Ani O'Brien: What it actually costs to live "green" like Chris Hipkins

Forget "let them eat cake", now it's "let them have solar"

It’s election year so we are getting served up a whole load of political storytelling. The parties have their narratives, but our political leaders are also shaping the way they want to be seen by the New Zealand public. Chris Hipkins’ strategy hasn’t changed. He is still running as the “relatable leader,” the “practical dad.” He is also trying to balance his image as pro-environment, proactive on climate change, without being seen as a fruitloop. The hardcore environmentalists will vote Green, he just needs to demonstrate that he is on board with the kaupapa, so to speak.

Joe Bastardi: The weather proving to European climate warriors that stupid is as stupid does

The leaders of Europe have put their people in jeopardy with their insane climate policies. They remain heavily dependent on Russia for natural gas. The Russian winter is turning punishing, as I feared it would when I wrote about its possible impact on the war back in August. Natural gas storage is at 52% of capacity. There is no reason for such a low level except for the nonsensical climate policies these leaders have pursued. You may think they have a suicide pact with their other policies, but it’s nothing compared to what could happen in the coming weeks.

Mike's Minute: Stop putting the bill on the taxpayer

It never takes long to find the bank of the taxpayer.

The Green Building Council has lined the Government up for Lord knows how many millions so we can all ditch our gas heaters, buy heat pumps, and save money and the gas industry.

Corey Smith: The Arctic of the Deal: Greenland Redux

Despite the objections of Danish and Greenlandic officials, Vice President JD Vance flew to Greenland Friday morning with his wife and a few delegates to Pituffik Space Base. He was the first sitting VP to visit the base, giving the trip a historic undertone while displaying how serious the Trump administration is about bolstering America’s presence in the Arctic. Though Vance’s speech seemed to carry a message slightly different from the president’s remarks about the island over the last few months, the goal was the same: national and international security. Sounds great, but is Trump serious about using force to take control of an ally’s territory?

Sallust: The Cold Truth – Britain’s Grim Winter’s Tale

Unfortunately, climate activists live in the fantasy world of averages and averages of averages, not reality. In their mythical universe temperatures can be stabilised and power consumption projected, all based on those averages. Their ideology has been allowed to drive Government policy for years and the result has been a misguided reliance on the vagaries and unreliability of solar and wind power.

Point of Order: The lessons NZ can learn from Australia to guide energy policy and keep prices down

As consumers receive their winter power bills, many are puzzled and some are incensed that they are so high.

There is a simple answer: wholesale prices are elevated (they have been very high for some time and reached $215 a megawatt/hour last week).

And there’s a not-so-simple answer: