Derek Mackie: A Cryptic Chris-word

The theme of today’s teaser, folks, is Kiwi politics, which can be confusingly cryptic at the best of times. Hopefully though, the puzzle will be less challenging than figuring out what’s going through the minds of our two main party leaders, who often appear clueless. 

 When complete, the answers should provide you with a snapshot of the main issues facing the country and the current state of NZ governance. 

Enjoy! With your morning coffee and a biscuit….or something stronger, perhaps! 

ACROSS 

1/ The modern ruling class delve into fake literature (5) 

4/ A pinkish variety of gingery red (7) 

7/ His army division and or what he did in the mess show the company he keeps (9) 

8/ in a town at Iona live those who claim to be right (8) 

10/ Pact between nations entreat you to sign (6) 

11/ Where a tribe endlessly goes with you to get most of their land back (8) 

12/ Undemocratic power sharing on a twin-skippered vessel (11) 

13/ Expect special treatment given to ten men, let it be shared (11) 

DOWN 

2/ He gets you all in a lather, then there’s no turning back (5) 

3/ We embrace OK when being inclusive, luvvie (4) 

5/ Make advances and almost give dubious political reform (11) 

6/ So shall is’t one who leans to the left (9) 

9/ Hold steady and lose last US soldier at annual meeting place (8) 

To reveal the solution and put an end to your nagging headache, hit Read More… 

SOLUTION 

             E L I T E 

                 U 

                 X 

                 O                               W 

H I P K I N S                            O 

       R           O                            K

       O           C O R P O R A T E 

       G           I

       R       N A T I O N A L

       E           L 

       S            I

       S           S         W 

       I            T R E A T Y 

       V                       I 

       E                      T R I B U N A L 

                                A 

                 P A R T N E R S H I P 

                                G 

                      E N T I T L E M E N T 

ACROSS 

1/ The modern ruling class delve into fake literature 

4/ A pinkish variety of gingery red 

       (hipkins anag.) 

7/ His army division and or what he did in the mess show the company he keeps 

                   (corp)           + (or)                     + (ate) 

8/ In a town at Iona live those who claim to be right 

10/ Pact between nations entreat you to sign 

11/ Where a tribe endlessly goes with you to get most of their land back 

                      (tribe - e)                          + (u) + (land - d; turn lan to nal) 

12/ Proposed undemocratic power sharing on a twin-skippered vessel 

                                                                                        (partner)    + (ship) 

13/ Expect special treatment given to ten men, let it be shared 

                                                      (entitlement anag.) 

DOWN 

2/ He gets you all in a lather, then there’s no turning back 

                                     (lux)           +           (turn no to on) 

3/ We embrace OK when being inclusive, luvvie 

    (we takes in OK - woke) 

5/ Make advances and almost give dubious political reform 

        (progress)         +       (give -g) 

6/ So shall is’t one who leans to the left 

    (so-cial-ist) 

9/ Hold steady and lose last US soldier at annual meeting place 

       (wait)     + (and -d)      +       (gi) 

Derek Mackie is a former geologist with a keen interest in current affairs and a penchant for satire.