Stuff reports:

ACT leader David Seymour is pondering introducing a ban on children having their own smartphones.

The National Party is trying to ban kids from social media, but its coalition partners – including ACT – have indicated they won’t support that move. Instead, Seymour is now suggesting a different ban to solve the issue.

In a somewhat surprising turn for the ACT leader, which Seymour noted during a speech on Wednesday evening, he suggested a ban on children having smartphones.

“Parliament could pass a law defining what constitutes a ‘dumb phone’ suitable for a person under 16. Prohibit the purchase, possession, and supply of smartphones for under-16s,” Seymour suggested, during a speech to youth development charity, the Graeme Dingle Foundation.

He stressed this idea was not ACT Party, or Government, policy. “To be clear, I don’t even know if the Government trying to ban smartphones for under-16s is a good idea,” he said.

Keeping under 16s off social media is a good aspiration. The social media ban is challenging though, as to be effective it would require every adult to use photo ID to register with social media.

The alternative of simply banning smartphones for under 16s is worth considering. However social media can also be accessed on tablets and computers, so they are not a substitute for each other.

A depressing poll from Pew.

This is the sad legacy of Trump. More people in the UK, Australia and Canada have a favourable view of China than the US.

Peggy Burrows is the Principal of Haeata Community Campus. I have covered previously her claiming they received mouldy food from their school lunch provider. An independent report concluded it was actually a school error.

I have also covered the horrendous data for her school, which includes a 38% drop in the school roll, a suspension rate 900% higher than average and a 9% UE pass rate.

The Press has also covered many other issues she has been involved in.

Anyway she has just complained on LinkedIn:

Having held 4 Ministerial appointments prior to 2018 I wondered why the opportunities to serve my community are no longer open to me.

An incredible sense of entitlement. Ministerial appointments are a privilege, not a right.

But she answered her own question by asking AI!!

asked Chatgbt this question:

“Using all available information on the internet can you please find out if the New Zealand government would exclude Dr Peggy Burrows from ministerial appointments after Rigorous Due Diligence Vetting.”

The answer left me feeling stunned!

She asked ChatGPT a question, and she is stunned by the answer! Does she think ChatGPT actually decides on ministerial appointments!

By Lucy Rogers

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/723620/david-seymour-suggests-smartphones-could-be-banned-for-under-16s

David Seymour is seriously mooting to ban smartphones for under 16s. So much for Act being small government libertarians.

I do not have much to say that has not been said elsewhere: in my view, banning smartphones for kids should be up to parents, who can also limit screen time. However, I shall only add that this ban in addition to being state overreach is unenforceable.

The annual report of the Assisted Dying Registrar is here. Some key aspects:

• There were 1,289 applications – a 13% increase
• 486 people, or 38% had an assisted death. These were all people dying within six months, who got to choose a peaceful pain free death on their terms.
• 3% of applicants changed their mind and withdrew their applications. It is good that people can do so, and do so if they are at all unsure.
• 306 people died while going through the process, or 24%. This suggests that either the process needs to be quicker, or that the due to die within six months should be extended to say 12 months so that they have a better chance of getting the death they prefer
• 80% of assisted deaths were aged over 65. 80% were also in palliative care.
• 86% of applications were found to be eligible. This shows that applications are not rubber stamped, but often rejected as ineligible. The system works.
• 17 applications were halted as the applicant had lost competence – again a key protection

A guest post by: Artem Muravev:

I received the following e-mail (names redacted by me) a couple of months ago:

This report summarises a series of serious allegations and concerns raised regarding conduct associated with the University of Auckland Māori Students Association (Ngā Tauira Māori) and activities connected to the “KatchaMāori” event held for first-year tauira.

The matters outlined below involve allegations of physical assault, coercive behaviour, excessive alcohol consumption, intimidation, and unsafe initiation-style activities. Multiple executive members have reportedly indicated their intention to resign, including both co-treasurers, one co-president, and four additional executive members, due to concerns regarding student safety, organisational culture, and governance failures. Further reports state the organisation is likely to disband for good, after being around for 40 odd years and to wrap up shop.

Key Allegations and Concerns

1. Alleged Assaults and Physical Harm

There are allegations that several attendees, including younger and first-year tauira, were subjected to unsafe and harmful treatment during organised activities. Claims include:

• Individuals being physically restrained or held against their will.
• Participants allegedly being tied up near a campfire and to trees.
• Alleged assaults involving beatings and physical intimidation.
• Claims that younger members were held down while alcohol was forcibly administered.
• Reports of objects, including alcohol cans, being thrown at participants, causing distress and possible injury.

One allegation specifically concerns [redacted by DPF], who was reportedly assaulted and restrained during the event.

2. Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Coercion

Numerous accounts describe a culture of excessive drinking associated with the event and broader association activities. Allegations include:

• First-year tauira being pressured or intimidated into consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol.
• Students becoming blackout intoxicated during initiation-style activities.
• Drinking games and coercive group dynamics facilitated by senior members (“tuakana”).
• Intimidating conduct involving yelling, forced participation, and humiliation.

One attendee described being blindfolded and led to another location while intoxicated, hearing screaming from other participants, and later discovering individuals had alcohol thrown over them and cans thrown at their heads while senior members laughed.

3. Initiation-Style and “Gang-Like” Behaviour

Concerns have been raised that aspects of the event resembled hazing or initiation practices rather than culturally safe whakawhanaungatanga activities. Allegations include:

• Senior members abruptly taking control of activities and aggressively directing participants.
• Participants being separated into groups and subjected to intimidating treatment.
• A culture of fear and compliance among younger tauira.
• Behaviour described by witnesses as “gang-like,” involving domination, coercion, and humiliation.
• Reports of activities including members urinating in gumboots and forcing new students to drink it in order for them to be initiated as members.

4. Longstanding Cultural and Governance Concerns

Concerns have also been raised regarding a broader culture within the association over several years. Allegations include:

• Alcohol misuse allegedly being normalised within association events over the past 3–5 years.
• Claims that alcohol consumption occurred within marae and protected cultural spaces.
• A lack of accountability or intervention from leadership structures despite ongoing concerns.
• Questions regarding oversight, duty of care, and governance practices surrounding student wellbeing and safety.

5. Funding and Institutional Oversight Concerns

It has been alleged that funding connected to the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori was used in support of activities where harmful behaviour occurred. These claims raise significant concerns regarding:

• Oversight and monitoring of funded student activities.
• Risk management and student safety procedures.
• Institutional accountability where allegations of harm arise.

At this stage, these allegations remain claims raised by individuals and would require formal investigation and verification. However there have been claims that the Office itself has contacted its counsel and is reporting this case. One member of the association [name redacted by DPF] has associations and links with the Black Power gang “Mangu Kaha” and some threats that he would bring the gang around to do “baby bashing” to toughen people up – which means that they would bash first year students to give them more of an experience into what its like to be a maori student at the University.

DPF: As these are serious allegations I did an OIA to Auckland University in May. Their response is here. There is nothing much in the response because of a huge number of redactions. The redactions were partially based on the following grounds:

s 6(c) to avoid prejudice to the maintenance of the law including the investigation of offences.  

I have no first hand knowledge of any of these allegations. This is why I have redacted names. But the fact the OIA was redacted on the grounds of allowing the investigation of offences suggests to me there is at least some smoke, if not a fire.

Chris Luxon said in Whangarei that “I don’t need to do this job” and ““I choose to do this job because actually I want the potential in this great country of ours to be realised for the benefit of our kids and our grand kids.”

Quite an unremarkable statement. But Stuff decided that they had to manufacture a story so went around asking random people what they thought of Luxon saying he doesn’t need “a” job, and ran a story that was 100% negative on Luxon.

They then deleted the story, but only after the damage was done.

I hope there is a complaint to the Media Council about it.

The Guardian reports:

The Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has been paid £25,000 in compensation by the Metropolitan police and received an apology after his arrest over his gender-critical social media posts.

Linehan, 57, was detained by armed officers at Heathrow airport last September after a 10-hour flight from Arizona.

He was told he was being arrested on suspicion of inciting violence in relation to three posts on X and was held at a nearby police station for 12 hours.

A Met spokesperson said on Thursday: “We recognise the considerable distress caused to Mr Linehan, and have offered our sincere apologies.

“This case prompted a significant change, which means the Met no longer investigates non-crime hate incidents.

So some good came out of this.

This is what he said that got him arrested by armed police:

The third, on 20 April, said: “If a trans-identified male is in a female-only space, he is committing a violent, abusive act. Make a scene, call the cops and, if all else fails, punch him in the balls.”

The UK must have very little actual crime to deal with.

Was sad to see today that Bill Birch has died. I knew him quite well, and he was one of the most competent Ministers of any Government.

His worth ethic was legendary. For the 1998 Budget I was in charge of producing the information sheets (propaganda) for the Government about them. This meant having each iteration signed off by the Finance Minister. They were taking me longer than I expected so I popped in to see him at 10 pm to say I didn’t think I’d get them finished tonight, but could show them to him tomorrow. He asked when I thought I’d finish them, and I said around 1.00 am to 1.30 am. He said that he would still be there, so just come through then.

He was the only Minister I knew that if there was a meeting with him for 11 o’clock, you would have to check if it was am or pm.

His ability to express unhappiness in extremely restrained terms was also legendary. If in a meeting he would press the base of his nose, just below his glasses, and say “This is a bit untidy”. That was enough to send Treasury officials into a total panic, as that statements from Minister Birch was the equivalent of Minister McCully shouting at a room of officials that they were the most incompetent people he had ever known. No one ever wanted to hear Birch say twice that something was untidy.

His approach to meetings with colleagues was also somewhat well known. He would sit there for an hour or so while everyone had their say, and then at the end of the meeting announce that he took the initiative to have his officials prepare some draft minutes, and that he was sure everyone would agree they reflected the consensus. Of course no one would dare to say they didn’t. This is how he was a very effective Finance Minister.

Another story I recall is a bilateral meeting with Treasury officials on a Vote. Each vote has an analyst who is meant to be over every detail. It is their full-time job. The guidance from Treasury though was that they don’t focus on anything under $2 million, as that is departmental loose change. At one meeting Mr Birch said “Wasn’t there $300,000 we put into a reserve two years ago. Did that ever get used? If not, we can claw it back”. The Treasury officials realised with shock that the Minister actually knew their vote in greater detail than they did!

One of my other recollections is the two day caucus meeting in 1999 held at Te Papa. I was in attendance, and the guest motivational speaker was Kevin Roberts of Saatchi and Saatchi. A recent issue that had been in the news was controversy around the Government not funding Plunketline, and its possible closure. Now the reality is that the Government had never funded Plunketline. Plunket just set it up on their own initiative and self-funded it, and then emotionally blackmailed the Government that they would be blamed for its closure.

Ministers were not inclined to back down, as the principle was they shouldn’t be forced into funding something they never agreed to. But Kevin got up and spent several minutes telling caucus what a bunch of morons they were. He said that no institution is more beloved than Plunket, and trying to take them on will cost you 5% in the polls, just to save $1,500,000. He asked if there was anyone in the room who really cares about $1,5 million of extra government spending. Not a single hand was raised, except for Bill Birch. The room erupted in laughter as this was so on brand for him, and he was being truthful.

Bill (I never called him Bill in person – he was one of two Ministers I would never call by their first name) was an incredibly nice unassuming guy. He was devoted to public service, and served the public very well. He will be missed.

My kids were watching You Tube and an advertisement came up urging Māori to enrol on the Māori roll. It linked to this website. Tama Iti tells people the more people who go on the Maori roll, the more seats in Parliament. They do not mention that in fact the number of seats is now fixed for the next six years, so changing rolls before the election will have zero impact on the number of seats. What will count is which roll people are on in 2031.

At the bottom of the page it says that the campaign was made possible by a collective of 120+ Whanau Ora providers. That means it is funded by NGOs that are funded by taxpayers to provide support to Māori.

So we still have no idea who is behind it. So I looked up their .nz registration file. The registrant is Oxidar, a design company. I’m 99% certain they are not the actual registrant, but are a contractor to the registrant. When I was on the DNC Board, it was impermissible to hide your identity behind your design company (but rules may have changed).

So we don’t know who is actually behind this campaign, and if they have links or not to a political party.

Stuff’s headline:

The headline is based on the fact that the TU-Curia poll had Hipkins 0.1% ahead of Luxon as Preferred PM.

This is not statistically significant. In fact a probability analysis shows that there is only a 52% chance Hipkins is ahead, and 48% chance Luxon is ahead.

The Daily Mail reports:

Prince Harry appeared to criticise the High Court judge who ruled against him in his failed case against the Daily Mail.

In an extraordinary 374-word statement the Duke of Sussex referenced Mr Justice Nicklin’s previous work for newspapers just hours after he delivered a landmark judgement in favour of this newspaper.

Released jointly with Baroness Lawrence, Harry’s statement said the ruling felt like there was ‘one rule for newspapers and another for claimants’.

It’s more like there is a burden of proof, and the problem for Harry is he had none. His entire case was basically a theory that if the media had reported stuff about his wife, then they must have got hold of it illegally.

He failed entirely, and now may have to cough up 50 million pounds in costs, which must set a record for doing stupid things to see the wife happy.

News.com.au reports:

Anti-terrorism police have taken charge of the investigation into the killing of veteran British right-wing politician Ann Widdecombe after fresh evidence emerged, the interior minister said Monday. 

The announcement confirmed that police view terrorism as one of the possible motivations for the attack on the 78-year-old former Conservative minister, who was found dead Thursday at her home in southwest England. …

The regional police force initially leading the investigation, Devon and Cornwall Police, said late Saturday that a 28-year-old British man had been arrested in Yorkshire in northern England on suspicion of murder. 

The force said there was “still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident”.

This is very embarrassing. They basically ruled out a terrorism aspect, and then they reversed course. They should have said all along something along the lines of “We can’t rule anything in or out”.

Meanwhile a former Labour and Greens candidate show how caring they are. The BBC reports:

The University of Aberdeen is investigating social media comments by an employee about the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe.

Heather Herbert, who is believed to be a web developer, had posted it was “good news” and that she hoped it was an “extremely painful death”. …

Trans activist Herbert stood for Labour in Aberdeen Donside in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, and for the Greens in a council by-election in Aberdeen in 2022.

Such lovely people.

News.com.au reports:

Global oil prices have soared by 9 per cent after US President Donald Trump declared the US will be “taking over” the Strait of Hormuz

He added that he will reinstate the Iranian blockade and impose 20 per cent charge on cargo ships.

So both Iran and the US are now demanding a massive fee for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Both are forms of piracy. Curses on both of them.

UPDATE: Trump has backed down on his piracy demand, but still what a world we live in.

When news broke that Lindsay Graham had died, many thought it was a mistake, and it was Mitch McConnell. Graham was only 71 years old and was one of the most influential US Senators due to his friendship with President Trump. Remarkable he started off as a harsh critic of Trump, but decided it was better to try and influence him than snub him.

Many Democratic Senators have praised him for his friendship and humour. Not all Senators get on with the other party, but he did.

He was one of the most hawkish members of the Senate. He gave a memorable speech in defence of Justice Kavanagh, which is below.

He was up for re-election this year. His sister Darline, has been appointed to fill the rest of his term. There will be a process to appoint a new candidate for the general election. Their parents died when she was 13, so he became her legal guardian at age 20.

Radio NZ reports:

The government says it will explore joining a defence alliance between Australia and Fiji, that commits both parties to “act to meet common danger”.

The NZ Defence Force has 10,000 regular force and 3,000 reserve force, Fiji has 6,500 regular and 6,200 reserve force, so not vastly different from NZ.

The ADF is around 60,000 regular and 30,000 reserve.

I like the idea of a Pacific Alliance.

In May I blogged a report from a meeting in Wairarapa which quoted former Speaker Trevor Mallard that the parliamentary protest was funded by Russia. I regarded the claim as risible.

Someone with ties to the former Government told me that Trevor wasn’t just hallucinating, but that in fact the then PMs Office had been telling people that they thought the protests were foreign funded. There was zero proof of this, but it seems it was a fervent belief by senior Government figures. There was even some reference to a report from DPMC that backed this up.

So I sent in an OIA to DPMC. After several extensions and transfers, I got the reply. There are many blacked out portions, so I can’t tell if they really did lend any credence to foreign funding, but what they do show is that PM Ardern had a significant interest in this.

A briefing to Ardern on 2 March 2026 says:

So the PM personally asked for info on funding, and DPMC said that they would need Police warrants or production orders to properly investigate. I wonder, if such production orders were then done?

So on 23 March 2022, they stated the protest was domestically crowd funded (which was always my assumption).

On 25 March 2022, DPMC noted:

So they said Police are looking into funding streams,