NZ’s gas shortage was not caused by the offshore exploration ban – but it was still a flawed policy
Dec 02, 2024 23:37 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy
Historically, gas in New Zealand traded below NZ$10 per gigajoule. When prices hit $50 per gigajoule in August this year, anyone with gas to sell could have made a lot of money. But there clearly wasnt much gas around....
960 million dirty diapers are a big waste problem – what can be done with them
Dec 02, 2024 23:37 pm UTC| Insights & Views Business
The use of disposable diapers (nappies) is growing in African countries. The disposable diaper undoubtedly makes it easier for many parents to work or spend time on other things, including their own and their childs...
Getting Britain to work without blaming ‘scroungers’ – can Starmer change the narrative?
Dec 02, 2024 23:29 pm UTC| Insights & Views
At face value, the governments approach to get Britain working marks a pointed departure from the toxic anti-welfare rhetoric of recent decades. Both Keir Starmer and his work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, have...

A rising tide of e-waste, made worse by AI, threatens our health, the environment and the economy
Dec 02, 2024 23:29 pm UTC| Insights & Views Technology
Our growing reliance on technology at home and in the workplace has raised the profile of e-waste. This consists of discarded electrical devices including laptops, smartphones, televisions, computer servers, washing...

Canadian news media are suing OpenAI for copyright infringement, but will they win?
Dec 02, 2024 23:28 pm UTC| Insights & Views Law
Last week, five of Canadas most prominent news media outlets launched a lawsuit against OpenAI for copyright infringement, demanding what could amount to billions in damages. The suit follows similar cases brought earlier...
Under-16 social media ban supported by 77% as economic sentiment lifts
Dec 02, 2024 23:27 pm UTC| Insights & Views Law
A national YouGov poll, conducted November 1521 from a sample of 1,515, had a 5050 tie, unchanged from the previous YouGov poll in September. Primary votes were 38% Coalition (down one), 30% Labor (steady), 13% Greens...
Privatisation by stealth: changes to education in NZ opening the door to private interests
Dec 02, 2024 23:27 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics
Since taking power last year, the New Zealand government has made rapid changes to the countrys education system including the introduction of structured approaches to literacy and maths and the promotion of charter...