Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: What do the birth statistics say about our society?

You want some fascinating data about how we’ve changed in the past 60 years? Have a look at the birth statistics out today - especially the age at which mums are having babies.

Last year, 14 percent of births were to mums younger than 25. In 1995, which is just one generation ago, it was double that: 28 percent of births were to mums under 25.

Ryan Bridge: Would you pay $9 to cross the harbour bridge?

The answer depends on whether you can afford it. Congestion charging is coming and that'll add to the cost if you need to drive for work.

This is only a proposal-based on the original toll, inflation-adjusted, almost 70 years ago.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 15.2.26

Wednesday February 18, 2026 

News:
Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi celebrate high court judge appointment
Justice Amokura Kawharu has today been sworn in as the first high court judge of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Ngāpuhi descenty.

Ngāti Whātua iwi leader Ngarimu Blair said it was a joyous occasion, and her appointment is a reflection of the foundation laid by seven generations.

Mike's Minute: This court case is outrageously political

My summation of what we have heard so far in the Judge Aitken case. The “Did I yell at and interrupt and disrupt Winston?" case.

Aitken was on the stand, so to speak, yesterday, remembering none of this is criminal.

In fact, I would describe it as outrageously political.

Pee Kay: We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it!

The big gay out, OMG!

Have a look at the “costumes” of some of the attendees. The “MC” shouts to the audience, “The ACT Party and NZ First are not attending.”

Dr Eric Crampton: Disappointment in attempt to improve competition laws

The coalition agreements that formed the government promised an important change to the Commerce Act.

The Commerce Commission has always been able to take on traditional cartel arrangements: secret agreements where businesses divvy up a market, restrict output, and raise prices. Those arrangements are rightly subject to heavy monetary penalties.

But cartels are not the only way competition gets blocked.

Bruce Cotterill: Christopher Luxon v Chris Hipkins - What voters should expect from a PM

Those who follow such matters will have noticed that the Prime Minister seems reluctant to comment on the polls.

And who can blame him? I wouldn’t want to comment either. Although my reasons may be different to his.

I’d be reluctant to comment because I can’t believe they’re accurate. Incidentally, such a comment should not be read as me questioning the pollsters. But I really have to question the people they have participating.

JD: If 3% of My DNA Is Scandinavian, Am I Norwegian?

Guest post on The Good Oil by JD

The 1961 census in New Zealand counted 167,086 people as Māori, using a criterion of at least 50 per cent Māori ancestry.

Then, in the 1986 census, the Labour Government, led by David Lange with Phil Goff as minister of statistics, introduced new rules allowing individuals to self-identify as Māori and, as a result, the recorded Māori population began to increase.

Tony Orman: The disastrous conversion of Fertile Agricultural Land into Pine Monocultures

What are the motives?

New Zealand was once a land of productive farms and independent food producers, but it is quietly – insidiously – being taken over by pine monocultures, fast growing water-sapping pine monocultures.

What lies behind the green curtain of ever-expanding pine forests energised by New Zealand’s illogical, irrational carbon trading scheme where once highly productive sheep and beef farms are planted in unmanaged, neglected forests.

David Farrar: A conservative landslide in Japan

NBC reports:

Japan’s conservative prime minister Sanae Takaichi has won a landslide victory after she gambled on a high-stakes snap election.

Takaichi, who took office in October after being elected leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), surpassed the 310 seats needed for a supermajority in the 465-seat lower house, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported from the official election count Sunday evening. The supermajority allows her ruling coalition to override the upper house, where it lacks a majority.

David Farrar: This is why the Govt is sidelining the Teachers’ Council

The Herald reports:

A damning review of the Teaching Council says the agency has lost focus on its core function of safeguarding children and needs transformative change to ensure it is meeting critical regulatory responsibilities. …

The report says the council is focused on “building the mana” of teachers and “being liked by the profession”.

Tuesday February 17, 2026 

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Ryan Bridge: Beware the insatiable beast that is the state

It's like a hungry child screaming for more food, even though you've just fed them dinner and pudding.

Across the Tasman, Jim Chalmers, the Aussie Treasurer is facing high debt and deficit. They've managed to achieve the highest level of spending to GDP of any government in 40 years outside the pandemic. Sound familiar?

Geoff Parker: Beware The Referendum Trap

Winston Peters has a gift. He knows exactly how to press the public’s emotional buttons without ever quite delivering what many think he’s promising. His 2026 pledge of a referendum on the Māori seats is a classic example. It sounds bold. It sounds democratic. It sounds decisive. But New Zealanders should pause — because this may be the most dangerous way imaginable to deal with a constitutional issue.

If Peters were genuinely serious about ending separatist parliamentary seats, he wouldn’t be floating a referendum at all. He would campaign openly on abolition of the Māori seats. The legal mechanism already exists. Repeal section 45 of the Electoral Act 1993 — along with the consequential provisions that support it — and the Māori seats disappear. Clean. Parliamentary. Accountable.

Instead, Peters offers a referendum.

Pee Kay: The United Nations New “Bogeyman”

Here it is, the United Nations new “Bogeyman”!

Be very, very afraid because it is on our door step!

As governments begin to sense the public’s growing disillusionment and disengagement with the threat inherent in climate change narratives, political focus, as it does when it senses a significant wind change, is shifting.

Fading climate hysteria is being replaced with a new urgent, unavoidable threat to human survival!

Richard Eldred: Marco Rubio Says Mass Migration is “a Crisis Destabilising the West”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Europe’s leaders that mass migration is “a crisis destabilising the West” and that America does not want its allies “shackled by shame”. The Mail has the details.

Chris Lynch: Nearly 40,000 more building products approved for use in New Zealand

Nearly 40,000 additional plumbing and drainage products already widely used in Australia have been approved for use in New Zealand, in a move the Government says will reduce costs, cut red tape, and improve building productivity.

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said the approval of the second tranche of overseas certified products would make it easier and more affordable to deliver new homes and public buildings.

Centrist: School lunches scheme cuts complaints 88% and tracks $130m annual savings

The school lunches programme is tracking $130 million in annual savings, complaints are down 88%, and more than 37 million meals are served each year.

This week’s political fight has focused instead on a name change.

Peter Williams: Why Maori seats won't be abolished

National's obfuscation means the status quo

Stop the presses!

A political party wants the Maori electorates back on the election agenda. New Zealand First says let’s have a referendum and let the people decide.

The Winston party thinks it knows what the people would decide – we’d vote for their abolition, although probably only by narrow margin.

David Farrar: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me

Stuff reports:

New Zealand First is campaigning for a referendum to be held on the future of Māori electorates.

Let’s do the time warp again!

But this isn’t the first time Peters has called for a referendum on the Māori seats.