NEWS

World leaders have condemned US President Donald Trump’s plan to force Palestinians out of Gaza. Germany warned it would cause “new suffering,” while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Palestinians “must be allowed home.” Saudi Arabia rejected the plan, refusing ties with Israel without an independent Palestinian state.

In New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised Ngai Tahu’s Treaty settlement at Waitangi commemorations. Health Minister Simeon Brown backed fluoridated water despite opposition, while Climate Minister Simon Watts announced new emissions targets without large-scale tree planting.

Internationally, Trump banned transgender athletes from women’s sports; Israel left the UN Human Rights Council, accusing it of antisemitism; and in Australia, nationalist activists were banned from X after appearing on AFL personality Sam Newman’s podcast, sparking free speech debates.

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ANALYSIS 

Exciting news for RCR! We celebrate the launch of RCR 360, our brand-new weekly video show, with a deep dive into the theme of democracy—its challenges and evolution. Hosted by Alistair Harding and Maree Buscke, this premiere episode features enlightening discussions with Jeffrey Tucker and Professor Elizabeth Rata. They explore the impact of Donald Trump’s presidency on governance perspectives and how democracy is shaped in New Zealand. Jeffrey Tucker discusses Trump’s war on the administrative state, while Elizabeth Rata talks about the importance of meritocracy in our universities. You can catch the full episode at www.rcr.media! 

THE SIGNPOST

RCR 360 premieres with the first episode focusing on democracy. Don’t miss it!

This week Simon O’Connor interviewed Professor Paul Moon, uncovering fascinating Waitangi Day history, while Rodney Hide spoke with Don Brash from Hobson’s Pledge. Paul Brennan caught up with Realtor Janet Dickson, who is legally challenging compulsory Māori Tikanga training with backing from Hobson’s Pledge and the Free Speech Union. Free Speech Union CEO Jonathan Ayling also joined Paul to discuss concerns over proposed hate crime laws.

On Legal Hub, Katie Ashby-Koppens details her citizen petition to the US FDA about DNA contamination in Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The replay of the Covid-19 Inquiry webinar is now live for those who missed it.

The Wilms Report returned this week, with Tim Wilms and Paul Brennan discussing Australia’s National Day controversies. Meanwhile, Media Matters kicked off 2025 with Maree and Marty analysing the media's influence on New Zealand’s political landscape, particularly around Waitangi Day. Oinky Lux: Kiwi Farm also made a chaotic return with Episode 64.

Upcoming features include Maree Buscke’s interview with political strategist Trevor Loudon, focusing on recent developments surrounding Donald Trump, and Paul Brennan’s discussion with Greg Simons on the Gaza crisis and Trump’s broader international strategy. Alistair Harding’s interview with Grant Illingworth KC, diving into the next phase of the Covid Inquiry, will be released soon.

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