New Zealand Housing: A Tale of Two Islands Continues New Zealand’s housing market is increasingly defined by a stark regional divide. Although Auckland and Wellington continue to grapple with price declines, the South Island – and parts of the North Island outside the major cities – are experiencing growth, creating a “tale of two islands,” … Read more
Methamphetamine in Racing: A Growing Crisis and Animal Welfare Concerns A Recent Zealand trainer, Ival Brownlee, has been disqualified for 18 months after his horse, Emily Bay, tested positive for methamphetamine. This case, highlighted by the Racing Integrity Board (RIB), isn’t isolated. It’s part of a disturbing trend of drug contamination in horse racing, raising … Read more
From Cricket Pitches to Prime Time: The Enduring Appeal of ‘Married at First Sight’ John Aiken, the Australian relationship expert and former cricketer, has become a central figure in the global phenomenon that is Married at First Sight (MAFS). What began as a seemingly small social experiment in 2014, with just four couples and six … Read more
New Zealand Tourism Rebounds: A Look at 2025 Trends and Future Growth New Zealand’s tourism sector is experiencing a significant resurgence, with visitor arrivals exceeding 3.5 million in the year ending December 2025. This marks the first time the country has surpassed this milestone since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, signaling a strong recovery … Read more
Nauru Considers a Return to ‘Naoero’: A Nation Reclaiming Its Identity Nauru is embarking on a journey to reclaim its cultural heritage with a proposed constitutional amendment to officially change the country’s name back to ‘Naoero.’ The move, initiated by President David Adeang, reflects a growing global trend of nations seeking to decolonize their identities … Read more
Super Rugby Pacific 2026: Rising Stars and Bold Selections Kick Off the Season The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season has begun with a flurry of exciting team announcements, showcasing both established talent and a wave of promising rookies. The Highlanders’ decision to start Lucas Casey at No. 8 against the Crusaders is a particularly noteworthy … Read more
Government Scrutinizes Reserve Bank’s Covid-19 Response: A Deep Dive The New Zealand government has launched an independent review of the Reserve Bank’s (RBNZ) monetary policy decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced the review on February 11, 2026, sparking immediate debate and accusations of political motivation. What’s Under Review? The review will … Read more
Bitcoin’s Volatility Rocks KiwiSaver, But Is It a Buying Opportunity? Recent market turbulence has seen Koura’s Bitcoin KiwiSaver fund land at the bottom of the latest Morningstar survey, down 9.7 percent over the year and a steeper 22.8 percent in the last quarter. This downturn, fueled by a significant drop in Bitcoin’s price from over … Read more
Trump’s Racist Post and the Future of Political Communication President Trump’s recent social media post depicting the Obamas as apes and the subsequent White House response, has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Beyond the immediate outrage, this incident signals a potentially dangerous trajectory for political communication, raising questions about the normalization of extremist rhetoric and … Read more
The Reserve Bank’s Tightrope Walk: Unemployment and Inflation The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is walking a tightrope, deliberately attempting to slow the economy to curb inflation. This strategy, as RNZ’s Susan Edmunds explains, inevitably leads to a rise in unemployment – a side effect, not the primary goal. The question arises: is this … Read more