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Comment & Analysis
Comment & Analysis headlines with summaries.
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The Sampler: What to listen to this week
22 Dec 2024Plus local jazz musician Joe Kaptein presents one of the year's most cheerful albums.
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Why a government gas exploration proposal may be unlawful
17 Dec 2024Analysis - After reversing the ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration permits, New Zealand's coalition government is now considering whether to share the risks of exploration with the fossil fuel…
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Trump inauguration nears four years after supporters stormed Capitol
7 Jan 2025Analysis - Late on a day of chaos and blood on 6 January 2021, it was unimaginable that Donald Trump - who summoned a mob to Washington and told the crowd to "fight like hell" - would get anywhere… Audio
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What the Wellington Phoenix must do to rise again
6 Jan 2025Analysis - Once again, the best laid plans of the Phoenix went awry, writes Mathew Nash.
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Could New Orleans attack be start of ISIS comeback?
4 Jan 2025Analysis - A US Army veteran who flew a black Islamic State flag on a truck that he rammed into New Year's revellers shows how the extremist group still retains the ability to inspire violence.
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After a punishing year, the royals hope for a brighter 2025
29 Dec 2024Analysis - Few of the Windsor clan would have anticipated the challenges they'd have to face in the infancy of King Charles III's reign.
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The Sampler's favourite singles of 2024
21 Dec 2024Tony Stamp looks back at some of his favourite singles of 2024, including te reo Māori hip-hop, Aussie punk rock, and quite a lot of Americana.
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Why China's Xi is turning against his own loyalists
17 Dec 2024Analysis - China's leader purged one of his closest proteges in the military last month. Experts say it raises questions over his ability to end systematic corruption.
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Moves to prevent misappropriation of Māori and indigenous design
13 Dec 2024Analysis - It has long been a problem but two new treaties address some interests of Indigenous peoples, Jessica C Lai writes.
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Xmas footy calamity demonstrates alarming trend for Auckland, Wellington
27 Dec 2024Analysis - The 'A' in 'A-league' currently stands for 'abject' with regards to the most recent performances from New Zealand's two professional clubs, Mathew Nash writes.
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'Welcome to the Elon Musk presidency' - How X is shaping America's government
22 Dec 2024Analysis: As Congress prepared to vote on a budget bill to fund government services and avoid a shutdown, Elon Musk posted scores of tweets calling for the bill to be killed.
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What France's landmark mass rape trial shows about its society
20 Dec 2024Analysis: Many have called the response a socio-cultural earthquake.
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Sport funding risks a return to 'win at all costs' model
19 Dec 2024Analysis - High Performance Sport New Zealand's new funding model will put athletes under even more pressure, Holly Thorpe writes.
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Why Vanuatu should brace for even more aftershocks
19 Dec 2024Based on previous experience, here's what we might see next.
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Getting people out of cars is possible
20 Dec 2024Despite efforts by governments, councils and individuals, sustained increases in the use of alternative modes of transport remain elusive.
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The Sampler: What to listen to this week
15 Dec 2024Lontalius' fusion of indie rock and RnB is confident and comforting on his fifth album and Tali returns with a new EP celebrating female solidarity.
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From ‘ghost guns’ to gangs, 5 lessons from Canada for NZ firearms reform
13 Dec 2024Analysis - Canada and New Zealand share an important approach to gun control: both countries view firearms as a privilege, not a right.
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Saudi Arabia World Cup win sends shockwaves through football
12 Dec 2024Analysis: However, protests over human rights will fall on deaf ears, David Mark writes.
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India is the new China – NZ needs to see the bigger picture in trade negotiations
10 Dec 2024India is where China was economically 15 years ago. With new talk of trade negotiations, a clear view of India's present and future power will be vital.
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Contrasting visions of national identity face off over Treaty principles
Analysis - And the implications for social cohesion and the quality of democratic debate are serious, Olli Hellmann writes.
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Superpower rivalry is making Pacific aid a bargaining chip
The A$140 million aid agreement between Australia and Nauru is a prime example of the geopolitical tightrope vulnerable Pacific nations are walking in the 21st century, Sione Tekiteki writes.
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France has a new PM, but Macron has the same old problems
15 Dec 2024Analysis - After the toppling of France's government, the next will also have minority support, and be vulnerable to attack from far-right and left-wing opponents.
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Syrian rebel leader's victory speech holds message for Iran - and Trump, Israel
Analysis: Abu Mohammad al-Jolani's mosque speech was about arrival and survival. It's his actions, though, that will secure the latter.
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Hugh Grant's sinister turn can't save misfiring horror flick
8 Dec 2024Review: Heretic stars the debonaire Hugh Grant as the sinister Mr Reed terrorising two Mormon missionaries.
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