Police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate John Joseph Paparoa, who is wanted in relation to dishonesty, assault and firearm-related offending.
The 52-year-old is believed to be actively avoiding arrest, but Police are also concerned for his welfare.
Anyone who sees Paparoa, or knows where he may be hiding, is asked to contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update report”, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number 250131/8937.
Information can be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers, by calling 0800 555 111.
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office will heap yet more pressure on the beleaguered government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest over allegations he passed government documents to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein comes directly on the heels of the resignation of Peter Mandelson, Starmer’s ambassador to the United States, due to his own alleged associations with Epstein.
The fallout from the scandal is hugely damaging to public trust in both the political establishment and institutions in the United Kingdom, including the royal family.
Trust in the royals already declining
It’s hard to separate the fate and popularity of the royal family from the institutions of British governance because they’re very much part of it.
The monarchy, specifically the Crown, is part of the British constitution. The monarch gives assent to all legislation that’s passed by parliament (in other words, he or she has to sign it for it to pass). While that might seem like a rubber-stamping exercise and that the monarch is a mere symbol in British politics, King Charles and, in slightly different ways, Queen Elizabeth II certainly have had their political preferences.
And despite the impression you get during royal occasions like weddings, funerals and coronations, the royals don’t enjoy unanimous support in Britain. In fact, public support has been declining in recent years, especially among the young.
In an Ipsos survey released this week, just 47% of Britons said they had a favourable opinion of the royal family on the whole (a seven-point decline from November). And just 28% of Britons believe the royal family has handled the allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor well, compared to 37% in November.
Importantly, there’s been a long-term trend of steady decline in support for the monarchy since 1983, when the British Social Attitudes survey first asked about this.
More broadly, and in common with many other liberal democracies, there is a pervasive sense the Epstein scandal is more evidence of the existence of a self-serving, corrupt elite making good for itself and harming others, while many people in the “left behind” and “squeezed middle” of society are struggling.
Politically, this perception adds further fuel to the notion that the inequality between the rulers and the ruled has become unjustifiable. Something has to change.
Pressure mounting on Labour
Starmer’s Labour government was already deeply unpopular before Mandelson’s alleged ties to Epstein were revealed. Now, it has entered some sort of permanent crisis mode.
Mandelson was one of the key figures behind the so-called “New Labour” project associated with the leadership of Prime Minister Tony Blair from 1997–2007.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, talks with Britain’s ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, at the ambassador’s residence in Washington in February 2025.Carl Court/Pool Getty Images/AP
New Labour has a dual legacy in British politics. On one level, it was the most electorally successful Labour government ever. But that electoral success seemed to come at the expense of a clearly defined sense of what a Labour Party stood for. Key players like Mandelson courted wealthy backers and moved Labour to the centre of British politics to, not unreasonably, win elections.
As such, many Labour supporters started to drift away from the party and towards other, at times diametrically opposed, political parties. In Scotland, this benefited the pro-independence parties. In England, it benefitted the radical-right Reform UK.
Reform has precious little governing experience, but that is its appeal. Its radical messages are finding traction with a large number of voters, many of whom formerly supported Conservative or Labour.
So in this context, when Mandelson, an already divisive figure, was named ambassador to the US in the belief he could help manage President Donald Trump, Starmer’s political gamble to reinstate him to a public role backfired.
Reform could ultimately benefit
The British government’s travails represent another gilt-edged opportunity for Reform UK to capitalise on the unpopularity of Starmer, Labour and politics more broadly. But there is a risk for Reform, too.
Radical-right parties tend to place a great emphasis on the figure of the leader. For Reform UK, this is Nigel Farage.
Farage has had an incredible impact on British politics, especially since Brexit. But Farage, a former merchant banker, is also part of this global elite, despite pitching his politics at the “left behinds”. He has spent years courting Trump’s friendship. So, while there are no allegations against him related to Epstein, the public anger towards elites in general may eventually rebound on Farage, too.
Reform UK, however, is positioning itself successfully as an alternative to the two major parties in the UK, and could form a minority government at the next UK-wide elections in 2029.
The Conservative Party has shot its bolt as a result of its 14 years in government. And Labour came to power more as a rejection of the Conservatives than an endorsement of its policies. It has thus far excelled in failing to meet these low expectations, to Reform’s benefit.
Excluding a by-election in February, the first major political test will be local government elections in England, and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd in May. A poor Labour showing will quite possibly lead to a leadership challenge against Starmer, whose government seems incapable of stemming the rise of support for an emboldened Reform.
A boost to republicanism
“Unprecedented” is an over-worn term. However, the arrest of a member of the royal family is the first in England since 1647 (it didn’t end well).
Prince William is still very popular. But there could still be very serious consequences for support for the monarchy in the various nations of the United Kingdom.
There isn’t the same sort of support for republicanism in England as there is in Australia, where republicans can de-legitimnise the king as a “foreign” monarch. Although this argument is made by republicans in Northern Ireland, English republicanism needs to be driven by some other sentiment.
And the Epstein crisis could be it, given it is drawing attention to gross inequality and damaging entitlement. It’s hard to see where exactly all this will end up, but it is quite possible this will give the greatest boost to anti-monarchical sentiment in England for some centuries.
It is important not to forget the women and girls who were victims of this rich man’s cabal. Yet, one great harm of the Epstein scandal in Britain is the further damage done to trust in institutions of governance and the boost it provides for the illiberal critics of what seems like a decaying order.
Leicester Fainga’anuku of the Crusaders is tackled by Charlie Cale and Rob Valetini of the Brumbies during their Super Rugby Pacific match at the Apollo Projects Stadium.PhotoSport / John Davidson
The Crusaders have gone down 50-24 to the Brumbies in their Super Rugby Pacific clash at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.
The Brumbies led the Crusaders 19-14 at half time.
See how the game unfolded here:
George Bell scores for the Crusaders during the Crusaders v Brumbies Super Rugby match at the Apollo Projects Stadium.PhotoSport / John Davidson
Team list
Crusaders: 1 Finlay Brewis, 2 George Bell, 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Dom Gardiner, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Rivez Reihana, 11 Sevu Reece, 12 David Havili (c), 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Chay Fihaki, 15 Will Jordan
Back in 2015, Steffanie Holmes decided to have a crack at becoming a full-time writer in the genre she loved to read – paranormal romance.
Nine years later, she’s got over 55 books under her belt and an international fanbase.
Holmes tells Saturday Morning about her journey to finally paying the bills with her books, the adversity she’s faced being legally blind, and the game-changer that is self-publishing.
This video is hosted on Youtube.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on February 22, 2026.
Trump hikes global tariffs to 15% as the fallout from Supreme Court loss continues Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Deane, Professor of Trade Law and Taxation, Queensland University of Technology US President Donald Trump has announced the United States will increase baseline tariffs on all foreign imports to 15%, as the fallout continues from a seismic Supreme Court ruling on Friday. Trump had imposed sweeping
Activists tell of ‘apocalyptic’ ecocide on top of Israel’s Gaza genocide at rally Asia Pacific Report Two Extinction Rebellion activists joined the speakers today at an Auckland protest over Israel’s genocide and ecocide in Gaza and occupied Palestine, condemning the “apocalyptic” assault on both people and their living environment. Caril Cowan, a de facto coordinator of Extinction Rebellion Tāmaki Makaurau, spoke of the climate crisis this month in
Indonesia’s human rights law being revised under a global spotlight ANAYSIS: By Laurens Ikinia in Jakarta The global human rights landscape has witnessed a significant diplomatic milestone. Indonesia, for the first time since the body’s establishment in 2006, has officially taken the presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Indonesia’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, is currently
US President Donald Trump has announced the United States will increase baseline tariffs on all foreign imports to 15%, as the fallout continues from a seismic Supreme Court ruling on Friday.
Trump had imposed sweeping “reciprocal tariffs” last year under an emergency powers act, but the court ruled this law did not authorise him to do so.
Speaking in the wake of the ruling on Friday, Trump admonished the justices of the Supreme Court. He called the democratic justices who ruled against the tariffs a “disgrace to the nation”.
He also said he felt “ashamed” of members of the court he considered conservative who had voted against his use of emergency powers.
Trump’s statement was riddled with insults and inaccuracies. However, he admitted he had tried to “make things simple” by using the emergency powers act. He went on to say he does have other options, but those options would take more time. This was one part of his speech that was indeed accurate.
With the clock already ticking on his landmark trade agenda, and the multi-billion dollar question of refunds looming, what might Trump do next? Here’s what could now be in store for both Australia and the world.
This part of the law has never been used. However, it appears to clearly allow the president to impose tariffs of up to 15%, and for a period of no more than 150 days.
This section does allow the President to impose tariffs in response to foreign countries who violate US rights under international trade agreements, or that burden or restrict US commerce in “unjustifiable”, “unreasonable” or “discriminatory” ways. However, it requires some steps to be followed.
The process for using this law is detailed and can not be subverted. It would likely take either years or vast amounts of resources to introduce tariffs that were anywhere near the “Liberation Day” tariffs.
If nothing else, it requires consultations with the countries upon whose goods those tariffs will be imposed.
Section 301 has previously been used to impose tariffs on China, following an investigation by the United States Trade Representative in 2018.
Another option
Another avenue for the president to bypass Congress is a specific section of a different law, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, that applies to a particular sector of the economy.
However, it can’t be used to recreate sweeping tariffs on all foreign imports. This provision is generally product-specific and requires an investigation into the national security threat.
Its use to impose steel and aluminium tariffs has been challenged by multiple trading partners at the World Trade Organization. A panel of experts ruled the US had used a special national security exception erroneously.
If all collected duties are refunded, it’s estimated the total repayment could reach approximately US$175 billion (A$247 billion).
Much to the president’s frustration, there was no clarity within the Supreme Court’s ruling on the process for refunds of illegally collected tariffs.
That silence, which prompted Trump to refer to the decision as “terrible” and “defective”, was likely because this would be handled by other courts.
Back in December, the US Court of International Trade stated it would have the authority to order reliquidation and refunds of the sweeping tariffs if the Supreme Court ultimately ruled them unlawful.
Many large companies had already anticipated this ruling, and acted to get on the front foot. For example, in late November, large retailer Costco sued the Trump administration to secure a full refund of tariffs in the event the Supreme Court deemed them unlawful.
In late December, faced with an avalanche of similar cases, the Court of International Trade temporarily halted all cases where companies were claiming relief from of IEEPA tariffs ahead of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Refunds may not be straightforward
Some importers have argued that because the tariff payments were itemised, receiving refunds should not be messy.
But the process for refunds may not be as straightforward as it should be. Trump suggested they could be “in court for the next five years”.
What does this all mean for Australia?
Australia’s previous 10% rate was much lower than many other nations, but now at 15% the playing field has been levelled – at least for the next 150 days.
Australian exporters don’t pay these tariffs directly themselves, but may be pressured to absorb some of the cost, and it makes their imports less competitive in the US market.
However, not all Australian exporters are in the same position. The proclamation issued by the White House listed some exceptions, including beef, critical minerals, energy products and pharmaceuticals.
At Friday’s press conference, Trump said “great certainty” had been brought back to the United States and the world. In truth, the uncertainty is far from over.
Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene.123RF
A crash near Redwood Pass has left two people dead and three others in a critical condition.
Emergency Services were called to the two-vehicle crash around 10.30am on Sunday.
Police said two people were dead at the scene.
Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene.
It said two people were airlifted to Wellington hospital in a critical condition, while another was taken taken to Christchurch hospital, also in a critical condition.
Police said the Serious Crash Unit had been advised.
The New Zealand Transport Agency warned motorists to avoid the area until the incident site was cleared.
Those travelling between Marlborough and Canterbury were advised to detour via the inland route, with State Highway 1 closed.
The detour could add between two and three hours from Christchurch.
There is no current estimate for when State Highway 1 would reopen.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Giancarlo Italiano has quit as Wellington Phoenix coach.photosport
Giancarlo Italiano’s dramatic exit as Wellington Phoenix’s head coach leaves the struggling A-League club in limbo with eight games remaining in the season.
Italiano stepped away from the team he had been the head coach of since 2023 after another hefty derby loss to Auckland FC.
He publicly announced his departure not long after the final whistle on Saturday.
The Phoenix play title-contenders Sydney FC in Wellington on Sunday, so the club will need to make some quick decisions about who takes on the head coach role either in an interim or permanent capacity.
Unless the 10th placed Phoenix can string wins together and get other results to fall their way, they will miss the play-offs and the season will be over in nine weeks time.
Italiano was the Phoenix’s sixth permanent head coach in 19 seasons, but this is not the first time the club has been left scrambling to fill the role.
The question is whether the club will turn to the same man that has temporarily filled in three times previously – Chris Greenacre – to see out the season.
Former Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay with assistant Chris Greenacre in 2021.Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
The club’s first coach, former All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, was in charge for six seasons before he resigned during the season after a run of poor results in 2013.
Former Phoenix player Greenacre, at the time an assistant coach with the team, stepped in for the remainder of the 2013 season.
Experienced A-League coach Ernie Merrick was next to take on the permanent role for three seasons before leaving in similar circumstances to Herbert and Italiano in 2016.
Again Greenacre was part of the solution, helping to fill the void before the club’s third coach Darije Kalezic joined.
When Kalezic left during the 2017/18 season after a breakdown in contract negotiations for the following season, Greenacre, who was then a youth programme head coach with the Phoenix took charge of training and head coach duties.
Fourth coach Mark Rudan had success with the Phoenix before leaving for family reasons, but at least he made until the end of the 2018/19 season before returning to Australia.
Australian Ufuk Talay became head coach in the 2019/20 season and brought with him Italiano as a analyst and second assistant coach.
Talay left the club four seasons later, at season’s end, with the accolade as the club’s most successful coach and Italiano moved into the head coach role.
The Phoenix have yet to announce the plan to replace Italiano but they will not have to look far to find Greenacre should they decide he is again the go-to.
Player to coach
Chris Greenacre celebrates scoring for the Phoenix in 2010.Dave Lintott/Photosport
Greenacre, a former Manchester City and Tranmere Rovers striker, played 84 times for the Phoenix between 2009 and 2012.
He scored 19 goals during his Phoenix playing days and became a fan favourite along the way.
A long held ambition to coach started at the Phoenix in 2012 when he made the quick transition from player to assistant coach.
Greenacre has served as an assistant coach under Phoenix coaches – Herbert, Merrick, Kalezic, Rudan and Talay.
He is the Phoenix academy’s head of pro development and has coached the reserves team since 2017.
In 2024 Greenacre also coached the New Zealand Under 20 team.
Licensed to do the job
Des Buckingham and Chris Greenacre.Photosport
Coaching qualifications, in the form of licences, matter in football.
When Greenacre was leading the Phoenix in an interim capacity after Merrick quit, he was doing so in a co-coach role with Des Buckingham.
At the time, under Football Federation Australia (now Football Australia) regulations the coach needed a Pro Licence which Buckingham held and Greenacre did not.
Buckingham became the head coach and the Phoenix said Greenacre, with a UEFA A Licence, was the co-coach.
Greenacre has since upskilled and in 2022 completed the AFC Pro Diploma.
Kelly Guimaraes
Brazilian Kelly Guimaraes was Italiano’s lead assistant coach for the 2025-26 A-League season and could also get the call-up to the top job.
He arrived in Wellington with a decade of assistant coach experience with the likes of Paranaense, Corinithians and Gremio in Brazil.
At the time of his appointment he said the assistant coach “needs to be very close with the players so they can act as an intermediary between them and the head coach”.
“We also have to be another set of eyes for the head coach.
“The head coach has a lot of things to think about, to plan and to organise and sometimes the assistant coach can see something that helps the coach.”
Guimaraes and Italiano would have worked closely together and it may cause less disruption to the squad for him transition to the head coach role, even if just until the end of the season.
“In Brazil as a footballer and coach I have learned the players need the freedom to play and use their creativity,” Guimaraes said in July.
“I think we’re going to motivate the players to be free and create.
“Of course they will respect the team’s tactical plans, but they will be free to create and to make something different.”
The players and the team could use something different to get them through the remainder of the competition before the club will face some big decisions about the future.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
A video posted on YouTube shows about a dozen people approaching a police car, which then reverses, with people running after it.Supplied / YouTube
Police officers retreated after their car was surrounded by what they describe as a “hostile” group of people at a car meet in Taranaki early this morning.
Police said they were notified of a group of antisocial road users gathering at Kina Road, Oaonui at about 1am.
A video posted on YouTube shows about a dozen people approaching a police car, which then reverses, with people running after it.
Officers spoke to some of the people, but found them hostile, police said.
“Due to the hostile nature of the group, it was determined that the safest course of action was to monitor the meet from nearby and gather information.”
Police will use the information they gathered for follow-up enquiries.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene.123RF
A crash near Redwood Pass has left two people dead and a third in a critical condition.
Emergency Services were called to the two-vehicle crash around 10.30am on Sunday.
Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene.
It said two people were airlifted to Wellington hospital in a critical condition, while another was taken taken to Christchurch hospital, also in a critical condition.
Two people have since died.
Police said the Serious Crash Unit had been advised.
The New Zealand Transport Agency warned motorists to avoid the area until the incident site was cleared.
Those travelling between Marlborough and Canterbury were advised to detour via the inland route, with State Highway 1 closed.
The detour could add between two and three hours from Christchurch.
There is no current estimate for when State Highway 1 would reopen.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene.123RF
A crash near Redwood Pass has left three people in a critical condition and closed State Highway 1.
Emergency Services were called to the two-vehicle crash around 10.30am on Sunday.
Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene.
It said two people were airlifted to Wellington hospital in a critical condition, while another was taken taken to Christchurch hospital, also in a critical condition.
Police said the Serious Crash Unit had been advised.
The New Zealand Transport Agency warned motorists to avoid the area until the incident site was cleared.
Those travelling between Marlborough and Canterbury were advised to detour via the inland route, which was significantly longer.
The detour could add between two and three hours from Christchurch.
There is no current estimate for when State Highway 1 would reopen.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
The Government is providing police with the power to issue move-on orders as a tool to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.
“New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need, but that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, becoming places of intimidation, and dysfunction,” Mr Goldsmith says.
“Our main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance. Businesses are declining as some bad behaviour goes unchecked. It needs to stop.
“Currently, police officers have limited options to respond, particularly when it doesn’t reach the level of offending. It means many disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful acts can occur before officers have any means of intervention. It doesn’t make sense.
“Our government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and building a future where shoppers, visitors, residents and their families can feel safe in our communities,” Mr Goldsmith says.
Therefore, the Government has agreed to amend the Summary Offences Act, to provide police with the power to issue move-on orders to people who are:
Displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour.
Obstructing or impeding someone entering a business.
Breaching the peace.
All forms of begging.
Rough sleeping.
Behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place.
These orders will:
Require a person to leave a specified area for a specified amount of time, up to 24 hours.
Require a person to move on a reasonable distance from the area, as specified by the constable.
Apply to people aged 14 or older.
Be issued in writing, as is operationally appropriate.
“This is about public safety and providing our frontline with additional enforcement powers to ensure the public can feel and are safe,” Mr Mitchell says.
“In terms of where people will be moved on to, they will be required to move a reasonable distance away from the area, as specified by the constable.
“Naturally, every situation will be different. Some people may require support services, some may not. Police have the expertise to assess and determine what support is required, if any – they do this every day.
“Our police officers are familiar with the locations they work with and already have strong networks and partnerships with social and housing services. I expect Police will work closely with these providers as they develop their operational guidance for the frontline,” Mr Mitchell says.
One person has critical injuries, another was seriously injured, and a third was treated for minor injuries at the scene.
Animal control officers seized two dogs after the attack.
Fendalton ward councillor David Cartwright said it was “absolutely devastating”.
“My thoughts go out to [the victims], their family, and obviously the first responders who would have been faced with what I understand is quite a gruesome situation when they arrived.”
Staff would now work through what happens to the dogs, he said.
“My understanding is that there will be an investigation, and then a possible euthanasia for the dogs, if it’s found that they are … violent or uncontrollable.”
Staff would work alongside police, talk to any witnesses, and be sure that they had impounded the correct dogs, said Cartwright.
The Dog Control Act says dogs can be impounded if they’ve attacked a person or another dog.
The owner of a dog that causes serious injury can be imprisoned for up to three years or fined up to $20,000.
The court will also order the dog destroyed if they owner is convicted, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Christchurch City Council referred RNZ to police, who are investigating.
Cartwright said he also planned to ask staff to review local bylaws to ensure they were fit for purpose.
But he said a central government review of the Dog Control Act would have the biggest impact in preventing attacks.
Shane Jones says dog owners must be held accountable with hefty jail termsRNZ / Mark Papalii
The Christchurch attack comes the same week 62-year-old Mihiata Te Rore was killed by dogs while visiting a home in the Northland town of Kaihu.
Northland local and cabinet ministerShane Jones said the current laws were not fit for purpose and “homicidal dogs” were scattered around Northland – with the problem worsening over years.
Dog owners must be held accountable with hefty jail terms, he said.
Te Rore was the fourth person in New Zealand killed by dogs in the last four years, three of which were in Northland.
Elizabeth Whittaker was killed in an attack in 2023 while Neville Thomson died in a 2022 attack. A four-year-old boy was also killed in an attack in the Bay of Plenty last year.
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The Green Party is imploring the Government to choose actual solutions to homelessness, after Ministers today announced the Government’s plan to effectively criminalise it.
“Christopher Luxon’s Government chose to intentionally make homelessness worse, and now they’re criminalising the problem they have inflamed,” says Green Party Co-leader and Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick.
“When the Government ignored its own official advice, community leaders, social services and expert warnings to cut off access to emergency housing and slash support for wrap-around services, communities received a tidal wave increase in homelessness.
“Since these changes came into effect, we have been practically begging the Prime Minister to come out into the real world, to meet the people, including the children, who his policies have made homeless.
“Now, instead of solving it, they’re going to push the problem around, and throw good money after bad to lock up homeless people in prisons at a cost in excess of $200,000 a year, for worse and worse outcomes.
“Not only is Luxon’s Government following Trump’s America in foreign policy, but they’re now copy-pasting that callous approach to local issues – ignoring evidence, punching down and relying on strong man words when the country needs genuine solutions.
“If the Government wants to ‘deal’ with homelessness, it should house people. It says it just wants to ‘move’ people ‘on’ – to where?” says Chlöe Swarbrick.
Showing us they’ve still got talent and charisma in spadefuls, Pulp’s Auckland show was a great reminder (if we needed one) of why they were such a supremely popular band in the 1990s.
Last night, the British band gave no sign of age wearying them, nor creative juices drying up.
At 63, frontman Jarvis Cocker still oozes cool from every pore, and his distinctive all-limbs-in-up-and-out performance was as iconic as ever.
Pulp performing at Auckland’s Spark Arena on 21 February 2026.
Nik Dirga
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