A brand-new intensive care unit at Waitākere Hospital has no patients, no dedicated staff, no operating budget and no confirmed opening date. The facility was intended to bring critical care closer to West Auckland residents. Instead, its delayed opening has exposed serious questions about workforce planning, hospital funding and whether expensive new buildings are actually delivering additional healthcare capacity. eLocal Report: Based on…

National's proposal to make KiwiSaver contributions compulsory for sole traders has exposed a fundamental tension between retirement security and the financial independence of small-business owners. New survey findings suggest that some self-employed New Zealanders could reconsider how they earn a living if the policy proceeds. But beyond the percentages lies a more important question: how much control should the state exercise over money…

With New Zealand heading to the polls on 7 November 2026, Andy Loader examines the leaders of the country's political parties, assessing their political judgement, leadership styles, electoral success, policies and personal character. Political leadership is the process of guiding and influencing people, groups, or whole countries to make and carry out public decisions. · Good leadership requires a balance between ethical character and…

In an exclusive eLocal Conversations interview, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters speaks with eLocal founder Mykeljon Winckel about rebuilding the New Zealand economy, establishing a sovereign wealth fund, restoring control over banking and energy, reforming Treaty institutions and putting New Zealanders at the centre of national decision-making. Making NZ FIRST a REALITY · Winston Peters on Sovereignty, Prosperity and New Zealand's…

Rodney Fallowfield was released on parole in 2023 after serving part of a sentence for killing his wife, Shirley Reedy. Three years later, he has pleaded guilty to murdering two men in Christchurch. The case raises serious questions about how risk is assessed, how parole decisions are made and what the justice system can learn when a person previously convicted of a killing commits further fatal violence. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by…

An election advertising campaign accusing Labour and the Greens of backing gangs has ignited a political confrontation involving the Sensible Sentencing Trust, the Green Party, the Taxpayers' Union and a political advertising company. Behind the dispute lies a more substantial question: how should political parties engage with gang-affiliated communities while remaining accountable to victims of gang violence? The controversy also raises…

When it comes to creating a beautiful home, the difference is in the detail. And at Craftsman Cabinets in Patumahoe, Jason Michie and his team understand just how important those details are. But don't just take our word for it. Here's what customers Kath and Jay had to say: · “Jason was incredible with the build of our kitchen. He is so knowledgeable and has an amazing eye for detail. His craftsmanship is exceptional and we just love our new…

Racing season is the perfect excuse to dress up, and the right pair of shoes can make all the difference. Whether you’re planning a day at the races, a special lunch or an occasion that calls for something a little more elegant, the new Pitillos collection has just arrived at Halliwell’s of Pukekohe. Spanish Style Meets Everyday Comfort · Designed and made in Spain, Pitillos has built its reputation on bringing together contemporary European…

Retirement should be about enjoying life, making new friends and having the freedom to do more of what you love. At Acacia Cove in Wattle Downs, residents are discovering that the next chapter can be one of the most rewarding. For John, choosing Acacia Cove wasn't a decision made overnight. Having lived locally and experienced retirement villages throughout Auckland, he had a good understanding of what was available. But there was something…

Why Dan the Man? Because when it comes to looking after your vehicle, Dan knows his stuff! As owner and head mechanic of PS Automotive in Pukekohe, Dan and his team take pride in delivering quality workmanship, honest advice and friendly, personal service. Whether your vehicle needs a Warrant of Fitness (WOF), routine servicing, preventative maintenance, brake repairs, tyres, wheel alignment or mechanical repairs, PS Automotive has you covered.…

Discover relaxed family living at 18 Glennron Lane, Waiuku. This well-presented four-bedroom, two-bathroom brick home offers two separate living areas, a spacious master suite, open-plan kitchen and dining, and seamless flow to a sunny outdoor patio. Set on a fully fenced 683 sqm section with double internal-access garaging, it offers space, practicality and easy living close to Waiuku’s schools, shops and amenities. !Image Text · Bedrooms:…

Privately positioned amid beautifully landscaped grounds, this substantial residence delivers relaxed luxury and exceptional space for family living. Three bedrooms, a dedicated office and three versatile living areas flow to expansive outdoor entertaining, manicured gardens and a stunning in-ground pool. With generous garaging, ample parking and a private resort-style setting, this is a home designed for entertaining, unwinding and enjoying…

Set on an impressive 1.08ha, this substantial 472sqm residence combines luxurious family living with the freedom of a private semi-rural retreat. Four bedrooms, multiple living spaces and expansive decking are complemented by a stunning in-ground pool, sauna, lift, triple garaging and versatile workshop space. With sweeping countryside views, native bush and a stream, yet within easy reach of Pukekohe and Drury, this exceptional lifestyle…

Positioned in the heart of Waiuku, this well-presented three-bedroom home combines comfort, convenience and easy-care living. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area flows onto an expansive sun-soaked deck, ideal for entertaining or relaxing. With a family bathroom, separate toilet, dedicated laundry and double garage with extra storage, it’s a great option for first-home buyers, investors or downsizers. !Image Text · Bedrooms…

Experience elevated family living in Pukekohe’s sought-after Valley precinct. Spanning three thoughtfully designed levels and offering 241sqm (more or less) of living space, this impressive residence features five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a light-filled open-plan living area flowing to a generous sun-soaked entertaining deck. With a private upper-level primary suite, internal-access double garaging, low-maintenance grounds and easy access…

Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks transformed American national security policy, the surveillance powers introduced during that emergency remain the subject of intense debate. Now artificial intelligence is creating capabilities that lawmakers in 2001 could scarcely have imagined. The question is no longer simply what governments can collect, but what they can discover, predict and decide about their citizens. INR…

Armenia's parliament has descended into chaos, with lawmakers trading punches, throwing chairs and suffering injuries as tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government and the opposition reach boiling point. Behind the extraordinary scenes lies a deeper struggle over disputed elections, political freedoms, relations with Russia and the country's increasingly controversial alignment with the European Union. INR Report: Based on…

Canada is confronting one of the most difficult questions in modern medical ethics: should a person whose only underlying medical condition is a psychiatric illness be eligible for medically assisted death? A recent opinion column in The Globe and Mail has brought the controversy back into public view, exposing deep disagreements over patient autonomy, the limits of psychiatric medicine and the responsibility of governments to provide effective…

Angry crowds reportedly stormed an alleged secret military prison near Kiev amid accusations that mobilised Ukrainian men were tortured and denied medical care, sparking violent clashes with authorities. Meanwhile, claims that Israel is pressuring Washington to strike Iran's nuclear facilities raise fears of severe retaliation. As Americans prepare to vote in the 2026 midterm elections, US defence contractors are pouring millions into both…

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused European governments of repeatedly failing to honour agreements intended to resolve the Ukraine conflict, arguing that their record has undermined their credibility as future peace negotiators. As Washington prepares to broker another round of talks, Moscow is questioning whether European participation would contribute anything meaningful to a settlement. Europe Under Scrutiny · Russian…

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's attendance at a G20 gathering in Atlanta has exposed divisions between Washington and European governments over diplomatic engagement with Moscow. With European ministers reportedly refusing to participate in a traditional group photograph alongside Lavrov, the dispute raises a larger question: can international diplomacy succeed when governments refuse even symbolic engagement with their adversaries? INR…

New Zealand's decision to abandon domestic oil refining deserves scrutiny beyond the price of petrol. The loss of refining capacity also raises questions about industrial by-products, agricultural inputs and whether successive governments have adequately protected the country's productive economy. The Cost of Losing a Strategic Industry · In March 2022, New Zealand's only oil refinery at Marsden Point ceased operations, ending nearly six…

Classically trained musician, former teacher and government adviser Emma Chatterton joins Mykeljon Winckel for a wide-ranging eLocal Conversation about the experiences shaping her approach to politics. As she seeks to succeed Judith Collins in Papakura, the discussion explores her personal journey, her ambitions for a rapidly growing electorate and the questions facing New Zealand's next generation Report by eLocal | eLocal Conversations | 16…

From flood-affected communities and rising rates to public asset ownership and economic independence, Sue Grey argues that New Zealand needs a fundamental change in how it is governed. Speaking with eLocal's publisher and Founder Mykeljon Winckel ahead of the 2026 general election, Grey outlines her party's approach to restoring local accountability, rebuilding productive capacity and giving ordinary New Zealanders a greater say in decisions…

Who really controls American foreign policy? In a revealing interview with George Galloway, Tucker Carlson questions whether President Trump or powerful unelected interests determine Washington's decisions. He argues that the US is effectively at war with Russia and that Trump's promises to end foreign conflicts have been undermined. From Ukraine and Iran to intelligence agencies, political donors and presidential advisers, Carlson raises…

For generations, New Zealand has struggled with weak productivity growth, dependence on overseas capital and the challenge of funding the infrastructure and industries needed for lasting prosperity. New Zealand First's latest policy proposes a different economic pathway: discover the nation's resource potential, capture substantial public revenue from its development, and turn that income into enduring national wealth capable of helping build…

They fell in love in the Dutch East Indies before the Second World War tore their lives apart. For years, each believed the other had died, until an extraordinary encounter at an air force base in December 1947 brought them together again. Originally published in eLocal magazine. Expanded and republished with additional historical context. · Two Strangers on a Staircase · It was late in 1947, at an air force base near Batavia, now Jakarta, in…