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It's been an enduring mystery for centuries: How did the ancient Polynesian inhabitants of Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, put those enormous red stone hats on top of the island’s famous giant statues? In one study, published in 2018, anthropologists photographed the cylindrical hats, known as pukao, and used the photos to make 3-D models they could analyze in depth. Their conclusion? The hats were likely rolled atop the statues using large ramps,…

The idea of the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a global health enforcer set to override national sovereignty by imposing mandatory vaccines, lockdowns, or travel restrictions is not supported by the amended International Health Regulations (IHR). The WHO remains an advisory body without legal power to force any country, including New Zealand, to take specific health measures. The key legal text in Article 22 makes it clear that the WHO…

This is such a nice way to serve tomatoes whether they’re the best of the haul from the veg patch or a slightly poor supermarket imitation. You’ll roast them whole, slowly, on a low heat with olive oil, thyme, fennel seeds and salt. Then when they are on the verge of losing their shape, you’ll pour cream in the base of the tin and scatter over plenty of grated Parmesan. The result is a very fragrant, absurdly delicious thing which you can have…

Every once in a while, you run into a new piece of information that really opens your eyes to a whole new world. Today, I am taking a break from the regular news cycle to bring you something that really rocked my world. Now, before you close this page, thinking this Substack will be a waste of time, give me just two short minutes to prove why you are wrong. It turns out the “Mozart effect” truly exists, and you don’t have to be a musician…

Nominations for October’s local body elections revealed several electorates with only one candidate, raising fears of uncontested seats and diminishing voter choice. A last-minute surge ensured every council will hold elections for at least some seats, but political commentator Dr Grant Duncan warns of a vicious cycle: declining local media coverage and public interest contribute to fewer candidates and lower voter turnout. “What is the…

The first aceclidine-based eye drop to improve near vision in adults with presbyopia, which affects more than 100 million adults in the US alone, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will be available within three months. Known as VIZZ, from pharmaceutical company LENZ, the drops are an aceclidine ophthalmic solution that effectively treats presbyopia in adults. The once-daily drops offer relief from blurry near.…

By the summer of 1945, after peace was declared in Europe, Japan was the only power of the military coalition with Germany and Italy still at war. In Japan’s blockaded Home Islands, dwindling food supplies were prioritized for soldiers. Meanwhile, emperor Hirohito encouraged the country’s slowly starving civilians to gird for imminent invasion by Allied forces and to be prepared to give up their lives in the upcoming decisive battle that would…

South-east Asian and Turkish-Cypriot flavours meet in this bright dish that’s brimming with goodness. Use whichever noodles you fancy in this speedy supper that packs a great taste.  Combining south-east Asian and Turkish-Cypriot flavours, this is a foolproof way of getting some essential, and flavoursome, omega-3 goodness on the dinner table.  Ingredients - 2 tbsp runny honey - 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses - 3 tbsp dark soy sauce - 1…

The Government has proposed abolishing NCEA and replacing it with two new secondary school qualifications: the New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE) for Year 12 and the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE) for Year 13. A new Foundational Skills Award focused on literacy and numeracy will be introduced at Year 11. English and mathematics will be compulsory subjects at this level. The proposal would require students in…

Not too long ago, General Motors (GM) revealed the first of its three Corvette concepts – a pristine white beauty with gull-wing doors – designed by its UK design team. Now, just a couple of months later, out comes the second concept, and it comes from GM’s Advanced Design studios in Pasadena, on the outskirts of Los Angeles. This one sports bold red accenting and features a detachable cockpit, a single-piece canopy, and front hinges. This…

**How Blind Can They Be?** Ex-National Party president Peter Goodfellow on his recent retirement from the board of the National Party stated what he thinks threatens their re-election in 2026. He said that economic shocks and intensifying trade wars are the greatest threats to National’s re-election in 2026, with the economy being the party’s chief threat to re-election. Speaking to the *Herald* on Sunday, Goodfellow praised National’s work…

It's well established that obesity significantly increases your risk of many types of cancer, but a decade-long study has uncovered that there are specific dietary fat drivers that promote tumor growth – and others that don't. In this landmark study, scientists found that animal fats – butter, lard and beef tallow – impair the immune system's response to tumors, while plant-based fats like palm, coconut and olive oils do not. Researchers at…

After NZ First leapfrogged Act last month in a Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll — which led to much media excitement about the party’s rising fortunes — it seemed odd for Winston Peters to be quite so tetchy with journalists seeking his opinion on David Seymour’s views on karakia, traditional Māori prayers or incantations used to open or bless events, buildings, or gatherings. Asked about the Act leader’s criticism of the use of karakia in “the…

Microplastics break off from a wide range of plastic objects in the home with day-to-day use, as well as from synthetic materials in our cars Research out of the University of Toulouse, France, has revealed that we're probably harming our lungs a lot more than we knew. Every day, we're inhaling teeny tiny bits of plastic that are smaller than a speck of dust without even leaving the house – and the findings show the amount is 100 times…

All great literature, in poetry and prose, is part of the great conversation which has animated Western civilization for almost three thousand years. Anything purporting to be literature which owes nothing to this great conversation is rootless and meaningless. It is not worth reading because it was not worth writing. It has nothing to say. Joseph, thank you for accepting my invitation to talk about literature. I would like to start with…

**The Racist Division of NZ** Only fifty years ago NZ was a democratic country where we had pretty much learned to live as a multi-cultural country where everyone regardless of race, colour or creed, had the rights that were applicable to citizens of NZ. We had just begun to acknowledge that there were grievances around the actions of some of our predecessors and we were starting to take action to settle these grievances through the use of…

Golden milk – the ultimate Ayurvedic drink made with turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon and other spices – is caffeine-free, warming and delicious. I’ve used the same flavours in this recipe, which makes the perfect weekend treat. You can make the golden milk mixture up to three days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Fresh raspberries work well instead of figs. INGREDIENTS For the golden milk - 1 x 400ml tin of…

The dream of the ancient alchemists may come true as Marathon Fusion announces that its tokamak fusion reactor technology can turn common mercury into gold as a byproduct of fusion operations in quantities that would make Auric Goldfinger blush. Since the days of the ancient Greeks, practitioners of alchemy pursued the goal of learning how to make the fabled Philosopher's Stone that would allow them to turn base metals like lead, tin, iron,…