This week’s Budget confirmed what most New Zealanders already suspected. The government’s finances are tight, the deficit persists, and there is no pot of money waiting to be spent on the country’s problems. Dr Oliver Hartwich | Executive Director | oliver.hartwich@nzinitiative.org.nz · Just as well, because government spending never delivers growth or prosperity. The question is, what will? · While the reformers of the mid-1980s faced an…

The following article is an opinion piece and the views expressed are those of the author. · You may well ask what the heck he is on about. · Well it is either there is a current practice of the government bureaucracy adding sections into legislation without approval from the coalition government or the coalition government is adding these sections in against their express promises from prior to the 2023 election. The latest example is seen in…

Source: Kiwibank Economics · ▪ Budget 2026 delivered no real surprises. As expected, set on the backdrop of a global uncertainty, the Budget revealed a short-term downgrade to the economic outlook. · ▪ A more uncertain global outlook didn’t seem to hinder longer term growth in Treasury’s forecasts. Indeed, a rebound is predicted that falls outside our own expectations. Inflation is forecast to peak at 4.0% in the June quarter of 2026, lower…

A Duncan Garner podcast interview with investigator and publicist Aly Cook has reignited questions surrounding New Zealand's COVID-era decision making, transparency and what senior ministers knew during the rollout of COVID vaccinations for 12 to 15-year-olds. By elocal New Zealand Desk · Source: Duncan Garner Podcast interview with Aly Cook, 26 May 2026 · Cook outlined a document trail she says links senior ministers to a key August 2021…

Parents, caregivers and former students have spoken out about long-standing concerns around safety, communication and school culture, emphasising that this moment must lead to meaningful engagement rather than defensiveness Written by Richard Shelford-Woodcock on May 26, 2026 and reposted with permission · Recent events at Mercury Bay Area School have sparked significant concern across the wider Mercury Bay community, particularly following an…

Fuel prices have rapidly climbed into one of the biggest political and economic concerns facing New Zealanders, according to a new Ipsos Issues Monitor survey that paints an increasingly uneasy picture of household confidence heading into the next election cycle. By elocal Political Desk · Fuel prices have rapidly climbed into one of the biggest political and economic concerns facing New Zealanders, according to a new Ipsos Issues Monitor…

As we move into winter, New Zealand's fuel supply chain continues to perform well despite operating within a system that remains heavily dependent on imported refined products. The latest vessel schedules show a healthy flow of fuel arriving at key ports around the country, with Marsden Point once again acting as the primary gateway into New Zealand's fuel network. There are no immediate signs of supply disruption, and motorists can take…

A new study is raising serious questions about the corporate rush to replace human workers with artificial intelligence after researchers found that companies cutting jobs in favor of AI-driven automation are often failing to achieve the financial gains they promised investors. By David Lindfield · As executives across America tout AI as the future of business and announce wave after wave of layoffs, the findings suggest that replacing workers…

Who said getting older means slowing down? · At Acacia Cove Village in Wattle Downs, retirement is less about winding back and more about finally having the freedom to enjoy life your way. With much of the day-to-day maintenance taken care of, residents have more time to do what they enjoy most. Whether that means social activities, peaceful walks, cycling, gardening, relaxing with friends, or simply enjoying the beautiful surroundings, life at…

Few moments in life are more difficult than losing someone you love. · In those first hours and days, emotions can feel overwhelming. There are decisions to make, people to contact, paperwork to complete, and often a sense of uncertainty about what happens next. · At Fountains Funeral Services, we understand that this is not just a process. It is a deeply personal journey. As a locally owned family business, our role is simple: to care for…

For buyers looking to secure a position in one of Auckland’s most active growth areas, this is a timely opportunity. Why Drury Is Moving · Drury is rapidly transforming into a major residential and commercial hub in South Auckland. · Significant investment is already underway, including: · New schools and education facilities Transport upgrades and planned rail connections Expanding retail and commercial centres Community infrastructure…

It happens in a split second. · A crunch. · A scrape. · That sinking “Uh ohh…” feeling in your stomach. · Whether it’s a car park mishap or a serious collision, the stress can be overwhelming. But in Pukekohe, there’s one simple piece of advice: · Keep calm and call the experts. · For more than 30 years, Classic Auto Body Panel & Paint Ltd has been the trusted name in collision repair across Pukekohe and the greater Franklin region. What began…

The IDF expands its ground operation into Lebanon. The incursion is already the deepest in several decades and Netanyahu now wants to take more of the country - in an effort that, he insists, is to protect Israel. · A warning, these are disturbing images -two people are killed and dozens of others wounded as Israel strikes a seaport area in Gaza. While Gaza suffers, Jewish residents in New York gather for a parade to commemorate Israel Day. ·…

The Ukrainian military attacked Russia’s Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), puncturing a hole in the machine hall of one of the facility’s units, Aleksey Likhachev, CEO of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, has said. The ZNPP – which has repeatedly been attacked by Kiev forces over the past years – came under a new attack on Saturday, with a fiber-optics-guided drone making it to the machine hall of the sixth power unit of the…

It’s hard to believe one’s eyes while witnessing the latest performance put on by the comedian tyrant of Ukraine. By Tarik Cyril Amar, a historian from Germany working at Koç University, Istanbul, on Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe, the history of World War II, the cultural Cold War, and the politics of memory. · Within the space of a week or so, the regime of president-for-eternity-no-elections-needed Vladimir Zelensky has repatriated and…

German regulators are advancing a controversial plan that would require social media platforms to boost content from government-approved “news” outlets, raising concerns about state influence over online speech and the flow of information. By David Lindfield · According to a leaked document obtained by Apollo News, Germany’s state media authorities are developing a system that would allow regulators to determine which news organizations qualify…

By Andrew Korybko · The announcement in late April that France and Poland will carry out regular nuclear drills, which analysts reasonably believe are aimed against Russia (specifically Kaliningrad and Belarus), represented the first application of what French President Emmanuel Macron has termed “forward deterrence”. It followed his speech earlier in the year where he introduced this concept, essentially the expansion of France’s nuclear…

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has compared the EU to the Roman Empire in its twilight years, arguing that Brussels is weakening the bloc through its economic, climate, and security policies. Babis returned to office in December after his ANO movement won 34.5% of the vote and 80 seats in the 200-member lower house of parliament. Since then, he has positioned himself as a leading advocate of national sovereignty, a reassessment of EU…

The US military has been covertly guiding vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks, The New York Times reported on Sunday, citing officials familiar with the matter. Iran closed the vital waterway, which previously handled around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, to ships from “hostile countries” in response to the US and Israeli airstrikes launched on February 28. Tehran later said that vessels from third…

A former senior U.S. intelligence official with top secret security clearance has been arrested after the FBI raided his Virginia home and allegedly uncovered a fortune that included roughly $40 million in gold bars, $2 million in cash, and dozens of luxury watches. By David Lindfield · Federal authorities say David J. Rush, who reportedly held a senior position at the CIA until recently, orchestrated a massive fraud scheme while falsely…

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 Garaging 1 Floor Area 128 m2 Total Area 128 m2 Description · Brand-new 4-bedroom home in the fast-growing Hunua Views community. This modern single-level design offers open-plan living, stone benchtop, heat pump and internal access garage, with no rear neighbour backing onto a reserve for added privacy. Close to schools, parks, walkways and future Drury Town Centre. Easy motorway access and strong growth ahead.…

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 Garaging 1 Floor Area 160 m2 Description · Brand-New Spacious Double-Story Corner 4-Bed Family Home | Hunua Views · Step into this modern 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom double-story home with a single internal-access garage – designed for easy, low-maintenance family living. · Enjoy open-plan living, quality finishes, and landscaped outdoor spaces in a family-focused neighborhood with parks, walkways, and playgrounds. · -…

Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 Garaging 2 Floor Area 170.4 m2 Porches 3.4 m2 Total Area 173.8 m2 Description · Don’t miss the opportunity to secure your dream home in the fast-growing Drury area. Located within the exciting new Feldspar Crossing development, this community is set to benefit from significant investment and major new infrastructure. Ideal for first-home buyers, families, or investors, this home is part of a vibrant master-planned…

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 Garaging 2 Floor Area 150.11 m2 Porches 0.9 m2 Total Area 151.01 m2 Description · A Turnkey Fixed-price home & land package offering 4 bedrooms and a rare double garage near the motorway! Stylish standalone home with designer kitchen, open-plan living, walk-in robe & ensuite. In a growing area near new Ngākōroa School (Y1–8), future train station & great access. Includes heat pump and stone benchtop. Act fast! · …