Common Sense - 18/04/2026

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Main stories

Luxon has again been subject to another ‘coup’ rumour, with leaks to the press announcing at most 2 weeks before action against him. Luxon was 40 minutes late to a press conference on Friday, before fending off questions about him allegedly ghosting the National whip and saying he doesn’t need to check if the National caucus has his support.

Christopher Luxon evaded MP who tried to tell him of flagging support, faces possible challenge this fortnight – sources - Thomas Coughlan (NZH)

Fuel shocks from the ongoing (and now “two-sided”) blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues to squeeze the New Zealand economy. Stocks and production continue to drop both domestically and globally, while the government is continuing to downplay the severity and risks.

‘Do nothing’ national fuel plan leaves NZ exposed, economist warns - Dita De Boni (The Post, paywalled)

Why NZ's future fuel shipments are a secret - Anneke Smith (The Post, paywalled)

The arguments for and against making NZ public transport free during the fuel crisis - Emma Gleason (The Spinoff)

1of200’s Kyle Church hosted a webinar discussion this week with Nicky Hager, Dr. Mahdis Azarmandi, and Gabriella Brayne discussing the US-Israel war on Iran, how the coalition government has responded to the conflict, and what we in Aotearoa can do.

US-Israel War on Iran | Anti-War Aotearoa Webinar - Nicky Hager, Dr Mahdis Azarmandi, Gabriella Brayne, Kyle Church (1of200)

The Waitangi Tribunal has started an urgent inquiry into the coalition government’s curriculum changes around Māori and Te Tiriti, hearing that the current draft for history is “badly written and inaccurate”.

Waitangi Tribunal told draft history curriculum badly written and inaccurate - John Gerritsen (RNZ)

Tech billionaire and Xero founder Sir Rod Drury has been publicly accused of inappropriate conduct by a former employee during his time at Xero. The company has opened an investigation into its handling of the original complaints.

New Zealander of the Year and former Xero boss Sir Rod Drury faced misconduct complaint investigation - Paula Penfold (Stuff)

It’s been revealed this week that NZ Police used a “free trial” of Palantir software in the wake of the Christchurch massacre.

EXCLUSIVE: How Palantir found itself used in the wake of the Christchurch massacre - Smith K. Stead, William Evans (Exit from Affco)

Paul Goldsmith has said the Broadcasting Standards Authority will ‘probably’ be scrapped as part of the coalition’s media reforms, following ongoing sparring between the BSA and right-wing media figures.

What is the Broadcasting Standards Authority and why is its future in doubt? - Nik Dirga (RNZ)