When MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp passed away, Aotearoa mourned a rising leader in kaupapa Māori politics. But Prime Minister Luxon’s decision not to attend her tangi raised eyebrows across the motu. In this compelling commentary, we explore what it means when a leader fails to show up and why presence, not platitudes, is what true leadership demands.

New Zealand has officially removed wellbeing from its public finance law.
In a move framed as “fiscal clarity,” the Government has discarded frameworks that considered mental health, child poverty, and social cohesion in Budget decisions. Critics say we’ve lost more than a policy - we’ve lost the point of it all.

New Zealand has officially removed wellbeing from its public finance law.
In a move framed as “fiscal clarity,” the Government has discarded frameworks that considered mental health, child poverty, and social cohesion in Budget decisions. Critics say we’ve lost more than a policy - we’ve lost the point of it all.

When Hobson’s Pledge calls National MP Erica Stanford "woke" for including basic Treaty obligations in an education bill, it's not just laughable, it’s terrifying. This satirical blog unpacks the far-right nostalgia, racial paranoia and global echo chamber fuelling the attack. If this is what “one law for all” looks like, it’s time to rewrite the rules.

Welcome to New Zealand - Land of Ethical Investment or Quiet Privilege?

Our “Active Investor Plus” visa claims to welcome values-aligned capital. But what it really offers is a pathway to nationhood for the wealthy, without the service, contribution, or scrutiny we demand from everyone else. A scathing look at the golden visa scheme that tells billionaires: bring your money, get the view, no questions asked.

Christopher Luxon says his faith is personal, not political. Yet his government’s policies tell a different story, one of budget cuts, social neglect, and rising hardship. In this sharp and confronting piece, we ask: what would Jesus actually do and why does this government do the opposite?

What if a New Zealand Prime Minister actually governed according to the teachings of Jesus? This powerful reflection explores a visionary shift in leadership - one that replaces austerity with abundance and spin with sincerity. A heartfelt, godless endorsement of policies rooted in justice and compassion.

What starts as a simple pizza night quickly unravels into a sharp satire of New Zealand’s energy policy, as one man’s hunt for a gas bottle leads him to a startling conclusion - Shane Jones may be the country’s last viable gas field. A must-read for anyone who’s tired of empty bottles and even emptier rhetoric.

In a surprising pivot toward environmental integrity, the New Zealand Government has announced full membership in the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), extending its offshore exploration ban and committing to ending new onshore permits. With investment in clean energy, binding decommissioning laws, and strong international positioning, this marks a bold step toward a more sustainable and sovereign Aotearoa.

New Zealand has exited the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), repealed its offshore exploration ban, and exposed itself to legal, financial, and environmental risks. This blog unpacks the motivations behind the move, the international backlash, and the long-term consequences for our climate reputation and economy.

In a street theatre of hate and hypocrisy, Brian Tamaki’s firebrand fundamentalism met David Seymour’s cold, spreadsheet morality. Both claim to fight for freedom, but their visions exclude the vulnerable, marginalised and different. This satirical essay, featuring a divine letter from God Himself, examines how these two men, far from being opponents, are co-authors in a national narrative of division.

A 29-year-old electrician, once the go-to guy in his firm, is suddenly made redundant. His story isn’t unique, it’s the silent toll being paid by SME owners and workers across Aotearoa every day. This heartfelt article explores the emotional cost of tough business decisions and calls for a more human approach to SME support in New Zealand.

In a major policy reversal, the New Zealand Government has embraced ecological stewardship and indigenous co-governance with the passing of the Kaitiaki First Fisheries Reform Act. With annual data-driven catch limits, protected rāhui zones, and cameras on boats reframed as tools of accountability, the reform puts marine health and intergenerational responsibility at the forefront of fisheries management. It's a bold new era where science and mātauranga Māori work together to restore the balance of Tangaroa’s domain.

In a move equal parts baffling and bold, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has declared ecological science largely unnecessary when managing Aotearoa’s marine environment. As he loosens protections on marine reserves and dismisses expert advice, critics warn that our ocean's health — and our future — is being sacrificed at the altar of ideology. This satirical article dives deep into the absurdity.

In a silent reversal, the New Zealand Government has shelved the Bilingual Road Sign Programme, despite prior investment and public support. Framed as a cost-saving move, the decision sends a louder message: te reo Māori belongs in the background. This article explores the political dodge, public reaction, and cultural cost of choosing silence over inclusion.

In a bold and inclusive move, the New Zealand Government surprised many in 2025 by fully committing to the rollout of bilingual road signs. Rather than retreating in the face of criticism, Ministers leaned into the initiative — transforming te reo Māori visibility on roads from symbolism into everyday normality. With widespread support and a boost to cultural pride, the initiative showed that when we embrace our shared story, we move forward - together.

The Government’s decision to slash $80 million from EECA risks driving up power bills, worsening emissions, and leaving Kiwi homes and businesses out in the cold. But what if they had done the opposite? This article explores the opportunity lost—and the smarter path we could still pursue to make New Zealand a global leader in clean energy and energy efficiency.

Imagine if Oranga Tamariki didn’t slash services, but strengthened them. Imagine a year where kindness was policy, not a punchline. In 2024, that’s exactly what happened. Hui replaced hubris, partnerships replaced cuts, and real change happened where it matters most — in the lives of our tamariki.
Yes, it’s fiction. But it didn’t have to be.
A hopeful satire for anyone who still believes governance can be guided by humanity.

Oranga Tamariki's recent cuts to community care contracts have left vulnerable children exposed and frontline providers reeling. The Auditor-General calls it an “unacceptable situation.” We call it what it is: a system in collapse, wrapped in spin. Read the full breakdown and hear directly from those affected — including a brave 17-year-old who now sleeps rough.
This isn't fiscal discipline. It's social harm dressed as reform.

On 1 July, New Zealand’s ECE sector enters a new era – not of progress, but of precarity. Associate Minister David Seymour’s latest policy move removes baseline pay protections for new teachers under the pay parity scheme, allowing centres to offer wages at their discretion.

This darkly satirical article dissects the policy’s implications for educators, children, and parents alike – with commentary, fictional press releases, and voices from the frontline.