Geoff Parker: Anti-Māori Talk, Pro-Māori Funding

Author’s note: This article is offered in the spirit of strengthening political credibility through honest engagement with the record, rather than as an argument against any party or leader.

Winston Peters and Shane Jones have built a political brand on railing against what they call “race-based policy”, “co-governance excesses”, and the supposed capture of the state by Māori interests. Their language is sharp, performative, and deliberately confrontational. It resonates with voters who feel alienated by identity politics and who believe governments should treat all citizens equally.

But there is a problem. A very large one.

Ani O'Brien: A week is a long time: 31 January 2026

Judith Collins, Mother of the House, announces retirement from Parliament

After eight elections, 12 years in Government, 12 years in Opposition, and countless examples of embodying political resilience, Judith Collins announced she will leave politics later this year to take up a role as president of the Law Commission. Christopher Luxon and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith both empasised that she is perfectly suited to the Commission’s work and that her considerable experience would strengthen the legal system.

Dr Ian McLean QSO: The Grey Rhino of Population Decline

New Zealand faces a grey rhino event. We now feel the impact of the NZ birth rate dropping.

Across the world it’s happening. Birth rates are well below replacement. Workforces are tightening. Populations are ageing. The cost of pensions and healthcare is rising.

Dr Bryce Wilkinson: Why central banks commonly ease up on inflation too soon

Consumer price inflation in New Zealand is not beaten. The Reserve Bank might decide it has cut interest rates a bit too much.

It has cut the official cash rate nine times in just 16 months.

We will know the decision on 18 February. This is its next scheduled review date.

Dr Oliver Hartwich: Donald Trump, the Kaiser in Mar-a-Lago

The past month has been difficult to process. Afemerican special forces captured Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela. Then, Trump renewed his threat to annex Greenland, a territory belonging to NATO ally Denmark.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot dead Renee Good, a mother of three, and Alex Pretti, a nurse, during an operation. No federal investigation has followed.

Kerre Woodham: Back to the future with specialist schools for complex needs

I've always understood the theory behind mainstreaming. We're all different, we all have different abilities, different attitudes, and a classroom of individuals with diverse personalities and levels of learning prepares young people for the real world. You're not among your own kind once you leave school and enter the workplace, enter the community. Mainstreaming means that kids who are different physically, intellectually, socially, aren't siloed or separated or marginalised. They're part of the wider school community and if they need extra time or attention, well in an ideal classroom, the teacher gladly offers it and the other students make space, accepting that some people need more resources than others.

David Farrar: Backing Breman

As has been widely reported, NZ Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman was one of many central bank governors who signed a letter saying:

We stand in full solidarity with the Federal Reserve System and its Chair Jerome H. Powell. The independence of central banks is a cornerstone of price, financial and economic stability in the interest of the citizens that we serve. It is therefore critical to preserve that independence, with full respect for the rule of law and democratic accountability. Chair Powell has served with integrity, focused on his mandate and an unwavering commitment to the public interest. To us, he is a respected colleague who is held in the highest regard by all who have worked with him.

David Farrar: Hipkins being stupid with The Board of Peace

Radio NZ reports:

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has labelled the government’s so-far refusal to rule out joining US President Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ an “absolute disgrace”.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been invited to join the new organisation, saying last week he would give it “due consideration” and on Tuesday confirming it was still a possibility.

Hipkins is just playing silly games.

Net Zero Watch Samizdat: Miliband moves full steam ahead as resistance mounts

UK

Ed Miliband leans on EU to turbocharge wind turbine blitz

Ed Miliband is joining forces with the EU to launch a major industrial push in the North Sea, pledging to work with European allies to build an estimated 10,000 wind turbines from the coasts of Denmark to Yorkshire. However, the plans are expected to come under scrutiny amid concerns that connected European energy projects risk pushing prices up and higher bills for consumers.

Saturday January 31, 2026 

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