Author: Mike Bain/cvnznews.com

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com On Saturday, New Zealanders will head to the polls to decide who will govern our nation for the next three years. As election day approaches, Christians face an important question: Is voting simply a civic right that we may or may not choose to exercise, or is it also a responsibility before God? Many believers are understandably weary of politics. Campaigns can be divisive, public debate is often heated, and few Christians will agree on every policy or political party. Yet despite these realities, Scripture provides strong reasons for followers of Christ to participate thoughtfully in the democratic…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Conservative NZ is calling for reforms to New Zealand’s Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act, arguing the law should protect people from genuine harm without restricting parents, professionals and faith communities from providing legitimate support. The party says concerns remain about how the legislation is being interpreted, particularly by families worried that ordinary parenting, counselling or healthcare discussions could be misunderstood as unlawful conduct. Under the policy proposal, Conservative NZ says parents should be free to discuss issues relating to biological sex, wellbeing and medical treatment with their children in an age-appropriate and compassionate manner. The party argues parents…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The Michael Laws controversy may ultimately reveal as much about New Zealand’s media culture as it does about Michael Laws himself. The condemnation of Michael Laws’ remarks about female candidates from The Opportunities Party has been widespread. Laws has apologised. Winston Peters has reportedly reprimanded him. By most measures, the political damage has already been done. But amid the outrage, another question deserves scrutiny. Why did comments made publicly on The Platform reportedly remain largely unnoticed for days before suddenly becoming front-page political news? That question has been raised publicly by Sean Plunket, founder of The Platform, who…

Mike Bain /cvnznews.com NZ First candidate and broadcaster Michael Laws has issued an unreserved apology after controversial comments about female candidates from The Opportunities Party (TOP) drew widespread criticism and prompted a rebuke from party leader Winston Peters. The controversy erupted following comments made by Laws during his programme on The Platform, where he described TOP’s female candidates as “stern”, “severe-looking women” and “authoritarian fascists”. He also made personal remarks about their appearance and personalities, suggesting they would be difficult to date. Laws singled out TOP candidate Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, who had appeared with him at a recent debate, before turning…

Sarah McLachlan/cvnznews.com Some parents at Kāpiti College are questioning the school’s decision to appoint three male students as its Heads of Kura for 2027, raising concerns about female representation in student leadership. The lower North Island college announced the appointments at its recent prizegiving ceremony, naming three students who are all members of the school’s First XV rugby team to the senior leadership roles. The appointments were made alongside a broader student leadership team comprising both male and female students. While parents who spoke publicly about the decision stressed they were not criticising the individual students selected, they questioned the…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com National leader Christopher Luxon has categorically ruled out NZ First candidate Michael Laws from ever serving as a minister in a government he leads, after remarks Laws made about female Opportunity Party candidates triggered a wave of condemnation across the political spectrum. The controversy erupted after Laws, speaking on his online programme The Platform, made personal and sexualised comments about Opportunity Party candidate Dr,Kayla Kingdon-Bebb and later criticised party leader Qiulae Wong in terms many observers described as sexist and degrading. His comments included references to appearance, personality and speculative remarks about private relationships that quickly drew public…

Sudesh Kissun/Rural News With less than a week to go before voters choose the next government, Federated Farmers has a simple message to its members – get out and vote. The farmer lobby last week released its ‘Voter Guide’. It covers each of the 25 policies included in Federated Farmers’ list of election priorities in its ‘Backing Kiwi Farmers’ document and political parties’ position on each policy. It covers everything from tax and pest management right through to water storage and local government reform. New Zealand First supports all the policies with National and ACT closely behind. Labour is unclear…

Marta Iraola Iribarren/Euronews Researchers have developed a “mosquito toilet” — a tool to analyse mosquito waste for pathogens — that could be an early warning system for emerging health threats. Mosquitoes are considered the world’s deadliest animals because of the diseases they transmit. Monitoring them could help scientists detect viruses circulating in the environment before they pose a threat to humans. To gain a better understanding of the viruses and bacteria circulating in the environment, Dana Price, an entomologist at Rutgers University in the United States, developed a tool to analyse mosquito waste. The device, which Price calls a “mosquito…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Former Prime Minister Sir John Key has entered the final week of the election campaign with a direct message to Epsom voters: back National’s Paul Goldsmith rather than ACT. In a video released alongside Goldsmith, Key argued that ACT no longer needs the Epsom electorate to secure representation in Parliament, while suggesting Goldsmith’s political future could depend on winning the seat. The intervention marks a significant shift from the long-standing strategy that saw many National supporters in Epsom give their electorate vote to ACT while casting their party vote for National. The arrangement helped ACT maintain a parliamentary…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Cyclone Gabrielle. The Auckland floods. The Kaikōura earthquake. New Zealanders don’t need to imagine what happens when critical infrastructure fails. We’ve seen roads washed away, communities isolated, power cut, communications disrupted, and families left wondering when help will arrive. In Cyclone Gabrielle’s aftermath, entire communities found themselves cut off from the outside world. Mobile networks failed. Internet access disappeared. Fuel, food and essential supplies became harder to access. For many Kiwis, it was a stark reminder of how quickly modern conveniences can vanish. We assume the lights will come on when we flick a switch. We expect our…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The Conservative Party is accusing both major political blocs of failing to protect New Zealand’s environmental heritage, arguing that short-term economic interests are being prioritised over conservation, democracy and the country’s internationally recognised “clean and green” reputation. Conservative Party leader Helen Houghton said New Zealand’s environmental image remains one of its most valuable assets, helping exporters secure premium prices in overseas markets where consumers increasingly value sustainably produced goods. “The key reasons for having an environmental conscience embrace economic, democracy and the public’s environment,” Houghton said. She criticised successive governments for what she described as a lack of…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com A New Zealand music festival’s decision to cancel an Israeli DJ because he has not publicly condemned Israel has prompted fresh questions about freedom of expression and political discrimination. Twisted Frequency, a New Year music festival held in Golden Bay, has dropped Israeli artist Dekel from its line-up after concerns were raised about his past service in the Israeli Defence Force and his performances in Israel. According to statements released by the festival, organisers sought information about the DJ’s political views but found nothing they described as “verified and substantial” regarding his personal beliefs. Despite that, the festival…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com A Christchurch motel owner who paid migrant workers for just 40 hours a week while requiring them to work up to 98 hours has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half months’ home detention, reigniting concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers in New Zealand. The case centres on four migrants employed at 315 Motel Riccarton between 2017 and 2021. Immigration New Zealand investigators found the workers were effectively on duty from 7.30am until 9.30pm, seven days a week, while being denied wages and employment entitlements they were legally owed. Jian Li, owner of the motel and operator of Fei…

 Ian M. Giatti/Christian Post  Billionaire Peter Thiel has warned in private lectures that the Antichrist will “abolish financial freedom” and exploit fears of war to bring “peace at any price,” according to recently published claims. Thiel, who co-founded PayPal and Palantir and was the first outside investor in Facebook, has delivered several invitation-only lectures in recent years on his view of the End Times. He has linked the Antichrist and Armageddon mentioned in the Bible to concerns about emerging technologies and a totalitarian one-world government. An Oct. 20 analysis published by The Verge and written by David Gibson, director of the…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The Conservative Party has entered New Zealand’s increasingly heated energy debate with a policy platform arguing that affordable and reliable electricity, not renewable targets, should be the country’s primary focus. Party leader Helen Houghton says New Zealand’s economic future depends on secure “base-load” electricity generation and warns that solar and wind power alone cannot provide the reliability needed to support economic growth, industry and a growing population. “No nation has achieved sustained economic growth without dependable electricity,” the party argues, pointing to the intermittent nature of wind and solar generation and the challenge of meeting power demand during…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Labour has unveiled a new rent-to-buy housing policy aimed at helping more New Zealanders into their first home, but questions are already being raised about how the scheme will be funded and whether sufficient safeguards exist to prevent long-term dependence on taxpayer support. The policy would introduce a pathway for eligible Kāinga Ora and community housing tenants to move from renting to owning their homes. Labour also plans to expand the First Home Loan scheme by increasing the income eligibility cap to $300,000 while keeping deposit requirements at just five percent. Labour leader Chris Hipkins said many New…

Mike Bain | cvnznews.com When French teenagers are setting fire to schools to protest a lack of investment in education, something has gone badly wrong. And when young people across Paris, Madrid, Brussels, and other European cities are pouring onto the streets demanding action on housing, jobs, and public services, the easy assumption is that they are protesting governments, capitalism, immigration, globalisation, or whatever happens to be the political villain of the day. Historian Niall Ferguson argues something much more confronting. The young Europeans filling the streets may be protesting the wrong people. In a provocative essay titled Why Europe…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com THE HEALTHCARE CRISIS NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT The Conservative Party says New Zealand’s public healthcare system is fundamentally broken and argues that simply increasing funding will not solve the mounting pressures facing hospitals, clinics and patients. Unveiling its health policy, the party said years of bureaucracy, poor incentives and inefficient decision-making have contributed to growing waiting lists and declining patient outcomes. “Our public healthcare system is broken beyond the point that throwing more money at it will improve things,” the party said. The comments enter a debate that has become a major election issue as New Zealanders…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Images emerging from France this week have prompted some commentators to declare that “France has fallen.” That may be premature, but scenes unfolding across the country suggest a nation wrestling with deep economic frustration and a growing crisis of confidence in its political institutions. Large demonstrations against rising living costs have erupted in cities across France, with protesters voicing concerns over inflation, housing affordability, fuel costs and pressure on public services. Alternative media outlet Sprinter Press claims as many as 400,000 people have taken to the streets nationwide, although those figures have not been independently verified. The unrest…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The Conservative Party has accused successive governments of undermining democratic accountability through their use of parliamentary urgency, arguing that both the current coalition government and the previous Labour administration have sidelined public scrutiny. Party leader Helen Houghton said the growing reliance on urgency provisions to pass legislation without full public consultation was contributing to voter distrust and cynicism about politics. “Politicians need to respect democracy instead of abusing it,” Houghton said. Her comments come amid ongoing debate about the use of urgency in Parliament, a mechanism that allows governments to accelerate legislation and, in some cases, bypass the…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com As New Zealand heads towards Election Day, many families are asking a question that goes beyond party politics: can the next generation still build a future here? Recent reporting by ABC News Australia highlighted the struggles facing some Māori and Pacific communities as rising costs, housing pressures and employment uncertainty force families to reconsider their future in New Zealand. For many, the issue is not merely economic. It is deeply personal. Read More: Māori and Pacific communities weigh what it takes to stay before New Zealand election – ABC News Behind every migration statistic is a family weighing…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The Conservative Party New Zealand is calling for an end to large-scale carbon farming, arguing that the practice is damaging rural communities, reducing agricultural production, and creating unintended environmental problems. Party leader Helen Houghton said carbon farming under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) had failed both economically and environmentally. “The government tried to sell 3.9 million carbon credits last month. Nobody bought any,” Houghton said, noting it was the seventh consecutive quarterly auction where all units on offer failed to sell. She argued the policy was also contributing to the loss of productive farmland, particularly sheep and beef…

Editorial: Mike Bain Election campaigns promise a brighter future, a better government and solutions to the nation’s problems. But beneath the slogans lies an ancient temptation: the belief that humanity can build heaven on earth without God. The story of Babel suggests otherwise. I have a confession. I am a political junkie. Election campaigns are my version of Netflix. While normal people pursue hobbies, fulfil meaningful life goals, or spend time outdoors, I find myself consuming policy announcements, leaders’ debates, political commentary and polling data with the enthusiasm of a lab rat repeatedly pressing the reward button. The media know…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The High Court has struck down the Government’s ban on prescribing puberty blockers to new patients under 18, ruling the regulations were unlawful and reopening a fierce debate over law, medicine, and the treatment of gender-distressed youth. The High Court has overturned the Government’s ban on prescribing puberty blockers to new patients under 18, reigniting one of New Zealand’s most contentious health and social policy debates. Justice Dale La Hood ruled that regulations introduced by Health Minister Simeon Brown in late 2025 were unlawful and invalid, finding the Government failed to meet required consultation standards and breached protections…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com New Zealand’s aviation network remains operating normally despite Whakaari/White Island entering a phase of continuous volcanic activity, with airlines confirming no disruption to services even as the volcano emits ash and steam. Earth Sciences New Zealand on Wednesday raised Whakaari’s Volcanic Alert Level from 2 to 3 after scientists confirmed the Bay of Plenty volcano had transitioned from intermittent emissions to a weak but ongoing eruption. The Aviation Colour Code was also lifted from Yellow to Orange, reflecting the increased volcanic activity. However, both Air New Zealand and Jetstar said their flight schedules remain unaffected. Scientists stressed there…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The Conservative Party says New Zealand has been giving away its natural wealth for too long and is promising a dramatic new approach aimed at turning the country’s resource sector into a long-term national investment fund. The party has launched its “Securing Our Future with Natural Resources” policy, arguing that successive governments have failed to ensure New Zealanders receive a fair return from the extraction of oil, gas and other natural resources. Conservative Party leader Helen Houghton said New Zealand should look to Norway’s example, where oil and gas revenues have been transformed into a sovereign wealth fund…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com What began as a controversial photo opportunity has now become a full-blown election issue, with fresh video footage raising new questions about a meeting between Green Party and Te Pāti Māori politicians and members of the Mongrel Mob. When images first emerged showing candidates posing alongside gang members at a Mongrel Mob pad linked to senior gang figure Harry Tam, the gathering was described as a “whānau, health and wellbeing election hui”. Oriini Kaipara defended the visit as being focused on the wellbeing of gang-affiliated whānau and argued that engagement did not amount to endorsement However, newly released…

Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has pleaded not guilty to three charges of inciting racial disharmony, setting the stage for what supporters say could become one of New Zealand’s most significant free speech cases in recent years. Appearing in Manukau District Court on Monday, Tamaki denied all three charges laid under Section 131 of the Human Rights Act. The charges relate to comments and videos published on Facebook in June. Following the hearing, Tamaki declared “Free Speech on Trial” and told supporters he intended to vigorously defend the case. He also highlighted that no special bail conditions had…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour has unveiled a new election policy promising millions more in taxpayer-funded support for sport and community activities, arguing the investment will help reduce screen time and improve children’s wellbeing. The Opposition says too many New Zealand children are spending their childhoods behind screens while rising costs have put sport, hobbies and community activities out of reach for many families. Under the proposal, Labour would invest an additional $3 million a year into Active Me – Kia Tū, a programme that provides grants of up to $300 to help families cover the costs of sports registrations, uniforms and…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Peters Says Some Abortions ‘Shade Into Murder’ as New Conservatives Push Unborn Rights Plan Luxon says the law is settled. His allies and opponents aren’t so sure. Just when most New Zealanders thought the abortion debate had been settled, it has exploded back into the election campaign. At the centre of the storm is Winston Peters, who has reignited one of the country’s most divisive social issues by declaring that some late-term abortions can “shade into a thing called murder.” Meanwhile, the New Conservatives have unveiled a policy that would give legal recognition to unborn children from 28…

Partner Media Outlet-Christian Persecution The underground church in Iran is growing. So is the price of belonging to it. Iran was already one of the hardest places on earth to follow Jesus. In recent months the pressure has sharpened into a stark body count. Texas-based Iran Alive Ministries, which trains house-church leaders and shines the Gospel into Farsi-speaking homes, has released a grim glimpse from its own network: In the past few months alone, Iran’s Islamist government has killed at least 33 Christian ministers and arrested approximately 131 others. Fourteen of those arrested remain in prison, with some sitting on death row.…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Questions are being raised about whether the coalition Government is delivering on election-era expectations as Māori naming initiatives continue across government agencies, transport projects and public signage. For many voters, the 2023 election represented a pushback against what critics described as the rapid “Māorification” of New Zealand’s public institutions. Parties now forming the Government campaigned on restoring a stronger emphasis on English, reviewing co-governance arrangements, and placing greater focus on equal citizenship. Yet nearly three years into the parliamentary term, some New Zealanders are questioning how much has actually changed. The latest flashpoint centres on Auckland’s City Rail…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com If New Zealand voters were hoping the election campaign would finish with a dignified discussion about economic policy and the future of the nation, Thursday delivered something rather different. Christopher Luxon spent part of the day on the West Coast explaining he would work with “whoever” it took to keep National in power. Well, almost whoever. Opportunity remains firmly off the guest list. Moments later, the Prime Minister was spotted wearing a mullet wig at an agricultural festival in Greymouth. Political analysts are still working out whether the mullet represented a coalition strategy, a cry for help, or…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Hate Speech or Free Speech? Tamaki Charges Spark Wider Battle Over Religious Freedom The decision to prosecute Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki under New Zealand’s racial disharmony laws has ignited a fierce debate extending well beyond the controversial preacher himself. Tamaki is due to appear in the Manukau District Court on October 19, facing three charges of inciting racial disharmony under Section 131 of the Human Rights Act. The charges stem from comments made in June, when he accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of persecuting Christians in India and called for New Zealand to be “purged” of…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Wellington ratepayers hoping for relief from rapidly rising water charges have been dealt a blow, with the Commerce Commission confirming it will not intervene to keep water bills down. The decision comes as water provider Tiaki Wai raises charges by an average of 13.3 percent this year, with projections suggesting annual household water bills could exceed $6,000 within the next decade. Commerce Commission chair John Small says affordability is not the regulator’s primary responsibility. “Right or wrong, affordability is not something that is within our mandate,” Small told RNZ. “Our mandate is to make sure that the assets…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com North Shore Crowned NZ’s Cocaine Capital as White Powder Surge Explodes 118% Meanwhile Wellington can’t kick its meth habit, cannabis keeps rolling on, and suddenly drug-testing beneficiaries doesn’t seem quite so controversial. If New Zealand had a cocaine capital, Auckland’s North Shore may have just claimed the title. Fresh workplace testing data reveals cocaine detections have exploded by a staggering 117.7 percent over the past year, with the North Shore emerging as the country’s biggest hotspot. According to the latest figures from workplace testing giant TDDA, cocaine accounted for 11.5 percent of all positive tests on the Shore,…

Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com The leader of the New Zealand Conservatives says damning findings into the Teaching Council’s handling of convicted child sex offender Timothy Fisher should force a fundamental rethink of the regulator’s priorities, warning that protecting children must come before ideology. Helen Houghton has called for an urgent safeguarding review after an independent report by barrister Katherine Anderson KC found there were grounds to strike Fisher off the teaching register as early as 2015. Despite serious warning signs, Fisher continued teaching in a number of schools before later being convicted of sexual offences against children. “The first responsibility of the…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com New Zealand has declined to support a United Nations political declaration on pandemic prevention and preparedness, reigniting a debate that has simmered since the Covid-19 era: who should ultimately make decisions about New Zealand’s health response in a future global emergency? The move was welcomed by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who said his party had secured a key safeguard during coalition negotiations by requiring any future pandemic agreement to undergo a National Interest Test before New Zealand could sign and ratify it. Peters argued that sovereign decision-making must remain in Wellington, not Geneva, where the World…

Mike Bain /cvnznews.com New Zealand’s Cash Future: As Digital Money Advances Overseas, What Could It Mean Here? While much of the attention has focused on Canada, Europe and the United States, the debate over digital money is becoming increasingly relevant in New Zealand. Last week, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand released the results of its “Keeping Cash Local” consultation, revealing strong public concern about shrinking access to cash services, bank branches and ATMs. Around 90 percent of respondents supported a minimum cash access standard, while many reported that accessing cash was becoming more difficult and expensive. The Reserve Bank…

Mike Bain/cvnznews.com The Green Party says its latest economic development plan would help create 284,000 jobs over the next four years, but for many voters the real question is simpler: Will it help me find a better-paying job and make life more affordable? Released this week, the plan focuses heavily on boosting research, innovation, science and infrastructure investment, with the Greens arguing this would create thousands of additional jobs while strengthening New Zealand’s economy. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says the package would lower living costs while creating opportunities for workers, researchers and businesses. According to the party, 220,000 jobs…