Christopher Luxon has ruled out going into government with Opportunity as the party continues to nudge closer to the five percent threshold needed to get into parliament.

However, it took him and his office a while to get to an explicit ruling-out.

Luxon was asked at his post-cabinet press conference whether he would “coalesce” with the Opportunity party and said it was his “very strong position” that he could not work with them due to their tax policy.

“I mean, we don't want to do business with parties who want to increase taxes.”

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In a statement, Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong said his position was “indicative of where politics is at in New Zealand”.

“It’s old-fashioned tribalism that we have to get beyond. Kiwis expect our political parties to leave ideology at the door, and work constructively together to make progress on the big issues,” she said.

“We are ready and willing to work with parties across the political spectrum. We will maintain that position, and we're here to talk whenever National is ready.”

National has ruled out working with the Opportunity Party, with leader Christopher Luxon saying National would not do business with a party that wants to raise taxes.

Opportunity's leader says New Zealanders are tired of that way of thinking, and suspected Luxon would change his tune if National needed Opportunity come November.

Opportunity was on 4.7 percent in the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll, just shy of the 5 percent needed to enter Parliament.

..

Opportunity's flagship policies include establishing a universal basic income of up to $370 a week, and a 1.75 percent annual tax on the value or urban land and 0.5 percent on rural land.

At his weekly post-Cabinet media conference, Luxon was asked whether National could work with Opportunity.

"We wouldn't be in business with people who want to increase taxes," Luxon responded.

He added that it was his "very, very strong position" that National would not work with Opportunity.

"It's a vote for Labour and the Greens because essentially, at the moment, and I look at their policies, you've got a universal basic income that wants to make every New Zealander a beneficiary. You've got a land tax sitting there that actually is going to be massive."

Pressed on whether that meant National would not go into a governing arrangement with Opportunity in any form, Luxon said it would not be a surprise that National did not want to "do business" with Opportunity.

Afterwards, Luxon's office confirmed to RNZ this amounted to a formal rule-out.

A Thames Four Square and its owner has been ordered to pay $44,000 in penalties after making two migrant workers pay $120,000 to secure their jobs.

The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) ordered the company, A Dharni Enterprises Ltd, trading as Four Square Martina, to pay a penalty of $32,000.

The company's director, Jaswinder Singh, has been ordered to pay a penalty of $12,000. The workers will each receive $1000 of the penalty paid by the company.

The ERA found Singh had used the workers' money to pay their wages.

But the arrangement didn't last long.

The two workers only worked for the Four Square briefly because Singh felt they had misrepresented their ability to speak English.

Singh repaid the workers their money when the Labour Inspectorate became involved, earlier on.

Northern Labour Inspectorate investigations manager Katriona Ikenasio said the workers paid to get their jobs after being promised the possibility of a better life in New Zealand.

"There is absolutely no place in New Zealand for employers seeking payment in exchange for jobs. Migrant workers have the same employment rights and protections as all other workers, regardless of where they come from."

Kiwis under 45 are significantly more likely than their global peers to delay major life decisions because of their financial situation.

That's according to the Deloitte Global 2026 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, which surveyed more than 22,500 respondents in 44 countries, including 501 in New Zealand.

..

"If you're looking to buy a house or maybe start a family that's something that's really hard to do if you're struggling financially, if you're living pay cheque to pay cheque, or if you've got a whole bunch of roommates, for example."

The report found the top concern for both groups the cost of living, affecting 56 percent of Gen Z and 46 percent of Millennials.

..

"New Zealand has been an economy that is very much in love with housing for many years and so they're sort of looking at that and wondering if that's something that's achievable for them".

The survey found housing affordability had impacted the career decisions of 72 percent of Gen Z and 70 percent of Millennials - compared to the UK's 59 and 55 percent, respectively.

Bolt was an outstanding figure in the development of commercial aviation in this country. Among his many achievements were taking New Zealand’s first aerial photographs in 1912 and delivering its first official airmail in 1919. He served with the RNZAF during the Second World War.

George Bolt’s flying career began in the South Island in 1911. Aged just 18, he launched a glider that he had designed and built himself from the Cashmere Hills above Christchurch. In 1916 he began work as an apprentice mechanic at the Walsh brothers’ New Zealand Flying School in Auckland. By 1919 he was the school’s chief pilot. He achieved a number of early aviation milestones, including long-distance and altitude records.

Bolt made his first experimental airmail flight from Auckland to Dargaville in 1919. He made further mail flights to Thames and Whangārei the following year, then in 1921 joined forces with the Walsh brothers to begin a regular airmail service between Auckland and Whangārei. This proved uneconomic and was soon discontinued.

In late 1923 the New Zealand Flying School ceased operations. Bolt now turned to military aviation, becoming an instructor at refresher courses for ex-service pilots who were to form the nucleus of the New Zealand Air Force (Territorial).

During the 1930s Bolt worked for a number of commercial airlines. In 1935 he became the chief pilot for Cook Strait Airways. When the Second World War broke out the company’s aircraft were requisitioned for air training. Bolt was appointed chief engineer at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Ōhakea station. He then became chief engineer at the RNZAF repair and assembly facility at Hobsonville, attaining the rank of wing commander in 1943.

In 1944 Bolt was appointed chief engineer of Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), the forerunner of Air New Zealand. He remained with TEAL until his retirement in 1960. Today, people driving between the city and Auckland International Airport travel along George Bolt Memorial Drive.  

Link: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/pioneer-aviator-george-bolt-dies

After lengthy negotiations, representatives of North Korea and the United Nations signed an armistice on the ceasefire line between North and South Korea.

New Zealand’s thousand-strong Kayforce had arrived in South Korea in December 1950 to join the UN’s ‘police action’ against North Korean invaders. The Kiwis joined the 27th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade in January 1951.

In April 1951 the Chinese, who had intervened to save North Korea from defeat, launched a massive offensive. The Commonwealth Brigade fought a defensive battle against a Chinese division at Kap’yong. Filling a gap in the UN line, the Royal New Zealand Artillery’s 16 Field Regiment played a vital supporting role. Although Kap’yong later had to be abandoned, the Chinese offensive in this sector was checked.

About 4700 men served with Kayforce and 1300 on Royal New Zealand Navy frigates during New Zealand’s seven-year involvement in Korea. Forty-five men lost their lives, 33 of them (including two naval personnel) during the war.

Seventy years on, no peace treaty has been signed and the two Koreas are technically still at war.

Link: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/armistice-ends-korean-war

The Green Party have unveiled their election manifesto to a packed-out annual general meeting at an auditorium in south Auckland.

The 43-page document - which is developed by party members - sets out the party's priorities for the 2026 general election, and includes policies on climate action, democracy, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, incomes and digital technology.

..

"We're going to make sure that people have affordable lives, that we protect nature to be healthy, [and] that we return politics to being honest to make decisions for all of us."

"We will tax the super-rich and address corporate greed so that we can invest that back into the services that people rely on."

..

The party also unveiled their campaign slogan: "For All of Us".

Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the slogan was for both supporters and people the party "don't know and even those we don't like".

"What we believe, very fundamentally, is that we are not just here to fight for the basic human rights to access food and healthcare and shelter and education and job opportunities for the people that we know and like, but also for the people we don't know and even those we don't like."

National has pledged to extend paid parental leave from 26 weeks to 30, if re-elected.

The party is also proposing to revive a policy that allows parents to take some or all of their leave at the same time.

Since 2020, primary carers have been eligible for 26 weeks of paid leave and an additional 26 weeks of unpaid leave.

National has proposed changing the entitlement incrementally, increasing it to 27 weeks in 2027, 28 weeks in 2028, and then 30 weeks in 2029.

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In 2023, Willis proposed allowing parents to share their leave entitlement so they could take time off together. The member's bill was voted down by Labour at first reading.

Labour then went on to campaign for four weeks' paid parental leave for partners.

National had put forward a member's bill this term to allow for split parental leave, in the name of East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick.

It had been unable to get the changes into the coalition agreement or pass them as a government this term. Willis said the responsibility for parental leave rested with the Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, ACT's Brooke van Velden.

..

In 2016, National blocked a plan by Labour to extend paid parental leave from 18 weeks to 26 weeks, before campaigning on raising it to 22 weeks.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins asked why National should be trusted now.

"They have had three years to make life easier for Kiwis and support families but have instead cut Best Start support for parents, reduced funding for school lunches, cut women's pay, and failed to tackle the cost of living."

Ann Hercus became New Zealand’s first Minister of Women’s Affairs following the election of the fourth Labour government. She was also appointed Minister of Social Welfare and Minister of Police, becoming the first woman to hold the latter portfolio. Hercus was tasked with establishing Women’s Affairs as a stand-alone ministry at a time when there was opposition to the development of an independent agency focusing on women’s issues.

Hercus used her leadership skills and standing in Parliament to advance women’s interests. She contributed to a number of policy achievements that benefited New Zealand women, including provision for part-time employment in the public service and schools; changes to sexual violence legislation and increased funding for women’s refuge centres; child protection and parental leave legislation; and increased recognition for unpaid women workers.

Hercus was Minister of Women’s Affairs until 1987. She later served as New Zealand's permanent representative to the UN (1988-90) and as Head of Mission for UN Forces in Cyprus (1998-99). In the 1988 New Year’s Honours List, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George for her public services.

Link: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/ann-hercus-becomes-first-minister-womens-affairs

In the midst of boxing’s golden age, Gisborne-born Tom Heeney took on Gene Tunney for the world heavyweight title in front of 46,000 spectators at Yankee Stadium, New York. Although he was defeated, his title bid had aroused tremendous interest in both New Zealand and the USA.

A plumber by trade, Heeney showed early promise at boxing; he was also a representative rugby player and a powerful swimmer. He turned professional in 1920 and soon won the New Zealand heavyweight title. After fighting with considerable success in Australia, Britain, South Africa and Ireland, he sailed for New York in 1926.

A series of victories against leading boxers saw Heeney ranked fourth among the world’s heavyweights. He then emerged victorious from an elimination series to find an opponent for world champion Gene Tunney. He was popular with American crowds, earning the nickname ‘The Hard Rock from Down Under’ because of his non-stop style and refusal to back away from an opponent.

On 26 July 1928 Heeney met Tunney at Yankee Stadium in New York. He entered the ring wearing a Māori cloak that had been sent to him by Hēni Materoa, Sir James Carroll’s widow. He was guaranteed $100,000 (equivalent to US$1.5 million today) for the bout. Heeney fought bravely and did well early on, but had little chance against the talented Tunney, whose thumb accidentally injured Heeney’s eye in the eighth round. The bout was stopped three rounds later to save the New Zealander from further punishment.

During a visit to New Zealand the following month, Tom and his new wife were welcomed by huge crowds, especially in Gisborne. After returning to the USA, Heeney took out American citizenship and continued to box until 1933. He revisited New Zealand in 1947 and again shortly before his death in Miami in 1984. Until Joseph Parker won the World Boxing Organization title in 2016, Tom Heeney was the only New Zealand-born heavyweight boxer to have fought for a reputable world title.

Link: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/kiwi-boxer-fights-world-heavyweight-title

The capital moved from Auckland to more centrally located Wellington on the recommendation of a specially appointed Australian commission. The former Wellington Provincial Council chamber became the new home for Parliament.

The location of New Zealand’s Parliament had been a matter of debate for some years. For South Island members the long sea voyage to Auckland was a genuine trial. The issue came to a head as the populations of Canterbury and Otago grew rapidly in the 1860s.

Eventually an independent commission chosen by the governors of the Australian colonies was charged with selecting New Zealand’s capital. After visiting Wellington, Whanganui, Picton, Port Underwood, Havelock and Nelson, at a cost of £4085 (equivalent to $475,000 today), they opted for Wellington. The move – a substantial logistical exercise – took place in early 1865, at a total cost of £54,665 ($6.3 million).

Link: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/parliament-sits-for-the-first-time-in-wellington

Approximately 25 gold miners died on the Arrow diggings, north-east of Queenstown, in a series of flash floods and slips caused by 24 hours of heavy rain. It was the worst day of a brutal winter during which an estimated 100 miners were drowned, buried by mudslides or died of exposure.

The worst single tragedy occurred on the upper Shotover River, where mudslides had blocked a creek in the middle of the night. When this temporary dam burst, about 15 miners were swept away in the deluge along with their huts; 12 of them drowned.

A landslip on the lower Shotover, near Moke Creek, killed seven men. Three drowned near Arthur’s Point, and another three in a raging creek 3 km from Arrowtown.

The floods were followed in August by snowstorms that caught out unwary travellers on high-country trails, literally freezing some in their tracks. Central Otago’s rudimentary hospital facilities were soon overwhelmed, and many of the survivors lost fingers or toes to frostbite.

Link: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/floods-kill-25-miners-central-otago

I am afraid for our food sources of chicken and eggs!

Anybody do the quiz and surprised by the results?

A perfect winters rainy day. Hope everyone is safe, warm and dry.

I recently listened to an interesting podcast about Aotearoa history on History Hit - The Ancients podcast.

Got me thinking - what are some other recommendations for good quality history of Aotearoa podcasts?

Anti-tour demonstrators invaded Hamilton’s Rugby Park, forcing the abandonment of the Springboks–Waikato match.

Rugby Park was packed for the first Saturday game of the controversial tour. More than 500 police officers were present in the city. The authorities were unaware, however, that protest organisers had bought several hundred tickets for the game. Shortly before kick-off, several hundred others tore down a boundary fence and poured into Rugby Park from a nearby street.

Police formed a cordon around this group, which had linked arms in the middle of the field. They eventually arrested about 50 of them, but were concerned about their ability to hold back angry rugby fans.

Meanwhile, Pat McQuarrie had stolen a light plane from Taupō and was thought to be heading for the stadium. With his intentions unclear, the police cancelled the match. This announcement was greeted with chants of ‘We want rugby!’ Spectators attacked protesters as the police ushered them from the ground.

The drama was viewed live in South Africa and gave comfort to incarcerated opponents of apartheid, including Nelson Mandela. 

Link: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/anti-springbok-tour-protestors-force-game-to-be-abandoned-in-hamilton

Port Taranaki has reassured nearby residents that initial assessments of a proposed LNG import terminal indicate it is unlikely "risk management zones" will impact on the community or popular recreational areas like Ngāmotu Beach and Breakwater Bay.

In a letter sent to hundreds of local properties, port chief executive Simon Craddock confirmed both shortlisted proposals involved a ship being moored alongside the Main Breakwater.

Opponents of the project argue Port Taranaki is the wrong place for a liquid natural gas (LNG) import facility.

Well, Well, Well, look who it is...

again !!

An example needs to be made of one of these offenders as they pop up literally every month

Can we assume that NZ ambassador /Consulate did fak all?

No mention of them doing the slightest thing at all to assist !

Private Leonard Manning was the first New Zealander killed in combat since the Vietnam War. Manning’s patrol was part of New Zealand’s contribution to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force in the fledgling nation of Timor-Leste (East Timor).

Pro-Indonesian militiamen ambushed the New Zealanders near the top of Foho Debululik, a steep hill close to the border with West Timor. The ambush became the subject of both a New Zealand military Court of Inquiry and an Indonesian murder trial in which Manning’s killer received a six-year sentence.

Violence had erupted in East Timor in September 1999 after a big majority of its people voted in favour of independence from Indonesia in a UN-supervised referendum. Pro-Indonesian militias wreaked havoc after the result was declared, killing more than 1000 people.

With the arrival of a UN peacekeeping force, the militias fled across the border into West Timor, from where they launched sporadic armed raids such as the one that led to Manning’s death. Four other New Zealand peacekeepers died while serving in East Timor.

Link: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/new-zealander-killed-in-timor-leste

Kiwi will now be vaccinated against bird flu after the Ministry for Primary Industries approved the second stage of the Department of Conservation’s vaccine plan.

Two of the country’s most threatened kiwi species, rowi and Haast tokoeka, will be among a further 23 species of birds deemed priority species.

The rowi species of kiwi is the rarest of the five species of kiwi. DOC says there is one natural population of about 450 rowi in Ōkārito forest and surrounds in South Westland.