Will ‘move on’ orders for rough sleepers make cities safer – or revive Victorian-era cruelty?Kris Gledhill, Auckland University of Technology
As global fuel risk rises, NZ Budget 2026 puts roads first – againTimothy Welch, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Why the tax NZ never wanted to talk about is back on the political agenda in 2026Irshad Ali, Auckland University of Technology
Why a US ‘freeloading’ claim has put the heat on NZ’s independent foreign policyAlexander Gillespie, University of Waikato
‘Polyanna policy’ – is NZ’s framework for AI use in government overly optimistic?Deborah Te Kawa, University of Canterbury and Barbara Allen, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
In a tight NZ budget, will money go where it’s needed most – or to political priorities?Michael Ryan, University of Waikato
Will weakening Treaty provisions in NZ law create more problems than it solves?Carwyn Jones, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Kiwi or not to be: can a citizenship test really measure what it means to be a New Zealander?Richard Shaw, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
This election year budget is a political tightrope walk for Willis and NationalGrant Duncan, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
No diesel, no power: why the global oil shock is hitting NZ’s small Pacific neighbours hardSione Fanga Taufa, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The push for a smaller public service risks coming at a larger cost for New ZealandersBarbara Allen, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Jonathan Boston, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, and Michael Macaulay, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
NZ is criminalising sexualised deepfakes – banning apps that make them should be nextCassandra Mudgway, University of Canterbury
NZ is overdue for a population strategy – but there is only so much governments can doTahu Kukutai, University of Waikato; John Bryant, University of Waikato, and Polly Atatoa Carr, University of Waikato
Is New Zealand sliding toward a US-style approach to immigration and asylum?Jay Marlowe, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau and Timothy Fadgen, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The NZ Census guided vital economic and social planning. What happens now it’s gone?Stephen Haslett, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University and George Seber, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau