Our image of the day today is an image of an image, from ‘Fat’, the latest episode of Alice Snedden’s Bad News.

It shows Alice asking an expert for judgement on her weight as a kid – and if that sounds uncomfortable, that might be part of the point. It’s a confronting topic but as usual Alice leaps in with humour, brutal honesty and a sharp mind. We recommend.

Auckland mayoral front runner Efeso Collins and “queer pirate” challenger Dani Riekwel have earned top billing in Generation Zero’s 2022 local election climate scorecard survey.

The youth-led climate action organisation’s survey results give voters in the Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Ōtautahi regions a sense of how effective local candidates’ policies might be in forging a just, evidence-based zero-carbon future.

Having each received A grades, current Auckland Council member Collins and Pūtiki Bay protestor Dani Riekwel, a self-described “queer pirate” who’s sailed “storms of chaos” before as a climate activist and renter are first in a crowded field of 22 contenders. Wayne Brown, considered the only real centre-right front runner, didn’t fill out the survey, yet scored a C. Most Auckland mayoral candidates that received an F didn’t respond to the survey.

A look at Wellington’s mayoral race sees Tory Whanau first with A-, ahead of Paul Eagle who received a B+. Current mayor Andy Foster earned a B grade.

And among those vying for Christchurch’s mayoral chains, former health board boss David Meates is first (A), followed by coffee company owner Mark Chirnside (B+) and Sam Park (B).

Candidates were asked the same sets of questions, plus regional-specific questions, across five themes – environment, transport, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity and social welfare, and housing and liveable cities. Answers were marked on how closely they matched the organisation’s values, and while all questions were optional, lower or zero marks were given if any questions were skipped.

Unresponsive candidates were marked based on other publicly available information, including their voting history and policy.nz statements.

Voting closes Saturday, October 8. Generation Zero’s scorecards can be found here.

In the latest episode of Alice Snedden’s Bad News, the comedian weighs in on the ongoing stigma faced by fat people living in Aotearoa. Why do so many people still struggle with the word “fat”? Why is being fat still seen as a personal failing? Could it be that BMI is actually bullshit and being fat is a result of environment and genetics, rather than just poor life choices? Joined by minister of health Andrew Little, former endocrinologist Robyn Toomath and academic Ashlea Gillon, Snedden finds some brave new ways to think about our health and wellbeing that don’t involve going on a diet.

Just hours after Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest, New Zealand’s republican campaigners have reignited the debate on the future of the monarchy.

In a statement, the chair of New Zealand Republic, Lewis Holden, said now was the time to reflect on whether or not New Zealand should remain under the rule of King Charles III.

“The recent change of monarch has sparked some much-needed debate on whether sharing a head of state with Britain is right for our future,” said Holden. “Younger New Zealanders are struggling to relate to a British head of state or see sense in a sovereign who embodies and represents us from other side of the world.”

Attitudes toward the royals have “changed markedly” in the time since the Queen ascended to the throne, said Holden. “For every New Zealander who feels a connection with the monarchy, there are plenty of others who believe it symbolises a bygone era, or even a colonial past best consigned to the history books.”

Now was the time to join the debate, Holden added, signalling that Australia was already taking “their first steps” toward change.  “Our politicians might not want to have the conversation now, but the people of New Zealand clearly do.”

Splore, the annual music festival held at Tāpapakānga Regional Park, has announced its 2023 line-up with Santigold and Kae Tempest at the top of the bill. Local acts Kora, Ladi 6, Rubi Du, Anthonie Tonnon and Rei round out the line-up.

Held in the heat of summer across the weekend of February 24-26, the beach-side festival offers free camping options with each ticket, as well as six stages of entertainment. It will be Santigold’s first performance in Aotearoa since Rhythm & Vines 2009, while UK rapper-poet Kae Tempest was last here at Splore 2020.

It’s a big week for festival fans with the line-up due tomorrow for the St Jerome’s Laneway music festival, held in Auckland’s Albert Park and delayed for the past two years due to Covid. Northern Bass, Bay Dreams and Rhythm & Vines have all announced their line-ups for December and January.

Next year’s Splore will mark the first in two years due to Covid-related cancellations.

“You wonder if you’ve muted the sound by accident”

The private burial of Queen Elizabeth II has just taken place at King George VI Memorial Chapel in Windsor. The last of the ceremonial broadcast here wrapped up at 4.10am on 1News and the final public coverage of the committal ceremony captured by the BBC as the Queen’s casket was lowered into the vault. Unlike Alex Casey and Tara Ward who did live updates on The Spinoff until 1.10am, I went to bed after the funeral service ended. It was, as the Queen specified, a short, solemn and dignified event. The Irish Times described the BBC’s coverage as so hushed, “you wonder if you’ve muted the sound by accident”. For all that we might roll our eyes at the pomp of the BBC, they did not err once. They did not ramble on and the camera never lingered on anyone for too long.

Moments of levity and inevitable online reaction

I only suffered one mild anxiety attack during a proceeding that was exactly as military and precise as you’d expect. A bishop or vicar dropped a note card – the BBC camera op just zoomed in so it was no longer in view. To post online about any and all of the lighter details is human and the Guardian has a wrap of those moments. The whole thing was a reminder that among the chaos of the last few years, this high ceremony is something the British do very well. Charlotte Higgins doesn’t mince words this morning, writing “It feels that the more wretched, bitter and badly governed the country becomes, the more splendid and gilded the royal ceremonies, and the more outrageous the national self-delusion.”

Read more on the Queen’s funeral here – and subscribe to The Bulletin below

The prime minister has headed straight to New York after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II overnight.

Jacinda Ardern had been expected to travel to the Big Apple over the weekend on the first direct Air New Zealand flight from Auckland. A number of other personalities, and the PM’s press pack, were onboard that flight. However, following the Queen’s death, Ardern’s schedule was quickly reworked.

In New York for the UN General Assembly, Ardern’s time on the ground is likely to be less busy than in previous years. According to RNZ’s Craig McCulloch, the prime minister will almost certainly meet face-to-face with new UK leader Liz Truss. She will also, tomorrow, co-host a Christchurch Call summit with French president Emmanuel Macron.

It’s likely Ardern will have the chance to meet with leaders, many of whom have also made the trip across from London today. However, don’t expect the PM to pop-up on the Stephen Colbert show – there’s been no announced media appearances.

As if Ardern’s schedule couldn’t get any busier, she’ll head straight from New York back to New Zealand over the weekend, arriving on the morning of our memorial service for the Queen at which she will speak.