Common Sense - 14/03/2026
News
Main stories
The economic impacts of the Israel-US war on Iran continue to be felt in New Zealand, with more concern over how fuel prices could impact New Zealand’s economy in the coming weeks (or months).
NZ economy 'on precipice' as markets wobble, oil price rises - Susan Edmunds (RNZ)
NZ will release six days of fuel amid global concerns over supply - (RNZ)
NZ has lined up with 'MAGA US states' on oil, former Marsden Point boss says - Morning Report (RNZ)
Shares plunge as oil prices rocket to four-year high before easing - Andrew Patterson (Newsroom)
Why the war in Iran could test the Reserve Bank’s mandate - Joel MacManus (The Spinoff)
The rumoured rolling of Luxon has fizzled out over the weekend, with National MPs falling in behind the “embattled” leader. Their poll numbers still remain dangerously unpopular for an incumbent government.
National Party politicians rule out leadership bid - Ellen O'Dwyer (RNZ)
The poll numbers that could spell death for National - Max Rashbrooke (The Spinoff)
Labour has announced their list and shadow cabinet reshuffling ahead of the 2026 election, with some demotions, and some key promotions, with figures like Vanushi Walters now tipped to handle Labour’s foreign affairs portfolio.
The second phase of the COVID inquiry has released its report this week, reporting that while there were minor issues, especially during the 2021 Auckland lockdown, for the most part the government’s response was correct.
Covid-19 inquiry makes final findings on spending, mandates and lockdowns - Alice Neville (The Spinoff)
Lockdown, vaccine decisions ‘considered and appropriate’ – Royal Commission - Marc Daalder (Newsroom)
Lessons from the Covid-19 response inquiry - Phil Pennington (RNZ)
Covid-19 inquiry: Politicians on all sides find what they need in report - Ellen O'Dwyer (RNZ)
The real lesson of the second Covid-19 inquiry? We live in a post-truth world - Alice Neville (The Spinoff)
Shane Reti has announced his retirement from Parliament this week, the 4th National MP so far to bow out ahead of the 2026 election.
National's Shane Reti to retire from politics - (RNZ)
Doctor Who? How Shane Reti went from National’s deputy to Ciga-reti - Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (The Spinoff)
Following a High Court ruling, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has been reinstated into Te Paati Maaori finding her expulsion unlawful, opening up a new can of worms for the party going into 2026.
Kapa-Kingi reinstated: Where to now for Te Pāti Māori? - (RNZ)
https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/11-03-2026/kapa-kingi-reinstated-where-to-now-for-te-pati-maori - Liam Rātana (The Spinoff)
Mariameno Kapa-Kingi unsure if future lies with Te Pāti Māori or as independent - Giles Dexter (RNZ)
Court ruling 'brought justice to Te Tai Tokerau voters', Te Pāti Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi says - Lillian Hanly (RNZ)
Round up
National politics
The poll numbers that could spell death for National - Max Rashbrooke (The Spinoff)
Oriini Kaipara determined to push on despite Te Pāti Māori raruraru - Tini Molyneux (Te Ao Māori News)
Mediawatch: Fears of interference and influence in news - Colin Peacock (RNZ)
The House: MPs agree infrastructure debate should be politics free - Phil Smith (RNZ)
Peeni Henare tells MPs to move away from 'gotcha style politics' in valedictory speech - Lillian Hanly (RNZ)
‘I had hair… and fewer knives in my back’: A short history of Peeni Henare, politician - Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (The Spinoff)
Election 2026: Green Party MPs suffer big drops in draft list, Tamatha Paul ranked high as party hypes Māori candidates - Jamie Ensor (NZH)
Queenstown-based tech entrepreneur Brian Cartmell donating hundreds of thousands to political parties - Farah Hancock (RNZ)
Regional politics
Local government minister Simon Watts can't guarantee rates cap won't increase social housing rents - Lillian Hanly (RNZ)
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown sees no issue with low voter turnout - Jessica Hopkins (RNZ)
Another Auckland Council meeting, another long, loud howl over housing in Parnell - Hayden Donnell (The Spinoff)
Auckland Mayor says inner-city suburbs are ripe for housing intensification - Morning Report (RNZ)
Move-on orders 'not welcome here', Wellington leaders say - Bill Hickman (RNZ)
‘I panicked’: Ex-MP Paul Eagle admits altering contracts to gold-plate his council house - Jonathan Milne (Newsroom)
Economy / business / poverty
Air NZ to cancel around 1100 flights amid fuel crisis - (1News)
‘Most trusted’ Kiwi food brand loses battle with supermarket duopoly - Jonathan Milne (Newsroom)
Beneficiary numbers soar to 12-year high despite government's reduction promise - Lauren Crimp (RNZ)
Concerns whether govt’s ‘overworked’ liquidator can handle insolvency boom - Andrew Bevin (Newsroom)
Ministry of Social Development apologises for broken data system - Lauren Crimp (RNZ)
Wattie's boss says closures due to 'a perfect storm' of factors - (1News)
11 pics on the NZ economy - Mike Jones (Newsroom)
One in three households struggled for food in past year, Hunger Monitor report finds - Amy Williams (RNZ)
NZ’s big cannabis era ends with Helius collapse - Andrew Bevin (Newsroom)
Northland rough sleepers face more than 800 day wait for home through Housing First - Lauren Crimp (RNZ)
Labour
Fire and Emergency NZ threaten wage deductions for striking firefighters - (NZH)
Legal / justice / immigration
Immigration NZ investigated 146 allegations against staff in five years - Gill Bonnett (RNZ)
Urgent Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into government's removal of schools' Treaty obligations - Layla Bailey-McDowell (RNZ)
ACC change a rushed answer to the wrong problem - Susan St John (Newsroom)
IT project behind overhaul of firearms regulations put on hold - Phil Pennington (RNZ)
Muslims fear hate rising as seventh anniversary of Christchurch mosque attack approaches - (RNZ)
Government announces year-long trial of cheaper visas for Pacific travellers - Giles Dexter (RNZ)
Environment
Renewable energy generation hits new high, gas at 46-year low - (RNZ)
Government will publicly release findings of inquiry into Moa Point wastewater plant - (RNZ)
Government backtracks on live animal export plans - Keiller MacDuff (RNZ)
National would only support 'gold standard' live animal exports, Todd McClay says - Midday Report (RNZ)
Greenpeace calls for government to drastically cut legal limit of nitrates in drinking water - Keiller MacDuff (RNZ)
NZ Navy's HNZS Te Kaha leaks hundreds of litres of oil into Akaroa Harbour - (RNZ)
Foreign affairs / military
US President Donald Trump’s pick for New Zealand Ambassador reveals priorities, interested in expanding defence partnership - Jamie Ensor (NZH)
Anzac ‘force multiplier’ talk risks NZ defence identity – expert - Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom)
AI in warfare being tested in Iran, needs 'much more' careful thinking by NZ - Defence - Phil Pennington (RNZ)
Government working 'around the clock' to help New Zealanders stranded in Middle East - (RNZ)
Christopher Luxon to visit Samoa, Tonga to meet new PMs - Giles Dexter (RNZ)
Health
Christchurch Hospital staffing 'like moving the deck chairs around on the Titanic', worker says - Anna Sargent (RNZ)
Education
'May be unusual, doesn't make it wrong': Public Service Commissioner responds to legal action filed by teachers union - Morning Report (RNZ)
Primary teachers' union angry over government offering individual pay rises - (RNZ)
Petitions
Get people in prison the basic supplies they are legally entitled to
Gig Guide
National
National Day of Action against Move-On Orders (planned)
Time: Sunday 29 March
Time: Friday 1 May - Sunday 3 May
Location: Rotorua
Online
ASTR (Asians Supporting Tino Rangatiratanga) in Action: Ten Years of Solidarity Webinar
Time: Saturday 14 March, 11:00am
Link: www.tinyurl.com/ASTR10
Not Just A Game - The Inclusive Politics & Potential of Women's Sports
Time: Wednesday 25 March, 7:00pm-8:30pm
Link: https://www.instagram.com/aucklandwomenscentre/p/DVPD3OQk-K9/
Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
Palestinian Film Screenings - Global Sumud Flotilla Fundraising
Time: Sunday 13 March, 3:00pm
Location: The Cellar, Corbans Estate, Henderson
Free Warm Kai
Time: Mondays weekly, 6-8pm
Location: Gemmayze St, St. Kevin's Arcade, Karangahape Road
Māori & Pasifika Women's Self Defence
Time: Saturday 14 March, 9:30am - 4:00pm
Location: 4 Warnock Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland Women's Centre
HANDS OFF CUBA! Public Meeting
Time: Friday 27 March, 7:00pm
Location: Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
Wāhine Inside - Poetry & prose from wāhine in Christchurch Women’s Prison
Time: Friday 27 March, 7pm (RSVP)
Location: Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland
Show Your Heart For The Hauraki - Ban Bottom Trawling in Tīkapa Moana
Time: Saturday 11 April, 1:00-5:00pm
Location: Oneroa Beach, Waiheke
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington)
Air Out Climate Dirty Laundry Protest
Time: Monday 16 March, 8:00am
Location: High Court, 2 Molesworth Street
Anarchist Discussion Circle - An Introduction to the Ideas and Strategies of Anarchist Communism
Time: Sunday 29 March, 4:00pm
Location: Wellington Trades Hall, 124 Vivian Street
Ōtautahi (Christchurch)
Cuba Under Siege: What is True Democracy? - Talk with the Ambassador of Cuba
Time: Tuesday 17 March, 6:00pm (doors)
Location: Helen Kelly Room, 68 Langdons Road
If you want to help us resource and continue improving our round up and gig guide please consider supporting us on Patreon