Author: Mike Bain/cvnznews.com

by Mike Bain/cvnznews.com A new report from the Government of Tonga and UNICEF has revealed that thousands of Tongan children are facing not just one hardship, but several at the same time — a pattern UNICEF says is holding back an entire generation. UNICEF Pacific Representative Hamish Young said the findings show the depth of the challenge. “Behind every number in this report is a child whose struggle is not just one challenge, but many,” he said. “These are children experiencing overlapping deprivations every day — in their homes, in their health, and in their access to basic services.” The…

by Mike Bain/cvnznews.com A diplomatic jab from a visiting US official has reignited New Zealand’s long‑settled nuclear debate, despite the Government insisting it has no intention of changing the country’s nuclear‑free stance. Over the weekend, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggested New Zealand was “freeloading” on defence and should consider doing more to support regional security. His comments were not tied to any formal request for nuclear‑powered vessels or a shift in New Zealand’s nuclear policy, but they were enough to spark political tremors at home. Defence Minister Chris Penk quickly dismissed any suggestion that New Zealand’s nuclear‑free law…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The Ebola virus disease outbreak rapidly spreading through the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and into Uganda could become the “deadliest on record” without urgent action, warns aid agency International Rescue Committee (IRC). The outbreak is caused by a rare Bundibugyo version of the virus, which has no approved vaccine or therapeutics, and is already the third largest Ebola outbreak on record. It is currently only behind the 2018-20 Kivu Ebola epidemic in DRC and the 2014-16 West African epidemic. However, experts have said the speed it is spreading and the current circumstances, with global aid…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com A survivor‑advocacy organisation is warning that New Zealand’s new anti‑stalking legislation may unintentionally hinder those working to expose institutional abuse and pursue public‑interest accountability. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests Aotearoa (SNAP Aotearoa) says aspects of the law are drafted so broadly that they could be used against survivors, whistle‑blowers, journalists, and advocacy groups engaged in legitimate scrutiny of powerful institutions. The organisation argues that repeated communication, public criticism, or coordinated advocacy over a two‑year period could be misinterpreted as stalking‑related behaviour. The network notes that survivor‑led accountability efforts often involve sustained communication with churches,…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com New Zealand’s business community has delivered a mixed verdict on Budget 2026, with many acknowledging the Government’s disciplined fiscal approach but warning that the country still lacks a clear plan to lift productivity, investment and long‑term economic growth. Business Canterbury led the response, saying the Budget “largely met expectations” but fell short of providing a compelling roadmap for the future. Chief executive Leeann Watson said the Government had clearly prioritised restraint, but discipline alone would not be enough to shift the economic dial. “Given the signals leading in, we expected a disciplined and relatively conservative package, with…

By Mike Bain, Colin Ambler, Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com Finance Minister Nicola Willis has delivered her final Budget of the term — a document that pours billions into classrooms, hospitals and major transport links, while quietly tightening the screws on banks and high‑value charitable deductions. It is a Budget built to project discipline, signal momentum, and draw sharp political battle lines heading into election season. Willis arrived at the lock‑up with a grin, telling reporters she was “a little early — like the surplus”. Against earlier forecasts, the Government now expects to return to a $2.6 billion surplus by 2028‑29, using her…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com All the kids lost their game because the adults on the sideline chose to behave like bullies. Waikato Junior Rugby League cancelled all it’s Sunday junior fixtures last weekend after what organisers called an “unacceptable increase” in sideline violence and abuse, with incidents centred at Hopuhopu Sports Park in Ngāruawāhia. The board says adults have been fighting in car parks, threatening staff, verbally abusing junior referees and mistreating operations volunteers — behaviour so extreme organisers felt they had no option but to protect tamariki by stopping play. Chairperson Jamie‑Lee Marriot said the decision was not taken lightly…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Stalking becomes a criminal offence from midnight, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced, with offenders facing up to five years’ imprisonment under the new law. Goldsmith said the change sends a clear message: stalking and harassment are serious crimes that cause deep emotional, psychological and economic harm, and they will no longer be tolerated. “This insidious behaviour has to stop,” he said, adding the government was determined victims would face real consequences and be placed at the centre of the justice system. The Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Act creates a new offence defined by a pattern…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The Government is tightening English language rules for migrant workers, with Immigration Minister Erica Stanford confirming that thousands more people will soon need to meet a basic English standard before coming to New Zealand. From 1 June 2026, migrants applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in skill level 3 jobs will need to show they can speak and understand everyday English. Until now, this requirement only applied to lower‑skilled roles at levels 4 and 5. Skill level 3 has become the largest group in the AEWV system, making up around half of all applications. Stanford…

From Helen Sullivan, Tabby Wilson/ BBC News The suspect in a shooting near the White House was killed in an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents on Saturday evening, officials have confirmed. BBC’s US media partner CBS has named the suspect as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old man who was known to the Secret Service and had a documented history of mental health conditions. In a post to Truth Social, Donald Trump thanked the Secret Service for their “swift and professional action” in apprehending the gunman, who he said had a “violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most…

Image: Christ Church Cathedral was built between 1864 and 1904. Photo: Press archives By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Fifteen years after the earthquakes, Christchurch has rebuilt almost everything — new bars, new offices, a new stadium and an entirely new identity. Yet in the centre of the city, its most symbolic building still stands broken: framed by ugly planks of steel, fenced off from the public and trapped in a cycle of political and financial deadlock. Walking through the renewed streets, you feel the city’s pulse: cafés full of conversation, a stadium humming with anticipation, and laneways that have learned to be lively…

EDITORIAL: Mike Bain/cvnznews.com New Zealanders were told for years that AI was something to “keep an eye on,” a future challenge, a slow‑burn disruption. But this week, the warning sirens stopped being theoretical. They became real. The Government has confirmed that just under 10,000 public‑sector jobs are being cut, and the Minister of Finance has made it clear: AI technology must now fill the gap. For decades, Kiwis were assured that automation would mostly threaten factory lines overseas, not office desks in Wellington. White‑collar work — policy analysts, comms teams, finance units, legal advisers — was supposed to be safe.…

OPINION: Ashley Church. For nearly three years now, a moral, cultural and political battle about Israel has been raging across the West. On one side are those who still remember the lessons of history and who recognise the ancient hatred of the Jewish people, even when they see it wearing new clothes. On the other side are those who have chosen to excuse, minimise, rationalise or even celebrate evil, so long as that evil is directed at Israel. In the mainstream media, this anti-Israel side has largely had the upper hand – which is hardly surprising given that much of…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com National MP Simeon Brown says Labour has reached “a new frontier” in avoiding scrutiny over its proposed Future Fund, accusing the party of shifting blame from “market sensitivities” to the Treaty of Waitangi to avoid releasing key details. Brown says Labour has now gone more than 200 days without explaining how its Future Fund would operate, which state‑owned enterprises (SOEs) would be included, or how the policy would be paid for. He argues the party is using the Treaty as a political shield rather than providing basic costings. “In the history of New Zealand politics, there has…

By Chris Harrowell East Auckland’s many welcoming Christian churches offer much more to their local communities than solely providing a place to practice their faith. One example is the work undertaken by the staff at All Saints Anglican Church in Howick. The church in Selwyn Road is led by Reverend Ivica Gregurec, who began serving as its vicar in September last year. One of the key services his church offers to the wider community is its vital foodbank operation, which he describes as one of its “very exciting ministries”. “Everyone speaks about cost-of-living expenses, and I believe a church does not…

By Mike Bain and Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The Government has confirmed plans for one of the largest restructures of the public service in decades, setting an “in‑principle” target to cut nearly 8700 full‑time roles by mid‑2029. The announcement has ignited an immediate political brawl, with Labour and the Public Service Association (PSA) accusing the coalition of gutting frontline services, while ACT and the Taxpayers’ Union argue the cuts don’t go nearly far enough. Finance Minister Nicola Willis unveiled the plan in a pre‑Budget speech to business leaders in Auckland, framing the move as a necessary correction after what she called an…

by Mike Bain/cvnznews.com New Zealand already has its own version of “buffer zones” around abortion facilities — polite little circles on a map where the state decides what kind of speech is acceptable. No one here has yet been prosecuted for praying, but the logic is already baked in. And as Wellington continues to toy with Hate Speech legislation — trying to criminalise “harmful” words without admitting it’s restricting freedom of expression — it’s not hard to see where this road leads. If you want a preview, look to the U.K. Last week, a Northern Ireland judge found 78‑year‑old retired…

New Zealanders have made some cutbacks in the wake of the current fuel crisis, but they….

Auckland’s rental market has entered 2026 with its strongest burst of tenant activity in ……

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com ACT leader David Seymour is claiming credit for what he calls a “major step” toward clearer and more consistent Treaty law, after the Government confirmed it will amend or repeal Treaty‑principles clauses in 19 pieces of legislation. Seymour took to X with a rapid‑fire list of Acts where Treaty references will be removed entirely — including the Education and Training Act, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, the Smokefree Environments Act, and the Crown Pastoral Land Act. He also highlighted a second group of laws, such as the Resource Management Act and Conservation Act, where Treaty clauses…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com After a week of criticism that the Government is “not doing enough” on social support, homelessness, and public services, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced a $1 million investment to upgrade tracks and campgrounds across the Tarawera and Ōkataina region. The funding will reopen the Eastern Ōkataina Walkway — closed since a 2021 rockfall — and support upgrades across more than 22 kilometres of tracks and three campgrounds. Potaka says the work will improve safety, resilience, and visitor experience in one of Rotorua’s most iconic outdoor destinations. “Tarawera and Ōkataina attract thousands of people every year and…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The Government is pressing ahead with new police “move‑on” powers despite warnings from its own agencies that the policy will not reduce crime and risks criminalising homelessness — including children as young as 14. Both Labour and the Green Party say the legislation reflects a political desire for visible toughness rather than a genuine attempt to address the causes of homelessness. Their criticism lands in a week when officials from Justice, Police, Treasury and Housing all cautioned that the policy is unlikely to work and may increase harm. Labour’s housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty says the Government has…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Most Kiwis don’t spend much time thinking about the Korean Peninsula, but right now a group of New Zealand soldiers is over there doing something pretty remarkable — and it’s turning heads among our defence partners. A 33‑strong NZ Army platoon has just wrapped up a major training exercise with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps near Pohang, and for the first time ever, our soldiers were fully embedded inside a Korean landing battalion. In simple terms: Kiwi troops trained shoulder‑to‑shoulder with one of the toughest amphibious forces in the world. The exercise was massive — around…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com If you’ve been out and about lately, you’ve probably felt it — the cafés a bit busier, the queues at the airport a bit longer, and a few more accents floating around the streets. Turns out it’s not just your imagination. New Stats NZ numbers show international visitors are rolling back in, and it’s giving the whole country a decent lift. In March alone, 358,900 visitors touched down in Aotearoa — that’s 15% more than this time last year and edging closer to the pre‑COVID buzz of 2019. And honestly, you can feel the difference. More visitors…

by Mike Bain/cvnznews.com. The Marist Brothers in Aotearoa New Zealand have issued a formal and unreserved apology to survivors of abuse, acknowledging what they called a “profound shame” and a dark chapter in their history. The apology, delivered at a national gathering attended by survivors both in person and online, marks one of the most direct public acknowledgements yet from the Catholic order. Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province, Br Darren Burge fms, opened with a stark admission: “I apologise for these crimes and abuse… It is a source of profound shame that child abuse of any type…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The sudden enthusiasm among some commentators for a Labour–National “Grand Coalition” is being sold as a pragmatic fix for political fragmentation. But beneath the rhetoric of stability lies a far more consequential question: what would such a coalition actually do to the parts of government where the two major parties quietly converge — Māori representation, co‑governance, and the public service? Read More: Who really wants a Grand Coalition between Labour and National? – cvnznews.com Will National rule out Labour? – cvnznews.com Ani O’Brien’s widely shared essay argues that a grand coalition would consolidate power among a narrow…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com A political idea once considered unthinkable — a Labour–National “Grand Coalition” — is suddenly being floated as if it were the natural next step for a mature democracy. Commentators call it “sensible”, “stable”, even “responsible”. But beneath the soothing language lies something far more revealing: a political class rattled by voters who are no longer behaving the way they’re supposed to. READ MORE: Who really wants a Grand Coalition between Labour and National? – cvnznews.com In a widely shared essay, commentator Ani O’Brien argues that the push for a grand coalition is not a sign of political…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The Government has confirmed it will disestablish the Broadcasting Standards Authority, calling the 35‑year‑old regulator unfit for a digital media era. The move follows months of controversy involving online broadcaster The Platform and has been hailed as a political win by ACT — and a personal vindication by Sean Plunket. The Government has announced it will move to disestablish the Broadcasting Standards Authority, declaring the long‑standing regulator “no longer fit for purpose” in a media environment dominated by digital platforms, podcasts, livestreams and on‑demand content. Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith said the BSA was built for…

by Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Another trusted figure in New Zealand’s clergy has been unmasked for historic sexual offending, reinforcing a painful pattern the Church can no longer ignore. Former Anglican priest Jonathan Kirkpatrick, once celebrated as a spiritual leader and community figure, has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for sexually violating an 18‑year‑old in the mid‑1990s. Kirkpatrick’s fall is not new. His name first hit headlines in 2011 when he was jailed for stealing more than $660,000 from Auckland University of Technology. That conviction should have been a flashing warning sign — a reminder that character…

By Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com Australia’s federal royal commission investigating the conditions that led to the Bondi Beach massacre on Dec. 14 began taking testimonies on Monday in Sydney, revealing the unhealed wounds of the local Jewish community to the nation. “Antisemitism was allowed to come into the open,” said Sheina Gutnick, (pictured) whose father, Reuven Morrison, was killed in the Bondi attack, according to AFP. Gutnick referred to the shift in the country following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel’s northwestern Negev. “Now Bondi holds a really, really heavy weight in our community’s heart,” AFP quoted her as telling the members of…

by Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The name of Jesus did ring through Auckland’s CBD on Saturday — not with the roar of a mass movement, but with the steady conviction of believers who showed up despite a short lead‑in, minimal advertising, and a country that feels spiritually cautious. Catalyst Movement had called Christians to gather at Te Komititanga Square for a simple purpose: walk together, lift the name of Jesus, and pray for the city. No hype machine. No political angle. No celebrity pastors. Just faith, unity, and expectation. Turnout was modest. No one counted numbers, and those present acknowledged the crowd…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com ACT’s six‑point immigration package would tighten deportation rules, add a $6‑a‑day surcharge on temporary work visas and impose a five‑year welfare stand‑down for new residents; supporters say it restores fairness, critics call it punitive and risky for vulnerable workers. ACT leader David Seymour unveiled a six‑point plan aimed at “making immigration work for New Zealand,” proposing deportation of resident visa holders convicted of serious offences regardless of how long they have lived here; annual expiry of some Accredited Employer Work Visa categories; a $6 per day infrastructure surcharge on temporary work visas; a five‑year welfare stand‑down for…

EDITORIAL: Mike Bain The story is simple and brutal. God declared Jericho’s plunder devoted to the Lord; it was not for private keeping, not for personal gain, not for hiding beneath a tent. Achan saw, coveted, took, and buried the evidence. His private theft became public catastrophe: Israel stumbled at Ai, the camp suffered, and the hidden sin had to be dragged into the light before the community could be restored. The ancient narrative is not merely about one man’s greed; it is a moral parable about stewardship, secrecy, and communal consequence. When what is set apart for God is…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com President Donald Trump urged other nations in mid‑March 2026 to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, prompting international caution and a sharp domestic response from the Green Party, which has called on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to rule out New Zealand joining any US‑led military coalition. President Trump publicly called on countries that rely on oil transiting the Strait of Hormuz to “take care of that passage” in mid‑March, urging partners to contribute to reopening and securing the waterway after attacks and strikes disrupted shipping. Several international outlets reported the appeal between 14–16 March and noted that…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com A major new report has raised urgent questions about New Zealand’s standing in the Pacific, revealing that while Pasifika communities still overwhelmingly prefer Wellington as their primary partner, the region is no longer operating on automatic loyalty. The Asia New Zealand Foundation’s latest talanoa shows that 83 percent of Pasifika want New Zealand to play a bigger role in the Pacific, a figure that dwarfs support for Australia at 58 percent and confirms New Zealand’s long‑held position as the region’s traditional anchor. But beneath that headline number lies a shifting geopolitical landscape in which Pacific peoples are…

By Mike Bain, Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com. The United Arab Emirates has chosen to depart from OPEC and OPEC+ to prioritize its national interests. This strategic decision impacts the oil-exporting groups amidst the US-Israel conflict with Iran, which has generated a substantial energy shock and destabilized the global economy. Effective Friday, the move demonstrates the UAE’s strategic long-term economic vision and its evolving energy profile, according to a statement released by state media on Tuesday. “During our time in the organisation, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all,” it added. “However, the time has come to focus…

by Mike Bain/Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com. The attempted attack outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner should have forced a rare moment of moral clarity in American politics. Instead, within hours of Secret Service agents rushing to protect the President and evacuate guests from a scene of chaos outside one of Washington’s most secure political events, social media did what it now routinely does: it fractured the moment into ideological reaction, spectacle, and–most disturbingly–celebration and dismissal of political violence in some corners of the online left. This is not about one post or one personality because quite frankly there are too many to…

By Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com Zespri has launched a refreshed global brand platform, Grown for Good, reinforcing its commitment to natural nutrition and creating value across the kiwifruit industry – for consumers, customers, growers and its people. At a time when many people are overfed yet undernourished, Grown for Good sharpens Zespri’s focus on helping close everyday nutrition gaps with great-tasting, nutrient-dense kiwifruit, backed by science and delivered through strong partnerships from orchard to store. Building on the success of Zespri’s previous platform, Make Your Healthy Irresistible, Grown for Good reflects Zespri’s purpose in action – going beyond advertising to champion nutrition in-market, support customers and shoppers…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com President Donald Trump was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents after gunfire erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, prompting a rapid evacuation of the president, Vice President JD Vance, and multiple Cabinet members. Officials later confirmed all senior leaders are safe. The incident unfolded at the Washington Hilton — the same venue where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981 — just moments after the dinner programme began. According to pool reporters, several Secret Service agents shouted “shots fired” as they moved to shield the president and first lady. Authorities say the…

By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com. The National Party has filed a formal complaint with TVNZ alleging inappropriate behaviour by its reporters following a week of intense political coverage. Senior minister Simeon Brown said on Facebook that TVNZ journalists pursued National Party whip Stuart Smith into a parliamentary corridor and repeatedly knocked on his door after he declined to comment further on a statement he made earlier in the week. Brown said the interaction lasted several minutes and that reporters pressed Smith about how he would be portrayed on TVNZ’s Breakfast programme if he did not speak to them. He described the conduct…