Cost of Living Part 1: In the market-forces era, is there any alternative to belt-tightening?In a two-part series, the Listener asks why living in NZ is so expensive. Oct 02 23October 02, 2023Article at The Listener
China in the Pacific: Talofa and Ni HaoThe escalation of both Chinese investment and a potential military presence in the South Pacific has China watchers concerned. In Samoa, there are mixed feelings about both Sino influence and the island nation’s growing indebtedness to the… Jan 15 23January 15, 2023Article at North & South Magazine
The Kirk LegacyNorman Kirk was New Zealand’s 29th prime minister. A big man, his impact on Aotearoa remains significant after only two brief years in office. Fifty years ago this month, Norman Kirk was elected prime minister of New Zealand. Less than two years… Dec 18 22December 18, 2022Article at North & South Magazine
Where Will You Live When You're Old?You are 30, 50, or 60 years old. Life is going to plan. Or is it? The first country in the English-speaking world to offer the old age pension, New Zealand is now facing a crisis: more of us are living out our twilight years without somewhere… Jul 14 22July 14, 2022Article at North & South Magazine
Traumatic Births: “A Club No One Wants to Join”By Lizzie Marvelly Lizzie Marvelly (Ngāti Whakaue) wasn’t afraid of giving birth — she felt well prepared and with realistic expectations about what lay ahead. But her experience in a main centre public hospital left her physically and emotionally… Jun 10 22June 10, 2022Article at North & South Magazine
Appropriate use of force? Shooting of Māori man highlights high rate of NZ police killingsThe night before Easter Sunday, 22-year-old Kaoss Price fell to the ground on a highway near New Plymouth, shot dead by police. Moments earlier, Price had rammed a stationary police car at speed. But what led to that moment, and exactly what happened… May 06 22May 06, 2022Article at The Guardian
Power shifts: New Zealand reconsiders Pacific role as China’s influence growsThe Pacific receives 60% of New Zealand’s foreign aid but experts say Wellington’s engagement in the region has declined in recent years In a ceremony in Fiji on Tuesday, New Zealand’s foreign affairs minister, Nanaia Mahuta, unveiled a 14-foot… Apr 01 22April 01, 2022Article at The Guardian
The High Price of Absolutely EverythingBullying, price gouging and market monopolies — the real reason New Zealand is so expensive. You are standing in line at the supermarket, asking the checkout operator if you can double-check the receipt. You are at home huddled next to the heater,… Jul 12 21July 12, 2021Article at North & South Magazine
Mahia, We Have A Problem Pauline Tangiora lives in a house in the quiet hills behind Mahia, beyond a sign warning off oil and gas companies. The sliding door is plastered with stickers testifying to half a century spent fighting for peace around the world. One reads:… Mar 15 21March 15, 2021Article at North & South Magazine
The spy chief and the payload: The story behind NZ’s first US spy satellite launchIn January a US spy satellite was launched from New Zealand for the first time. Ahead of the launch of another three satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office, Ollie Neas investigates the ever deepening ties between Rocket Lab, NZ authorities… Jun 11 20June 11, 2020Article at The Spinoff
Revealed: New Zealand’s role in the new American war-fighting frontier – spaceThe NZ Defence Force has become an active participant in US military-space war games, together with other Five Eyes partners. As the extent of involvement continues to grow, questions arise around the trade-offs, and the absence of any public debate.… Jan 13 20January 13, 2020Article at The Spinoff
What lies inside Rocket Lab’s secret US military contracts?Rocket Lab is a celebrated New Zealand success story, with a stated mission to open access to space and improve life on Earth. Yet many of its key contracts are with the US military and their suppliers. Ollie Neas reports on the dark side of a local… Nov 19 18November 19, 2018Article at The Spinoff
Up in smoke: Big Tobacco poised to enter the vaping market in New Zealand Three years before his father was diagnosed with lung cancer, Clint Baxter bought him an e-cigarette. The gift was supposed to be a way for his father, a smoker for 40 years, to leave cigarettes behind. But in 2013 at Christchurch Hospital, Baxter… Aug 12 18August 12, 2018Article at Stuff
