Steven Gaskell: The Great Treaty “Principles” Mirage

The Government’s plan to review Treaty clauses isn’t an attack on Maori - it’s a defence of democracy.

A Breach of What Exactly?

So, apparently, the Waitangi Tribunal has decided the Government’s review of Treaty clauses in 23 laws is a breach of the Treaty itself. How dare anyone tamper with the sacred text or rather, the sacred principles of a text that never actually mentioned any principles in the first place.

Geoff Parker: It's Time To Enforce The Law - Equally

Open Letter To:

The Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister - Christopher.Luxon@parliament.govt.nz

The Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister - Christopher.Luxon@parliament.govt.nz

The Rt Hon David Seymour, Deputy Prime Minister - David.Seymour@parliament.govt.nz

The Hon Paul Goldsmith - paul.goldsmith@parliament.govt.nz

The Hon Winston Peters, Winston.Peters@parliament.govt.nz

The Hon Shane Jones, Shane.Jones@parliament.govt.nz

Dear Ministers,

IT’S TIME TO ENFORCE THE LAW — EQUALLY

New Zealanders have had enough of selective law enforcement. The recent illegal landing by members of Ngāti Wai on the protected Poor Knights Islands* was not a “cultural visit” — it was an open act of defiance against the laws of this country.

Clive Bibby: The good, the bad and the ugly

I am a Clint Eastwood fan and have enjoyed most of his western and bad cop movies - including masterpieces like Unforgiven, In the Line of Fire and the Dirty Harry series.

But most of all l just love the indomitable spirit that emerges from each character he plays.

So, given he is 97 and about to ride off into the sunset, this is my humble way of saying thanks for the memories.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 26.10.25

Saturday November 1, 2025 

News:
Ngātiwai lands on 'tapu' Poor Knights Islands in defiance of marine law change
Members of a Northland iwi have sailed to the strictly protected Poor Knights Islands to raise a flag and erect a carved pou in protest at last week's controversial amendment to the Marine and Coastal Area Act.

Ngātiwai iwi say the coalition government's law change is an attempt at raupatu - or land confiscation - and Thursday's illegal landing is a way of reasserting the iwi's tino rangatiratanga (sovereignty) over the foreshore and offshore islands.

Dr Oliver Hartwich: The Sisyphean Task of Welfare Reform

We all know the Greek myth about Sisyphus, condemned to roll his boulder endlessly uphill, only to watch it tumble back down each time he nears the summit.

These images come to mind when I look at one of the ministers in New Zealand’s current government: Louise Upston.

Matua Kahurangi: David Seymour exposes the fraud of the anti-colonial crusade

ACT Leader David Seymour hit the nail on the head with his latest post about the Kapa-Kingi’s and Te Pāti Māori. When the party that constantly rails against “colonial” systems suddenly runs to the very same system for protection, it exposes the hypocrisy at the heart of their politics.

Peter Williams: Can Councils be Capped?

The status quo is unsustainable

Cameron Bagrie is a proud son of Central Otago who’s become one of the most influential economic voices in New Zealand. Back near his old home town of Clyde this week, he told a business audience in Cromwell that local councils “just have to learn to live within their means.” He wasn’t making small talk. He was signalling a shift in the way local government is about to be run — and funded.

Bagrie is part of a small group of advisers helping draft new legislation to cap local authority rates rises. The goal is simple: rein in what has become one of the biggest and most consistent drivers of household cost increases. In the past year, local body rates have been a major contributor to inflation, pushing the Consumer Price Index above the 3 percent target band that the Reserve Bank is supposed to maintain.

David Farrar: A simple science funding model

Shane Reti announced:

Following recommendations from the Science System Advisory Group, a single, independent board, called Research Funding New Zealand, will be established to make most funding decisions.

Mike's Minute: More MP's? What on Earth are they thinking?

For a group that normally seems to nail ideas and present them well, the New Zealand Initiative this week went off-piste with their "MMP After 30 Years" report.

Smaller cabinet - good idea.

Get rid of the overhang - good idea!

But more MP's? What on Earth are they thinking?

Dr Will Jones: Bill Gates - Climate Change is Not the End of the World

Bill Gates has rejected a “doomsday view” of climate change, saying it will not lead to humanity’s demise, in the latest example of elite backtracking on Net Zero following public backlash at the rising costs and harms. The Times has more.

Dr David Bell: Universal Basic Income - Make slavery great again

I once worked in communities supported mainly through a form of Universal Basic Income (UBI).

Most money was received from the government for no (or token) work, or from mining royalties, where others worked digging on the communities’ lands. There were walls black and heaving with cockroaches while children slept with dogs on stained mattresses below, and babies covered head to toe in pustular scabies while the mother complained about a sore back. This was not universal, but not uncommon. Other communities that stood out as strong and healthy had people working hard for a living – particularly in roles that reflected their culture – a very different economy.

 Friday October 31, 2025 

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