In Brief
The Pike River disaster was meant to transform workplace safety in New Zealand. Fifteen years on, journalist Rebecca Macfie says that consensus is unravelling – and the country is forgetting the lessons that cost 29 men their lives. For a time after the Pike River disaster, it seemed that a new
In Brief
The government is backing down on the most controversial part of its proposed conservation reforms. But New Zealand's conservation estate remains under threat, conservation advocate Bianca Ranson says. Last month, the government's Conservation Amendment Bill passed its first reading, heralding what ministers described as the biggest
Undercurrents
Listen to the latest episode of Public Interest's fortnightly current affairs show, Undercurrents. Since the coalition government took office in 2023, New Zealand has seen the most significant rollback of workers' rights in decades. Fair Pay Agreements have been scrapped, pay equity laws weakened, health and safety
In Brief
New Zealand's richest now hold wealth equivalent to almost a third of the country's annual economic output. What does that tell us about how our economy works? The release of the latest edition of The National Business Review's annual Rich List this week has
In Brief
Max Harris is one of New Zealand's leading progressive thinkers. Now he's running for Parliament – for the Labour Party. Is that a sign Labour is changing? This week Labour released its candidate list for the 2026 election, and among the new names, perhaps one stood out
Undercurrents
Watch the latest episode of Public Interest's fortnightly current affairs show, Undercurrents. Since taking office in 2023, the coalition government has rolled out a sweeping programme of tough-on-crime policies: increasing sentences, expanding police powers, building more prison beds – even tasking police with moving rough sleepers off
In Brief
What began as a story about the government's climate policy has turned into something much bigger: a story about corporate lobbying, access to political power, and now allegations of a cover-up. Political commentator Bryce Edwards believes it could also change how New Zealand thinks about its democracy.
In Brief
The government says Budget 2026 is about fiscal responsibility. Economist Tayla Forward says its fixation on debt and surplus risks deepening New Zealand's economic woes. The government's 2026 Budget has been sold as a lesson in restraint. Branded a "no sugar hits" Budget, Finance
Undercurrents
Watch the latest episode of Public Interest's fortnightly current affairs show, Undercurrents. For a moment in 2019, it felt like something was changing. Around the world, millions took to the streets demanding climate action, including more than 170,000 students in New Zealand. At last, it felt like
In Brief
As rates rise and infrastructure crumbles, Unions Wellington is calling for council services to be brought back in-house — arguing outsourcing has failed both workers and ratepayers. So, can the privatisation of local government be reversed in the capital? Local councils in New Zealand are trapped in an impossible position.
In Brief
The free fees scheme for tertiary students never went far enough, and its demise highlights chronic issues of underfunding for universities and polytechs, says Tertiary Education Union president. The coalition Government’s decision to scrap the fees-free tertiary education scheme has ignited debate about student debt, access to university,
Undercurrents
Watch the latest episode of Public Interest's fortnightly current affairs show, Undercurrents. If you’ve tried to see a doctor lately or spent hours in an overcrowded hospital waiting room, you’ve probably felt it already – something is going wrong with healthcare in New Zealand. Our system is
