Cape Barren Island uses greenhouse and traditional foods to keep fridges full

Island Resilience: How Remote Communities Are Rewriting the Future of Food Security The challenges of food security are often framed as global issues, but the reality is acutely felt in remote communities like truwana/Cape Barren Island, off the coast of Tasmania. Facing high costs and logistical hurdles in accessing fresh produce, residents are turning to … Read more

Stop horsing around: What to expect in the Year of the Horse

The Year of the Crimson Horse: Navigating a Period of Intense Change As Lunar Novel Year celebrations begin, 2026 is poised to be a year of significant energy and potential upheaval. Marked as the Year of the Fire Horse – or Crimson Horse – this period, beginning February 17th, is anticipated to be one of … Read more

Housing market’s ‘tale of two islands’

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

Waikato Horse Trainer Banned: Meth Positive Test

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

Love, lies, and prime-time pressure

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

Tourist arrivals top 3.5 million for first time since Covid-19 pandemic

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 president proposes changing country’s name to Naoero

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 team namings: Highlanders and Blues to start promising loosies

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 launches independent review into Reserve Bank’s Covid-19 response

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

Falling Bitcoin pulls KiwiSaver fund to bottom of the table

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