Why a US ‘freeloading’ claim has put the heat on NZ’s independent foreign policy

By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato

If there’s one area of New Zealand foreign policy that demands delicate diplomatic language from elected officials, it is the country’s nuclear-free status.

So when Defence Minister Chris Penk suggested it “would be helpful” to have a conversation about the difference between nuclear weapons and nuclear propulsion, the response was swift.

Opposition parties questioned whether the government was planning a review of the relevant legislation, forcing Prime Minister Christopher…

Read complete article

~	Pain shouldn’t be judged with a lie detector test – here’s why

~	How methane policy will make or break the climate crisis

~	A new reuse symbol aims to be as recognisable as the recycling logo – and make more of a difference

~	Most Americans broadly support public education for undocumented students – regardless of their political affiliation and religion

~	When private equity firms buy mobile home parks, rent increases leave residents with few affordable options in rural areas

~	Inflation and immigration fears threaten to dampen Miami’s economic benefits from the World Cup

~	How ‘monoculture’ became a catchall for two opposing anxieties – that we no longer share enough, and that we all share too much

~	PFAS in ski wax: Despite bans, these forever chemicals linger in wax rooms, study shows – so does their health risk

~	Politics with Michelle Grattan: Graeme Samuel on ‘doomsday’ attacks on the federal budget

~	Climate change may shift hailstorms towards Earth’s poles – new study