Matua Kahurangi: Oriini Kaipara proves she’s a waka-wreck in politics

Watching Oriini Kaipara on Q + A today was embarrassing. She might be OK at reading the news, which is debatable, but politics? Not so much. Her attempt at stepping into the political arena has been a waka-wreck from the start.

Net Zero Watch Samizdat: Britain faces a cost-of-Miliband crisis

UK

Ofgem price cap to rise

Typical household energy bills will rise to £1,755 a year in October, putting a further squeeze on consumers as they prepare to face tax rises in the autumn. Ofgem, which sets the limit on what energy companies can charge customers, confirmed average bills will rise by 2pc later this year, which is more than the 1pc jump that had been predicted.

Mike Butler: An iwi and some Maori wards

For those of you about to vote on whether or not to continue with the Maori ward your council has imposed, a bit of published bragging shows what “iwi Maori” think about seats on councils.

The August 25 edition of the Hawke’s Bay Today included a two-page advert displaying what looked like 63 candidates for eight councils from Wairoa to South Wairarapa.

The Wairoa District, Hawke’s Bay Regional, Napier City, Hastings District, Central Hawke’s Bay District, Tararua District, Masterton District, and South Wairarapa councils are listed on a map in the background of the advert.

Ani O'Brien: A week is a long time: 30 August 2025

Reserve Bank drama continues: resignations, cover-ups, and a crisis of credibility

The chaos at the Reserve Bank has gone from embarrassing to farcical and, on one level, I have my popcorn bucket and I’m living for it. First the Ombudsman ruled forcing the Bank to come clean that Adrian Orr didn’t just “decide to resign” in March in a “personal decision”. He had already temporarily stepped aside on 27 February after the Board sent him a letter questioning his conduct, his relationship with Treasury and Finance Minister Nicola Willis, and whether he could do his job on reduced funding. That letter was later withdrawn as part of a deal to protect the egomaniac from embarrassment, but he resigned anyway on 5 March. Now, thanks to the Ombudsman, we know it was about much more than a disagreement over budgets. It was about lost tempers, damaged relationships, and a central bank in open dysfunction.

Matua Kahurangi: Questions raised over the timing of Tom Phillips’ latest sighting

The reappearance of fugitive Marokopa father Tom Phillips, dubbed New Zealand’s “hide-and-seek champion”, is raising eyebrows – not just because of the alledged burglary footage released by police, but because of the timing.

Kerre Woodham: I'm not convinced we can do housing intensification properly

Around 200 people packed out the Mt Eden Village Centre in Auckland last night, and they were pretty riled up. In fact, many were furious over plans for high rise apartments and the loss of special character status for hundreds of villas and bungalows in the wider neighbourhood. And this is the kind of feeling that is being felt across many different Auckland suburbs, and it will be coming to a city or town near you.

Bob Edlin: It’s a monumental clanger....

It’s a monumental clanger – you repair the bells (for $10 million), but keep them mute by firing the carillonist

The PoO team was astonished to read the headline on an NZR report that signalled news of a governmental clanger:

Ele Ludemann: Where's the balance?

RNZ has given publicity to the 89 principals who have signed a letter protesting about the scrapping of NCEA.

Had the journalist, and RNZ, been interested in balance the story would have pointed out there are more than 500 secondary schools in the country so the 89 are a minority.

Dr Michael Bassett: Our lack-lustre mainstream media

Have you noticed the growing irritation with our mainstream media? Last week Radio NZ was under scrutiny with suggestions it was biased, and statistics showed its listeners were departing in droves. TV3’s main news announcer has been doubling as the weather girl, albeit after a quick change of costume. While its news during weekdays is as good, or bad as ever, it becomes almost non-existent at the weekends. TV One lumbers on, anchored by the redoubtable Simon Dallow, but rumours circulate about his possible departure.

Dr Don Brash: Do rising house prices damage economic growth?

In recent years, when addressing Rotary and other audiences, I often talk about the five big challenges facing New Zealand – persistently slow growth in productivity, and therefore in income levels; ridiculously unaffordable house prices; the increasing division of our society into those with a Maori ancestor and those without; the unsustainable path which government fiscal policy has been on for the last decade or so; and the foreign policy dilemma we’re facing in a situation where our traditional ally seems hell-bent on provoking war with our largest trading partner.

Until today, I hadn’t given enough thought to the possibility that rising house prices may have been part of the cause of our lousy productivity growth.

Mike's Minute: I think the mood has shifted in NZ

I got a sense about something this week and it's not because it's about to be spring, although that will undoubtedly help.

I got a sense this week that the tide on the New Zealand story is turning.

Saturday August 30, 2025 

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John McLean: New Zealand is racist!

Really? How so? How could it be so?

A former friend and I used to debate Matters Māori . He steadfastly maintained that New Zealand is racist against people with Māori ancestry. His main argument was that film director Taika Waititi has publicly claimed that New Zealand is racist.

Mr Waititi has indeed made that claim, and he’s entitled to his view. Waititi’s claim came in a 2018 interview for Dazed magazine with musician Ruban Nielson. After Nielson mooted an “idealised vision of New Zealand as like Australia without the racism,” Waititi responded, “Nah, it’s racist as f**k. I mean…it’s a racist place. People just flat-out refuse to pronounce Māori names properly…”

Ryan Bridge: Air New Zealand isn't making me proud

Reading the Air New Zealand results was a bit disappointing - even more so was the commentary after.

Profit's down, demand is down, costs are on the march, capacity still buggered by engine problems.

Here's the real punch in the guts for our national carrier: they won't be back to full capacity for the best of two more years. Foran confirmed it last night.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 24.8.25

Saturday August 30, 2025 

News:
Landmark water deal recognises mana of iwi to Porotī Springs
After years of negotiations, Whatitiri Māori Reserves Trust and Whangārei District Council (WDC) have made a historic first by agreeing to share part of the Council’s raw water allocation from Waipao Stream, the Porotī Springs.

The formal agreement was approved unanimously by Trust board members, Council staff, and elected members at the August Council meeting and has now been signed by both parties.

Graham Adams: By-election puts co-governance in spotlight

A sense of unreality hangs over the contest between New Zealand’s biggest political parties to win the public’s favour. While National — despite frequent grumbling and criticism from its own base — is forging ahead with significant reforms in a range of areas, Labour has decided its best bet for the election in 2026 is to announce as little policy as possible until next year.

Matua Kahurangi: National’s obsession with Indian photo ops is becoming impossible to ignore

Is it just me, or has National developed a real obsession with the Indian community in New Zealand? To be clear, this is not about being racist or dismissive of migrants, it is about pointing out what has become an obvious political strategy.

Ele Ludemann: A good start

A reshaping of the public service is being mooted:

A major reshape of the public service could be on the horizon.

The Post understands there is potential for a significant consolidation which could reduce the number of departments, ministries and departmental agencies.

David Farrar: Striking Stuff

Radio NZ reports:

E tū members at media company Stuff are striking on Thursday afternoon. …

Wellington-based journalist and E tū delegate Tom Hunt said the company seemed to be showing contempt for staff.

David Farrar: Tamihere says NZ Govt is “worse than Nazi Germany”

Stuff reports:

Tamihere made the remark on Martyn Bradbury’s The Bradbury Group podcast this week. He said the Government had a “bully-boy mentality”, and said academics suggesting alternative economic opinions were “beat up”.

Matua Kahurangi: From newsreader to racist

Oriini Kaipara dresses as Julius Malema, who publicly chants to kill white people

If you’ve been unfortunate enough to scroll through X this week, you’ll no doubt have seen the bizarre spectacle of Te Pāti Māori candidate for Tāmaki Makaurau, Oriini Kaipara, and her choice of costume. I say costume, because that’s what it was. Not professional attire, not a statement of seriousness – but a costume designed to shock, divide, and align herself with some of the ugliest politics on the planet.

Lindsay Mitchell: Judge undermines government intent

The National coalition government banned the wearing of gang patches in public places in November 2024.

The legislation states:

Mike's Minute: No smoking gun for the supermarkets either!

Nicola Willis was back yesterday for another "guns at dawn" with the supermarkets.

She had the results of the RFI, the Request for Information. The main takeaway was we are too tied up in red tape and we need to make it easier to do business.

Friday August 29, 2025 

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Fiona Mackenzie: Councils Hasten To Embed Tribal Control

…before 2025’s local body elections, Māori ward referenda, RMA reform, or the Coalition Government gets off its chuff!

The Coalition Government talks about refocusing councils on their core responsibilities. Yet it—like governments before it—has actively encouraged “partnership” arrangements between local government and tribes. While Wellington pretends to stand back, councils across New Zealand are committing constitutional fraud.

Steven Gaskell: When “One Law for All” Becomes the Problem

https://shorturl.at/DxqkP

Apparently, human rights in New Zealand are no longer the solution they’re the enemy. At least, that’s the gospel according to Associate Professor Andrew Erueti, who’s discovered a shocking new injustice: the principle of equality is getting in the way of Māori sovereignty claims.

A.E. Thompson: Propaganda on Hone Heke's Flagstaff Hill

I'm not sure if anyone here has drawn attention to the flagstaff at Russell. That was the one that Hone Heke's associate Te Haratua chopped down in July 1844 and Heke followed up with three further fellings from January to March 1845 whereupon those breaches of Te Tiriti (that Hone Heke had signed) led to local civil war and contributed to the start of 'land wars' around the new country. The flagstaff story is an amazing tale albeit that details vary from different sources. Essentially, Hone Heke objected to losing money that he and his cuzzies had been extracting as an informal fee from visiting ships. (Like the fees for access to beaches that will be extorted through customary title of Foreshores and Seabeds...) The Governor had imposed a customs tariff that led to ships avoiding the Bay. Also, Heke was unhappy when the country's capital was relocated from Russell to Auckland, further reducing his opportunities for more wealth and power. Ethical ruminations about the fairness of British rule were probably not so prominent in motivating this slave-owning chief.

Ryan Bridge: The Govt should have fast tracked supermarkets years ago

All good so far from Nicola Willis on supermarkets.

She's got to the nub of the problem, which is basically red tape.

Governments of all stripes, including her, have been quick to point the finger at private enterprise for high prices.

Matua Kahurangi: Patriotism under attack

Why is flying the flag now “racist” in the West

Thankfully here in New Zealand, we have not yet seen the same level of persecution that is playing out across the United Kingdom. Over there, ordinary English patriots are standing up against unchecked immigration and the endless stream of faux asylum seekers being handed hotel rooms, mobile phones and meals, all paid for by the taxpayer. Instead of being listened to, these men and women are being arrested, vilified and branded criminals simply for defending their country’s culture and heritage.

Kerre Woodham: Surely this visa can only be good for New Zealand?

A new visa to attract businesspeople to New Zealand has been established by the Government, and really, it's only a matter of days, perhaps weeks, before a loosening on restrictions for foreigners being able to purchase residential property here is announced.

Bob Edlin: Questions are raised about Maori reliance on customary food-gathering.....

Questions are raised about Maori reliance on customary food-gathering – but a Govt MP is more concerned about T-shirts

Points of order peppered proceedings in Parliament when Māori Party MP Takuta Ferris was raising questions about the Supreme Court ruling that riverbeds can be included in Māori customary marine title orders, if other legal tests are met.

As Politik’s Richard Harman noted, the country’s most senior Māori judge, Sir Joe Williams, was one of the four Supreme Court judges who arrived at that decision.

Cam Slater: Finally, a Crack at the Grocery Duopoly - Willis’s Plan to Bring Down Prices

After years of Kiwis getting hammered at the checkout, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis has stepped up with a plan to shake up the supermarket sector. She’s promising to fast-track new supermarkets into the market, aiming to crank up competition and, fingers crossed, deliver some real relief on grocery bills. This comes hot on the heels of announcements from RNZ and Stuff, where Willis laid out her blueprint to release the stranglehold held by the big two: Woolworths and Foodstuffs.

JC: Will Luxon Bed With His Lefty Mates?

Prime Minister Luxon appears to find himself troubled over whether to recognise Palestine as a state. He is mulling over whether to get into bed with his lefty mates who have already done so, namely Albanese in Australia, Carney in Canada, Starmer in the UK and Macron in France. These are all weak leaders who make an art out of virtue signalling. They operate in a way that gives them a sense of moral superiority.

Ele Ludemann: Govt doing what govt should

There’s a wide spread view that supermarkets here are ripping off customers.

If that’s the case, what my farmer and I saw in Australian supermarkets on recent trips suggests it’s no better on that side of the Tasman.

Prices there seemed much the same as prices here, especially when GST applied here and not there was taken into account.

David Farrar: The smallest gender pay gap in history

Stats NZ reports:

The gender pay gap was 5.2 percent in the June 2025 quarter, down from 8.2 percent in the June 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

Mike's Minute: The good and the bad of a 4-year term

I would have thought the timing could not be more awkward.

If you broadly accept the current narrative that this Government is working awfully hard to get us out of the massive economic hole left to it by the previous Government, and if you accept that the previous Government was one of the worst in living memory, then just imagine where we would be if that hopeless lot of 2020-2023 had actually been rampaging across the countryside until last year because they had had a four-year term.

Thursday August 28, 2025 

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Ryan Bridge: The Government should go all in on Auckland

There’s a very good reason National’s talking about a revamping the major events fund - or as the PM said on Monday, stuffing the pipeline with more events.

It’s the same reason you’re seeing them announce just half an hour ago they’re creating a new business investor visa - foreigners will get a fast-track to residency for chucking $2m into a Kiwi business.

DTNZ: Politicians unite behind referendum for four-year parliamentary term

A referendum on extending New Zealand’s parliamentary term from three years to four now looks almost certain, following near-unanimous agreement from the Justice Select Committee.

Chair Andrew Bayly confirmed the committee is considering possible dates, noting strong cross-party support to let the public decide.

Michael Reddell: Reserve Bank meeting the PM

There has been a flurry of coverage in the last couple of days after the Prime Minister told an interviewer yesterday not only that he thought the Reserve Bank should have cut the OCR by more/earlier, but that he had made this point to the Governor in a meeting with the Bank before the final OCR decision was made last week.

Simon O'Connor: Flag it!

Not all flags are made equal it seems. According to some, protest and foreign flags are acceptable but flying your nation's flag - well, that makes you far-right and dangerous.

According to a report in the BBC and elsewhere, displaying the Union Jack or flag of St George means you are someone from the far-right; overly nationalistic; and conservative. You’ve read that correctly - British people flying British flags are dangerous; such an action is beyond the pale supposedly.

Matua Kahurangi: Te Pāti Māori cares more about Palestinians than Kiwi kids

You’ve probably heard me voice this frustration before, but it still doesn’t make sense. Why is Debbie Ngawera-Packer so focused on the plight of children in Gaza while remaining silent on the suffering of children here in New Zealand? Especially tamariki Māori whom she claims to represent.

Kerre Woodham: We need to get ships in and out more quickly

We all know that New Zealand is a trading nation. We need to sell stuff to make the money we need to build hospitals, pay our teachers and police officers, pay for benefits and Super, pay for roads and cycleways, and the like. To maintain our standard of living we have to earn our keep, and that's what our exporters do. We need good exporters, and we need to be able to get our stuff to market.

Ele Ludemann: Ratepayers’ pledge launched

Councils staff had proposed spending money on a project, justifying the expenditure because there was enough in the budget to cover it.

One councillor pointed out that just because there was money in the budget, didn’t mean it had to be spent.

David Farrar: More progress on school attendance

The latest Term 2 attendance data is out. Term 2 can be the most useful as that can be tracked back to 2011. The other terms only track back to 2019.

David Farrar: Chhour vs Greens

ACT MP Karen Chhour released:

Responding to the Green Party’s “Open Letter to the Minister of Children”, ACT Children’s spokesperson Karen Chhour says:

Mike's Minute: Luxon finally told it as it is

Has the penny dropped?

There was no shortage of headlines and news coverage yesterday out of our interview with the Prime Minister on the Reserve Bank.

In a nutshell, Luxon suggested Christian Hawkesby blew it and should have/could have moved faster on the cash rate.

Wednesday August 27, 2025 

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Wendy Geus: Van Velden's action showed much needed frugality - why is the PM not listening?

A desperate PM's latest ideas to improve the economy involve increasing tourism and house prices rising (sensible Bishop wants them to keep decreasing).

Like King Canute who failed to stop the tide, Luxon cannot magically change market forces which dictate the housing market. And his 'reckons' on lowering interest rates which he desperately tried to walk back, sounded more like Trump's demands.

Barrie Davis: Matauranga Maori – The Sequel

I recently posted an article which showed that matauranga Maori is a myth because it is said to originate with Maori gods (here). The primary source for the article is a 2025 book by Hirini Mead who was a foundation professor for the School of Maori Studies at Victoria University.

When the article was posted, 13 August, I sent an email to the 18 Maori Studies academics at the School advising them of it and suggested that they may wish to respond by return email or in the Comments section; none did so. On 17 August, I sent another email to the two listed heads of department suggesting they may wish to write an article in response; but they did not do so.

Clive Bibby: Truth telling pays dividends

The old adage that “You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time - but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time!” is a reminder that politicians inevitably become casualties in the form of self-inflicted wounds (lies).

The ones that survive are usually those who continue to tell the truth in spite of living through the tough times when their particular brand was unpopular.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: It's a hard no to four-year terms for me

I think it is significant that David Seymour has walked away from supporting his own bill to bring in four-year terms for the Government.

He was the one who introduced this bill - but he's now pulled ACT's support. Every other party in parliament appears to still back it, but he's pulled support because the safeguards that he wanted are gone.

Insights From Social Media

A Living Language Doesn’t Need Government Life Support. - Dean Melkesideck

English didn’t. Mandarin didn’t. Hindi didn’t. They spread because people wanted them—because they were useful. Maori is the opposite. It is being stapled into schools and government offices because left to its own devices, it wouldn’t survive.

Ani O'Brien: Slavery - A human crime, not a British one

Rewriting History: The truth about slavery and the British Empire

You’d think from the way some people talk that the British Empire invented slavery, ran it single-handedly, and then quietly slunk away in shame. That’s the cartoon version of history pushed by activists who want every discussion of colonisation to be a morality play with Britain cast as the eternal villain. But here’s the truth they don’t want to admit: slavery has existed in every civilisation in recorded history. The British Empire’s part in it was ugly, but small compared to the vast, bloody scale of human bondage across the world and throughout history. And Britain, unlike most of the civilisations before and after it, actually ended slavery at home and in its empire.