NBR Rich List, Fieldays, climate challenge and Orr's resignation

The NBR Rich List has drawn mixed reviews around the Beehive this week.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was almost euphoric about the List, saying it was fantastic the country had people with ambition, aspiration, and positivity and that we should all celebrate success.
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Scoop

9 hours ago

• Scoop

New Zealand Government Feigns Neutrality In US-Israeli War Against Iran

New Zealand's right-wing National Party-led coalition government is seeking to portray itself as uninvolved in the murderous US-Israeli assault on Iran and neutral in the escalating war in the Middle East. On July 13, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Israel's unprovoked missile strikes against Iran as 'unwelcome' and 'potentially catastrophic.' He told reporters, 'The risk of miscalculation is high. That region does not need any more military action… What we want to see is the parties coming together and having a conversation.' Speaking to Radio NZ on June 17, however, Foreign Minister Winston Peters refused to condemn Israel's ongoing attacks, which by then had killed hundreds of people. Asked whether his government 'supports Israel taking this unilateral action,' Peters replied: 'we do not take sides in a conflict of this nature.' He called for 'de-escalation and diplomacy' but added that 'Iran is not an innocent player in this.' He said both sides were engaged in 'provocative behaviour.' Such statements amount to a falsification of what is taking place and a defence of Israel. The regime in Israel, led by fascist criminals, is engaged in a genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and has waged illegal wars against Lebanon, Syria and now Iran. Its aim, working with the full collaboration of the US, is to expand Israel's borders and redivide the entire Middle East in favour of the imperialist powers. The pretext given by Israel—that Iran was close to producing a nuclear weapon—is a transparent lie, just like the lies that Iraq had 'weapons of mass destruction' that were told to justify the criminal US-led invasion and destruction of Iraqi society. After President Donald Trump demanded the 'unconditional surrender' of Iran's government and said there were no plans to kill its leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'for now,' the New Zealand Herald asked Peters on June 18 whether he would support a US strike on uranium enrichment in Iran. The foreign minister replied that 'we do not believe in war when we haven't fully exhausted negotiations and diplomacy.' He added that New Zealand was a 'small country, way out here in the Southwest Pacific… I wish New Zealanders would understand our limitations here.' The reality, however, is that New Zealand is actively supporting Israeli and US military operations in the Middle East. In January 2024, a group of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel were sent to Saudi Arabia to assist in the US bombing of targets in Yemen, in response to the Houthi forces' efforts to stop ships from supplying the Israeli war machine. New Zealand is a minor imperialist power allied with the US and a member of the US-led Five Eyes intelligence sharing network, raising further questions about its involvement. Asked during a press conference on June 16 whether New Zealand had received advance notice from the US about the attack on Iran, Peters replied, 'Well, we don't make those discussions public.' If the NZ military had foreknowledge of the illegal Israeli missile strike and kept quiet, that would make it complicit in the attack. The far-right Platform podcast's host Sean Plunket asked Peters the next day whether or not the NZ military personnel stationed in Saudi Arabia had 'provided any intelligence or material support to the Israeli operation' against Iran. The foreign minister replied: 'Even if I could confirm that, I would not be doing that,' because to do so would endanger the lives of these personnel. The entire political establishment is nervous about widespread anti-war sentiment in New Zealand, which has been expressed in repeated protests against the genocide in Gaza. The opposition Labour Party's deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni told RNZ on June 17, 'we don't support what Israel is doing and we don't support [Iran's] response either.' Like Peters, she called for 'diplomacy' between the two sides. Sepuloni expressed support for the government's decision to join Canada, Australia, the UK and Norway in imposing sanctions on Israel's extreme right-wing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. She called for 'greater sanctions,' including on companies operating illegally in the occupied Palestinian territories. All of this is completely hollow and is intended to divert attention from the fact that Labour continues to support the military alliance with the US, which is funding and supplying Israel's military and supports the complete ethnic cleansing of Gaza and war against Iran. Previous Labour Party-led governments have sent troops to the criminal US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2022 Jacinda Ardern's Labour-led government, which included the Greens, sent hundreds of troops to Britain to assist in training Ukrainian conscripts to fight in the US-NATO proxy war against Russia. Labour agrees with the current government's plan to double military spending over the next few years, from 1 to 2 percent of GDP—at the expense of social programs that working people rely on. The aim, spelled out in numerous official documents and statements, is to prepare the military for joint operations with the US and Australia, particularly against China, which is considered the main 'threat' to US global hegemony. The war against Russia over Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza, the war against Iran and the military build-up against China are all interconnected fronts in a rapidly developing world war aimed at seizing resources and markets and resolving the crisis of capitalism centred in the US. New Zealand's ruling elite is preparing to deepen its involvement on all these fronts, behind the backs and against the will of the population, who are overwhelmingly against war. The working class must take action to stop the war, but for this it needs its own socialist political party and strategy—in opposition to all the capitalist parties including Labour and its allies. The only way to put an end to war is through the unified action of the international working class to abolish the source of war: the capitalist system. Those who agree with this must take the decision to become politically active and join the Socialist Equality Group, which is fighting to build a section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, the world party of socialist revolution, in New Zealand. By Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group 22 June 2025

1News

12 hours ago

• 1News

Luxon starts Europe trip remembering NZ's past WWI sacrifice

Christopher Luxon's Europe trip has opened with the Prime Minister paying tribute to New Zealanders who served in World War I in Belgium's historic Ypres. Luxon gave a reading of the Ode of Remembrance and laid a wreath as part of the Last Post ceremony under the Menin Gate. He said listening to the rousing sound of bagpipers made him think of two things. "For New Zealand, this is really significant because we lost almost 5,000 of our young people here — more than what we lost in Gallipoli — so it's really special for me to be able to be here tonight," the Prime Minister said. "And also tomorrow, to actually pay our respects to the fallen that have come before us and served New Zealand so well." ADVERTISEMENT "Standing up for values that we see again with a European war happening in this day and age, 110 years later, that has some of the same characteristics — so it's a real pleasure to be here, a real honour to be here, and I thought it was a very moving ceremony." Luxon said the comparison between the two conflicts, a century apart, was front of mind — both Kiwi defence efforts in World War I and its current support for Ukraine. The second thought on his mind was his personal connection to WWI, with his great-grandfather having served. Prime Minster Christopher Luxon (Source: 1News) "I've read his letters home and in fact just last weekend I was in South Canterbury talking to a lot of family relatives about the experience as well, looking at different family history and photos," he said. "It was pretty special to be here on a personal level but also representing New Zealand." Luxon acknowledged the enthusiasm of the younger generations of Ypres, who he said continue to "take it seriously" and pay tribute to the sacrifice of other countries in WWI. ADVERTISEMENT The Menin Gate event commemorates more than 54,000 soldiers from Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and the UK who died in the region but have no known grave. Only the names of 84 New Zealanders who served in British or other Commonwealth forces are marked on the gate, with soldiers from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force commemorated closer to where they were killed in battle. The Last Post ceremony has taken place in Ypres every night since 1928, with the event only stopping during Germany's occupation in World War II. The world leaders discussed a range of tricky topics, including the war in the Middle East and a suspension of funding to the Cook Islands. (Source: 1News) Speaking about his time in Ypres, Brussels and the Netherlands over the next five days, Luxon said the trip was about strengthening economic and security ties with European countries and the Indo-Pacific Four — the group of NATO partners in the region that includes Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. This is the fourth consecutive year New Zealand has been invited to attend the annual NATO summit. "It's really important that we advocate for the rules-based system, that we reaffirm that from a trading point of view but from a security, defence point of view… in a volatile, complex world prosperity and security go together, they're inextricably linked and so you need to be able to have conversations on both sides of that coin." ADVERTISEMENT Only member countries will take part in the main meeting on Wednesday, where NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to propose that countries commit to spending 5% of GDP on core defence and defence-related costs such as infrastructure. Luxon will take part in other engagements during the two-day event, including bilateral talks with other leaders. He will also meet with European Commission leaders before the NATO summit.

Newsroom

17 hours ago

• Newsroom

Luxon's hot minute in the heart of the dragon

It's close to midnight as the Prime Minister swaggers down the stairs of the Airforce 757. Waiting on the tarmac next to the red carpet is the deputy mayor of Shanghai, with his ambassador to China and China's ambassador to New Zealand. Christopher Luxon needn't worry, the welcomes will get grander as the trip progresses. It's a muggy Shanghai night; Luxon doesn't linger. Into his car and the motorcade shifts into gear. His first official visit to one of the world's most consequential countries has begun. Any overseas trip takes preparation, but with China the stakes are high and the climate is … complex. Pre-trip briefings are par for the course. A security briefing from the country's spy agencies is not. Add to the growing 'to do' list: burner phone, burner computer, burner SIM, no wifi, and keep your tech and sensitive belongings on you at all times – just a suggestion, though. Day 1: Deals, deals, deals The sun rises on a 35C day in Shanghai and the dozen-strong media group bustles into the two waiting vans – or 'coasters' – to travel from their very nice hotel to the even nicer hotel where the PM and business leaders are staying. It's time for the first event of the trip: a group photo. The photographers move into position on the scorching concrete balcony high above the city, with a view out over the Bund River and the Shanghai skyline. Prep be damned. When the crowd arrives they mill around, confused. 'Shuffle left', the photographer says, 'now right, more people on that side. And smile!' It's not the last time the group will perform this awkward dance. The official party posing on Shanghai's Bund on morning one. Photo: Pool The selfies done, the group moves into a room with a trio of economics experts. They have impressive CVs and even more impressive TedTalk-esque presentation skills. They talk through global uncertainty caused by toxic tariffs, low consumer and business confidence, and the opportunities for businesses and investors presented by these challenges. The first question in the Q&A session goes to the Prime Minister. He wants to know what's behind the downturn in China's real estate market. You can take the man out of New Zealand, but you can't take the property market obsession out of the man. Ahead of the trip, Luxon names tourism and education as his two priority areas. And true to his word, the first engagement with guts is with China travel booking platform Ctrip ( After the obligatory group photo (shuffle, shuffle, switch), CTrip chief executive Jane Sun leads Luxon to an interactive wall that does little to dispel the west's dystopian future view of China's approach to tech. An eerie AI-generated female voice overlays interactive visualisations bringing to life screeds of visitor data gathered by the booking platform. The Minority Report sheen is broken by one of the data points on the digital wall. Most popular restaurant for Chinese travellers in New Zealand: Ferg Burger. The CTrip data wall. Photo: Supplied Luxon is ushered into a room to record a promotional video. The door is closed behind him. Media move to an open-air balcony to set up for the first of what will be three hot and sweaty press conferences on the trip. The questioning is dominated by visa settings for Chinese travellers. It won't be the last time that topic rears its head on the trip. The delegation piles back into the waiting vehicles – shiny black sedans with flags for ministers, coasters for officials, business heads and media. It's time to pump up the primary sector at an event showcasing grass-fed dairy at the Langham Hotel. Champagne glasses half-full of Fonterra milk sit on the tables around the room. Beside them are miniature flags from the two countries. One delegation member says the milk actually tastes better out of a champagne glass. Maybe it'll catch on back home. Champagne tastes for NZ dairy. Photo: Laura Walters In any country – but especially China – everyone wants a piece of political leaders. Luxon's presence – even if it's a 15-minute whip around – helps grease the wheels. If an unrelenting smile and a whole lot of selfies is what it takes to go for growth, then Luxon is willing. The crew shuffles back into the cars and off to New Zealand Central, where the PM announces a change that will allow kiwi cosmetic brands to export to China. There's the handshakes, the signing, and then the sampling. Luxon shifts into a past persona: Unilever sales mode. This look takes a lot of work, he says, gesturing at his face. But rather than reaching for the antipodes eye cream to put on his own face, he wrangles an unwilling member of the travelling media. Luxon does eventually agree to sample the product himself. It's a day before the PM stops commenting on the journalist's eyes. Back to the PM's hotel for another business announcement, which turns out to be one of the most significant (and unexpected) deals of the trip. The long-talked about Southern Link between China and South America, via Auckland, will be in place by the end of the year. State-owned China Eastern is particularly stoked to announce one of its government's controversial Belt and Road Initiative expansionist projects. The PM says NZ doesn't have any Belt and Road projects, and China knows that. Do they? A warning at Yu Yuan gardens. Photo: Tim Murphy Vibe switch. Luxon has swapped blue suit for blue polo (adorned with a Silver Fern) but without his name and title on it, as in the past. Until now, Luxon has kept up with the bustling metropolis of Shanghai. Now, he's transported to ancient China, walking past the dragon statues and jade gardens of Yu Yuan Gardens with writer Mang Boyong. Mang studied at Waikato University and is a best-seller. Their conversation looks riveting, but no-one can get close enough to hear, as visitors swarm around the PM. Who is this man being followed by cameras and security? A metal plaque sits beside some concrete steps: Caution! Slippery Slope. Seems appropriate. Day 2: Sweating it in Shanghai Luxon starts the day with a visit to Fudan University. After being greeted by a robot, the PM makes his way to the technology gallery, where students are waiting. Following the formal (read: dry) opening remarks, the PM has a Q&A session with the students. One asks about the use of technology and AI to better deliver healthcare – especially to rural and isolated communities. The PM says he believes AI can be used to better connect people with services. For example, if you're a young mother with two kids, it can help you understand 'the entitlements that you're entitled to'. The political journalists in the room exchange glances. Last time the PM spoke about being entitled to entitlements he ended up giving back taxpayer money. One Kiwi student learning Mandarin at Fudan asks about the importance of learning languages to build connections and understanding. Luxon responds: 'You can see we send our brightest students overseas.' Ouch. The PM talks about his quest to learn Mandarin in the '90s. He later divulges he hired a teacher to come to his office every Monday morning at 7am. The pursuit didn't last long, because there was no-one to practise with in Wellington. Perhaps he needed to get out of his bubble. From Fudan, Luxon is whisked away to meet the Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining. It's his first political meeting of the trip and it's held in a big room. This particular room is described by one member of the media delegation as 'one of the most well-lit rooms in communist party history'. All the rooms in China are big and bright. Most of the space isn't used. It feels like a big flex. After his meeting, Luxon walks outside to conduct probably the hottest press conference in history. Not in terms of the spicy questions, or the Prime Minister's hot takes, but thanks to the literal temperature, which rises past 35C (feeling more like 40C on the concrete). Sweat is soon drenching everyone there. Well, almost everyone. As Luxon Lore goes, the PM doesn't sweat. But after 20 minutes in the beating sun, beads are forming on his upper-lip. Luxon mentions the journalist's eyes again, commenting on their softness. It starts to feel uncomfortable – the joke and the heat. The motorcade swings by NZ Central to give the PM what he likes to call a bit of 'executive time'. Ostensibly it's for catching up on any reading or emails, but in this instance it's likely a chance to put his feet up, have a bite of lunch and change. Welcome to Beijing This time the welcome has military personnel lining the red carpet on the tarmac. And China's Customs Minister. Customs as in protocol? one person asks. No. Customs, as in please make sure New Zealand milk keeps flowing over the border. There's enough time to check in and shower (finally) ahead of a Matariki reception held at the New Zealand Embassy on Thursday evening. In some respects, Luxon is unlucky in his timing of the trip, between the Matariki holiday and Iran, Israel and maybe the US threatening an all-out war, the attention of the masses is elsewhere. But China watchers always be watching. Between the drinks and nibbles, Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue impresses with a breathtaking rendition of Pōkarekare Ana, a series of waiata and the crowd-pleasing Ka Mate. Following the PM's speech, Te Matatini-winning kapa haka group supports him with a waiata while Luxon stands with them. Later, Whakaata Māori asks Luxon how he feels being invited to stand with the kapa. Honoured, he says. Big day with the big names in Beijing If the first two days of the trip are hectic, the final day is high-stakes. The media pack makes its way to the Grand Hall of the People situated in the heart of Xi Jinping's seat of power. The rooms, halls and stairways inside G-Hop – as the acronym-loving foreign affairs officials say – puts the grandness of China's other very big rooms to shame. Gold-gilded marble, unfathomably large murals displaying traditional Chinese art, vases big enough for a grown adult to get inside, and yellow velvet curtains. The vast halls are lit by high-wattage bulbs in a series of chandeliers. The people walking through the rooms look like specks; utterly exposed. Travelling minister Mark Mitchell clocks the under-utilised space, and asks if he can rent a corner. It's hard to imagine the police minister getting sign-off on setting up a co-working space in CCP territory. First meeting of the day is with Zhao Leji, the chairman of China's parliamentary assembly. Chinese media includes a state archivist – the film will be kept for 100 years, he says. One of the cameramen has an earpiece that looks more security than broadcaster. On the carpet are two red stickers to indicate where Luxon and Zhao should stand. A dot for Luxon and star for Zhao. To their backs are flags from the respective countries, both crafted from paper and arranged into perfect cones. The press pack is ushered out and then it's a waiting game until Luxon's meeting with Xi. Chinese officials allow liberal media access. Photos, videos, voice recordings – it's all on the table. All 12 travelling media are granted access to the all-important Xi meeting, making the earlier bunfight over who would get the coveted spots wholly redundant. Luxon rounds the corner, flanked by his entourage. When he gets to the door, he pauses, takes a breath, pastes a smile on his face and walks into the room. A performer waiting in the wings, taking that steadying breath and putting on their persona, before stepping on the stage. Luxon with Xi. Photo: Pool The opening remarks start. Xi talks about 'ups and downs'. Luxon refers to global turmoil, calls on China to be a consistent, constructive global force. The PM shows he too can go one-for-one with one of the world's most powerful men. And then they leave, with both sides believing the relationship is 'in good heart'. Just like that, it's time to switch back to trade mode. Off to a posh department store to push kiwifruit. Think Harrods, but with a higher turnover. Then he's on a rooftop, supporting the launch of Tourism New Zealand's 100% Pure campaign. Sounds familiar. Just seven hours before his flight out, Luxon is back at China's Great Hall. And, finally, he receives the pomp and ceremony of a full military welcome. When the marching and anthems are done, Luxon and his counterpart Premier Li Qiang follow the strips of red carpet to inspect the troops. Luxon fights every instinct to not smile, say hello and shake a gun-wielding hand. Instead, a respectful nod. The PM joins the Premier for a banquet dinner. Officials and the business crew stay. The media coasters head off. Without the PM's motorcade the vans move at a crawl along China's boulevard of power. Next to the Great Hall lies Tiananmen Square. There are conspicuous security cameras throughout Beijing, but the clusters around the site of historic bloodshed are something else. No journalists allowed. Dinner has finished and the Prime Minister is running an hour early for his final press conference of the trip. Media hustle out of the local Peking Duck restaurant and move to the embassy to set up. As the sun goes down, journalists spend 25 minutes trying (mostly in vain) to squeeze details of the day's meetings out of the Prime Minister. He's met with the most powerful men from one of the world's most powerful countries, and he's staying mum. The stand-up fast becomes an exercise in creative question composition and reading between the lines. What he will say is that he sees no evidence that China is joining a fearsome foursome of Iran, Russia and North Korea to conspire against the west. That's not how Nato head Mark Rutte sees it. Will Luxon stick to this line once he's in the warm embrace of his security partners in Europe? A couple of days will tell.