Common Sense 18/01/2026

News

Main stories

RBNZ/Peters

Foreign Minister Peters publicly reprimanded RBNZ governor Anna Breman after she signed a letter of support for Federal Reserve Jerome Powell, telling her to "stay in her New Zealand lane". (Russell Palmer, RNZ)

2025 was the hottest year ever for New Zealand since records began, with the top five coming in the past 8. (Marc Daalder, Newsroom)

FENZ has admitted to using Auckland Transport CCTV cameras to spy on picketing NZPFU members during last week's strike on Friday, with another strike to occur January 23. (NZPFU)

Round up

Asset management firm BlackRock has officially pulled out of the Labour-introduced $2b climate infrastructure fund meant to achieve 100% renewable energy. (Sam Sachdeva, Newsroom)

Former PM Jacinda Ardern has pulled out of the beleaguered Adelaide writers' week, following close to 200 other guests who boycotted the festival over its decision to ban Palestinian-Australian academic Randa Abdel-Fattah. (Kelly Burke, The Guardian)

Hundreds of eels have been found dead in a stream in Hawkes Bay, with the regional council investigating the cause. (Linda Hall, RNZ)

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will leave for Kiribati on Sunday for the first state visit since 2019, a year after President Taneti Maamau snubbed Peters by cancelling a visit to Wellington. (Anneke Smith, RNZ)

Six police staff have been stood down and 17 others remain under investigation as part of an organisation-wide audit of tech devices in the wake of the McSkimming scandal. (Katie Ham, The Post (paywalled)) 

Angela Brazier, director of the Firearms Safety Authority, has retired from her role after being criticised in the McSkimming IPCA report for her role in the coverup. (Sam Sherwood, RNZ)

1000 people were in attendance for the 180 year commemoration of the Battle of Ruapekapeka Pā on Sunday, including ceremonies and the unveiling of 12 new pou around the area. (Peter de Graaf, RNZ)

Thanks to a bumper rimu berry crop, critically endangered kākāpō could have a huge mating season this year. (Eva Corlett, The Guardian)

Opinion pieces / long form

1/200 S2E178 - Interim Order on Puberty Blockers

The bumper year ahead in politics: your handy guide to what’s happening when - Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (The Spinoff)

What the hell is going on between the Coalition Government and the Public Service Commission? - Josh Drummond (Emily Writes)

The recovery you want has been further delayed - Craig Renney

Gig Guide

No static gigs we know of this week, but as always you can refer to Funksta’s list on bsky for Palestine actions here.

If you want to help us resource and continue improving our round up and gig guide please consider supporting us on Patreon