Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Did China break any rules with their nuclear missile test?

Let's talk about the Chinese test of that nuclear-capable missile. More specifically, let's talk about New Zealand's response to it, which was quite full-throated in its criticism of China.

I find myself unable to get as worked up about this as Winston Peters because, please correct me if I'm wrong, I can't see that China has actually broken any rules here. Before firing the missile, China alerted New Zealand, Australia and Japan, as required under international regulations governing tests of this nature.

Ryan Bridge: Banning and taxing won't solve the problem

This week the Tony Blair Institute warned Andy Burnham that you can't tax your way to prosperity.

Some of our politicians could use a similar lecture.

We have parties wanting new taxes to fund what is basically a Universal Basic Income, even though AI hasn't yet stolen the number of jobs they claimed it would.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 5.7.26

Wednesday July 8, 2026 

News:
Te Māra O Hine-Raraunga Framework Explores How IMPBs Can Protect Whānau Voice And Strengthen Māori Data Sovereignty
A new framework developed in partnership with Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) is encouraging kōrero about how whānau voice can be protected, governed and used in ways that uphold tikanga Māori, Māori data sovereignty and tino rangatiratanga.

Spaniard: Provisions of the Treaty - all the ‘principles’ ever were

Originating in the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, which set up the Waitangi Tribunal, the notion of ‘Treaty principles’ refers to the provisions of the Treaty.

Neither the Act itself nor the Hansard record, nor the wider public record, suggest otherwise, and indeed it’s unthinkable that the 37th New Zealand Parliament would have blithely, and without a special process, substantively altered the compact that started our nation in 1840.

The carelessness of the wording is a flashpoint in the ‘cock-up theory’ of New Zealand’s history.

Mike's Minute: Why are we waiting for another Covid response?

I read that apparently the Government are about to give a formal response this month to the Covid Inquiry Phase Two report.

Brooke van Velden, who drove it, was so concerned about the mistake made around Covid vaccine advice for 12–17-year-olds, and the fact Chris Hipkins said he didn’t see any advice, when in fact he did.

She went off to seek advice as to what to do.

Frank Lasee: How Western aid keeps Africans poor

A young Senegalese man had the drive, savings, and plan to open a small store. He never did.

The moment he opened, cousins, uncles, and neighbors would demand goods for free because they were in need. Family obligation would force him to say yes until the shelves were empty and the business dead.

So he never started. Or he moved far away from his family to start his business with all the hardships that brings.

David Farrar: Five years of taxpayer funded leave without pay

Stuff reports:

A former Lotto presenter who delivered six bars of gold bullion to the Comancheros’ “International Commander” in Turkey was suspended on full pay from his government job after he was arrested as part of a global FBI sting targeting organised crime.

Yvonne Van Dongen: Frozen Myths

Antarctic documentary revives debunked Māori voyages

Early in the trailer on a New Zealand documentary screening for the first time this week (July 10) the doco star, one Professor Rangi Mātāmua, is asked why he is going to Antarctica.

Mātāmua explains that on his grandfather’s deathbed he was given a 400-page book on Māori star lore. This is tribal knowledge, said Mātāmua. It is tapu. But his grandfather replied “knowledge that isn’t shared isn’t knowledge.” This, says Mātāmua, has been his mantra ever since.

Kerre Woodham: Why stop at only citizens being able to vote?

Yes, it's election year. How can you tell? They're all coming up with policies now, aren't they, designed to appeal to their core constituency.

Winston Peters played a blinder by announcing to the party faithful at a campaign meeting in Warkworth over the weekend that he wants to see voting rights reserved for citizens of this country only.

Bob Edlin: DoC’s lax partnership with Far North iwi.....

How taxpayers have been short-changed by DoC’s lax partnership with Far North iwi

It looks like DoC has fallen down on the job of looking after its straitened finances.

RNZ has reported on the financial consequences of te department’s failure to properly oversee the management of three Far North campgrounds for many years.

Chris McVeigh: Dame Jacinda - hit or myth?

A small part of me wants to take some pride in the bestowing of an honorary degree by Oxford University on our former PM, Dame Jacinda Ardern. However I can't quite escape the feeling that I'm watching the equivalent of a Michelin star being awarded to our local Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet. I know that's a little unfair because their hot'n' spicy chicken wings with a side of potato and gravy is actually pretty damn good but I think that even that old huckster Colonel Sanders would agree that they'd be unlikely to trouble the gastronomer's inspectorate.

Tuesday July 7, 2026 

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Ryan Bridge: Democracy is a privilege billions still don't have

It was a weekend of big events. A wedding, a funeral, and a milestone birthday.

Congratulations, in that order, to America on its 250th anniversary, to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on their wedding, to those Iranians who suffered under the Ayatollah's rule, and to the All Blacks for beating France.

Pee Kay: National… the Enemy Within?

PART ONE: The Bolger/Shipley years

Labour may talk co-governance, but it’s actually National who cements it!

It’s bizarre isn’t it, Labour often absorbs the loudest and most heated public condemnation for its Maori centred policies. For decades, political commentators have labelled Labour as the champion of Maori rights and National as its staunch opponent.

But is that, in fact, true?

David Farrar: An excellent NZ First policy

NZ First announced:

New Zealand First has today announced that we will be campaigning to change the electoral law to ensure that only citizens have the right to vote.

Currently, any permanent resident who has gone through the normal process, after just two years living in New Zealand, can vote.

Lindsay Mitchell: Residents must retain their right to participate

According to Treasury, "People present in New Zealand each year are increasingly non-NZ citizens":

"In 2024, there were 476,000 resident visa holders to spend at least one day in New Zealand, and 705,000 holders of permanent resident visas."

Mike's Minute: Does Wellington deserve it's reputation?

Wellington looks to me to be in rude health.

For a city down in the dumps, with a reputation problem and a previously shocking council, public service issues and any number of surveys talking about negativity, how come Wellington looks so busy?

I was down for dinner Saturday night. The drive from the airport around the Bays was packed. Jervois Quay was packed, bumper to bumper.

Cam Slater: Luxon Chases Nigerian Princes While Kiwis Struggle at Home

National leader Christopher Luxon has rolled out yet another grand trade policy announcement, promising to prioritise free trade deals with seven countries if re-elected. Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association are all in his sights, with a second wave to follow.

This is the same mob that keeps telling us they are delivering for Kiwis. Yet here they are, campaigning on trade deals with places many average New Zealanders could not point to on a map. Luxon and his Trade Spokesperson Todd McClay stood at the Port of Auckland to spruik the plan, talking up the next billion customers and untapped opportunities worth billions.

Bruce Cotterill: Election 2026 - Why more ‘free’ policies could cost New Zealand dearly

As the election campaign gets underway, the promises have started coming thick and fast. This time around, we’re hearing a lot about free stuff.

The all too familiar faces from Labour and the Greens have been joined by newcomers TOP, with each seemingly intent on outdoing the other with pledges of benevolence.

David Harvey: The Unfinished Pursuit

Reflections on the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

Introductory

Jonathan Ayling wrote an article in the Herald published on 2 July 2026. He questions whether the promise of the American Dream will survive and that it must renew itself, returning to the truths of its founding.

I have written elsewhere about how it is that Jefferson wrote of his self-evident truths and why there has not been a similar mission statement in New Zealand.

In this article I attempt to answer some of Jonathan’s concerns, suggesting that the American Dream is a work in progress and that the road is still being built. Like all great works there are stumbles on the way.