Christopher Luxon joined international talks on Ukraine – British PM Sir Keir Starmer led a virtual summit with about 30 nations, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, as concerns rise over diminishing US support under Donald Trump. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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Briefing for 17 March 2025

Luxon joins Ukraine crisis talks as military discussions begin

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has joined international talks on Ukraine. British PM Sir Keir Starmer led a virtual summit with around 30 nations, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, as concerns grow over waning US support under President Donald Trump.

Starmer declared it was time to move to an “operational phase,” with military leaders meeting in London this week to devise a concrete plan.

ACT slams Auckland University’s Māori student centre as ‘segregation’

Auckland University has opened He Āhuru Mōwai, a dedicated support centre for Māori students, but ACT’s tertiary spokeswoman Dr Parmjeet Parmar argues that “special spaces” based on ethnicity undermine inclusion and send the wrong message—that Māori students cannot succeed alongside others.

Parmar calls for support based on need rather than race, criticising universities for enforcing separation instead of fostering diverse learning environments.

China expands Antarctic footprint, raising concerns in New Zealand

China is advancing plans to establish a second Antarctic research station on the New Zealand side of the continent, prompting concerns over its expanding influence. A draft environmental evaluation submitted to the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat outlines a proposed summer research base in Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica.

While China insists the facility is for climate research, past warnings from US defence officials suggest such bases could serve dual purposes, including military applications.

Govt expands bowel screening, critics push for race-based exceptions

The Government’s decision to lower the bowel cancer screening age to 58 for all New Zealanders has been met with backlash from Māori health advocates, who wanted targeted screening for Māori and Pacific men from age 50.

Health Minister Simeon Brown defended the policy, arguing that broadening access based on need rather than race ensures fairness and will save lives. ACT leader David Seymour echoed this, saying the move aligns with the party’s stance against race-based healthcare.

New Zealand breathes easy while South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East choke

According to a new report, New Zealand is one of only seven countries that meet WHO air quality standards, alongside others like Australia, Iceland, and the Bahamas.

Meanwhile, a report by Swiss air quality firm IQAir shows that South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East dominate the list of the world’s worst polluters.

Bill Gates backs away from climate change

Bill Gates, once a major force in climate advocacy, has shut down the policy and advocacy office of his nonprofit, Breakthrough Energy, laying off dozens of employees.

However, his investments in for-profit green ventures remain.

Ship pollution rules slashed lightning strikes by 50%

In 2020, new international regulations cut sulfur emissions from ships by 77%. Almost overnight, lightning over the world’s busiest shipping lanes near Singapore dropped by half.

Researcher Chris Wright and his colleagues analysed data from a global lightning detection network and found that ship exhaust plumes were directly linked to an increase in lightning activity—until the regulations took effect.