A new low from New Zealand’s criminal injustice system On 10 March 2026, the Wellington District Court dismissed all criminal charges that had been laid against a man named Te Wehi Ratana. The charges Ratana was facing were for his role in the vandalism of an exhibit at New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, on 11 December 2023. The charges Ratana was facing included intentional damage, obstructing police, and breach of bail. Ratana’s breach of bail charge evidences that, when he was busy...

Last week Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber, could be heard waxing lyrical to Mike Hosking about the new partnering initiative, ChamberWorks, between his organisation and MSD (WINZ) to get recently unemployed people into jobs. These are people who have not long been on a benefit but have skills, and recent experience and attachment to the workforce. MSD Minister Louise Upston says , "It makes sense for these two key groups to work together because MSD has the largest talent...

Can a superpower bully its way to greatness? This essay – the second of two assessments of Trump’s second term published in Australia’s Quadrant magazine – examines whether America First is delivering American strength or quietly consuming it. The first essay examined how Trump has treated constitutional constraints at home. This one turns to the consequences abroad – where the stakes may be higher still. Trump promised the Iranian people their hour of freedom had arrived. Ten days later,...