Breaking Views Update: Week of 8.3.26

Saturday March 14, 2026 

News:
Gisborne councillors back Lytton Rd waste centre plan as mana whenua oppose it
Gisborne is a step closer to taking control of regional waste, but some district councillors expressed “discomfort” over the process.

Councillors voted on a preferred site for developing the regional Refuse Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre at a council meeting on Thursday.

Gary Judd KC: National could signal its support for democracy

It could join ACT and NZ First to abolish the Maori electoral seats

This is a companion piece to my just-published Ghettoizing the mind. Both were stimulated by Dr Muriel Newman’s feature article, The Future of the Maori Seats in which she carefully marshalled nearly all the reasons why they should be gone. She also introduced as a guest commentary an address given by Hon Bill English in 2003: Address to the National Press Club Breakfast 24 July 2003.

Geoff Parker: The Gore Precedent

How a District Plan in Southland Could Change Land-Use Rules Across New Zealand

A planning dispute in the small Southland district of Gore may look like a local argument about farming rules.

In reality, it may represent something much bigger: a quiet shift in how land-use decisions are made across New Zealand.

Ani O'Brien: We don't hate the media enough

We need a People's Commission into the Media during Covid-19

The Royal Commission into COVID-19 should have triggered a national reckoning. Instead it revealed how completely the media failed to scrutinise power.

There’s a phrase often repeated online: you don’t hate the media enough. Most people read it as a joke or a bit of internet cynicism. But the New Zealand media’s response to the release of the report from Phase Two of the Royal Commission into COVID-19 is proof that the New Zealand media has forgotten its most basic functions.

JC: Ngāi Tahu in Breach of the Law?

This article covers concerning behaviour by Ngāi Tahu. I would like to make it clear that the comments made below are not directed at all Māori in Ngāi Tahu but rather the tribal leaders.

A message from Elliot Ikilei of Hobson’s Pledge appeared in my inbox. It concerned tactics being used against farmers by Ngāi Tahu. As of the moment this outrageous behaviour only affects farmers in Gore under rules imposed by the the tribe. Need I say that if this is allowed to proceed it will spread like the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, elsewhere in the South Island and around the country. What is happening in Gore must be stopped in its tracks. This is yet another instance of race-based pandering and cannot be allowed to stand.

Melanie Phillips: Holding our nerve

Those clamouring for the Iran war to end prematurely haven't a clue about the stakes involved

The regime in Tehran believes that driving up the oil price to eye-watering levels will force President Trump to end the war.

Today’s media reports were dominated by speculation that this strategy is working. This is because Trump said yesterday that the war is “very complete, pretty much,” and that it will end “very soon”.

Yet later in the day he also said:

Bob Edlin: Verrall should forget about a digital health promise being broken (it wasn’t)....

Verrall should forget about a digital health promise being broken (it wasn’t) and focus on how well $164.6m is being spent

Opposition health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall needs to be concerned more about what taxpayers are getting for the government’s health spending than with trying to spotlight the breaking of promises that were not made.

David Farrar: Air corporate welfare

James Meager announced:

Golden Bay Air will be the first airline to receive a loan from funding ear-marked for at-risk regional air routes, Associate Transport Minister James Meager says.

The airline will receive approximately $1.1 million from the $30 million package set aside by the Coalition Government from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF), designed to stabilise the sector and support regional routes in the short to medium term.

Mike's Minute: Is there a legal case to be heard on the vaccine advice?

Question six, the House of Parliament Question Time.

Winston Peters to Simeon Brown. The mandate for 12 to 17 year olds and the double dose of the vaccine – seek it out, it’s a fascinating exchange.

Tuesday, Chris Hipkins and Ayesha Verral denied the concerns raised by the Ministry of Health ever reached their desks.

Friday March 13, 2026 

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Caleb Anderson: Critical Race Theory - At what price?

It is sometimes difficult to fathom the thinking, ultimate intent, or even psychological condition, of many proponents of Critical Race Theory. Those most active in promotion of Critical Race Theory are almost cultish in their singular, and unwavering, embeddedness in the cause, and discordant, unstable, aggressive, and inconsistent, in their messaging.

David Lillis: A Submission on the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill

The public can influence New Zealand’s laws by making submissions on a range of Bills that are intended to enhance our laws (see New Zealand Parliament, 2026). Submissions are made online in two parts – My Comments and My Recommendations. Here is a slightly amended version of my own submission on the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill which aims to improve the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. I have asked to make a verbal presentation on this submission.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Do we need to panic about fuel supplies?

Now look, I don’t think there’s any reason to panic, but if you’ve been reading the news closely - and especially if you’ve been reading more widely than just the New Zealand news - you’re probably starting to feel a little nervous about what might happen to fuel supplies here and the possibility that we may have to start rationing.

Ryan Bridge: Teachers deserve a pay rise

I can't see what the problem is with teachers getting a pay rise.

If that sounds weird, it's because it's the union complaining.

The union that's always saying teachers are undervalued and underpaid doesn't want the pay rise. They're actually going to take legal action to try and stop it happening.

Steven Gaskell: Kharg Island - The Strategic Choke Point That Could Break Iran’s Regime

For decades, American military planners have deliberately avoided targeting or seizing Kharg Island. The reason was simple: the island is the beating heart of Iran’s oil economy. Roughly 90% of Iran’s crude exports pass through its terminals, meaning any disruption risks sending shockwaves through global energy markets and triggering a wider regional war.

John McLean: The Pravda Post

The paper propagandizing for a New Zealand neo-Marxist Government in waiting

Pravda was the official newspaper of the Soviet Union’s Communist Party. Although Pravda means “Truth” in the Russian language, the Pravda newspaper wasn’t about truth. Quite the opposite. It was propaganda for the Soviet regime.

Lindsay Mitchell: RNZ catches up on news reported here over a month ago

Today RNZ catches up on news reported here over a month ago.

Why has it taken RNZ so long to catch up with the latest benefit numbers? Given the numbers are well up, it's right in their wheelhouse for pushing their anti-government agenda.

Colinxy: The Tyranny of the Motivated Minority - Why Moderates Don’t Drive History

Political culture loves its comforting myths, and none is more persistent than the idea that moderates hold the real power. We’re told that the “sensible centre” keeps society stable, that the majority reins in the extremes, and that the middle ground is where history is written.

But the evidence — historical, psychological, and empirical — points in the opposite direction.

Dr Oliver Hartwich: Voters will decide whether to punch holes in Europe’s nuclear umbrella

While American and Israeli jets were bombing Tehran last Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron stood before nuclear submarines at the Île Longue naval base in Brittany. He announced that France would extend its nuclear umbrella across Europe.

America had launched a major war without consulting its NATO allies. British bases in Bahrain, Qatar and Cyprus were hit by Iranian retaliation, even though London had refused to support the operation.

Alwyn Poole: Why governing for the whole nation – and respect for every voter – counts.

The vote of an 18 year old deliquent in New Zealand is as important as that of Willy Apiata.

Anyone who wants to be in government and succeed in their ministerial portfolios needs to respect every voter and all of those who cannot vote – primarily children.