Common Sense - 07/03/2026

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the main story this week has been the US-Israel war on Iran and the subsequent Iranian strikes on Israel and US assets in the region. The domestic response from the coalition government has been marked by a muddled endorsement from Luxon at a press conference earlier this week, and fears that a prolonged war could greatly affect the New Zealand economy through energy and supply chain disruption.

Luxon says he 'misspoke' on 'any actions' in Iran - Justin Hu (1News)

Luxon’s fumbling, floundering response to Iran strikes - Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom)

‘Tapahi, motuhia te here’ – Calls for government to condemn US strikes on Iran - Māni Dunlop (Te Ao Māori News)

Phil Goff: New Zealand’s silence on Iran war shows complicity - Phil Goff (Stuff)

Trump’s latest fire and fury in Iran poses headache for NZ - Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom)

New Zealand prices of 'anything attached to fuel' will rise, logistics boss warns - Morning Report (RNZ)

A new Curia poll released Friday has National at 28.4%, the lowest in years, sparking rumours of a Luxon exit (or putsch). Luxon has reportedly been told to take the weekend to “think it over”, but concerns have also been raised internally about the lack of a clear replacement and the optics of replacing a PM 8 months out from the election.

National falls into the 20s in latest poll as pressure mounts on Christopher Luxon - Jo Moir (RNZ)

Democracy Briefing: Will Prime Minister Luxon go? - Bryce Edwards (The Democracy Project)

Luxon faces existential threat after torrid week and damning poll - Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom)

Justice and Media Minister Paul Goldsmith has been scrutinised this week over a call between him and the TVNZ board chair over a negative 1News story about crime statistics.

TVNZ board chair rang senior minister to discuss negative coverage - Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom)

Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith says he 'may have grunted' at TVNZ chair - Anneke Smith (RNZ)

Questions raised over TVNZ's editorial independence - Midday Report (RNZ)

Govt gets its wish from 1News – a headline on fewer crime victims - Tim Murphy (Newsroom)

The Education and Workforce select committee has released its recommendations on a long debated under-16 social media ban, calling for the ban, the establishment on a national online regulator, and suggesting that VPN use “warrants further exploration by the Government”. The Greens and ACT have come out against the bill, both for different reasons.

Social media ban for under-16s? MP who initiated inquiry disappointed with ‘predetermined’ outcome - Julia Gabel (NZH)

Parliamentary committee calls for under 16s social media ban - Glenn McConnell (Stuff)

Social media ban for under-16s: MPs back new online regulator, raise VPN concerns - Tom Pullar-Strecker, Henry Cooke (The Post, paywalled)

Further critiques have been made of the government’s announcement of “move-on” orders last week, with fears raised that it will only exacerbate issues for vulnerable people, and the revelation that the Housing and Justice ministries both refused to endorse the measure.

Serious concerns at-risk youth will be caught up in government's new move-on orders - Amy Williams (RNZ)

Move-on orders 'shift the problem' as advocates warn of harm to those already struggling - Layla Bailey-McDowell (RNZ)

Move-on orders didn't get backing of Housing or Justice ministries - Lillian Hanly (RNZ)