Please Note: Since Breaking Views is a key part of the NZCPR community, this message is important for BV readers...
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
As we put the finishing touches to our first New Zealand Centre for Political Research newsletter of 2026 — featuring our State of the Nation analysis — I want to personally thank you for being part of our NZCPR community.
Every week, thousands of New Zealanders read our newsletters because they want clarity, honesty, and independent analysis in a world that can often feel confusing. You’re one of them — and I’m very grateful.
I also want to thank most sincerely those readers who responded so generously to our Christmas fundraiser – you are the only reason we are back.
That end-of-year appeal effectively asked: “Do you want the NZCPR to continue?” That’s not just our newsletters and NZCPR.com website, but our Breaking Views Blog, NZCPR Facebook Group, and, of course, our campaigns - including defending New Zealand’s foreshore and seabed.
This year the first case under the new Marine and Coastal Area Act will come back before the courts. It is vital that we remain a player in these proceedings so we can ensure activists judges do not pervert the intentions of Parliament again.
It was our involvement in the first case under the old legislation that led the Coalition to change the law.
We are the only ones acting as a public watchdog during the court proceedings, but unlike the Maori claimants, we do not receive government funding to cover our legal costs which are substantial.
Does that NZCPR campaign to defend New Zealand’s coastline from tribal control still matter enough for our readers to back us?
The reality is, we cannot do what we do alone.
The NZCPR is a grassroots network that only exists as a result of the wonderful collaboration of volunteers, commentators, and, of course, our readers.
It is only their generosity that keeps the NZCPR alive.
But here’s the thing most people don’t realise.
Only a tiny fraction of our readers ever support us.
Most readers tell us they love our work, but they never donate — not because they don’t care, but because it’s easy to assume that someone else is helping to keep us going.
But the reality is: there is no someone else.
There is no government funding.
No corporate sponsors.
No wealthy benefactors.
No lucrative subscriptions.
There’s only you — our readers.
The NZCPR can only exist if those reading this message choose to keep us operating.
So, if you’ve never donated before, I’d like to speak to you directly.
By reading and sharing our work, you already play an important role in ensuring our independent research and public information makes a difference. But if the NZCPR has ever helped you understand an issue more clearly, given you more confidence in a conversation, campaigned on a matter you feel strongly about, or made you feel less alone in your concerns for our country, then I hope you will consider taking the next step.
If you want the NZCPR to remain strong and independent in 2026, we need your help now.
Our Christmas fundraiser fell short of the target needed to build our crucial election-year war chest.
And in a year where the election is too close to call, that shortfall really matters.
It not only affects how much we can do, how widely we can reach, and how effectively we can inform public debate in the months leading up to the election, but it directly influences whether we can continue to defend the foreshore and seabed.
If you value our independence, rely on our research and analysis, and want our campaigns to continue, then please support us by clicking HERE.
Your contribution — whatever you can afford — will help to close the gap and ensure the NZCPR can operate at full strength in the crucial period leading up to the election when independent voices matter the most.
With powerful forces - including the unions along with much of academia and the establishment media – fighting to ensure a change in government, a strong NZCPR is needed now more than ever.
Does that NZCPR campaign to defend New Zealand’s coastline from tribal control still matter enough for our readers to back us?
The reality is, we cannot do what we do alone.
The NZCPR is a grassroots network that only exists as a result of the wonderful collaboration of volunteers, commentators, and, of course, our readers.
It is only their generosity that keeps the NZCPR alive.
But here’s the thing most people don’t realise.
Only a tiny fraction of our readers ever support us.
Most readers tell us they love our work, but they never donate — not because they don’t care, but because it’s easy to assume that someone else is helping to keep us going.
But the reality is: there is no someone else.
There is no government funding.
No corporate sponsors.
No wealthy benefactors.
No lucrative subscriptions.
There’s only you — our readers.
The NZCPR can only exist if those reading this message choose to keep us operating.
So, if you’ve never donated before, I’d like to speak to you directly.
By reading and sharing our work, you already play an important role in ensuring our independent research and public information makes a difference. But if the NZCPR has ever helped you understand an issue more clearly, given you more confidence in a conversation, campaigned on a matter you feel strongly about, or made you feel less alone in your concerns for our country, then I hope you will consider taking the next step.
If you want the NZCPR to remain strong and independent in 2026, we need your help now.
Our Christmas fundraiser fell short of the target needed to build our crucial election-year war chest.
And in a year where the election is too close to call, that shortfall really matters.
It not only affects how much we can do, how widely we can reach, and how effectively we can inform public debate in the months leading up to the election, but it directly influences whether we can continue to defend the foreshore and seabed.
If you value our independence, rely on our research and analysis, and want our campaigns to continue, then please support us by clicking HERE.
Your contribution — whatever you can afford — will help to close the gap and ensure the NZCPR can operate at full strength in the crucial period leading up to the election when independent voices matter the most.
With powerful forces - including the unions along with much of academia and the establishment media – fighting to ensure a change in government, a strong NZCPR is needed now more than ever.
Thank you again for being part of our community.
Thank you for your support.
Warmest regards,
Dr Muriel Newman
New Zealand Centre for Political Research
PS Every contribution will help the NZCPR make a real difference in election year.
PPS If you prefer to donate directly by Internet Banking, the details are: New Zealand Centre for Political Research Ltd — 12‑3099‑0833814‑00
Dr Muriel Newman established the New Zealand Centre for Political Research as a public policy think tank in 2005 after nine years as a Member of Parliament. The NZCPR network includes the NZCPR.com website, Breaking Views Blog, @NZCPR on X, and the NZCPR Facebook Group.