Ryan Bridge: We need long term thinking for our health system

Health has always been a portfolio MPs never want a bar of.

You never win. Endless fights with the unions. People waiting for surgery. Constant pressure to keep up with technology. And it’s deeply personal for those who don’t get the care they need - it’s literally life-and-death stuff.

So if the numbers Simeon Brown is putting out are to be believed—and I’ve no reason to doubt them—then he deserves some credit.

Mike's Minute: Some more woke-enforced nonsense reversed

In a move you could have seen coming from the moment it was first announced, or if you couldn’t see it coming you hoped it would come, Auckland University has decided its Waipapa Taumata Rau course will now be optional instead of compulsory.

For a generation who have been appallingly let down over the Covid period by Government and education decisions, the Auckland University desire to force you into Māori courses seemed not just ill advised, but cruel.

Ani O'Brien: Winston is right; virtue signalling is not effective foreign policy

In response to Audrey Young's NZ Herald article: 'How Winston Peters could have gone further on Palestine'

Audrey Young’s piece in today’s New Zealand Herald is typical of the partisan posturing we have come to expect from the New Zealand media class in relation to the conflict in Israel/Palestine (and other issues). She assumes an artificial high ground from which she announces New Zealand must instantly repent for failing to join the “morally correct” grand gesture of recognising Palestinian statehood. She treats statehood recognition as an absolutely unassailable right, a meaningful virtue signal, delivered in the name of justice. But New Zealand’s role is not to play moral extras on the world stage. It is to navigate realpolitik, international law, and the messy realities of a fraught conflict and represent our people in measured and responsible ways.

Philip Crump: Trump and Netanyahu announce details of US peace plan for Gaza

After the theatrics of the UN, Trump announces an ambitious peace plan for Gaza.

At 7:30am this morning, one week before the second anniversary of October 7, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu began a press conference at the White House to announce a plan for “peace in the Middle East” including a reconstruction and governance plan for Gaza and an expansion of Trump’s first term Abraham Accords.

The 20 point plan, which has had input from many nations, is focused on ending the war, returning the hostages and setting the conditions for enduring security for the Palestinians and Israel.

Matua Kahurangi: Jacinda Ardern

The price of power and the weight of public hatred

Jacinda Ardern has been back in the spotlight over the last couple of weeks. The release of the documentary Prime Minister and a children’s book titled Mum’s Busy Work have brought her name back into headlines. The title itself is almost ironic. The phrase “busywork” is defined as tasks that keep someone occupied but hold little real value. Perhaps unintentionally, the name echoes how many already view Ardern’s leadership.

Bob Edlin: Govt under fire for getting it wrong on Palestine......

Govt under fire for getting it wrong on Palestine – but by Benny Gantz’s measure, NZ might have got it right

After Foreign Minister Winston Peters told the United Nations that New Zealand would not recognise Palestinian statehood, reactions were predictable.

The Scoop website recorded these press statements and reports –

Dark Jester: Māori Need Better Role Models

Growing up, the only famous black people I knew about were hiphop artists, basketballers and movie and TV stars. When I thought of black people, Oprah Winfrey, Kanye West and Chris Rock came to mind. When I thought of black people in politics, of course Obama came to mind.

Ele Ludemann: Common sense on earthquake risk

The government is applying common sense to building regulations on earthquake risk:

The earthquake-prone building system will be refocused to reduce repair costs and reinvigorate communities, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.

“While well intentioned, the current system for assessing and managing seismic risk in buildings places an overwhelming financial burden on building owners.

David Farrar: Kainga Ora scams themselves

The Herald reports:

Iwi flipped Wellington’s Dixon Street flats for just over $3 million, less than three weeks after buying the block from Kāinga Ora for almost a third of the price.

Good on the iwi – they made $2 million. Bad on Kainga Ora for being stupid.

Tuesday September 30, 2025 

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