New Zealand Listener digital subscription

Despite us being told our economy is improving, this coalition government is one of the most divided, polarising and unpopular in recent times. Not since the days of Muldoon’s bullying and bluster have so many people been upset and annoyed by the arrogant actions of so few. Danyl McLauchlan’s excellent “Year in politics” (December 13) seems to sum up succinctly why so many of us are so upset with this lot. I think, despite the government’s supposed handle on how to turn the economy around, the far-right tendencies in Act and NZ First, and the intemperate rantings of Shane Jones and David Seymour, are being allowed to dominate the agenda while Prime Minster Luxon’s appearing to be asleep at the wheel. In short, the government is becoming Trumpist in all…

“The irony of the IRD’s refusal to pay for its breach will not be lost on the thousands of New Zealand businesses who have been struggling to make ends meet for several years.” “It’s almost like we’re going back in history to the 1950s, the days of McCarthyism, where if you had ever been a member of the Communist Party you were banned from getting into the US.” “Wellingtonians are a pretty phlegmatic bunch until they get upset.”  “One of the things I’ve been grieving for quite a long time now is laughter. It’s such a precious and beautiful thing in theatre … We need it like a public service – like medicine.”  “Shane Jones talks of job opportunities. He says nothing about the consequent and long-term loss of jobs…

1. Which person, who died this year, said, “When I approach the pearly gates, I’d like to hear a champagne cork popping, an orchestra tuning up and the sound of my mother laughing.” ❑ Prunella Scales ❑ Robert Redford ❑ Diane Keaton ❑ Patricia Routledge 2. This year, Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia became the world’s tallest church. It will be completed in 2026. When did building begin? ❑ 1882 ❑ 1904 ❑ 1926 ❑ 1933 3. Primatologist Jane Goodall loved primates, but what did she say her favourite animal was? ❑ Cat ❑ Dog ❑ Dolphin ❑ Kākāpō 4. Which team won this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup? ❑ New Zealand ❑ England ❑ France ❑ Canada 5. Donald Trump is the second US president to serve non-consecutive terms. Who…

Separating an individual from the common herd with the royal honours “Sir” or “Dame” seems at first blush to go against the egalitarian grain in New Zealand. Although Kiwis have paid only lip service to the myth for a long time, egalitarianism still lurks in the national subconscious. The official government website for the honours system is upfront about the anomaly, quoting a 1995 review: “We believe that such recognition is consistent with the egalitarian character of New Zealand society and enlivens and enriches it.” Sir John Key – who in 2009 restored the titular honours that his predecessor Helen Clark abolished in 2000 – thinks he knows why their reinstatement was popular. “What people were reflecting was that, as a general rule, the people who got them had done…

The Diseased Lung in a Jar for services to the tobacco industry goes to film-maker TAIKA WAITITI for celebrating his 50th birthday in Ibiza in August with platters and bowls of cigarettes and “Taika” branded matches. We know fan favourite Waititi’s preferred mode combines broad winks, his tongue in both cheeks, virtual air quotes, insouciant shrugs and ceaseless deadpannery, but still. Those things kill people! Can’t wait until some ambitious local acting luvvies with Hollywood dreams call him out on it. The Apocalypse Now Platinum Rotorblade for Services to PTSD goes to Neighbours of the Year ALI WILLIAMS and ANNA MOWBRAY, who won approval in June for their helipad in residential Westmere. Thwap, thwap, thwap, thwap, thwap, thwap, thwap, thwap, thwap … We come to you live from the formerly…

It’s a few weeks before Christmas and at a Melbourne primary school, 5-year-old Claudia gets up to sing the carol she knows. It’s a special song, one that has been in her family for generations. “We three kings of Orient are,” she begins, her voice taking on the distinct, foreign vowels of her late, much-loved grandfather. “One in a tractor, two in a car, one on a scooter tooting a hooter, following yonder star … Oooooooh … star of wonder, star of bright, star of beauty, she’ll be right …” Claudia’s song hits double time and abruptly finishes. As it should. The teachers look puzzled by the lyrics to the familiar melody. They are possibly wondering whether there should be four more verses, at a slightly more hymnal tempo. However,…

Craig Roberts has lost the use of his couch. Sprawled out on it, alternately lying head-to-head and rump-to-rump, are five massive greyhounds. Their spindly legs dangle delicately off the edge. One dog uses the armrest as a makeshift pillow. The greyhounds – Big Al, Polly, Vikkers, Carly, Dali – are retired from Roberts’ racing kennels, Jewel Racing. In 2026, the sight of greyhounds on sofas will replace the sight of them careening around a racetrack, with commercial greyhound racing due to officially end on July 31. Roberts would love to keep some of his more than 50 dogs but says it’s just not possible with five retrievers, a dachshund, a German shepherd and about 10 greyhounds already waiting to be rehomed. The closure is the final nail in the coffin…

IN MANY WAYS HARRY IS THE EASIEST dog I’ve ever had. Undemanding, humble, loves to join me for a morning walk but happy not to bother if the weather is bad. He’s a quiet and gentle companion. What he enjoys most is snoozing on the sofa in my office while I’m working. He’d prefer it if I put in far longer hours. When I was introduced to him by Greyhounds as Pets, there was no sign of his quirky personality. In fact, he pretty much ignored me. Harry is covered in scars, missing half his tail and had been sent back from his last home because he didn’t like being left alone. I said straight away, “Yes, I’ll take him.” That first night he seemed scared but the next morning…

If you stare at icebergs too long you can see some strange things. A small group of us are watching an armada of bergs from the top deck of our ice-strengthened expedition ship deep in the Ross Sea. It is midnight but the sun has shown no inclination to set and just trundles around the southern horizon looking lost. As their guide aboard, I have recently converted this group of wildlife nuts to watching icebergs. They are full of the vim and chatter of new converts. One of them is a short, elderly, bespectacled woman named Glenis. She sips whiskey and hot water from an orange thermos. Glenis describes her trip down to the ice as “just the ticket”. We have been watching icebergs for a while, rugged up against…