Matua Kahurangi: Rockpool ban is a start, but New Zealand says the problem is everywhere

After I posted my piece on NZ First implementing a rockpool ban around the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, the response was immediate and loud. People came forward from well beyond Auckland, including as far south as Banks Peninsula, saying the same thing is happening there too. Rockpools being stripped bare, intertidal life disappearing, and locals left staring at empty rocks where there used to be movement, colour, and abundance.

David Farrar: An interesting Treaty poll

An interesting poll from Radio NZ.

Reid Resarch asked:

Do you think the Treaty of Waitangi has too much, about the right amount, or too little influence over government decision making?

Mike's Minute: The job story is more than just a headline

2500 job applications. That’s got clickbait written all over it, doesn’t it?

One job supposedly had 2500 applications. One headline added that the company boss was shocked.

Oppo is your company and in the story of their job they are looking to fill is some good news. Mainly, that the job is here and not long ago it wasn’t.

Net Zero Watch Samizdat: The Cult

WATCH OUR NEW FILM: THE CULT

Colin Brazier returns for our second short film on the cult of Net Zero and how it protects 'green' policies from being questioned by stifling debate and cracking down on free speech.

Sunday February 22, 2026 

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Clive Bibby: The canary in the coal mine

Much has been said about the government’s response to the Pike River tragedy, including the findings of the enquiry after the event which unfortunately left so many unanswered questions - especially when apportioning blame for the loss of life. And unfortunately Pike River is just another example of what happens wihen poor or even irresponsible Government oversight is allowed to affect outcomes that were avoidable.

Geoff Parker: The Sacred Grove, a Fallen Tree, and a $560,000 Question

What began as a fallen pōhutukawa at the Sands Apartments in Takapuna has quietly grown into something far larger: a dispute over culture, control, transparency — and money.

Ani O'Brien: A week is a long time: 21 February 2026

No four‑year term (for now)

The Government has parked its plan for a 4 year parliamentary term. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said:

“Both the National-Act and National-New Zealand First coalition agreements include supporting to select committee a bill that would enact a binding referendum on a four-year term of parliament.

We’ve fulfilled those commitments. However, we won’t be progressing with a referendum on a 4 year term at this election.”

Stephen Moore: Was climate change the greatest financial scam in history?

Environmental scholar Bjorn Lomborg recently calculated that across the globe, governments have spent at least $16 trillion feeding the climate change industrial complex.

And for what?

DTNZ: Trump wants Russia and China on ‘Board of Peace’

Moscow has said it is open to the idea, while Beijing has declined to join, citing commitment to the UN-centered international system.

US President Donald Trump has said he would “love” to see Russia and China join his ‘Board of Peace’, established to guide the stabilization of Gaza following the Israel-Hamas war. Moscow earlier signaled that it was contemplating the idea, while China has declined, citing commitments to the UN.

Colinxy: The Rise of Treaty Theology - How a Historical Agreement Became a Sacred Doctrine

Introduction

Over the past four decades, the Treaty of Waitangi has undergone a remarkable transformation. What began in 1840 as a brief political agreement, a pragmatic compact between the British Crown and various Māori rangatira (chiefs), has evolved into something far more expansive: a quasi-religious doctrine that shapes public policy, academic discourse, and constitutional interpretation.

This phenomenon can be called Treaty Theology.

Matua Kahurangi: If a man did this to an 11-year-old girl, he’d be locked up for years

This is absolutely sickening. A 35-year-old Auckland primary school teacher, Tamlyn Estee May, groomed an 11-year-old boy: sent him multiple nude and explicit photos of herself (”Don’t tell anyone, this is just for you”), told him they’d “make a good couple,” kissed him after wrestling, held his hand on “dates,” and spent the night sleeping in the same bed with him at his father’s house. She pleaded guilty to grooming for sexual conduct and indecency with a boy under 12 - offences that carry up to 3 and 10 years in prison.

Kerre Woodham: Did the intensification announcement allay your fears?

We thought we'd start with the housing densification or de-densification that was announced yesterday. We didn't really get a chance to talk about it despite the fact that yesterday when the Prime Minister was in for an hour, he gave us a bit of an announcement of an announcement.

Bob Edlin: Peters brings Soviet chandeliers into the case for making English an official language ....

Peters brings Soviet chandeliers into the case for making English an official language – and te reo shrouds the Maori Party’s stance

The PoO team – keen to learn who said what during the first reading of the English Language Bill and not tuned into the broadcast of proceedings at the time – turned to Hansard.

David Farrar: The changing face of Europe

I’m going to quote from UK’s Matt Goodwin. I do so as someone who is pro-immigration. I think moderate, controlled immigration is good for a country, and specifically has been good for New Zealand. But a good thing can become a bad thing is if it too large, or uncontrolled. If NZ took in 1 million immigrants a year (for example), it would be bad. Our infrastructure would not cope, and new migrants would not integrate as well as they currently do in NZ.

Goodwin writes:

Saturday February 21, 2026 

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Breaking Views Update: Week of 15.2.26

Saturday February 21, 2026 

News:
Army pauses cultural skills framework after concern raised with Minister
The implementation of a cultural skills framework for Army personnel has been paused after concerns were raised with the Defence Minister about potential requirements for leaders to know waiata and karakia off by heart.

Act MP Todd Stephenson wrote to Defence Minister Judith Collins after being sent a copy of the framework, saying it appeared to go beyond normal expectations of the Public Service.

Caleb Anderson: Policy Design and Ideological Overreach

I am probably not alone in noticing that many of the policies implemented by recent governments seem to be based on highly questionable assumptions and trade-offs. Poor policy design seems to be something we have become especially good at. 

Consequently, we frequently miss the mark at the level of delivery and, therefore, of impact.

Ryan Bridge: Why aren't people buying apartments?

I was driving through a street just out of Auckland’s CBD yesterday and saw all these apartments for sale.

New buildings. Many looked empty. Loads of 'for sale' signs.

Why don't people want to buy them? Is it the price?

Ani O'Brien: Sewage, scrutiny, and the politics of accountability

Is it racist to be angry at elected representatives? Moa Point as a case study

When a city pumps tens of millions of litres of raw sewage into the sea day after day, the public is entitled to anger. There is human waste in the sea and on the shore, beaches are closed in peak season, businesses hammered, and ratepayers are wondering how their rates keep going up but the capital city can’t keep its basic infrastructure functioning. They are allowed to be proper mad.

And, when sh*t goes down, so to speak, people want answers and accountability. The equation becomes brutally simple. Something has gone wrong, someone must be responsible, and we want a solution.