Professor Alexander Gillespie: Anzac then and now: as trans‑Tasman defence relations get closer, NZ must be on guard

Anzac Day 2026 arrives in tumultuous times: unresolved conflict in the Middle East, the erosion of the old international order, the famous Doomsday Clock set closer to midnight than ever before.

Without doubt, this brings New Zealand’s defence relationship with its closest neighbour (and only formal ally) Australia into sharp focus.

Peter Williams: Anzac Day Address 2026

NOTE: I was asked to be the guest speaker at the Cromwell Anzac Day service. This address is similar to one I gave at the small Southland community of Waikaka in 2023

As a recently arrived Central Otago resident – albeit with a long personal and family history in Otago and Southland – it’s a privilege to deliver the first ANZAC Day address outside this brand new and soon to be officially named Cromwell Memorial Events Centre.

Major General John G. Howard, MNZM (Ret): Buying readiness or buying time?

The Government's 2025 Defence Capability Plan allocates $12 billion over the next four years—the biggest outlay in generations and long overdue. The challenge is that the defence acquisition machinery was built for a slower, steadier world and has not been rebuilt for this one.
Buying new kit often takes longer than a government lasts. The chain of sign-offs required often takes years. A single big purchase can outlast the government that started it.

Guest Post: The Numbers do not Lie

A guest post from Owen Jennings on Kiwiblog:

Everyone seems to have an opinion on Christopher Luxon’s future. Why not? He is Prime Minster, after all. He has to be open to scrutiny.

But, is what we are encountering the normal, hurly burly of politics and strong media coverage? Or is there some other force at play? Some homework, using Artificial Intelligence, suggests there is and it’s something that should concern every New Zealand voter.

Rodney Hide: Hosking’s “Impeccable Sources” - Pure Prebble Theatre, Zero

Mike Hosking’s claim of “impeccable sources” naming five National MPs as leakers is straight out of the Richard Prebble playbook. The veteran ACT leader was a master of the device: “usually reliable sources,” “reliable sources inform me,” “my sources tell me.” It sounded insider-ish, carried a ring of truth, and kept the story pumping for another news cycle.

Kerre Woodham: Unacceptable behaviour is unacceptable behaviour

Remember back in February, the Government announced it was proposing to give police officers the power to issue move on orders to deal with, as it's described, disorderly behaviour in public places. What they mean is antisocial homeless people who are startling the horses, putting people off coming into the city, creating all sorts of disgusting messes for business owners to clean up.

 Sunday April 26, 2026 

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Net Zero Watch Samizdat: Defiant Miliband Doubles Down

UK

Miliband: I need to go further and faster

Ed Miliband rejected warnings he is going “too far and too fast” and instead vowed to speed up the construction of renewables across the country. This will include a “massive” expansion of net zero infrastructure on the public estate, as well as allowing large electricity substations to be built without planning applications.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 26.4.26

Sunday April 26, 2026 

News:
Under-threat council looks to advance iwi deals
Taranaki Regional Council is to consider pushing ahead on seven agreements with iwi despite the council's days being numbered under local government reforms.

On Tuesday TRC's powerful Policy and Planning Committee will decide how to boost mana whenua engagement in the council's work.

Dr Oliver Hartwich: The Wellington State Sector Chiefs Who Undermine Their Ministers & Democracy

On The Platform, Michael Laws chats to NZ Initiative’s Dr Oliver Hartwich on the Wellington state sector chiefs who undermine their Ministers and democracy.

Click to view

Ani O'Brien: A week is a long time: 25 April 2026

Lest we forget 🇳🇿 🇦🇺

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Nats versus the Media: Luxon draws a line

Rodney Hide: The Maori Electorates - Racist Relic That Must Go

The Maori electorates are a 19th-century anachronism that should have been abolished twice—first when universal suffrage arrived in 1893, and again when MMP was adopted in 1996. They are racist by design, divisive by operation, and the breeding ground for the ethnic grievance industry now dominating our politics.

Created in 1867 as a temporary bridge for Maori men excluded by the property qualification, the seats lost all justification the moment every adult New Zealander gained the vote on equal terms.

Melanie Phillips: The dawn of a new world order

An increasingly hostile American public has little idea of the necessity and importance of the war against Iran

Most people in America are against the war with Iran, as they are in Britain, too.

Very few, however, actually understand why this war is as necessary as it is unavoidably complex.

Kerre Woodham: Investing in young Kiwis' ability to grow their wealth seems like a good plan

I like David Seymour's idea of teaching children the basics of money management by giving them $500 each. He floated the idea during a speech at a business event in Christchurch. The way it would work: the roughly 60,000 Year 11 s in this country would be given $500 in a controlled investment account with a structured pathway into real investing, possibly supported by investment platforms Sharesies or Blackbull. In term one, they choose a term deposit, a safe investment, but one that introduces the basic idea of storing capital so it can be used by someone else to produce, earning a return for the investor. In term two, they invest in a managed fund. This introduces the idea of risk. In term three, they invest in New Zealand equities, which introduces the idea of companies, and in term four, they're able to invest in assets from around the world, and all of a sudden, they learn about exchange rates and how much they matter.

Bob Edlin: Fast-track is hastening infrastructural work.....

Fast-track is hastening infrastructural work but (when it comes to te reo) it is keeping snail pace with Te Kāwanatanga

It is called Fast-track and it is in the business of providing a permanent approvals regime for a range of infrastructure, housing and development projects with significant regional or national benefits.

David Farrar: Disgusting racism

RNZ reports:

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown referred to an RNZ staff member of Indian descent as “a Muslim terrorist” and commented on his beard as the man escorted him into the building for an interview.

Brown said the comments were a “fumbled attempt at humour”.

David Farrar: Winston rules out Labour

This is significant, with Peters ruling out Labour, not just Hipkins. It reinforces the only route to power for Labour is with Te Pati Maori.

Saturday April 25, 2026 

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Breaking Views Update: Week of 19.4.26

Saturday April 25, 2026 

News:
Govt risks another colossal hīkoi if it weakens Treaty obligations
1News Māori Affairs Correspondent Te Aniwa Hurihanganui explains why the Government’s plan to weaken legal obligations to the Treaty of Waitangi could become as controversial as the Treaty Principles Bill.

Rumblings of discontent

DTNZ: Lest We Forget - ANZAC Day 2026

Each year on ANZAC Day New Zealanders and Australians pause to remember those who served and sacrificed in war, conflict, and peacekeeping missions.

Marked on April 25, the day commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) at Gallipoli in 1915—an event that, despite its hardship and loss, became central to the identity of both nations.