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Is it really about trust, or is it about framing? · Each year, surveys show media trust falling. Commentators blame social media or disinformation. But perhaps the public isn’t rejecting facts. Maybe they’re rejecting how those facts are framed. · “Framing” is the editorial layer added to facts. Which details are spotlighted, which are buried, and what tone guides interpretation? Readers know who the prime minister is. What drives disengagement…

A richly textured bowlful made with cannellini beans and orzo, with pesto that can be served like garlic bread or on toast. · If you don’t want to make the bread, just make the pesto and spoon some on to each serving of soup, or offer a bowl of it at the table. It’s a good idea to keep Parmesan rinds. They give such an intense umami flavour to soups. The soup itself, apart from the pumpkin, is pretty much a store-cupboard recipe (you can use…

Te Pāti Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi’s demotion as party whip has sparked fresh questions about spending and internal accountability. · Kapa-Kingi, MP for Te Tai Tokerau, confirmed she “managed an adjustment within the rules” after reports of a budget overspend but refused to explain why, citing privacy concerns. She denied online claims that the figure was as high as $200,000. · A viral post by social media influencer Shubz, shared by…

A whole roasting tray of crispy chicken, bacon and potatoes, perfumed with rosemary and thyme leaves.  · For a feistier flavour, substitute one-third to half the bacon for diced chorizo. Halve the quantities below for a smaller serving. · Ingredients · - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling - 500g streaky bacon lardons - 2kg free-range, organic chicken thighs, drumsticks and wings - 2-3 tbsp thyme leaves - 1-2 tbsp…

Around 9,000 farming families across New Zealand are considering their Fonterra voting papers. The proposition is of critical importance to the entire New Zealand economy: selling iconic dairy brands like Mainland, Anchor, Kapiti and others to the largest dairy company in the world, French firm Lactalis. Around 9,000 farming families across New Zealand are considering their Fonterra voting papers. The proposition is of critical importance to…

Waikato Regional Council can bankrupt NZ · I can hear the noise as I write this headline; you’re barking mad there’s no way that can happen! · But in fact it can and I will set out my reasons for claiming this to be the case, but I need to set out some facts that have a huge bearing on this happening. · How can it happen? · Implement PC1! · Why would it happen? · The economic effects as a result of the implementation of PC1! · Background: ·…

As the sun crosses the sky that was defaced by rockets and paragliders on October 7, it is worth reflecting upon the lessons of the last two disturbing years. They boil down to a single truth: Israel has emerged stronger than it had ever imagined, but the West has been exposed as woefully weak. Indeed, for us it may already be too late. · Call me pessimistic, but they say that you only find out who you are when you’re put to the test. If that…

Last week, David Seymour enthusiastically welcomed the recommendation by Auckland University’s Senate to make the compulsory first-year courses on the Treaty and te ao Māori voluntary after Act had publicly campaigned on the issue. · He described the Senate’s “two to one” vote in favour of voluntary enrolment as a “massive victory for people… to make up their own mind”. · In fact, the “victory” was even more decisive. Seventy-five per cent of…

In 1990, a British Airways pilot was sucked out of a cockpit window mid-flight. · He spent 20 minutes partially dangling out of the plane as the flight crew held his ankles. · Miraculously, the co-pilot plane landed and the pilot survived. · British Airways Flight 5390 took off without a hitch on June 10, 1990. · But just 13 minutes into the flight from Birmingham, England, to Malaga, Spain, disaster struck. · In an instant, a windscreen panel…

New Zealand’s economy “was supposed to be better by now,” says Herald business editor Liam Dann, who admits even economists are baffled. · The Official Cash Rate has dropped 250 basis points, yet “rate cuts seem to have had little impact on the economy so far,” according to Mark Brown of Harbour Asset Management. · Housing markets in Auckland and Wellington aren’t reacting, consumers remain wary, and the Reserve Bank “appears to have been…