Bobbie Ann Flower Cox: When Judges Go Rogue

Though I am an attorney in practice for almost thirty years now, I have always said that not all issues can be resolved in a court of law. I say this not because I lack confidence in our judicial system, but because not all issues are subject to the decision of a court. In other words, judges can’t have a say in everything! This is the premise behind our stalwart foundational doctrine of Separation-of-Powers where each of our three, co-equal branches of government have their own sphere of influence and power, and each is to stay out of the others’ lanes.

Pee Kay: Local Water Done Well

My [Pee Kay] letter to Simon Watts

To: The Hon. Simon Watts

cc: Prime Minister Luxon, Deputy Prime Minister Seymour, Winston Peters, Katie Nimon MP, Catherine Wedd MP.

Dear Minister Watts,

I write to you as a New Zealand citizen, taxpayer and ratepayer who is deeply concerned at the inclusion of co-governance in local water services being implemented by councils through the Coalition Government’s plan to address New Zealand’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges, Local Water Done Well.

Pee Kay: Local Water Done Well - part 2

A friend of a friend was offered a chance to attend a fundraising dinner where the special guest was Christopher Luxon.

“A small number of seats have unexpectedly become available for our fundraiser dinner event this Thursday, 26 March at 6pm featuring special guest the Leader of the National Party, Christopher Luxon.”

Herewith is his, in my view, great response –

Mike's Minute: What does government help look like?

If the question is "what can the Government do to help you offset the war and its costs?", the answers will not only all be different, chances are no one is going to end up satisfied, or even grateful.

Yet that is the dilemma the Government currently faces, as indeed do all governments.

Kerre Woodham: 'They're must-haves - The Greens' fuel relief package should be seriously considered

In today's edition of Fuel Watch, the Green Party is offering its votes to the National Party to get on with passing what the Greens call a sensible and urgent fossil fuel crisis relief package.

And you know what, it is quite sensible.

David Farrar: Once again left wing protesters rewarded by justice system

The Post reports:

The Crown has dropped its case against a man accused of damaging a Treaty of Waitangi exhibit at Te Papa Tongarewa in December 2023.

A judge in Wellington District Court was told on Tuesday that the move came after defence lawyer Julia Spelman had given the Crown a draft of a defence expert’s evidence for the future trial of Te Wehi Ratana, 31.

Tuesday March 24, 2026 

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Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: What will this election do for New Zealand First?

Now we’ve got to talk about Winston.

If you hadn’t noticed yet - or maybe you didn’t believe it - take a look at Winston Peters’ State of the Nation speech yesterday and you’ll see the proof that this election is shaping up to be New Zealand First’s election.

Ryan Bridge: Don't expect a lolly scramble from the Government

Anyone expecting a lolly scramble from the government today is going to be disappointed.

At best, one or two old Werther's Originals.

As we’ve been talking about for the last few weeks, this government can’t, politically, splash cash when oil’s forcing inflation up.

Matua Kahurangi: National slips, NZ First rises - voters are sending a message

The latest polling is grim for Christopher Luxon and the New Zealand National Party. Support is slipping again, and what was meant to be a steady alternative is starting to look uncertain and out of touch.

Breaking Views Update: Week of 22.3.26

Tuesday March 24, 2026 

News:
New face joins Invercargill City Council
A new face will soon join Invercargill City Council, with Waihōpai Rūnaka officially appointing Mike Bain as its mana whenua representative for the triennium.

Colinxy: Religious Cults and No Exit - Why Leaving Defines Control

The Test of Freedom

The simplest test of whether a movement is a religion or a cult is this: can you leave freely?

• A true religion allows dissent, departure, and freedom of conscience.

• A cult binds its members with fear, coercion, and punishment, making exit nearly impossible.

Dr Bryce Edwards: Democracy Briefing - Who really runs the South Island?

The Press newspaper in Christchurch has just published its “Power List” — a ranking of the fifty most influential people in the South Island. It’s a series of articles that updates the list they published two years. The 2026 edition, compiled primarily by senior journalist Philip Matthews, is worth reading closely. Not just for the names, but for what the list reveals about where power actually sits in Te Waipounamu, and how much of it has drifted away from anyone who ever faced an election.

Pee Kay: Because the Universe is Ruthless and Demands Balance…

Everything in nature, the economy and society seeks balance. When something reaches an extreme, it self-corrects, usually in a furious and violent way. The natural world has a built-in system for self-correction, a correction is inevitable!

But here is the part we often overlook. The pendulum doesn’t gently reset. It swings back with a furious, violent overcorrection, often spilling buckets of blood in the process.

Simon Brown: MCNZ Consultation Draft Statements

on Cultural Competence, Cultural Safety, and Hauora Maori

Introduction:

As a retired medical research scientist with nearly 30 years of experience working in close collaboration with consultant clinicians and teaching clinical training fellows, I wish to provide feedback on the Medical Council’s draft statements. While my career was spent overseas at the intersection of research and clinical practice (Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Queen’s Medical Centre, Queen’s Medical Research Institute) after graduating from Otago (Chemistry), I have observed first-hand the dedication of medics to patient-centred care based on medical need and evidence.

Lindsay Mitchell: Latest benefit numbers - beware the spin

Await some spin regarding falling beneficiary numbers.

But be skeptical.

After two months of data problems, MSD has managed to produce monthly statistics for February 2026.

Colinxy: Popping the “Māori Are Oppressed by Colonisation” Bubble

For decades, the political class and its media courtiers have repeated a single, soothing explanation for every negative statistic involving Māori: colonisation did it. No matter the indicator—prison rates, unemployment, income, health, education—the answer is always the same. History is the culprit, the Treaty is the solution, and the taxpayer is the ATM.

It’s a tidy story. It’s also wrong.

William McGimpsey: The importance of criticising your radicals

The idea of not criticising those to your right has gained traction in online circles recently. The idea has arisen in response to a real problem: for decades mainstream conservatives have disavowed those to their right in order to win the approval of the Left. This has had the effect of dividing, moderating and weakening the Right, and moving the Overton Window leftward over time. I first encountered versions of this idea being articulated on the Right by people in the orbit of Australia’s National Socialist Network. Now Millennial Woes has written an essay outlining and endorsing the idea (albeit in more nuanced form).

Dr Jake Scott: Malaysia’s Resurgence

The Asian nation is becoming a global player.

In the last month, the small nation of Malaysia has risen in the views of global investors. Drawn by the country’s political stability and economic growth, investors increasingly consider Malaysia a safe method for diversification in the Pacific region amid a softening US dollar and a tumultuous global economy. In 2025 alone, investors poured over $5 billion into local currency debt—the highest in the region—leading to the Malaysian currency, the Ringgit, reaching its highest point since 2018.

Monday March 23, 2026 

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