Open Mike 13/02/2026
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Think Big 2.0
The Government has responded to a perceived urgency caused by dry years to the country’s power supply by proposing something that is counter intuitive. Instead of rolling out solar it wants to burn imported Liquified Natural Gas. And use enabling legislation to avoid any overview of the proposal.
AI and The Standard (prelude)
Why are the mods grumpy about AI use on The Standard?
Open Mike 12/02/2026
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Open Mike 11/02/2026
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New Electricity Tax Coming
National Party, laser focused on the cost of living, threw away ~$1 billion on ferries, introduced Paywave changes that will increase fees & are now levying a new tax on Kiwi families and businesses
2.8% of New Zealand population outbound in 2 years as division widens
OPINION: I visited Facebook recently and noticed some fake accounts (you know the ones with AI pictures depicting Māori in an unfavourable light, along with NZ flags featured prominently, as if love for a country is about a piece of cloth), and there’s a distinct anti-Indian sentiment being cultivated on the platform
Open Mike 10/02/2026
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Open Mike 09/02/2026
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Despite Denials, US-NZ Minerals Agreement likely to proceed
The NZ government has shrouded US rare minerals discussions in secrecy, refusing to provide information to Kiwis even as the US confirms talks are in progress. The agreement may requires countries to commit to accelerated and extended mining
Fast Track law fails at the first big hurdle
Environmental groups have cheered the draft Panel’s decision refusing to allow Taranaki’s continental shelf from being smashed up to extract rare earth minerals. But how will the Government respond?
Open Mike 08/02/2026
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Are whales people? The Green Party Bill to give whales personhood
Save the whales! (and ourselves)
Open Mike 07/02/2026
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GOOD NEWS: Fast-Track Seabed mining application rejected
TTR were asked to apply for Fast-Track by Chris Bishop after trying and failing for a decade through NZ courts. Yesterday, it looked like they were rejected again
Open Mike 06/02/2026
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Open Mike 05/02/2026
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“Surprise” unemployment high masks more damaging developments
Unemployment hits 5.4% in the December quarter, but that doesn’t include the 140,000 plus Kiwi citizens that have fled in the last 2 years
This National-led Government is the best mis-manager of the economy
When the coalition is treating the economy as a game, are they having fun?
Open Mike 04/02/2026
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Game on: Labour and the Greens speak to media from Waitangi
Chris Hipkins, Marama Davidson, and Chloe Swarbrick speak on unity, working together while being separate partners, and the upcoming election.
Is Shane Jones really to blame?
NZ First is openly allegiant to commercial fishers, mining (fossil fuels) and tobacco companies, but is it really their fault?
Open Mike 03/02/2026
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Shane Jones loves fossil fuels
National has allowed Shane Jones to effectively veto the country signing up to a road map away from the use of fossil fuels supported by much of the world that was consistent with current policy settings.
Open Mike 02/02/2026
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What does Labour do about Winston?
Current polling suggests that we may witness something that has not happened before, a one term National Government. But this may mean Labour making a deal with Winston Peters. What should Labour do?
Open Mike 01/02/2026
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Open Mike 31/01/2026
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Green Shoots, Anyone?
There is no evidence of immediate improvement in our economy, or of this government improving it.
Mr 8%
2026 school lunches are just as bad, but they are also emblematic of Seymour’s spin and facade
Open Mike 30/01/2026
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Who would have thunk that slashing Health IT budgets would result in IT outages
A year after the Government slashed a third of Health IT jobs the Auckland hospital system has suffered a massive IT outage.
Open Mike 29/01/2026
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How the Atlas Network is shaping your life, even if you’ve never heard of it
Australia’s media covers the nefarious rise and links of Atlas Network in Australia and NZ.
Open Mike 28/01/2026
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Open Mike 27/01/2026
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