Politics Central

Victoria University's Vice-Chancellor has his own concerns over an infamous free speech panel event.

A selection of public figures and academics were set to debate free speech, but backlash within the university led to the event being postponed.

Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says it's a 'travesty' that people are no longer willing to listen and draw their own conclusions.

"That's an issue that I've seen across multiple media - we cr...

There's debate over Victoria University's decision to call off a discussion on free speech.

It comes after outrage within the university, with claims the panellists didn't represent a balance of views.

600 people had registered to attend before the university's Vice-Chancellor postponed the event, saying they were going back to the drawing board.

Students' Association president Marcail Parkinson says some speakers would've made ...

Te Whatu Ora has been criticised for telling public hospitals to bring the organisation back to budget, they need to make target savings of $105 million by July.

It said several districts have gone over budget in the past three months.

However, health unions have warned the constraints will impact medical care.

Former Te Whatu Ora chair Rob Campbell says we should be trying to improve our health system - not just saving costs.

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Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr joined Helen Clark at Parliament this week, to warn New Zealand against joining Pillar 2 of the AUKUS defence pact, saying it is "fragrant, methane-wrapped bullsh*t," and funnily enough former opposition leader Don Brash tends to agree. 

Later, Shane Jones who has recently ben speaking about mining and fishing, this week let go with a broadside against the Waitangi Tribunal, saying they ...

In a widely anticipated move, Iran has launched an aerial attack into Israel.

The Israel Defence Force estimates Iran launched over 200 different kinds of drones, including killer drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

Waikato University Law Professor Al Gillespie says this attack was to be expected, as both sides had been 'goading' each other for the past few months.

"I think the final provocation was the attack on the...

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford makes immediate changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa, by introducing a minimum skills and work experience threshold, as well as introducing an English language requirement for migrants.

Later, marketing professor Bodo Lang talks about about the triggering effects social media has on politics and democracy in this country, and how much political parties are spending on social media advert...

There's growing concerns from experts about the impact social media has on the political landscape.

It's been revealed that social media giant Meta has limited the reach of political content on its platforms- inspiring increased worry about censorship.

Massey University marketing professor Bodo Lang says platforms like Instagram and Facebook specialise in short-form content - and he believes those outlets aren't suited for politi...

The Immigration Minister is confident changes to the Accredited Employer Worker Visa will get the balance of skill right.

Changes include an English language requirement for some roles, and a minimum skills threshold.

Erica Stanford says they're focused on attracting and retaining high-skilled migrants where there are shortages, and prioritising New Zealanders in jobs where there aren't shortages.

She says in 2017, about half of...

The University of Auckland is under fire after a picture of a designated study space for Māori and Pasifika students surfaced online.

The University has since claimed they're obligated to respond to the needs of their diverse student population with facilities, spaces and support.

ACT's Parmjeet Parmar has expressed concern over race becoming a big agenda item for more organizations. 

"The discussion is really important in my vi...

Labour leader & now leader of the opposition Chris Hipkins gave his State of the Nation speech in South Auckland today, he joined the Weekend Collective to discuss.

SailGP Lyttelton kicked off in Lyttelton yesterday but was abandoned after a dolphin was sighted on the course. Today, SailGP CEO Russell Coutts delivered an emotional response- Otago University professor Liz Slooten joined the Weekend Collective to discuss.

LISTE...

A zoologist says Sir Russell Coutts has a simple view of dolphins and boats.

Yesterday's SailGP racing was called off after a Hector's dolphin was spotted on the course.

Sir Russell then said the event is handcuffed by unprecedented layers of bureaucracy and red tape.

He also claimed that dolphins are extremely intelligent and inherently aware of boats around them.

Otago University's professor Liz Slooten says dolphins love to ...

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins has called for a better way to balance our tax system.

Delivering his State of the Nation speech earlier today, Mr Hipkins says now is the time to have the tax debate, despite Labour ruling out both a wealth tax and a capital gains tax last year.

He pledged to spend the next two years releasing discussion documents, to get them best prepared for the next election.

Mr Hipkins says it's something ...

Winston Peters today outlined his plans to turn New Zealand around following his address in Palmerston North.

In his State of the Nation speech this afternoon, the NZ First leader was back in familiar territory, after spending the majority of the first 100-days in Government in ministerial mode.

Peters says he wants Kiwis to understand that the new Government is focused on getting the country lined up properly.

"It'll take some ...

One former Prime Minister has expressed her outrage at TVNZ's proposed structural changes and job cuts.

The broadcaster has put a number of shows on the chopping block, with Midday, Tonight, Fair Go and Sunday to be scrapped.

Helen Clark has labelled the proposed cancellations of these current affairs programs 'disgraceful'.

"So why these? And it does lead one to wonder- are they putting up the Washington monument in the hope th...

Chlöe Swarbrick believes her leadership style will compliment that of co-leader Marama Davidson.

The Auckland Central MP won every single vote from party members to take over from James Shaw, after he resigned earlier this year.

Her only competitor for the role was Dunedin-based activist Alex Foulkes, who is not in Parliament.

Ms Swarbrick says one key difference between them is Ms Davidson's ability to connect with communities ...