The Platform host declared National is doomed under Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and urged the party to replace him before the next election, suggesting Judith Collins as the only viable alternative. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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Briefing for 12 February 2025

Sean Plunket: Luxon is a ‘wokester’, an ‘idiot’, and a ‘fool’ who stands for nothing

Broadcaster Sean Plunket unloaded on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, calling him a “John Key tribute band with a playlist from Jacinda Ardern” who is too weak, too stupid, and too naïve to lead New Zealand.

In a brutal takedown on The Platform, Plunket accused Luxon of walking into media traps, lacking backbone, and failing to understand the political landscape.

Police probe Te Pāti Māori over data misuse claims

Police are investigating Te Pāti Māori over allegations that Census and COVID vaccination data were misused to target voters ahead of the 2023 general election.

The inquiry, led by Detective Superintendent Ross McKay, follows claims from former Manurewa Marae workers that private data was copied and entered into a database linked to the party’s campaign.

Govt moves to curb Māori studies mandate for realtors

The government isn’t just softening penalties for realtors who refuse compulsory Māori studies—it’s moving to scrap the mandate altogether.

After the High Court dismissed Auckland agent Janet Dickson’s challenge to the Te Kākano course requirement, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee introduced a bill stripping the Real Estate Authority (REA) of its power to impose five-year bans for non-compliance. But McKee’s intervention goes further.

Did you mean: Less diversity? Google drops DEI programmes

Google is eliminating hiring goals tied to diversity, becoming the latest tech giant to scale back DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives amid political pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration.

The company confirmed it is reevaluating its DEI programmes but insists it remains committed to workplace equity.

Ngāi Tahu fights Crown in court over freshwater co-management

In a case that has major implications for co-governance, Ngāi Tahu is suing the Crown in a landmark High Court case to force co-management of South Island freshwater resources.

The government, however, is pushing back hard, arguing that Ngāi Tahu’s claims have no legal standing beyond historical settlements.

Robert MacCulloch: Luxon’s investor visa is a ‘passport giveaway’

Economist Robert MacCulloch, writing for Down to Earth Kiwi, calls Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s investor visa scheme a scam that devalues New Zealand’s passport while serving fund managers, not the economy.

He argues Luxon’s claim that NZ needs more foreign investment is misleading, as NZ already has the fourth-highest net foreign investment in the OECD.

New Zealand drops again in global corruption rankings

New Zealand has slipped further in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), dropping from 85 to 83 and falling to fourth place globally, behind Singapore.

Once ranked least corrupt alongside Denmark, New Zealand is now seven points behind its former peer, reflecting a long-term decline since 2015.