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The question isn’t just whether Te Pāti Māori (TPM) is chaotic, but whether the media have failed to hold it to account. Some reporters appear wary of criticising TPM, fearing accusations of racism. Conflicts around Toitū Te Tiriti, undeclared properties, and public outbursts drew little scrutiny. Critics say restraint born of cultural sensitivity has become bias, leaving TPM largely unchecked. Media indifference or protection? Is the media…

A moist and richly flavoured sponge served with booze-spiked whipped cream. This intensely appley bake works just as well for pudding as it does afternoon tea. The cake is so intensely appley and so moist – because of the olive oil – that it needs to be offered in all its naked glory. It’s better, as both a pudding and an afternoon cake, served with a flavoured whipped cream (Marsala is good, or apple brandy) or nothing at all. Ingredients…

We have recently seen many articles in the media related to the changes in the school curriculum championed by the Minister of Education, Hon Erica Stanford and the general consensus seems to be that they have seen almost an immediate upturn in basic literacy and numeracy for our children. Great news for all concerned as this is what the education system is there for; to educate our children and provide them with the skills to achieve in their…

For years, women have been called bigots for saying what everyone knows to be true. That males have an unfair physical advantage over females in sport. Now, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has finally caught up with reality. The IOC is set to announce a full ban on males in female Olympic events early in the new year. Even if those males say they are women. Even if they have long hair. Even if they throw tantrums. The decision follows…

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he’s comfortable being called a socialist, arguing New Zealand needs “a more active role for the state” to tackle what he sees as excessive profits by supermarkets, banks and energy companies. Speaking to RNZ’s 30 with Guyon Espiner, Hipkins praised New York’s newly elected socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, saying his win reflected global frustration with capitalism. Hipkins said the “economic system isn’t…

The late Bruce Jesson captured something essential about New Zealand politics when he observed in the 1980s: “The National Party governs for capitalists. The Labour Party for capitalism”. Jesson was writing for Metro Magazine at the time, as their politics writer. What he meant was simple: National tends to hand out favours to their mates in business, cutting deals that keep the rich happy one by one. Labour, on the other hand, steps in during…

The Free Speech Union is thrilled that the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2), which it was extensively involved in, has passed its Third Reading and will become law. This is a huge victory and a pivotal moment as the Bill promises to restore free speech on university campuses and their character as institutions that protect and value rigorous debate, says Stephanie Martin, spokesperson for the Inter-University Council on Academic…

Yesterday’s bombshell report from the Independent Police Conduct Authority has exposed what Public Service Minister Judith Collins starkly described as corruption within New Zealand’s police force. On the question of whether the IPCA findings amounted to corruption, Collins was blunt: “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck”. Her assessment of the scandal was equally damning: “a total lack of leadership and integrity at the highest…

In my opinion, this is the best way to cook pork so that it’s still lovely and juicy. You can make the colcannon ahead of time and reheat it in a saucepan on a low heat. Just add a little more milk to loosen it. The sauce is very rich and has a strong flavour, so use sparingly. Ingredients ## **For the colcannon** - 40g butter - 2 onions, finely sliced - 150g savoy cabbage, shredded - 1kg potatoes (choose good mashers), peeled and cut into…

‘[This] has been the busiest, gloomiest and most exciting fortnight I have ever passed. The war has suddenly left Taranaki and broken out here.’1 So wrote Rev Vicesimus Lush, Anglican minister, in his journal on July 19th 1863. Only a month before, he had speculated that the fighting was not expected to ‘extend beyond the Taranaki.’2 With war breaking out within his parish borders, rather than hundreds of miles away, Lush stopped being a casual…