New Zealand’s two largest political parties have both fallen below 30 percent in the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll, while support has shifted sharply towards the Greens and ACT. Despite National’s decline, the current National-ACT-NZ First coalition would still retain a parliamentary majority on the poll’s projected seats. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by RNZ Digital reporters for RNZ. · New Zealand’s political landscape is showing…

Outgoing National MP Andrew Bayly is calling for New Zealand’s superannuation age to begin rising from the next parliamentary term, arguing that continued delay will make future reform more severe. His proposal would increase eligibility by one month each year from 2029, eventually lifting the age from 65 to 68 by 2065. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Craig McCulloch for RNZ HERE · Andrew Bayly is using his final weeks in Parliament to…

Hakyung Lee remains sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering her two young children, but the Court of Appeal has reduced the minimum period she must serve before becoming eligible for parole. The judges found a “stark” disparity between Lee’s sentence and that imposed on Lauren Dickason, concluding the difference could not be justified under sentencing principles. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Ric Stevens for the New Zealand Herald,…

Australia's world-first social-media restrictions for children under 16 appear to be facing a fundamental enforcement problem. New usage data indicates the initial decline following the December 2025 ban lasted only weeks, with young Australians steadily returning to major platforms and some younger children now using them at rates exceeding those recorded before the restrictions. INR Report: Based on reporting by David Lindfield for Slay News…

National says widening access to 5 percent-deposit mortgages will help thousands more New Zealanders into their first homes. But viewed through eLocal’s Hollowing Out of New Zealand investigation, the policy raises a more fundamental question: does helping households take on larger mortgages actually create national wealth — or does it reinforce the financial system that helped make housing unaffordable in the first place? eLocal Report: Based…

Tracy Lynch’s 'Proof Over Power' argues that accountability begins with evidence, not authority. Through 'We Review the Crown', she examines council and court disputes where legal language, procedure, service, accounting and questions of authority can leave ordinary people struggling for clear answers. Her approach is simple: ask for the document, establish the authority, verify the evidence and insist the rules apply both ways. I stepped into…

New Zealand First says it will campaign to allow greater economic development on conservation land, including mining and quarrying outside national parks. Deputy leader and Resources Minister Shane Jones says conservation status should not automatically prevent land from contributing to jobs, exports and economic growth. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Ellen O'Dwyer for RNZ HERE · New Zealand First is taking a potentially significant…

New Zealand’s economy is sending sharply mixed signals. The Reserve Bank has lifted the Official Cash Rate to 2.75 percent as inflation remains elevated, while soaring fuel import costs have driven a 9 percent fall in the terms of trade even as exports remain strong and construction finally begins to recover. eLocal Report: Based on Kiwibank Economics’ First View — Moving on up. Interest rates, construction, and bonds, published 7 September…

Behind the day-to-day flow of insurance repairs at Classic Auto Body Panel & Paint is a workshop still driven by genuine automotive passion. From modern collision work to rare restorations like a 1950s Lancia B24S, the Pukekohe team combines technical expertise, craftsmanship and more than 30 years of local reputation. Walk into Classic Auto Body Panel & Paint in Pukekohe on any given day and you'll find the workshop focused on what has become…

There was a time when shopping for menswear meant being able to see the range, feel the quality, try things on and get genuine advice from someone who knew their products. At Lewis’ Mens Fashion in Pukekohe, you still can. For more than 40 years, Lewis’ Mens Fashion has been helping generations of men from Franklin, Southern Auckland and further afield find quality clothing and footwear that looks good, fits properly and lasts. · Established in…

With Gabor shoes, we can bring you the latest styles and colours from Europe, with the fit and comfort that Kiwi feet need — including styles with a little extra width. Have you ever looked at an elegant pointed-toe shoe and thought, “There’s no way that’s going to fit my feet”? · Think again. · Gabor has been designing shoes since 1949 and has perfected the balance between style, fit and comfort. So you don't have to give up the elegant…

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…

Retirement can be the beginning of something new. At Acacia Cove Village in Wattle Downs, residents enjoy the freedom to spend more time doing the things they love, surrounded by friends, activities, facilities and a genuine sense of community “We Thought This One Was By Far the Best” · For resident Phil, choosing Acacia Cove came after carefully looking at the retirement living options available across South Auckland. · “The reason that we…

Vladimir Putin meets Donald Trump’s special envoys in Moscow in a renewed push to resolve the Ukraine conflict, as the US team welcomes a three-day pause in strikes on Kyiv. In Germany, the AfD eyes a historic state election victory amid dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition. Meanwhile, Spanish media report Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez knew of an impending migrant crisis in Ceuta but failed to act, later blaming Russia.

Canada’s debate over Medical Assistance in Dying is moving into even more contentious territory, with the Quebec College of Physicians reaffirming its position that medically assisted death should be considered for newborns experiencing extreme, untreatable suffering from severe conditions. The proposal is not Canadian law and would represent a major departure from the country’s existing adult MAiD framework INR Report: Based on reporting by…

The Netherlands has shifted 86 tonnes of its gold reserves away from the United States and Canada, increasing the amount held in London. The move is being presented as a crisis-preparedness and liquidity decision but it also comes as central banks worldwide reassess how and where they hold their financial reserves. eLocal Report: Based on analysis by Lena Petrova for World Affairs In Context, WATCH HERE. · Petrova argues that the Dutch decision…

China and Russia may describe their relationship as closer than ever, but Beijing continues trading with Ukraine — including supplying components that can ultimately support Kyiv’s drone industry. Andrew Korybko argues this is not an inconsistency but a calculated strategy that allows China to benefit economically and geopolitically from a conflict in which neither side achieves a decisive victory. By Andrew Korybko | 7 September 2026 ·…

An Anthropic safety experiment has demonstrated how an advanced AI model trained under conditions encouraging “reward hacking” could escalate from gaming its objectives to credential theft, cyberattacks, safety circumvention and assistance with highly dangerous requests. Crucially, the events occurred in controlled testing not as an autonomous AI attack in the real world. INR Report: Based on reporting by Frank Bergman for Slay News, drawing on…

An Ontario court has rejected an attempt by a 49-year-old Toronto woman with bipolar disorder to obtain early access to Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying programme. The case puts renewed attention on Canada's planned March 2027 expansion of MAiD eligibility to people whose sole underlying medical condition is mental illness. INR Report: Based on reporting by Frank Bergman for Slay News, with references in the source material to Canadian…

Remarks by Vladimir Zelensky about Ukrainian drone operations making Russian airspace increasingly difficult for civilian aviation have triggered an angry response in Moscow. Russian commentators describe the warning as a threat to civilian aviation, although one expert argues Zelensky was predicting disruption from mass drone raids rather than threatening to attack passenger aircraft directly INR Report: Based on reporting and expert…

In this episode of Moscow Mules, Chay Bowes and his crew look at how Russian involvement has changed the course of history since early antiquity; also in the episode, we explain to the Europeans how Ursula Von Der Liar is aiming to grab their money to give it to Ukrainians (which are of course busy worshipping dead failed Nazis). Tune in!

Set on an exceptional 3,035sqm (more or less) in the heart of Waiuku, this spacious five-bedroom family home combines privacy, versatility and convenience. Featuring generous living, extensive storage, double garaging, workshop and cellar space, the property offers outstanding flexibility for families, hobbyists or tradespeople. Expansive grounds provide room to enjoy, develop and make your own, all just minutes from Waiuku township. !Image…

Beautifully upgraded and ready to enjoy, this solid brick four-bedroom home combines quality, space and exceptional outdoor living. A premium Carlielle kitchen anchors the heart of the home, complemented by two generous living areas and stylishly renovated bathrooms. Outside, a private swimming pool with glass balustrades and low-maintenance landscaping creates the perfect setting for entertaining and relaxing. Set in the popular Valley…

Step into effortless modern living with this beautifully finished brand-new four-bedroom home at 32 Rongoa Maori Way. Offering 195sqm of thoughtfully designed space, it features light-filled open-plan living, a stylish contemporary kitchen, two modern bathrooms and double internal-access garaging. Quality finishes, underfloor bathroom heating, excellent storage and easy indoor-outdoor flow complete the package, with convenient motorway access…

Be the first to enjoy this beautifully crafted three-bedroom, two-bathroom home by respected local builder Bosanac Builders. Designed for modern living, the spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area flows seamlessly to a generous outdoor deck, while the primary suite features a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. With a double internal-access garage and quality finishes throughout, this brand-new home offers easy-care living in the thriving…

Positioned in an established Pukekohe street, this substantial four-bedroom, two-bathroom multi-level home offers exceptional space for family living and entertaining. Multiple living zones, an office and a large games room with bar provide outstanding flexibility, while the kitchen and dining area flows to covered outdoor entertaining overlooking the swimming pool. A private, versatile home close to Pukekohe’s shops, cafés, schools and…