A former Education Ministry employee says development of the new school curriculum was heavily politicised, causing extensive rewrites and sidelining subject experts.
Claire Coleman made the allegations during a submission to Parliament’s Education and Workforce Select Committee on the government’s Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill.
She told the committee the bill would politicise the education system by giving the government more direct control over the curriculum and over teachers’ professional standards.
“I know from my recent experience at the Ministry of Education the dangers of allowing a public service to be politicised,” she said.
“As a curriculum writer, I was asked to disregard the evidence, the research, and decades of my own experience.
“I watched colleagues run back and forth to the Beehive for approval, watched academics and sector experts be removed from writing teams in favour of corporate resource creators, and saw curriculum documents change radically over a matter of hours in response to the latest red-pen notes from ministers.
“Public servants and their expertise were routinely disregarded, bullied, and removed for not aligning with a predetermined outcome.”
The Education Ministry told RNZ ministerial approval of curriculums was normal.
“The ministry is responsible for writing the curriculum and has taken advice and worked with a wide range of local education experts, teachers and other stakeholders over a long period, to produce a knowledge-rich curriculum grounded in the science of learning,” it said.
“The curriculum-writing process is rigorous and includes multiple cycles of review and refinement. It combines evidence, insights, and experiences over the last 20 years with formal feedback and input from a wide range of groups from across the education sector.”
“Ministers have always been responsible for the curriculum sign-off as part of the process.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
National and Labour are joining forces to get modern slavery legislation into Parliament, using a new process to skip the biscuit tin for the first time.
National’s Greg Fleming and Labour’s Camilla Belich have agreed to co-sponsor the bill.
The bill strengthens reporting to Parliament, brings in public naming and potential liability for directors and senior managers, along with fines up to $200,000 for companies that fail to report on modern slavery.
The move marks the first time Parliament has used a new rule allowing a bipartisan majority to have a member’s bill progress without being pulled from the ‘biscuit tin’ ballot.
It would also introduce civil penalties of up to $600,000, give the Human Rights Commission a formal role and create a public register of reports.
A capacity for future reviews would include the potential for establishment of an anti-slavery commissioner.
Labour’s Camilla Belich and National’s Greg Fleming.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone / Phil Smith
In a statement, Fleming said the issue of modern slavery was close to his heart and he had been working on the legislation since coming to Parliament.
“It’s time that New Zealand has a coordinated framework to deal with modern slavery, and this bill does just that,” he said.
Belich said the legislation would also bring New Zealand into line with partners like the United Kingdom and European Union.
“Workers in New Zealand and around the world should never face the horrors of modern slavery. It’s time New Zealand stood with other countries and acted,” she said.
“When we signed free trade agreements with these partners, we said we would act on modern slavery, and through this joint Bill we are keeping that promise. I’m proud that both sides of the House have come together to stand against exploitation, and grateful to the advocates, organisations and businesses who have pushed for this change.”
Parliament’s internal rules – called standing orders – were updated as part of a 2020 review with a new process enabling the automatic introduction of a member’s bill if it gets formal expressions of support from at least 61 non-executive MPs – those who are not ministers or Parliamentary under-secretaries.
The bill was lodged this morning, and with that rule – standing order 288 – invoked, it will be introduced to Parliament on the next sitting day, 10 February.
Thousands enslaved
One tracker estimated 8000 people in New Zealand were living in modern slavery, comparatively low compared to other countries – placing it 148th out of 160 states for slavery prevalence.
Police in August last year said they had 31 ongoing investigations into the matter.
Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins said in an update on Thursday that a significant recovery operation took place to recover both victims from the crash site.
“Police are working to formally confirm the identity of those who were recovered, but are unable to do so at this stage of the investigation,” Inspector Perkins said.
“Our thoughts remain with their families and friends at this time.”
The area where a helicopter crashed on Wednesday.RNZ/Samuel Rillstone
A witness told RNZ he understood the helicopter was involved in goat culling in the area.
The man, who was first to reach the crash, said he was checking a body for vital signs as the Westpac rescue chopper arrived.
He said he could not find any sign of life before he made the call to get clear of the aircraft.
The man said the Westpac crew soon spotted another body in thick scrub, on steep terrain some distance from the wreckage.
Cordons remain in place around the Battle Hill campground while police examine the scene.
Civil Aviation Authority investigators have completed their preliminary scene examination.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Under the Fisheries Act 1996, commercial fishers are prohibited from returning or abandoning to the sea, or other waters, any fish or shellfish that are subject to the Quota Management System (QMS). However, the Act allows for exceptions to the rule.
Fisheries New Zealand is reviewing the current commercial landing exception for blue shark, mako shark and porbeagle shark (collectively referred to as ‘pelagic sharks’), which allows commercial fishers to return near-dead or dead pelagic sharks to the sea.
Pelagic sharks ammoniate (show signs of spoiling) rapidly after death. Quick processing is needed to prevent cross contamination of other catch on board fishing vessels. Pelagic sharks are frequently bycaught, especially by relatively small surface longline vessels. Due to the size and strength of the species it is impractical for fishers to separate and manage catches of pelagic sharks before they damage other catch.
Fisheries New Zealand is proposing to continue providing for a landing exception so that commercial fishers can return pelagic sharks to the sea, whether alive or dead. Pelagic sharks returned under this exception would be required to be balanced with catching rights (annual catch entitlement) or incur deemed values.
We’d like your feedback on this proposal. Consultation opened on 29 January and we are accepting submissions until 5pm on 27 February 2026.
A template is available to help you complete your submission. It includes questions you may like to answer to help you with your submission and further space for any other feedback.
While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:
Fisheries management Highly migratory species & pacific fisheries Fisheries New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries PO Box 2526 Wellington 6140.
What to include
Make sure you tell us in your submission:
your name and title
your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation)
your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).
Submissions are public information
Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.
People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.
If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.
Nelson’s planned marina expansion has been provided a $12.89 million loan, which will help deliver infrastructure upgrades to drive economic growth and generate local jobs, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.
“The Regional Infrastructure Fund loan will help make Nelson Marinaa world-class marine services facility and a major contributor to the region’s economy,” Mr Jones says.
The upgrade will provide the ability to lift out heavier boats for servicing by installing a 110-tonne vessel hoist. It will also expand the marina’s hardstand capacity for marine maintenance from 14 to 54 bays. A purpose-built marine service centre with office, retail and workshop spaces will also be built.
The funding recipient, Nelson Marina Management Ltd which is owned by Nelson City Council, will contribute $12.89 million in co-funding for the expansion project.
“It is anticipated this part of the project will create up to 110 jobs during construction and up to 180 ongoing roles once completed, while promoting local innovation within the marine sector,” Mr Jones says.
It is estimated that Nelson’s sea-based blue economy adds more than $350 million a year in GDP to the region and employs more than 3700 people. It serves as a base for a number of industries including fishing and aquaculture, and is a popular tourism destination. Nelson is also an important centre of marine research and marine engineering.
“This investment aligns with the RIF’s priority of supporting growth through enabling infrastructure that ensures regions are well-connected and productive. This is central to the Coalition Government’s economic growth plans,” Mr Jones says.
Construction is expected to start in May with an anticipated completion date of mid-2028.
Department of Conservation (DOC) South Marlborough Operations Manager Stacey Wrenn say the wildlife and walking around Kaikōura Peninsula offers great naturing opportunities and it’s fantastic to see people getting out and enjoying it, but visitors need to treat our native species with respect.
“We’ve had reports of people getting far too close to seals, and even a report of people trying to kick or poke fur seals to try and get a photo, which we are investigating. This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable.
“Kekeno are a taonga species for local iwi Ngāti Kuri and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Like all our marine mammals, they are a protected species. It’s an offence under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 to disturb, harass, harm, injure or kill them.”
DOC’s guidelines for watching seals are:
Stay at least 20 m away
Don’t disturb seals by making loud noises or throwing things
Keep dogs and children away
Don’t feed the seals
Never attempt to touch a seal.
These guidelines are for the safety of both seals and people, Stacey says.
“Disturbing or changing the natural behaviour of a seal can have negative consequences for the animal. At this time of year, mothers can even abandon pups if they are disturbed.
“While fur seals aren’t typically aggressive, they are a wild animal and can react if they feel threatened. They have a nasty bite and carry infectious diseases which can be transferred to people and dogs.
“If you see someone getting too close to a seal or other native animal, politely let them know they need to back off a bit. If they, or their dog, are harassing the animal, call the DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). Any photos or video you can safely take are very helpful.”
Stacey says Kaikōura is a stronghold for seals, but the local colonies have had a tough few years.
“In 2024, we found a new strain of canine distemper virus in the Kaikōura fur seal population, which has been linked to disease and mortality because it causes respiratory illness and supresses immune systems. In spring of the year before, many fur seals died of starvation due to low food availability.
“Researchers have fitted satellite trackers and dive data collectors to eight female Kaikōura fur seals with pups this season so we can understand what they do when out in the oceans and where and when they’re feeding.”
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
Nature isn’t scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It’s behind our identity and our way of life.
Julian Barnes, author of 14 previous novels, ten volumes of nonfiction, and three collections of short stories under his own name, plus four crime novels under the pseudonym Dan Kavanagh, has announced that his new novel, Departure(s), will be his last. The narrator – who both is and is not Barnes – tells us this directly and the information has accompanied advance notice from his publisher. This kind of framing necessarily invites the reader to judge the book as a capstone to his career.
For more than four decades, in ways distinct from near contemporaries like Martin Amis and Ian McEwan, Barnes has tried to awaken the English novel from its long fantasy of isolation, reminding it of its relation to European – and particularly French – literature.
For many years, his novel Flaubert’s Parrot (1984) was a foundational work in undergraduate courses in postmodern literature. But it has always felt to me as though this obscured the importance of the intervention Barnes was making.
His close reading of French literature translated formal experiment from the continental into the late-20th century English novel. Doing so, he opened the avant-gardism of anglophone late-modernism once again to the possibilities of a more European sensibility.
Illness and memory
It is no surprise to open Departure(s) and find Barnes employing fragmentation, lists, notes and quasi-philosophical musings, while refusing almost entirely to engage with any narrative structure that might resemble a plot.
There is a story of sorts, and the narrator tells us early on that one will be coming, though it is, he says, a story with no middle. Indeed, the five-part form of Departure(s) bookends and bisects the “story”. There is a central section about Barnes himself, and meditative opening and closing sections that reflect on larger questions – not only in relation to literature, but life more broadly.
This makes sense for a writer whose life over the past 25 years has been marked by great career successes – including the Booker Prize for The Sense of an Ending (2011), after a succession of shortlistings – as well as the tragedy of his wife Pat Kavanagh’s sudden death from brain cancer in 2008 and, more recently, his own chronic illness.
In 2020, Barnes, and the semi-fictional Barnes who narrates Departure(s), learned he had a form of blood cancer. He tells us that it will be with him until the end of his life, even if it is not the disease that kills him.
Grappling with this new condition, he turns to last things: to an accounting of his own shortcomings and to memory more generally.
Here we have reflections on Proust’s madeleine-induced stream of recollection, alongside Barnes’s thinking about the phenomenon of Involuntary Autobiographical Memory, or “IAM”. Barnes notes the case of a stroke victim, who claimed that eating a piece of pie released recollections of every pie he had ever eaten in order of consumption. He is at first horrified by the prospect of experiencing such a thing, until he realises that “IAMs would certainly help with autobiography”, particularly when recalling “moral actions and inactions”.
The novel’s “story” proper, when we get to it, concerns the narrator’s role in twice bringing together a couple: Stephen and Jean. He met them when all three were students at Oxford in the 1960s, and they met again 40 years later. Their “friendship”, such as it was, lasted little more than two periods of a year and a half either side of that 40-year gap.
The Barnes character had once been Jean’s lover, and his “moral actions and inactions” come to the fore in his account of these friends, now dead, for he promised Stephen and swore to Jean on a Bible that he would never write about them. There is here a return to some of Barnes’s longstanding interests as a novelist. Gaps in characters’ knowledge of one another become points of fixation or rupture.
One of the fears besetting some novelists is that they may fall victim to their own Rumsfeldian “unknown unknowns”. We know what we know about characters, story, theme, and so on. And we think we know what we don’t know (the discernible limits of our knowledge). But there is always the risk of a work being fractured internally by a force whose presence has remained beyond thinkability. This might be as simple as a hole in a plot, or as significant as an ideological blind spot.
Tics and irritants
Though I suspect Barnes would assert that he was in total control of this book, there were moments when I wondered. For instance, odd tics create a distancing effect where they might have been intended to do the opposite. Barnes has a habit of addressing the reader with self-conscious asides (“don’t you find?”) that feel more conversational than writerly.
There is also a curious refusal to name the male anatomy by its proper terms (though not so with the female). He uses schoolboy constructions such as “bum cancer”, rather than, say, “colon” or “rectal”. This is despite his being medically precise about his actual illness, its names, and its diagnosis and treatment.
There are also a few uncomfortable moments referring to homosexuality. We have “old Muckface, who turned out gay in the end”. The narrator suggests it would have been especially disturbing to find “a collection of dildos with dried blood on them” in Stephen’s home and refers to “schoolmasters we thought dodgy”. The latter are the only examples of gay people the narrator claims to have encountered as a child.
Barnes hastens to welcome progress that makes society more accepting, but this does not, for this reader, counterbalance the implied equation of “dodgy” character or predatory habits with homosexuality, nor his vivid and horrified amusement when imagining his friend might have a secret inclination towards anal eroticism.
In another vein, we have the narrator choosing to call Uluru by its colonial name, almost intentionally, it seems, to irritate a certain kind of reader.
These demurs might suggest significant irritation, but this is not the case. What I want from a writer of Barnes’s intelligence, however, is a handling of identity and representation worthy of his mind and talent.
I’m on Barnes’s side for much – though certainly not all – of the book. It is refreshing to open a contemporary novel in English and find that story and plot are second-order concerns, and that revealing the story in a review would not risk ruining the pleasure – and interest – of reading the book. Spoilers spoil nothing here.
But then I reach a conundrum, for Barnes offers this summary of a writer’s aims:
All writers want their words to have an effect. Novelists want to entertain, to reveal truth, to move, to provoke reverie. And beyond? Do they want their readers to act as a result of their words? It depends.
This seems to sketch the limits of Barnes’ aspirations for his art, assuming he thinks of his novels as art and not as mere entertainments. What, for me, is missing from that list is the possibility that a novelist might want to make readers think about the larger questions in more than a state of “reverie”, a word that implies the amorphousness of daydream.
Barnes appears to be placing himself in a tradition running parallel to but separate from that of British novelists-of-ideas of an earlier generation like Iris Murdoch, or his contemporary Ian McEwan, and younger writers like Zadie Smith. For all of these writers, I suspect that provoking serious thought is as important – and likely more important – than producing an emotional response (its own kind of thought, to be sure) or simply to entertain.
It is an odd final manoeuvre because Barnes is a novelist interested in thinking and thought. He has made a career of circling big ideas. But in the end, assuming this is truly the end, it is hard not to feel that he seems embarrassed to find himself so seriously interested in those larger questions, or so interesting to the readers who may continue to turn to his books for more than mere reverie.
Patrick Flanery does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Attribute to Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins:
A significant recovery operation took place yesterday to recover both the pilot and passenger from the crash site.
Police are working to formally confirm the identity of those who were recovered but are unable to do so at this stage of the investigation.
Our thoughts remain with their families and friends at this time.
Civil Aviation Authority investigators have completed their preliminary scene examination.
A scene examination by Police is ongoing and cordons will remain in place at the Battle Hill campground – media and members of the public are asked to respect those cordons and follow the instructions of emergency services staff.
Police would again like to thank our partners who assisted in the response and recovery phases of the operation, including Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Atiāwa ki Whakarongotai, Civil Aviation Authority and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
The media KiwiSaver balanced fund returned 1.7 percent for the quarter. (File photo)Unsplash
Warnings of impending share market doom didn’t play out in 2025, and the year ended with solid returns for KiwiSaver investors – and some change at the top of the performance tables.
Actuarial firm MJW has released its latest investment survey for the December quarter, which shows most funds, both within KiwiSaver and outside the scheme, had a small but positive return in the three months and solid performance over a longer period.
It said the median KiwiSaver balanced fund returned 1.7 percent for the quarter, after costs and before tax, and 9.8 percent for ther year.
“This caps a particularly healthy three-year period with the median growth, balanced and conservative KiwiSaver funds returning 13.3 percent, 10.9 percent and 7.4 percent per annum respectively.”
MJW principal Ben Trollip said developed markets equities were a big driver of results.
“In local currency terms, the MSCI World Index rose 3.4 percent over the quarter. While US markets did well, stronger performance came from Japan, up 12 percent, and the UK, up 6.2 percent. Emerging markets were led by India which rose 6.2 percent.”
The New Zealand dollar weakened compared to most currencies which meant that the returns were better in unhedged terms.
Trollip said although a lot of the noise in the year was about the performance of the US tech giants – such as Nvidia – the MSCI Emerging Index, which tracks companies in countries such as China, Brazil, Taiwan and India, had returned 30 percent, compared to 20 percent for the Nasdaq over 2025.
In KiwiSaver, Simplicity was first in growth, conservative and balanced funds for the quarter.
Over a year, Westpac was first in the growth and balanced categories, with 12.8 percent and 11 percent respectively, and AMP was first in moderate, with 9.5 percent. ASB was first among conservative funds, with 7.6 percent.
Over three years, Simplicity was first in the growth funds, with returns of 15.7 percent a year, ASB first in balanced, with 12.6 percent, AMP first in moderate with 10.9 percent in its moderate/balanced fund and ASB first in conservative with 8 percent.
Over 10 years, Milford was first in growth, with 10.2 percent, and balanced, with 8.1 percent a year, AMP was first in moderate with 5.8 percent and Milford was first in conservative with returns of 5.1 percent a year.
Trollip said the survey only assessed the largest KiwiSaver providers.
It did not include new entrant Sharesies, which said it had received 10 percent of all scheme transfers in October.
“In global markets, for example, there was a bit of a sell-off from memory in around November, and then things rebounded,” Trollip said.
“Also, in a similar vein, New Zealand interest rates fell quite sharply on the back of a weak GDP number, and then have subsequently risen back. So there was a bit of a down and then back up again over the three-month period.
“But zooming out, it was a pretty solid year and capping a solid three-year period.”
He said the returns over three years were more than many people would expect.
He said it was noticeable that Simplicity had topped the growth category, whereas providers that had traditionally been strong, such as Generate and Milford, had a weaker quarter.
Simplicity could have been helped by its global allocation being higher than others in the growth category, he said.
“I think the other thing that might have helped them is that their New Zealand fixed interest – I think that’s where they put their home loans, things like that. With interest rates moving around it was a bad quarter for traditional New Zealand fixed interest but Simplicity’s allocation to home loans and the like might have been what drove their better performance relative to their peers.”
But he said there could be a lot of movement in three-month periods, and it was better to take a longer view.
He said Milford’s active growth fund, which has been a long-term top performer, had grown from $3.3 b million in December 2022 to $8.5b.
Trollip said it was noticeable that five or 10 years ago, New Zealand shares were outperforming global equities.
But that had not been the case for the last three to five years.
“And New Zealand equities still have been less volatile than global equities, but they haven’t given you much of a return boost.
“In fact, they’ve been quite a drag on performance. So, one of the things I’ve been contemplating with potentially the New Zealand economy turning around low interest rates and all that, is the sector poised for a rebound or not? But it’s very hard to pick the timing of that, I think.”
The report said Indeed, over the long term New Zealand equities had brought useful diversification from global equity markets with little give-up in return.
“Add to that the fact that local investors may have an advantage in picking (and monitoring) good active managers, and may have a tax advantage, and the case for a home bias feels somewhat stronger despite the poor recent run from our domestic bourse.
“Moreover, with global equity markets becoming even more concentrated on the AI thematic, a little diversification would seem welcome. Worries abound given the strong run in US equities in particular, with that geography representing some 70 percent of global indices due to its strong momentum.
“As 2025 drew to a close, there was increasing fear of a correction in the value of technology stocks. In fact, going on search traffic alone, one would say enthusiasm peaked in September 2025.”
School uniforms can cost hundreds of dollars.RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The head of an Auckland high school is defending high uniform costs, arguing it is in students’ best interests.
Westlake Boys High School headmaster Paul Fordham told Morning Report while he acknowledged the start of the year was an expensive time for families, wearing a uniform was more economical long-term.
“It’s a high-quality uniform that we believe to be quite accessible. The fact that it’s high-quality means it lasts longer.
The Westlake Boys uniform set, which includes a formal blazer, costs roughly $550 a year – a similar cost to several other high schools.
Fordham said there were also social and cultural benefits to requiring a uniform.
Students at Westlake Boys.Facebook
“Boys at our school are proud to wear the uniform. It gives them a strong sense of identity and belonging.
“It aligns with our school image. We consider ourselves a relatively high-performing, conservative, traditional boys’ school.
“The uniform being a shirt, a tie, and a blazer, when the boys put that on to come to school each day, they’re prepared and ready to go and understand the expectations of the school and the school day ahead of them.
“I believe it contributes to a better learning environment.
The school also expected students to wear their blazers at assemblies twice a week and at special events throughout the year.
“They also wear them as extra layers of clothing,” Fordham said.
“They might wear that as an alternative to a jersey or a jumper in winter. It’s a really warm garment to be wearing.”
He said the school sold second-hand uniforms at a lower cost and families could both buy and sell uniform pieces.
Education Minister Erica Stanford told The Poston Tuesday it was up to “individual schools to make sure that school uniforms are affordable for families, and it’s my expectation that they do that”.
“I have noticed that other countries are moving in that direction, and it’s certainly something I’ll take a look at.”
Construction has begun today on Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital’s rapid-build inpatient ward, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“This new ward is a practical way to meet growing demand quickly. It will provide 28 inpatient beds for short-stay surgical patients and surgical assessments, helping streamline care for this group and freeing up surgical and medical beds elsewhere in the hospital,” Mr Brown says.
Four months of off-site factory construction will run in parallel with around six months of on-site works, with the ward expected to be operational in August 2026.
“This combined approach shortens the overall build programme, ensures consistent quality, and reduces disruption to day-to-day hospital operations.
“Once complete, the ward will improve the experience for people needing surgery, help meet demand during peak periods, and strengthen the hospital’s ability to deliver timely, quality care.
“Increasing inpatient capacity now will reduce the use of overflow areas, improve emergency department wait times, and help the hospital manage growing demand while long-term redevelopment continues.”
The Hawke’s Bay ward is one of five modular units being delivered nationwide under the Government’s fast-tracked hospital wards programme to rapidly expand inpatient capacity and improve patient flow at New Zealand’s busiest hospitals.
Funded as part of Budget 2025, the programme will deliver 140 new inpatient beds in 2026 across Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Middlemore, Wellington Regional and Waikato Hospitals.
“These units are quicker to build and more cost-effective than traditional construction, allowing us to strengthen hospital capacity where it’s needed most. Using off-site modular construction means we can deliver at speed, stay within budget, minimise disruption for hospitals, and provide faster benefits for patients and staff.
“This is about investing in infrastructure that supports better patient care, with patients at the centre of the design. The new ward will play an important role in lifting performance at Hawke’s Bay Hospital and supporting better outcomes for patients across the region,” Mr Brown says.
Most Australian children bring their lunch to school through a “lunchbox system”. But there is a growing push for schools to provide students with lunch.
Despite decades of efforts to promote better nutrition, it is estimated nearly half (44%) of the foods Australian children eat at school are energy-dense and nutrient-poor (or “discretionary foods”). This is alarming as our previous research with children aged nine to eleven shows an association between a poor diet and lower NAPLAN scores.
School programs providing students with a nutritious lunch are common around the world. Research shows school-provided lunches can increase social equity and improve nutritional, health and learning outcomes.
But wider school lunch programs would be a significant change to how children access food at school in Australia.
In our new research, we look at what parents think about school lunch programs. If school lunch programs are going to work in Australia, families’ support will be crucial.
Our research
In our study, we surveyed almost 400 parents of primary school students across Australia, to seek their views about school lunch programs. We recruited parents through paid social media advertisements. They came from a range of backgrounds and household incomes.
Based on different school food programs in the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and Australia, we tested six key components of a school-provided lunch model:
cost
nutrition and quality
environmental sustainability
menu options
access (should programs be optional or provided to all students regardless of their background)
a whole-school approach (is the lunch program integrated with classroom learning and other school messaging).
We also asked parents how much they would be willing to pay for different lunch approaches.
Most parents are keen on school lunch programs
We found 93% of parents surveyed were interested in school-provided lunches.
Parents told us nutrition and food quality was the key driver of their interest in a school lunch program. It was also the most important consideration when designing a school program.
Menu variety was the next most important consideration, with a strong preference for having two meal options. This was similar to our previous findings, which show parents and children value choice for school-provided lunches. Parents in the new study also expressed an interest in children trying a wider range of foods.
The next most important consideration for parents was taking an environmentally sustainable approach to the food program, followed by integrating food education and healthy eating across the school day.
Many parents in our survey were also motivated by the idea all children would have access to the same meal, with 70% saying they valued the potential for equal and stigma-free food provision.
Parents would pay about $6 per day
Globally, national school meal programs vary in payment models, ranging from free to subsidised/means tested or fully paid by students and families.
Parents unsurprisingly preferred lower-cost options over higher-cost options. But they also showed a willingness to pay more for programs that focused on food quality, sustainability and links to the curriculum – not just filling bellies.
Parents in our study currently spent around A$6 per day on lunchboxes (most spent between $4–10). They said they were happy to pay a similar amount for a school-provided lunch.
Most were even willing to pay a little more to subsidise lunches for others to ensure all children receive a meal or larger portions for older children.
Why this matters
Packing lunchboxes can be a real slog, putting lots of pressure on families.
In another study we did, parents have talked openly about their “lunchbox guilt”. Parents have to pack lunchboxes as they balance busy work and family lives, children’s preferences and social expectations of “what’s OK to send to school”.
We also know many kids end up at school with food that is not healthy.
Our research suggests Australian parents are willing to invest in a different approach to school food. By highlighting what matters most to them – food quality – we get an important insight into what is more likely to make new programs successful and sustainable.
These results give policymakers valuable guidance on what families consider essential for a school-provided meal program.
Brittany Johnson receives funding from The Hospital Research Foundation Group, the Australian Research Council (LP240200796) and The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation for a project that involves School Food Matters (Tasmania) and The School Food Project (NSW) as partner organisations.
Alexandra Manson has received funding from the Australian government Research Training Program Scholarship and the King and Amy O’Malley Trust Postgraduate Research Scholarship, and receives funding from the Heart Foundation South Australian Kick Start Fellowship.
Rebecca Golley receives funding from The Australian Research Council (LP240200796) and The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation for a project that involves School Food Matters (Tasmania) and The School Food Project (NSW) as partner organisations.
Most Australian children bring their lunch to school through a “lunchbox system”. But there is a growing push for schools to provide students with lunch.
Despite decades of efforts to promote better nutrition, it is estimated nearly half (44%) of the foods Australian children eat at school are energy-dense and nutrient-poor (or “discretionary foods”). This is alarming as our previous research with children aged nine to eleven shows an association between a poor diet and lower NAPLAN scores.
School programs providing students with a nutritious lunch are common around the world. Research shows school-provided lunches can increase social equity and improve nutritional, health and learning outcomes.
But wider school lunch programs would be a significant change to how children access food at school in Australia.
In our new research, we look at what parents think about school lunch programs. If school lunch programs are going to work in Australia, families’ support will be crucial.
Our research
In our study, we surveyed almost 400 parents of primary school students across Australia, to seek their views about school lunch programs. We recruited parents through paid social media advertisements. They came from a range of backgrounds and household incomes.
Based on different school food programs in the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and Australia, we tested six key components of a school-provided lunch model:
cost
nutrition and quality
environmental sustainability
menu options
access (should programs be optional or provided to all students regardless of their background)
a whole-school approach (is the lunch program integrated with classroom learning and other school messaging).
We also asked parents how much they would be willing to pay for different lunch approaches.
Most parents are keen on school lunch programs
We found 93% of parents surveyed were interested in school-provided lunches.
Parents told us nutrition and food quality was the key driver of their interest in a school lunch program. It was also the most important consideration when designing a school program.
Menu variety was the next most important consideration, with a strong preference for having two meal options. This was similar to our previous findings, which show parents and children value choice for school-provided lunches. Parents in the new study also expressed an interest in children trying a wider range of foods.
The next most important consideration for parents was taking an environmentally sustainable approach to the food program, followed by integrating food education and healthy eating across the school day.
Many parents in our survey were also motivated by the idea all children would have access to the same meal, with 70% saying they valued the potential for equal and stigma-free food provision.
Parents would pay about $6 per day
Globally, national school meal programs vary in payment models, ranging from free to subsidised/means tested or fully paid by students and families.
Parents unsurprisingly preferred lower-cost options over higher-cost options. But they also showed a willingness to pay more for programs that focused on food quality, sustainability and links to the curriculum – not just filling bellies.
Parents in our study currently spent around A$6 per day on lunchboxes (most spent between $4–10). They said they were happy to pay a similar amount for a school-provided lunch.
Most were even willing to pay a little more to subsidise lunches for others to ensure all children receive a meal or larger portions for older children.
Why this matters
Packing lunchboxes can be a real slog, putting lots of pressure on families.
In another study we did, parents have talked openly about their “lunchbox guilt”. Parents have to pack lunchboxes as they balance busy work and family lives, children’s preferences and social expectations of “what’s OK to send to school”.
We also know many kids end up at school with food that is not healthy.
Our research suggests Australian parents are willing to invest in a different approach to school food. By highlighting what matters most to them – food quality – we get an important insight into what is more likely to make new programs successful and sustainable.
These results give policymakers valuable guidance on what families consider essential for a school-provided meal program.
Brittany Johnson receives funding from The Hospital Research Foundation Group, the Australian Research Council (LP240200796) and The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation for a project that involves School Food Matters (Tasmania) and The School Food Project (NSW) as partner organisations.
Alexandra Manson has received funding from the Australian government Research Training Program Scholarship and the King and Amy O’Malley Trust Postgraduate Research Scholarship, and receives funding from the Heart Foundation South Australian Kick Start Fellowship.
Rebecca Golley receives funding from The Australian Research Council (LP240200796) and The Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation for a project that involves School Food Matters (Tasmania) and The School Food Project (NSW) as partner organisations.
The past three years have been the world’s hottest on record. In 2025, Earth was 1.44°C warmer than the long-term average, perilously close to breaching the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5°C.
We know what to do to tackle the climate crisis: replace fossil fuels with clean energy technologies such as solar, wind, electric vehicles and batteries. We are well on our way. Globally, the power produced by renewables overtook coal last year.
Petrostates such as Saudi Arabia and the US have made trillions from oil and gas. Now they are fighting a rearguard action to prolong fossil fuels. The US is pushing European nations to buy its gas, for instance.
But most countries have seen the writing on the wall. In November, the COP31 climate talks in Turkey are expected to deliver a global roadmap away from fossil fuels. Dozens of countries will meet in Colombia in April to fast-track the transition. The road ahead is bumpy. But the end of fossil fuels may finally be coming into view.
No holding back clean energy
There’s no one trying harder to slow the clean energy transition than US president Donald Trump. During his bid to return to the White House, Trump pressed oil executives for US$1 billion (A$1.4 bn) in campaign finance, promising a windfall in return.
But clean energy growth has proved difficult to kill. Despite Trump’s efforts, domestic solar generation is still expected to grow 46% in the next two years while electricity output from fossil fuel plants falls.
Trump is betting fossil fuels are the key to future American power. He made no secret of the fact the US military raid on Venezuela earlier this month was aimed at increasing oil production. He has implored US oil companies to invest billions to revive the country’s battered oil infrastructure. The response was lukewarm. ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods said Venezuela was “uninvestable”.
Developing Venezuela’s oil reserves assumes there will be demand for decades to come. But the world now faces an oversupply of oil, even as sales of electric vehicles grow strongly in many countries. Last month, battery electric vehicles outsold petrol cars for the first time in Europe.
Electrostates rising
While the US doubles down on 20th century fossil fuels, China is betting on an electric 21st century. It is emerging as the first electrostate, dominating production and export of solar, wind, batteries and EVs. China is now the world’s biggest car exporter. Most new Chinese cars are powered by batteries, not oil.
China’s manufacturing might has driven down the price of batteries, the main cost of EVs. As EVs get cheaper, emerging economies are finding they can leapfrog fossil fuels and move straight to solar panels and EVs – even if the national power grid is limited or unreliable.
Commodity price trends show surging global demand for copper, silver and other metals needed for mass electrification. Worldwide, investment in clean energy technologies first overtook fossil fuel investment ten years ago. In 2025, clean investment was more than double the investment in coal, oil and gas. Clean energy is where the world is headed, whether Trump likes it or not.
China, India and Pakistan are rapidly making the shift to renewable power. Developing nations from Nepal to Ethiopia are taking up electric transport to slash the cost of importing fossil fuels.
This week, the US formally withdrew from the Paris Agreement. But no other country has followed.
For decades, the COP talks have focused on “cutting emissions” without dealing directly with the use of coal, oil and gas. But at the 2023 talks, nearly 200 countries agreed to “transition away from fossil fuels”.
At last year’s COP30 talks, host nation Brazil proposed a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels. More than 80 countries backed the idea, including Australia, but pushback from Saudi Arabia and Russia kept it out of the final outcomes.
In response, Brazil is working to develop a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. This – or something similar – may be formally adopted at the next climate talks in November.
Bowen plans to lobby petrostates to support a managed shift away from fossil fuels, drawing on Australia’s experience as a major exporter of coal and LNG facing its own transition. Korea – Australia’s third largest market for thermal coal – will retire its entire coal fleet by 2040.
Government modelling suggests Australia’s coal and gas exports could plummet 50% in value in five years as global demand falls. Independent modelling suggests the decline for coal could happen even faster if countries meet their climate targets. Policymakers must plan to manage this transition.
Coalitions of the willing?
Frustrated by slow progress, a coalition of nations is separately discussing how to phase out fossil fuels. The first conference will take place in April in Colombia. Here, delegates will discuss how to wind down fossil fuels while protecting workers and financial systems. Some nations want to negotiate a standalone treaty to manage the phase-out. Conference outcomes will also feed back into the UN climate talks.
Pacific island nations aim to be the world’s first 100% renewable region. Ahead of COP31, Australia and island nations will meet to progress this.
Progress is happening
In an ideal world, nations would rapidly tackle the existential threat of climate change together. We don’t live in that world. But it may not matter.
The shift to clean electric options has its own momentum. The question is whether the shift away from coal, oil and gas will be orderly – or chaotic.
Wesley Morgan is a fellow of the Climate Council of Australia
For people with migraine, summer can be a double-edged sword. You may be able to relax more, sleep in, enjoy the sunshine, and spend time with family and friends.
But other factors – such as glare, heat, and changes to sleeping and diet – can make migraine attacks more likely or more severe.
Triggers for attacks vary from person to person and seasonal changes don’t affect everyone. But if you find your migraine attacks are worse or more likely in summer, knowing why can help you prepare.
The effect of hot weather
Normally when it is hot, you sweat more to regulate your core temperature. Your body becomes cooler when sweat evaporates off your body.
In summer when the air is hotter and there is more humidity, your brain’s hypothalamus causes blood vessels close to the skin to dilate so that heat can escape.
But people with migraine often have hypersensitive nerves and blood vessels. When blood vessels dilate in the heat, it can irritate nearby nerves and cause inflammation, which the migraine brain interprets as pain. This is due to the brain’s stress response, not an infection.
Dehydration
Sweating helps regulate your core body temperature, cooling you down as the sweat evaporates off your skin. But when the air is hot and humid, it’s harder for the sweat to evaporate and cool us down.
This can lead to dehydration – another potent trigger.
Why is dehydration so bad?
Imagine your brain like a sponge that is floating in spinal fluid within your skull. If you are dehydrated, the brain shrinks like a dry sponge and pulls on the attachments to the skull, which can trigger pain.
If you are well hydrated, the brain can expand to fill the space within the skull so there is less “pulling” and therefore less pain.
Sensitivity to light
For many people with migraine, glare is more than a minor annoyance – bright lights and reflection can cause pain and trigger attacks.
When light enters the back of the eye, special cells (retinal ganglion cells) process this signal and send messages to the brain’s sensory centre (the thalamus).
In migraine, these sensory pain pathways involving the thalamus are hypersensitive. Any extra light – or flickering or moving lights – is perceived as pain, rather than merely brightness, and can also lead to dizziness.
Glare also reduces the contrast of incoming light signals, so the brain’s visual centre (the visual cortex) needs to work extra hard to process signals. Certain wavelengths can also be harder to process (including blue and fluorescent light, or sunlight reflecting off screens). This can cause pain.
Disrupted routines
The migraine brain does not like change. But longer days in summer can mean changes to our routines.
Changes that might trigger a migraine include sleeping at inconsistent times on holidays, skipping or delaying meals, or changes in stress levels. This means new stress, increased stress – or even relaxing after a stressful period.
Changes in sensory information that the brain processes can also worsen migraine. This may include new smells (such as sunscreen or insect repellent), louder noises (excited children on holidays), and brighter light or glare.
Even exercising more than usual may be a trigger for some people.
Thunderstorms
Pollen, humidity and thunderstorms trigger allergy flares in people with asthma, hayfever and eczema. This makes the immune system release chemicals called histamine, which can trigger migraine attacks in some people.
Asthma and allergy action plans are doubly important for wellbeing in this group.
Sudden changes in air pressure (in aeroplanes and during storms) can also be a strong trigger for some people. Your friend who says they can predict the weather by their migraine symptoms may be right.
Know your triggers
Regardless of the season, being prepared is the key.
Keep a diary of your headache days and impacts of weather (temperature, humidity, glare) or activities (for example, how much you’re socialising or exercising). Headache neurologists can use this data to give you a targeted migraine plan.
In summer, you can also:
plan outings for cooler days of the week or times of day
limit sun and pack a hat and sunglasses. Lenses that are polarised or FL41-tinted may help beat glare
carry water bottles and electrolyte-rich fluids to avoid dehydration
set phone alarms so that you go to bed and wake up at consistent times
try to maintain regular balanced meals, without excess sugar, alcohol and processed foods.
Taking care of your medication
It’s also important to plan and correctly store your migraine medication, especially if you’re going on a trip. You should:
take acute migraine medications with you and make sure they’re up-to-date
check your scripts are current and you have repeats left
protect medications from heat. Don’t store them in the glovebox or bag in the sun for long periods. Injectable medications should be stored in the fridge below 4°C until use.
When travelling, you may need to adjust timing of doses or use a cooler bag to keep medication cool.
If you think you’re sensitive to seasonal changes, it’s best to talk to your neurologist about a migraine management plan. This can help you identify and manage key triggers and prevent and treat acute attacks.
Dr Lakshini Gunasekera receives funding from the Victorian Government Catalyst grant program to investigate hormonal therapies for menstrual migraine.
Dr Elspeth Hutton works for Alfred Health, is the President of the Australian & New Zealand Headache Society and has collaborated with Migraine and Headache Australia and Migraine Australia. She has previously served on advisory boards for Abbvie, TEVA, Lundbeck and Novartis, and received funding for an investigator-led study from Ipsen, as well as engaging in industry-sponsored clinical trials. She receives no current funding outside of salary.
You might say you have a “bad memory” because you don’t remember what cake you had at your last birthday party or the plot of a movie you watched last month. On the other hand, you might precisely recall the surface temperature of the Sun any time when asked.
So, is your memory bad, or just fine? Memory is at the very heart of who we are, but it’s surprisingly complex once we start looking at how it all fits together.
In fact, there’s more than one type of memory, and this determines how we recall certain facts about the world and ourselves.
How do we classify memory?
Cognitive psychologists distinguish between declarative memory and non-declarative memory. Non-declarative memories are expressed without conscious recollection, such as skills and habits like typing on a keyboard or riding a bike.
But memories you’re consciously aware of are declarative – you know your name, you know what year it is, and you know there is mustard in the fridge because you put it there.
However, not all of our memories are stored in the same way, nor in the same place in our brains. Declarative memory can be further broken down into semantic memory and episodic memory.
Semantic memory refers to general knowledge about the world. For example, knowing that cats are mammals.
Episodic memory refers to episodes of your life, typically with elements of “what”, “where” and “when”. For example, I remember cuddling my pet cat (what) in my home office (where) just before sitting down to write this article (when).
A sense of self-awareness is strongly involved in episodic memory. It’s the feeling of personally remembering.
For semantic memories, this sense is not as strong – you can have detached knowledge without the context of “how” and “when”. For instance, I know that Canberra is the capital city of Australia (semantic memory), yet I can’t remember specifically when and where I learnt this (episodic memory).
Lessons from amnesia
In the mid-20th century, famous case studies of amnesic patients were the early evidence of this distinction between semantic and episodic memory.
For example, Henry Molaison and Kent Cochrane both experienced brain damage that severely impacted their episodic memory abilities.
They couldn’t recall events from their lives, but knew many things about the world in general. In effect, their personal past had vanished, even though their general knowledge remained intact.
In one interview after the accident that caused his brain damage, Cochrane was able to describe how to change a flat tire in perfect detail – despite not remembering having ever done this task.
There have also been reports of cases of people whose ability to recall semantic memories is largely impaired, while their episodic memory abilities seem mostly fine. This is known as semantic dementia.
Your age affects how your memory works
Young children have both memory systems, but they develop at different rates. The capacity to form strong semantic memories comes first, while episodic memory takes longer.
In fact, true episodic memory ability may not fully develop until around the age of three or four years. This helps explain why you have scant memories of your earliest childhood. We gain greater self-awareness around the same age too.
While episodic memory ability develops more slowly in early life, it also declines more quickly in old age. On average, older adults tend to remember fewer episodic details compared to younger adults in memory recall assessments.
In older adults with more severe cognitive decline, such as dementia, the ability to recall episodic memories is typically much more affected, compared to semantic memories. For example, they might have difficulty remembering they had pasta for lunch the day before (episodic memory), while still having perfect knowledge of what pasta is (semantic memory).
Ultimately, it all works together
Brain imaging studies have actually revealed that overlapping areas of the brain are active when recalling both semantic and episodic types of memories. In a neurological sense, these two types of memory appear to have more similarities than differences.
In fact, some have suggested episodic and semantic memory might be better thought of as a continuum rather than as completely distinct memory systems. These days, researchers acknowledge memory recall in everyday life involves tight interaction between both types.
A major example of how you need both types to work together is autobiographical memory, also called personal semantics. This refers to personally relevant information about yourself.
Let’s say you call yourself “a good swimmer”. At first glance, this may appear to be a semantic memory – a fact without the how, why, or when. However, recall of such a personally relevant fact will likely also produce related recall of episodic experiences when you’ve been swimming.
All this is related to something known as semanticisation – the gradual transformation of episodic memories into semantic memories. As you can imagine, it challenges the distinction between semantic and episodic memory.
How our memories form over time. Shane Rogers/The Conversation
Ultimately, how we remember shapes how we understand ourselves. Episodic memory allows us to mentally return to experiences that feel personally lived, while semantic memory provides the stable knowledge that binds those experiences into a coherent life story.
Over time, the boundary between the two softens as specific events are condensed into broader beliefs about who we are, what we value, and what we can do. Memory is not simply a storehouse of the past. It’s an active system that continually reshapes our sense of identity.
Shane Rogers does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Marty Supreme is a frenetic tale inspired by Marty Reisman, the charismatic American table tennis champion of the 1950s.
Charged by Timothée Chalamet’s electric lead performance – alongside a stellar supporting cast (including Gwyneth Paltrow), and director Josh Safdie’s signature, anxiety-inducing aesthetic – the film captures a young man’s all-or-nothing quest for greatness.
Marty Mauser is a morally ambiguous protagonist with a sociopathic, self-obsessed pursuit of glory. But Safdie invites the audience to champion his quest. In this, Marty emerges as a particularly compelling entry into Hollywood’s longstanding tradition of unlikable heroes.
Marty follows in the footsteps of other Safdie antiheroes – the reckless Howard Retnar (Adam Sandler) of Uncut Gems (2019) and the manipulative Connie Nikas (Robert Pattinson) of Good Time (2017). His do-or-die attitude stems from the ambition to escape his circumstances.
A Jewish kid from New York’s Lower East Side, he works at his uncle’s shoe store in order to fund his global table tennis ambitions. Refusing to listen to those around him, Marty seems aware that his self-delusion and performativity will ultimately propel him to success.
Marty compulsively lies, commits petty theft and willingly disregards the wellbeing of those close to him to fulfil what he believes to be his destiny.
Despite his problematic moral compass, Safdie’s protagonist ultimately wins over the audience’s support.
The Hollywood antihero
Hollywood is no stranger to popular antiheroes, from Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver (1976) to Arthur Fleck in Joker (2019). The Safdie brothers focus on recognisably ordinary characters caught in the chaos of their everyday existence.
Marty Supreme is Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial project since parting ways with his brother Benny. The pair have long been fascinated with figures who, despite their moral shortcomings, are inherently human.
The signature Safdie arc appeared in their indie film Daddy Longlegs (2009). Loosely based on Josh and Benny’s own experiences with their divorced father, the film crafts an honest, sympathetic portrait of a highly irresponsible (yet loving) parent trying to do his best.
In an emblematic action, Lenny (Ronald Bronstein) gives one of his sons a sleeping pill in order to allow him to return to his job at a local cinema. The misguided and neglectful act is still shown as a genuine attempt to keep his son safe and out of harm’s way.
Lenny’s traits of misdirected affection are observed throughout the Safdie protagonists.
Following an unsuccessful robbery, Good Time’s Connie frantically attempts to break his developmentally disabled brother, Nicky (Benny Safdie), out of prison and a psychiatric facility.
In Uncut Gems, Howard is driven by greed and lust but demonstrates a genuine care for his family, repeatedly insisting his ambitions are guided by the need to provide for them.
Like Lenny, Howard and Connie, Marty has the capacity to do what is right and care for those he loves. But his egotistical, self-absorbed quest to gain status ultimately clouds his ability to comprehend the consequences of his actions.
The universality of struggle
How does Josh Safdie succeed in creating a protagonist who – despite lying that his mother died during childbirth and neglecting his pregnant girlfriend – nonetheless wins the audience’s support?
Marty’s championing is undoubtedly in part due to Chalamet’s star-image and onscreen charisma. And his quest for greatness depicts the triumphant tale of a figure who, against all odds, continues to pursue his dreams with obsessive belief.
At its core, Marty Supreme is a stylised, high-octane reworking of the familiar “David versus Goliath” narrative.
Here, “Goliath” evokes both the American Dream and the Immigrant Dream, uphill battles where the odds are stacked against the individual.
This idea is prominent across other Safdie brothers films. In Good Time, “Goliath” is the criminal justice system, shown as a particularly dehumanising institutional structure for marginalised individuals. In Heaven Knows What (2014) – a gritty tale based on Arielle Holmes’s autobiography of addiction, love and struggle – substance dependency is presented as the ultimate obstacle.
Marty’s ambitions of table tennis stardom are neither recognised nor respected by those around him. This drives him to go to greater lengths in order to fund his career.
While his extreme measures may be unsympathetic – and perhaps unforgivable – Marty’s fundamental desire to transcend his circumstances remains relatable.
Marty’s ambitions of table tennis stardom are neither recognised nor respected by those around him. A24
Within the film’s spiralling chain of events, Marty Supreme captures the hardship of pursuing a dream only you recognise.
Marty is neither one-dimensional nor simplistic. Rather, the film allows his humanity to surface throughout his self-absorbed and destructive journey.
Marty’s unrelenting commitment to his dream catalyses his moral failing. But he is nonetheless a figure capable of tenderness. Far from a role model, Marty is a complex character. Despite being capable of caring for those he loves, he blindly priorities the fierce pursuit of his dreams.
Marty’s antihero persona reflects not only the lengths required to realise one’s aspirations, but also the consequences of pursuing those dreams at any cost.
While Marty Supreme dramatises the egotistical pursuit of its flawed protagonist, it ultimately explores the universal ambition to dream big – and questions what is worth sacrificing in order to achieve success.
Oscar Bloomfield does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The man was taken to hospital where he remained in a critical condition. (File photo)RNZ / Richard Tindiller
A man has been critically injured in an assault in Hamilton overnight.
Detective Sergeant Johnathon O’Byrne said the man was found by police on Avalon Drive at 2.40am on Thursday and he had significant injuries consistent with an assault.
The man was taken to hospital where he remained in a critical condition.
O’Byrne said police were investigating a “violent incident” they believed was linked a a property on Lyon St at 12am.
Police remained at the Lyon St house, guarding the property and O’Byrne said residents could expect to see a police presence in the area while the investigation continued.
O’Byrne asked anyone with information to come forward and get in touch with police via 105, quoting file number 260129/1915.
Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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For his latest novel, Softly Calls the Devil, Chris Blake has stepped out from behind the pseudonym he used for his debut.
He published The Sound of Her Voice – a double finalist in the 2018 Ngaio Marsh Awards – as Nathan Blackwell, a name he adopted to keep his writing separate from his role managing behavioural analysts and psychologists for the New Zealand Police.
The decision was driven by self-doubt and fear, Blake tells Nine to Noon.
The Sound of Her Voice by Nathan Blackwell.
Supplied / Orion
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Damage from the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods, from top left: Derek Judge’s Swanson home was flooded by the rapidly rising Waimoko Stream; houses in Swanson sit abandoned and vandalised in November; Andrew Marshall’s red-stricken house in Swanson is still being hit by vandals a year on from the floods; Julie Armstrong’s Northcote home was badly damaged by the flood waters.RNZ and supplied
Three years since Auckland was hit by double storms that took lives and displaced hundreds, some homeowners facing ongoing flood risk are heading to court.
They either want a buyout or stormwater problems fixed.
Auckland Council has deemed 1038 homes too risky to live in and bought them, with another 50 agreements expected to be settled.
West Auckland is Flooding spokesperson Lyall Carter said the $1.2 billion scheme offered jointly by the council and government worked for the majority, but not everyone.
“There’s still a number of people that are in challenging circumstances and I think that is to be expected to an extent.”
West Auckland is Flooding spokesperson Lyall Carter.RNZ / Kate Newton
The buyout scheme is wrapping up and some people whose homes are considered safe to live in have watched as neighbours houses are removed.
“They’re the forgotten people in this story, the ones that didn’t get bought out that have to live with the dread of flooding happening again and being re-traumatised all over again, having to live with their kids on that street while people pull down houses,” Carter said.
Among them are Brendon and Stephanie Deacon whose house in Huapai is one of the last standing in their cul-de-sac – nine were bought out.
Lawyer Grant Shand is representing them in a legal claim filed against Auckland Council – asking to be bought out.
“The Deacon judicial review proceeding, where they’re the category one house on the street and everyone else essentially is category three, hopefully that gets a hearing and gets resolved this year,” Shand said.
“Hopefully that also brings out other people who can see that they’re in the same position and may well have a claim also.”
Stephanie and Brendon Deacon’s house in Huapai is one of the last standing in their cul-de-sac.RNZ / Luka Forman
He said there were also homeowners in Hawke’s Bay who may bring claims related to their regional buyout scheme to court.
Shand expected there were others who could have cases against developers or councils.
“There probably are people who had damage, loss in the floods who may well have claims against people for the floodings themselves, such as bad drainage, bad management of the water in the area. They may well come out of the woodwork.”
Such as Kumeū homeowner Theresa Smith, whom he was representing in legal action filed against Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and a developer.
She said her property had become an overland flow path for stormwater due to changes in the road and footpath from a nearby development.
“I’m just getting no resolution from the council and the fact that they are devaluing our property by putting an overland flow path on it, when they have allowed infra to go in that is a channel for the water to be diverted onto our property.”
Smith was worried it could get worse.
“These overland flowpaths do devalue people’s properties and also it’s almost like a licence to keep diverting water as you progressively develop the area.”
Lawyer Grant Shand is representing some families asking to be bought out.Nick Monro
Meanwhile, the council had four major flood resilience projects underway, including two in Māngere due to be completed this year.
It had also confirmed the first stage of a somewhat controversial project to reduce flooding in Wairau, restore wetlands at AF Thomas Park while still allowing for golf.
Group recovery manager Mace Ward said this year marked a transition for the recovery programme.
“We’re now at the tail end of a huge recovery programme, with thousands of individual repair and recovery initiatives delivered across the region by Auckland Council group,” he said.
“Some of the hardest work hasn’t been the physically visible stuff, it’s been supporting Aucklanders to make incredibly difficult decisions about their future.”
The recovery office would deliver an overview of lessons learned mid-year, covering its advice for recovery planning.
As for the vacant plots left from houses bought and removed in Auckland, Ward said it would take years to decide the long-term use for that land due to the complexity of safety issues.
Lyall Carter said after all they had been through, communities needed a say.
“What happens with that land, the voice of the people has been missing from decisions especially in west Auckland for a long time when it comes to these areas that have been impacted by flooding. Their voices need to be paramount in what happens to that land that is left.”
He was concerned the city’s leaders had not learned to future-proof for flooding and natural hazards.
“We’ve had areas that have been fast-tracked to be built in areas we know flood, why? We have that on one hand and on the other hand there’ll be no more bail outs. Who’s responsible?”
Meanwhile, a lengthy inquest looking into the 19 storm-related fatalities in 2023 nationwide continues in February.
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