Laura Walters, political editor
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No Phrases for This by Ali Mau
I admired Ali earlier than studying her memoir. She’s a improbable journalist and mentor, who places time, care and compassion into telling individuals’s tales. However since studying No Phrases for This, I’ve seen Ali, her journalism, activism and tireless battle for survivors in a complete new mild. Bringing private experiences – the perception and drive they provide – into our work is a energy.
Tune
Underdog by Alicia Keys
The track wasn’t launched in 2025, in reality it’s 5 years outdated. However I couldn’t assist give it some thought within the context of the wave of strike motion and protests led by frontline, working-class Kiwis this yr.
This seems like an anthem for individuals who marched within the streets to oppose pay fairness overhauls, who fought for higher pay and dealing situations for themselves, and higher situations for these they look after.
Podcast
Cross Get together Strains
The brand new politics podcast on the scene, hosted by individuals who’ve truly walked the stroll. Former Labour chief, Auckland mayor and UK Excessive Commissioner Phil Goff groups up with former Nationwide Get together senior minister and King’s Counsel Chris Finlayson to speak about present political points. The podcast advantages from the unapologetic MO of each males: their willingness to talk their minds; saying what they assume and never what they assume they need to say.
Quote
“Seems you may have all of it. As long as you’re ready to be a c…t to the ladies who start your youngsters, college your offspring and wipe the arse of your aged dad and mom whilst you stand on their shoulders to earn your six-figure, taxpayer-funded pay packet.” – Andrea Vance, nationwide affairs editor for The Submit and Sunday Star-Instances.
Sunday Star-Instances column responding to the Authorities’s pay fairness overhaul.
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That point when – in response to Vance’s column – Office Relations and Security Minister Brooke van Velden used the c-word within the Home.
In case you missed it, right here is an excerpt from the Hansard:
I don’t agree with the clearly gendered and patronising language that Andrea Vance used to scale back senior Cupboard Ministers to “girlbosses”, “hype-squads”, references to “lady math”, and “c[unts]”.
Marc Daalder, senior political reporter
E book
Right here Comes The Solar by Invoice McKibben
A breezy learn by the long-time local weather activist, however positively one to select up if you’re feeling down in regards to the future. McKibben has packed this guide with so many attention-grabbing details and figures, nevertheless it by no means seems like a slog.
Tune
Mosquitoes by The Beths
It’s a local weather track – kinda! Observe #2 on The Beths’ new album mulls on the aftermath of the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods, not for individuals and houses however for the pure surroundings we treasure a lot.
Podcast
Juggernaut 2 from The Spinoff
Toby Manhire continues his political epic, this time placing the fourth Nationwide authorities beneath his microscope. As with season one, this sequence surfaces a lot fascinating element, particularly for these of us who weren’t round on the time.
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“If we discover six of 68 Authorities MPs with a backbone, we are able to stand on the correct facet of historical past.” – Chlöe Swarbrick
By itself, a bit anodyne in comparison with among the rhetoric we hear in politics. However apparently the implicit accusation of spinelessness was sufficient for Speaker Gerry Brownlee to kick Swarbrick out of the home for a full week – though he needed to invent some novel rulings to take action. Brownlee stated on the time the transfer would assist to repair broader cultural issues with civility past simply Parliament as nicely. Fortunately, he succeeded.
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Once we all thought Trump was useless
Over America’s Labor Day weekend on the finish of August, Trump appeared to have vanished, with no public appearances scheduled. As Trump is the oldest particular person ever to be elected to the presidency, rumours (and lots of humorous memes) swirled on-line positing that he was in reality useless.
Fox Meyer, political reporter
E book
Careless Individuals by Sarah Wynn-Williams
Fb’s former director of public coverage’s exposé on the scary – and oftentimes kinda simply pathetic – interior workings of the social media behemoth.
Tune
Fuck Tha Police by N.W.A
In a yr dominated by a serious police scandal, the controversy round Inexperienced MP Tamatha Paul enjoying this track at a DJ set felt all of the extra poignant.
Podcast
Kelly Tarlton’s Ultimate Treasure Hunt from RNZ
A six-part sequence made this yr follows the maps of New Zealand’s biggest treasure hunter, scouring hundreds of shipwrecks off the nation’s coasts.
Quote
“You can change the color of the indicators on that street, and you’ll spend greater than this whole nation spends on fundamental science. That’s batshit. It’s simply utterly insane.”
Prime Minister’s Science Prize winner Sam Mehr on New Zealand’s financial priorities.
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Zohran Mamdani wins New York
It’s not New Zealand politics, however I do know loads of individuals right here have been following the New York Metropolis mayoral race with curiosity. What comes out of the celebrity-fuelled American politosphere does generally have a method of constructing it to our shores, so maybe this could function a preview.
