to my weekly wrap up of the week that was in New Zealand politics with a sprinkling of international news.

The McSkimming Scandal: a system rotting from the top

The bombshell IPCA report into former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has unearthed a culture problem in the NZ Police that goes far beyond just one creepy bad apple. One of the country’s most senior officers was shielded for years while a young woman was prosecuted under the Harmful Digital Communications Act for daring to report allegations against him.

Kerre Woodham: The problem with our retirement system

As you'll have heard in the news this morning, the Retirement Commissioner has called for a 10-year roadmap and cross-party agreement, following the release of its review of New Zealand's retirement system.

More Kiwis are living longer, working differently, and facing pressures around housing and care. We're facing a huge rise in the number of older people. At the same time, we're facing fewer working Kiwis who can pay for the associated costs of aged care. Current data shows that right now, for every 100 people of working age, we have 28 retirees. Those numbers are changing quickly. By 2050, just 25 years away, we're looking at 38 retirees per 100 workers. By 2060, we'll have twice as many retirees compared to workers.

Bob Edlin: The flight of 72,000 Kiwis.....

The flight of 72,000 Kiwis – they must be blind, because they can’t see that NZ is “the best place to be”

The Government’s gurgling about fiscal discipline and growth is countered by an increasing public debt, the rising cost of living and significant job losses.

An aging population is putting increasing pressure on New Zealand Superannuation and healthcare costs, which threatens to result in higher taxes or increased debt in the future.

Mike's Minute: Labour talks tough, but it rings hollow

It’s a slightly odd message from Labour over the Māori Party as they try and work out how to deal with them.

The truth is they will need them to form a government if they get their own numbers to a point of victory.

Ani O'Brien: Rot Part 2 - Corrupt top cops destroy trust in NZ Police

This is Part Two. I don’t know how many parts it will take, but it continues here. We left off Part One with Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura deciding that an investigation into the allegations about Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming was appropriate after all…

Still no one had talked to Ms Z about the allegations or attempted to get a full report from her. Strangely, the initial terms of reference for Kura’s investigation do refer to the consideration as to “whether there is a need to speak with Ms Z’s parents.” By 2024, Ms Z was in her late 20s. Perhaps this is an admission that she was a particularly vulnerable person, but that would make arresting and charging her more outrageous.

Matua Kahurangi: Free speech under fire

Former judge David Harvey forecasts fresh online regulation push

Broadcaster Alastair Harding was joined by former Judge David Harvey (
A Halfling’s View ), broadcasting legend Peter Allan Williams and RCR’s co-founder Claire Deeks to unpack the Broadcasting Standards Authority’s (BSA) latest push to extend its powers into the world of online radio. What unfolded was a stark warning about where free speech and online regulation in New Zealand could be heading.

JC: Richard Chambers Is a ‘Top Cop’

I can justify my headline by revealing that I have known Richard Chambers and his family for nigh on 50 years. When Richard joined the New Zealand Police I was in no doubt he had a promising career ahead of him. The fact that he is now the ‘Top Cop’ is of no surprise to me. This man is as ‘honest as the day is long’. He has had a long and distinguished career in the police and he obviously caught the eye of the current Police Minister Mark Mitchell.

Scott Kennedy: Refocusing Education On Education

In early November, the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) released a media statement criticising the Government’s plan to remove Treaty of Waitangi responsibilities from school boards. The Federation described the move as “extreme” and “far right,” urging boards to continue giving effect to the Treaty in their governance.

It’s hard to overstate how disconnected this concern is from the real challenges facing education in New Zealand. It raises serious questions about whether the Federation is primarily interested in education itself or in promoting a programme of left-wing social engineering.

 Saturday November 15, 2025 

                    ⇩

Steven Gaskell: Back to Basics: When Education Finally Means Education Again

For the first time in a long time, it feels like the Government has finally stood up, cleared its throat, and reminded everyone that the purpose of a school is to teach children not drag them through constitutional re-education camps or daily ideological rituals masquerading as “civics.” The long-running experiment of forcing every school board in New Zealand to “give effect to the Treaty” a phrase so elastic it might as well have been drafted on a bungee cord has finally reached the end of its political shelf life. And thank goodness. Expecting part time volunteers juggling budgets, property maintenance, staffing pressures, and attendance crises to also act as legal historians and cultural negotiators was absurd from the start. A school board is not the Waitangi Tribunal, and classrooms are not political marae.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Who is Labour's climate spokesperson?

OK, quick quiz for you.

Think of the Labour Party.

Who is the climate spokesperson?

Yeah, no, you didn't get it right because it's Deborah Russell.

Ryan Bridge: Another dodgy story from Corrections

This prison escape story is fishy as hell.

And in the week of cover ups and ass-covering, this walks, talks, and quacks like another one.

On Friday last week at 9am, an inmate escapes Mt Eden prison.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 9.11.25

Saturday November 15, 2025 

News:
Kaipara council’s swearing in ceremony opens with karakia
Karakia featured at the start and finish of Kaipara District Council’s (KDC) first official 2025 meeting as nine incoming politicians were sworn in.

Two hundred people packed the Matakohe War Memorial Hall on Wednesday where new Mayor Jonathan Larsen said the district faced a bright future.

Mike's Minute: It's been an excellent economic week

Once again we find ourselves in the midst of an excellent economic week.

It's excellent, if you wish to see it that way.

100% of hotels will be full this coming Wednesday in Auckland. Broadly speaking, you can't get a room.

Auckland hasn’t been full in years.

Ani O'Brien: Rot - corrupt top cops destroy trust in NZ Police

Part One: How the highest level of New Zealand Police protected their own and prosecuted the victim

This horrifying saga is too long to fit into one Substack. This is Part One. I don’t know how many parts it will take, but it starts here.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority’s bombshell report into the Jevon McSkimming saga has torn the mask off a police culture that protects its own, punishes the vulnerable, and quietly strangles accountability.

Bruce Cotterill: Why some Kiwis seem to have lost their work ethic

In a week where our unemployment rate hit a post-Covid peak of 5.3%, I’m starting to wonder if Kiwis want to work any more.

In a recessionary, low-growth environment, we’re seeing well-paid government servants, people earning more than $100,000 per year, protesting and striking for higher pay and better conditions.

Simon O'Connor: Policing the police

Recent revelations around how some senior police officers acted is shining a spotlight on much needed reform and changes, including the Harmful Digital Communications Act.

My father was a police officer, and my uncle. A number of my friends are police officers, or once served. I have huge admiration for the work they did and for the police as a whole.

But without doubt, the latest revelations of how some senior police officers ran interference to protect a now disgraced ex-colleague, is appalling. This impacts many people, but it will be a huge kick in the guts to serving officers and their families.