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Opinion

Jenny Shipley and Winston Peters in parliament in August 1998, with the coalition on the brink. Photo: The Dominion/AFP/Getty
Opinion

Why 1997 is a good year for Christopher Luxon

In the debate around a possible National coup, a compelling argument can be found in what went down 28 years ago.
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By Toby Manhire | 13th November, 2025
Editor-at-large
An estimated 250,000 New Zealanders have been abused in the care of state or faith-based institutions
Opinion

Lest we forget: One single day to remember New Zealand’s horrific abuse in care

'Most New Zealanders will probably just head to work on November 12, unaware that the day of reflection is even happening.'
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By Jacinda Thompson | 10th November, 2025
Guest writer
NZ First is absolutely taking the piss with members bills.
Opinion

The brilliant performative politics of NZ First’s fake members’ bills

NZ First MPs keep proposing laws they have no intention of passing, and the media falls for it every time.
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By Joel MacManus | 6th November, 2025
Senior writer
The government’s Roads of National Significance programme is now estimated to cost $40-50 billion.
Opinion

We’re spending all our money on roads that suck

At this point, the New Zealand government is basically just a road-building authority with bits tacked on. And not even a very good one.
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By Joel MacManus | 28th October, 2025
Senior writer
Left: Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, discusses city-owned grocery stores in a recent social media post. (Image: The Spinoff / Supplied)
Opinion

Is it time for New Zealand to have publicly owned supermarkets?

The government thinks more foreign chains will solve our supermarket price problem – but it’s the market itself that’s failed.
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By Elliot Crossan | 1st September, 2025
Guest writer
A face of triumph as John Walker wins gold in Montreal, and a face of despair from a man carrying an injured Palestinian child. Image: Joel MacManus
Opinion

The case for New Zealand action against Israel

The 1976 Olympic boycott over our silence on apartheid left a black mark on New Zealand’s reputation. Our inaction on Gaza could leave another.
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By Joel MacManus | 28th August, 2025
Senior writer
I’ve finally found inner peace.
Opinion

The life-changing power of blaming everything on road cones

The government isn’t being misleading about transport spending – it’s pioneering a transformative new mindfulness tool.
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By Joel MacManus | 8th August, 2025
Senior writer
Kieran McAnulty and Chris Bishop talked a big game about bipartisanship.
Opinion

Lessons in bipartisanship from a de facto single-party state

Bipartisanship was the big theme at the national infrastructure conference. So why was there so much focus on Singapore and Hong Kong? 
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By Joel MacManus | 7th August, 2025
Senior writer
David Seymour has red tape in his sights. (Design: Liam Rātana)
Opinion

David Seymour blames karakia for high power bills. Here’s what he gets wrong

Seymour says removing 'roadblocks' like 'ceremonial chanting' will put 'power back with communities'. I wonder which communities he’s talking about?
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By Liam Rātana | 17th July, 2025
Ātea editor
Wellington city councillor and mayoral candidate Ray Chung
Opinion

Windbag: Ray Chung has never been fit for office

Recent revelations of Ray Chung spreading sexual rumours about Tory Whanau shouldn’t be a surprise to those who have followed his lone term on council.
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By Joel MacManus | 14th July, 2025
Senior writer
The bust of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, the monument to William Wakefield, and the statue of Queen Victoria. (Image: Joel MacManus)
Opinion

In defence of Wellington’s colonial monuments

The memorials to controversial figures like William and Edward Wakefield play an important role in understanding the city's complex origins.
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By Joel MacManus | 3rd July, 2025
Senior writer
Housing minister Chris Bishop celebrated plans to demolish the Gordon Wilson flats with this photoshopped image.
Opinion

Windbag: The Gordon Wilson flats saga reaches the funniest possible conclusion

Chris Bishop's plan to pass a new law specifically to demolish one ugly building is a hilariously petty solution to a ridiculous problem. 
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By Joel MacManus | 24th June, 2025
Senior writer
Labour councillor Rebecca Matthews is a prominent advocate for housing density. Image: Joel MacManus
Opinion

Windbag: Is Labour trying to freeze out its strongest Yimby?

Wellington City councillor Rebecca Matthews is one of New Zealand’s most effective advocates for housing reform. But it appears the Labour Party doesn't want her any more. 
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By Joel MacManus | 1st April, 2025
Senior writer
The CubaDupa festival inhabits the Cuba Street precinct (Photo: Ollie Crawford).
Opinion

Windbag: Why is it so hard to pedestrianise upper Cuba Street?

Urbanists who want their city to have more people-friendly streets need to face up to the biggest barrier to their goal: everything takes too damn long. 
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By Joel MacManus | 24th March, 2025
Senior writer
Christopher Luxon scatters rose petals at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat in New Delhi. Photo by AFP via Getty Images
Opinion

How Luxon’s bleakest week as PM gave way to his brightest

From coup conjecture at home to a breakthrough abroad. 
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By Toby Manhire | 19th March, 2025
Editor-at-large
A vision of a bigger Wellington? Image: Joel MacManus
Opinion

Windbag: To be a world-class city, Wellington needs to be bigger

That shouldn’t be a controversial point. And yet, in Wellington, it is.
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By Joel MacManus | 10th March, 2025
Senior writer
Edmund Hillary and Kate Sheppard gaze out the Reserve Bank building windows. Photographer: Mark Coote/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Opinion

Bernard Hickey: After Orr’s shock exit, these are the stakes for the NZ economy 

Could the next Reserve Bank governor unleash a new mortgage war?
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By Bernard Hickey | 6th March, 2025
Contributing podcaster
A mitey battle (image: Anna Rawhiti-Connell)
Opinion

Mite-y rift revealed within the highest ranks of government

A blow for government unity as debate about parental responsibility, the cost of food, child poverty and... breakfast spreads is reignited.
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By Anna Rawhiti-Connell | 4th March, 2025
Senior writer
The creation of Doge in the Beehive Oval Office. Photomontage: Jason Stretch
Opinion

Brian Tamaki, disruptive force and super-genius

The self-appointed apostle says he could be to Christopher Luxon what Elon Musk is to Donald Trump, and his track record speaks for itself.
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By Toby Manhire | 18th February, 2025
Editor-at-large
Brian Tamaki (Image: Tina Tiller)
Opinion

When protest isn’t peaceful, you don’t have to be a church mouse about condemning it

Meekly responding to violence rooted in moral panic isn't the stuff of courageous leadership.
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By Anna Rawhiti-Connell | 18th February, 2025
Senior writer

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