New Zealand Listener Issue 37, 2025

Editor Kirsty Cameron Chief Subeditor Geoff Cumming Managing Editor Ruth Brown Art Director  Derek Ward  Books Editor  Mark Broatch  Entertainment & Arts Editor Russell Baillie  Digital Editor  Dionne Christian  Content Producer  Louise Barnes  Subeditors  Richard Betts, Anthony Doesburg, Bevan Rapson  Senior Designer Richard Kingsford Editorial contact listener@aremedia.co.nz Contributors this issue: Russell Brown, Jane Clifton, Michael Cooper, Greg Dixon, Greg Fleming, Mark Fryer, Sylvia Giles, Paul Gorman, David Harvey, Michele Hewitson, Danyl McLauchlan, Atakohu Middleton, Chris Mirams, Nicky Pellegrino, Graham Reid, Cathrin Schaer, Chris Schulz, Alex Scott, Andrew Shelling, Craig Sisterton, Chris Slane, Aaron Smale, CK Stead, Andy Tristram, Tim Upperton, Sarah Watt, Marc Wilson Chief Executive Officer  Jane Huxley  General Manager Stuart Dick  Editorial Director  Sarah Henry  Head of Digital  Melissa Walsh  Senior Digital Content Producer  Katie Delany  Sales Director …

It’s official: alcohol is carcinogenic. So why doesn’t New Zealand follow other nations in doing more to reduce its harms? Global health authorities have known for decades that alcohol increases the risk of cancer. This was reinforced by the World Cancer Research Fund warning earlier this year that women should drink no alcohol to reduce the risk of breast cancer. New Zealand Ministry of Health guidelines for safe drinking are far higher than the six glasses a year that pose minimal risk for breast cancer. The guidelines say men should have no more than 15 standard drinks a week and women 10. It is unfortunate the alcohol industry appears to have played a part in influencing the Ministry of Health guidelines and potentially other government policies on alcohol. Other nations…

Charlotte Grimshaw, (Diary, September 13) highlights how Norway, with its vast resources, is starting a process of divestment from Israeli industry as a likely effective move against the horrendous conflict with Palestinians. This has come into focus with the war of retribution on Gaza, although it has been going on for decades as Palestinian villages and homelands have been demolished. Sanctions and divestments have been proven as an effective tool of action against wars and injustice. But worldwide, billions are being made out of the current wars by arms manufacturers. How many New Zealanders know whether their KiwiSaver funds are supporting arms manufacturing? This is increasingly the case because there is money to be made there, albeit lives are lost in the process. My guess is most of us would…

“He tried to kill police with his children in the line of fire. That is not the behaviour of a responsible father.” – Police Minister Mark Mitchell on fugitive Tom Phillips who was shot by police “No one has won from this situation. It’s a tragedy for the community and for New Zealand.” – Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen “Look, the next time Helen Clark criticises me for getting a bit of extra money for our Defence Force, I think I’m going to tell her exactly where she can put her thoughts.” – Defence Minister Judith Collins on Clark attending the parade with North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin “Since the dystopian ban came into force, over 1600 people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act for holding…

1. 987654321 divided by 123456789 equals approximately what number? ❑ 9 ❑ 8 ❑ 7 ❑ 6 2. Which WWE wrestler was born Terry Gene Bollea? ❑ Hulk Hogan ❑ Steve Austin ❑ The Undertaker ❑ The Rock 3. Where would you find the olecranon? ❑ Neck ❑ Arm ❑ Leg ❑ Abdomen 4. The Ancient Greek poet Hesiod said a bronze anvil falling from heaven would take how many days before it reached the Earth? ❑ Two ❑ Five ❑ Eight ❑ Nine 5. How many species of kōwhai are recognised? ❑ One ❑ Five ❑ Eight ❑ Ten 6. Croatian Vitomir Maričić recently broke the record for breath-holding the longest. Roughly how many minutes was it? ❑ 18 ❑ 22 ❑ 26 ❑ 29 7. What was Lemuel…

The odds of a Hipkins/Labour Restoration in 2026 improve with each new poll: a radiant dawn breaking over the left-wing political landscape in monthly survey intervals. But as it rises, the challenge of building a stable coalition with Te Pāti Māori gathers like a distant storm; clouds boiling with the thunder and lightning of Tāwhirimātea, threatening to blot out the red sun. How do you govern alongside a party that holds the state itself in contempt? When asked about this, Labour’s strategists have jutted their chins, flashed their eyes and defiantly replied, “Who says Te Pāti Māori will even be in Parliament after the next election?”, citing their strategic goal of winning back the Māori seats. The goal appears completely hopeless in the wake of the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election. Peeni…