Common Sense - 13/12/2025
Kia ora all, welcome to the first issue of the (rebooted) 1/200 Common Sense newsletter. This newsletter aims to collate the important Aotearoa news of the previous week, and any upcoming events or actions across the motu for the next. As it's inaugural, this will evolve over time, but we're excited to start bringing you a weekly issue every Saturday morning.
Remember to sign up to our Patreon to get a notification when the newsletter goes live.
News
Main stories
The coalition unveiled their replacement for the RMA this week, giving property owners much more power and opening the door to increased development. ‘Entire system more permissive’: How to fix the RMA fixes by David Williams (Newsroom)
Seymour's Charter School Agency has formally revoked its contract with a non-existent trust, meant to be set up by the Wellington Phoenix, involved in a specialist sports charter school to open February. Government revokes sports school contract with non-existent trust by John Gerritsen (RNZ)
The government is rushing through a law change under urgency to reduce the 2050 methane reduction target, from 24-47% down to 14-24%. Govt to rush climate target change through Parliament under urgency by Marc Daalder (Newsroom)
Australia's world-first social media ban for those under 16 went into effect on Wednesday, despite widespread concerns about the policy's implementation, impact, and effectiveness. I wrote 44,000 words about the teen social media ban’s problems. I hope I’m wrong by Cam Wilson (Crikey, registration-walled)
Round up
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says he's watching the UK plan to scrap jury trials for offences under 3 years "with great interest". Government weighs UK-style jury trial cuts to ease NZ court delays by Kate Nicol-Williams (1News)
Parliament was disrupted by a Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa protest on Tuesday, prompting Speaker Gerry Brownlee to close public access to the chamber's gallery for the rest of the year. PSNA (via Scoop & RNZ)
A judge is now deliberating on whether or not to overturn Papatoetoe's local election result, after an abnormal 8% vote count increase and allegations of widespread electoral fraud. Did NZ’s most brazen electoral fraud just take place in Papatoetoe? by Hayden Donnell (The Spinoff)
Per new data from Earth Sciences New Zealand (previously NIWA), 2025 saw the warmest spring and November on record in Aotearoa. Record warm spring across country part of climate's 'new normal' by Kate Newton (RNZ)
The National Iwi Chairs Forum delivered a 24,000 signature petition to Erica Stanford and the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, demanding schools re-adopt Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. (Waatea News)
Customs officials are looking to use private CCTV surveillance system Auror, with the police technology watchdog saying that both agencies using the system would be a "significant issue" for security and privacy, by Phil Pennington (RNZ)
A homicide investigation is underway after the death of an inmate at Mt Eden Prison following an assault by his double-bunked cellmate, the third such death in 12 months. Three double-bunk deaths at Mt Eden prison in a year by Sam Sherwood (RNZ)
The trial of the Denniston 11, peaceful protestors fighting the expansion of a coal mine on the West Coast, began Thursday, the same day the government opened up large swathes of West Coast conservation land to development. You can donate to the Denniston 11's legal fund here.
The Block The Ban protest against the government's decision to ban puberty blockers for those under 18 went ahead in Tāmaki Makaurau on Sunday.
The Supreme Court in a case on Tuesday recognised two full-time parent carers as state-employed home workers, entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay. PSA (via Scoop)
Opinion pieces / long form
Chris Bishop is confused, and there’s a reason for it by Simon Wilson (NZH, paywalled)
How much is a Kiwi's life worth? by Mountain Tui (Substack)
Petitions
ASB KiwiSaver divest from illegal Israeli settlements or we switch!
Pause Charter-School Approvals Until Transparency & Safety Are Guaranteed
Gig Guide
-
Saturday - 13/12
8:00am - 1:00pm - Palestine rally at Ostend Market, Waiheke Island
2:15pm - Palestine rally at Te Komititanga, CBD
3:00pm - 6:00pm - Palestine Youth Workshop at Zeal West, 20 Alderman Drive, HendersonMonday-Friday - 15/12-19/12
3:00pm - Palestine vigil outside US Consulate, Customs St East, CBD4:00pm - Palestine vigil at Te Komititanga, CBD
-
Sunday - 14/12
11:00am - Palestine flags & car convoy at Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui
-
Saturday - 13/12
1:00pm - Palestine flags at Flynn Park
2:00pm - Palestine flags at Hinemoa Park (corner of Tristam & Mill St) -
Saturday - 13/12
11:30am - Palestine rally at Soundshell roundabout
-
Sunday - 14/12
2:00pm - Palestine rally at Te Marae O Hine -
Saturday - 13/12
10:00am - 4:30pm - Al-Ameen Unity Cup and Community Day at Alex Moore Park, Johnsonville Wellington's inter-masjid football tournament, free and open to all with stalls fundraising to help students graduate from Al-Aqsa University in GazaFriday - 19/12
7:15am - Palestine flags at Hill St -
Saturday - 13/12
1:00pm - Palestine rally at the Bridge of Remembrance
5:00pm - ŌTAUTAHI 4 PALESTINE FundraiserFriday - 19/12
4:00pm - Palestine flags at the Bridge of Remembrance
Further Palestine actions across the country can be found collated by our friend @Funksta-uzz on Bluesky
If you want to help us resource and continue improving our round up and gig guide please consider supporting us on Patreon