Politics

NZ MAGA'fuckation | April 2026 Edition

A month of MAGA'fuckation importation by the New Zealand Government

Robin Capper

Robin Capper

— 24 min read
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NZ MAGA'fuckation | April 2026 Edition
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MAGA'fuckation: Usage suggests the term is meant to describe the perceived adoption or importation of MAGA-style politics or rhetoric into other countries, in this case New Zealand, with a strongly negative connotation. (Copilot)
‘No actual change’: Chris Bishop downplays scaling down of Auckland housing plans
The Housing Minister says nothing has fundamentally changed as the government scales back Auckland’s minimum housing target even further.
RNZMorningreport
New police powers: No new money for vital technology
New police powers that are being rushed through Parliament need new technology to be implemented correctly - but the promised funds for this technology have not appeared.
RNZPhil Pennington

Official papers say enhanced data management will be "essential to building and maintaining public trust and confidence" and to "establish appropriate constraints" around what data police collected and how they used it.

BSA ‘bordering on fascist’ after The Platform decision - Peters
The Broadcasting Standards Authority has concluded an online media service “meets the Act’s definition of ‘broadcasting’”, but the NZ First leader says it is going too far.
RNZGalleryreporters
Government corrects figure after call-out for overstating school attendance improvements
A member of the public complained to RNZ that two National Party advertisements claimed 150,000 more children attended school regularly in term four last year than the same time in 2022.
RNZJohn Gerritsen

The National Party told RNZ it sourced its figures from an announcement by Associate Education Minister David Seymour in January.

NZ, allies express ‘deep concern’ about Israeli bill expanding death penalty for Palestinians
Winston Peters posted on social media indicating NZ was party to a joint statement, emphasising the country’s opposition “for decades” to the death penalty “in all circumstances”.
RNZLillian Hanly
Government announces increased mileage rates for home and community support workers
The temporary 30 percent increase means mileage rates will go from 63.5 cents to 82.5 cents per kilometre.
RNZRNZ News

Still only about 2/3 the IRD rate for running a car

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announces election-year Cabinet reshuffle
The changes were necessitated by the upcoming retirement of Judith Collins, as well as Dr Shane Reti’s decision to stand down at the election.
RNZLillian Hanly, Giles Dexter
Greyhound racing to end in August as bill passes
The bill passed its third and final reading with cross-party support.
RNZRNZ News

Good, horse racing next?

Why was Chris Bishop unceremoniously dumped as campaign chair in Luxon’s Cabinet reshuffle?
Analysis: Christopher Luxon’s Cabinet reshuffle made two things very clear on Thursday.
RNZJo Moir
Foreign Minister Winston Peters off to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Peters said the meetings would advance New Zealand’s diplomatic, security and economic interests.
RNZRNZ News
‘Very unlikely’ government will go ahead with 12-cent fuel tax rise - Willis
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the country could remain in phase one of its fuel crisis response.
RNZGalleryreporters

Probably as there will be little fuel to tax

‘Never have I felt so dependent on ... feelings of one administration’: Nicola Willis on Trump and Iran
“I see the pain that so many New Zealanders are experiencing,” the finance minister says, as the PM calls US threats “unhelpful”.
RNZMorningreport

Getting ready for the "But external forces..." line

Reprieve for Christopher Luxon, but National still under 30% in latest poll
The latest Taxpayers Union-Curia poll shows National slightly up, NZ First gaining, and the Coalition comfortably placed to form a government.
RNZLillian Hanly
Watch: Christopher Luxon faces questions about Iran, fuel and polls
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week where the PM says he’ll represent our interests well.
RNZRNZ News

'Escalating rhetoric not helpful', says Luxon on Iran conflict. A weak arse statement from a weak arse leader.

Government’s newest ministers sworn in after cabinet reshuffle
Some of the ministers sworn in were part of last week’s reshuffle, which was prompted by the retirements of Judith Collins and Dr Shane Reti.
RNZRNZ News
New Zealanders will understand government can’t support everyone during fuel crisis - Luxon
Ministers will meet with major businesses later in the week to get their perspectives on what may be required, should fuel supply become disrupted further.
RNZGiles Dexter

'Unaffordable and irresponsible': Luxon reluctant to say whether more fuel support is coming

‘Alarming for whole world’: Willis reacts to Trump Iran threat
Nicola Willis says it’s “unprecedented” to read such rhetoric about a country’s destruction from the US President.
RNZLillian Hanly

Luxon described it as 'Unhelpful'

Luxon, Willis caution economic effects will continue despite ceasefire
The prime minister repeatedly warned against people getting too comfortable, and the best case scenario for fuel prices coming down was probably “a matter of weeks”.
RNZRussell Palmer
No plans to use Palantir in emerging defence-tech space, government says
Former Defence Minister Judith Collins talked with the US defence technology powerhouse about an ongoing “partnership” on the sidelines of a conference, documents show.
RNZPhil Pennington
Auckland principals concerned by new ERO school performance reports
The Education Review Office recently revealed a colour-coded, four point scale for its reports which would start from term two this year, saying it would be easier for families to understand.
RNZLuka Forman

""We think our families deserve information that tells the real story about their school and not some colour-coded traffic lights that we think will unfairly judge communities.""

Business leaders urge government to prioritise food supply in fuel plan
BusinessNZ has made its case to ministers as to why the food and grocery sector should be put in the highest priority level of any fuel rationing framework.
RNZCraig Mcculloch
Health care assistants suffering injuries due to short staffing: Union
Health care assistants charged with keeping an eye on at risk patients are suffering injuries and abuse says the nurses union.
RNZKrystal Gibbens
Organisations call on government to ditch LNG import terminal
The Sustainable Energy Association and six other organisations have combined to present another proposal to deal with the country’s winter energy problem.
RNZKate Newton

The dumb idea, post Hormuz proven to be even dumber.

Judge Ema Aitken, accused of yelling at Winston Peters, won’t be removed from job, panel rules
Ema Aitken’s actions were a “serious breach of comity” but don’t justify her being removed, a panel has found.
RNZGalleryreporters

"Judge Aitken was accused of yelling at New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, and calling him a liar." Fair enough, he is

Wairoa mayor Craig Little stands firm on not declaring ‘woke’ state of emergency in cyclone
Declaring a state of emergency should be the last tool used in the toolbox - not the first, Craig Little says.
RNZRNZ News

See below for why...

No ‘peace of mind’ until managed retreat from vulnerable areas - iwi leader
Parts of the North Island have been repeatedly hit by extreme weather events in recent years.
RNZMorningreport

Why State of Emergencies are not woke

Greens urge ‘constructive, practical’ bus network review
For $200 million the government could reinstate bus network upgrades it previously cancelled in regions now suffering huge fuel price shocks, the Greens say.
RNZRussell Palmer

Geens battle MAGA government policy

Fuel crisis: Support workers challenge government to do their job for a day
“Our cars don’t run on feel-good feelings,” says Helen who adds that her job is costing her money.
RNZCharlotte Cook

First hand, I see the impacts of this.

Former All Blacks captain Taine Randell standing as New Zealand First candidate
Taine Randell is reportedly set to contest the Tukituki seat, currently held by National’s Catherine Wedd.
RNZGalleryreporters

Protecting his fishing interests?

Opposition open to black market tobacco taskforce, cautious of fear-mongering
The opposition is voicing its cautious support for a crack down on black market tobacco, but warns the tobacco industry itself could be stoking fears.
RNZFinn Blackwell

We were supposed to be cracking down on legit market tobacco too, but they crippled the smoke free initiative

Expanded role for pharmacists announced
The Health Minister says it will make it easier for children and families to get timely care for simple conditions.
RNZRNZ News

Ignoring the time that will take and that Pharmacists are in short supply too and then see below...

Expanded role for pharmacists runs risk of misdiagnosis, GenPro doctor says
The government has announced community pharmacists could soon be able to directly provide a range of commonly funded medications.
RNZRNZ News
New Zealand’s fuel stocks drop but remain stable
But the PM is ruling out any escalation of alert levels despite another drop in all fuel stocks.
RNZRNZ News

Change in level was supposed to be triggered by -3 day level of supply, but they ignored that...

Which political parties would subsidise your rooftop solar panels?
The prime minister says his government is “very interested” in rooftop solar, but has given no firm answers yet, amid calls to use the Budget to subsidise it for households.
RNZRNZ News

"The prime minister says his government is "very interested" in rooftop solar, but has given no firm answers yet, amid calls from an energy alliance for the government to use next month's budget to subsidise rooftop solar for households."

Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins calls for return of free and safe Strait of Hormuz
Despite ongoing negotiations over ending the war, the United States has blockaded the Strait, completely halting economic trade going in and out of Iran by sea.
RNZGalleryreporters

I'm sure Iran and USA will now act...

Business NZ seeks government loan support for firms moving away from gas
Advocacy group says with gas costs going up as supply falls, businesses need support switching to other energy sources.
RNZRussell Palmer

If your business is reliant on a dimensioning resource. The lack of gas was physical, unrelated to exploration permits...

Scientists left ‘homeless’ after government’s job cuts, advocates say
Cutbacks have led to the loss of about 700 roles and the withdrawal of hundreds of millions of dollars.
RNZPenelope Smith, Ninetonoon

No way this is positive for NZ

Greyhound trainers to be paid to look after dogs when ban comes into force
A new government agency set up to wind down the industry and re-home roughly 1700 dogs has met with trainers and owners across the country this week.
RNZRNZ News

"Former greyhound trainers and owners will be paid to look after the dogs until they're re-homed" "Simpson said the agency is still determining what the rate will be, but she estimates it will be "in the $20s or the $30s" a day" More proof this was just a business.

Grim warning from Trucking Association, as impact of rising fuel costs hit consumers
Operators are desperately seeking solutions to rising diesel prices, as the Middle East war takes its toll worldwide.
RNZCheckpoint

Saturday, 18 April 2026 and the fuel problem has not yet arrived. The supplies we are getting are from shipments that precede the Gulf War...

Willis promises to be ‘frank and candid’ about impact of Middle East conflict at White House meeting
But Labour says Willis’ plan to ask when the situation would return to normal was “naive to the point of embarrassing”.
RNZCraig Mcculloch

I'm sure that will help. That this government expects an answer, never mind being heard, from the US Govt says everything about the coalition.

Fuel crisis chance for government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - scientists
The numbers showed New Zealand emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases fell just 0.1 percent between 2023 and 2024.
RNZKate Newton

But the coalition has done nothing

New Zealand faces coastal retreat reality
Following yet another storm battering our coasts last weekend, pressure mounts on coastal communities to discuss relocation.
RNZRNZ News

The reality of climate change "Across coastal New Zealand - from Westport to the East Coast to low-lying pockets of South Dunedin - the same question is swirling: how long can we stay?"

What is the Broadcasting Standards Authority and why is its future in doubt?
Explainer - Who decides who’s a broadcaster, and who regulates the media in New Zealand? It might all be about to change.
RNZNik Dirga

The Government protecting right wing media. The Platform, over standards

Educators call on crown to pause contentious changes to Waitangi Treaty obligations
An urgent tribunal inquiry has heard how the changes were drafted without consultation with treaty partners.
RNZLayla Bailey Mcdowell
Government will announce new deal for additional fuel stock in coming days
Speaking from the United States, Finance Minister Nicola Willis, said the deal would be similar to one pursued by Australia.
RNZ, Middayreport

"But until the Strait of Hormuz was open, fuel prices would remain high, Willis said." They are still pretending opening the Strait (with no idea when that will happen) will result in business as usual. No regard for the infrastructure damage resulting from the war to date.

Analysis: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s loosey-goosey retort may come back to haunt him
Analysis: The Prime Minister was clearly schooled up ahead of his media conference in Pōkeno on Friday to bat away any questions about his leadership.
RNZJo Moir

Descent is rarely broadcast to the target "If Luxon wants to secure his leadership in the coming weeks it will require him to turn the polling around in a meaningful way" "All of that, however, requires Luxon to accept there's a problem in the first place - a self-awareness many staffers and MPs have long declared isn't in his DNA."

Minister Chris Bishop ‘unhappy’ investigation into police breath testing taking so long
The Transport Agency (NZTA) then halted $6 million worth of funding to Police until it was satisfied Police had met their breath test targets.
RNZSam Sherwood

The real question is why 'number of tests' a performance measure. Does it really relate to improved safety?

Iran says Hormuz Strait open after Lebanon deal, Trump expects Iran deal ‘soon’
Major shipping companies were cautious, signalling it may take time for traffic through the chokepoint to return to normal levels.
RNZRNZ News

When 'open' doesn't mean open

Christopher Luxon meets with other world leaders to discuss Strait of Hormuz situation
Some 50 countries from Europe, Asia and the Middle East joined a video conference that followed on initial military planning and aimed to send a signal to Washington.
RNZRNZ News

"Freedom of navigation, international law, stable and predictable trade routes are essential to our economy. The same goes for our friends who are hurting across the Indo-Pacific and our Pacific Islands neighbours" But we have yet to criticise the initial illegal attacks

Transport Minister Chris Bishop brushes off leadership bid questions
The Transport Minister Chris Bishop is playing down political pressure following recent poll results, insisting he remains focused on the job and confident in the Prime Minister.
RNZPenelope Smith

Well, he would...

Green Party issues ‘human catastrophe’ warning in ‘State of the Planet’ address
Co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick laid out their blueprint for self-sufficiency in Wellington.
RNZRNZ News

A little bit of anti-MAGA

New Zealand First’s Shane Jones defends comparing India FTA to ‘butter chicken tsunami’
Shane Jones says his colleagues have told him to tone down his language but says he gets “cut-through on debates by deploying hyperbole”.
RNZGalleryreporters

Racist Cabinet Minister

‘Alarmist’ - Prime Minister criticises Shane Jones’ ‘butter chicken’ comments
Luxon stopped short of saying whether he thought the comments were racist.
RNZGalleryreporters

Luxon accepting shit racist behaviour from a Cabinet Minister

Relief teachers to get transport allowance bump in light of fuel crisis
It follows a similar fuel crisi-related move to increase mileage rates for home and community support workers, announced earlier this month.
RNZRNZ News

Earlier this month, home and community support workers were given a temporary boost to their mileage rates - from 63.5 cents to 82.5 cents per kilometre. But still less than 2/3 the IRD rate and what Politicians get paid when they claim.

Home care worker calls out ‘double standard’ over MP’s mileage allowance
The amount politicians can claim for using their private vehicles is considerably higher than home and community support workers.
RNZCheckpoint

MPs can claim mileage up to 14,000 kilometres a year at an IRD rate of $1.17 cents a kilometre for a petrol car and $1.26 for diesel vehicles.

‘Urgency’ needed over climate adaptation funding, Insurance Council says
But the climate minister says decisions on cost-sharing arrangements are “complex” and won’t be made until after the election.
RNZKate Newton

The only urgency is prioritising the lack of urgency

As it happened: Christopher Luxon survives National leadership vote, refuses to take questions
The PM says he called and won the vote, but left without saying what happened during a meeting of National MPs. Nicola Willis says even the leaders don’t know the numbers.
RNZRNZ News

He thinks that's the end of that, how naive

Fuel stock still stable despite another fall, government says
New Zealand’s fuel stocks have dipped across the board according to the latest update, but the government says levels are stable and sufficient.
RNZRNZ News

They still think, or want us to think, it's going to be sorted soon...

Government’s plans for LNG terminal didn’t model international price spike
A climate advocate said the decision not to model price volatility was “remarkable” and raised further questions about whether the planned facility was a good idea.
RNZKate Newton

Incredible, or not...

Infrastructure Commission to oversee major projects under new government plan
The government says it is shifting oversight from Treasury to the Infrastructure Commission.
RNZRNZ News

It still won't make the numbers add up...

Responsibility and porkies: When party politics bleeds into Parliament
This week’s political intrigue bled into Question Time and illustrated Parliament’s rules about ministerial responsibility and lying.
RNZPhil Smith

In response to the Chris Hipkins' question Christopher Luxon confirmed to Parliament that he "absolutely" had the unanimous support of his caucus. But his deputy, Nicola Willis told the media that the vote was secret and that the leadership were not told of the result. So one of them was wrong. If it was Luxon the rules say he should correct the record at the earliest opportunity. Ministers who have made an error in Question Time tend to clear up the issue by returning to the House to make a correction when there is a break in that same evening's debate or first thing the next day when the House sits again. At the time of writing (22 April 2026) Luxon has not made a correction.

Dozens of principal, teacher associations sign letter opposed to government’s curriculum changes
Critics who have signed the letter say six draft curriculums for Years 0-8 are not fit for purpose.
RNZJohn Gerritsen

Miles said the drafts ignored the Treaty of Waitangi, concentrated on knowing and doing things without the third leg of understanding that was in the current curriculum, and had been developed with little input from the education sector.

Iran seizes ships in Strait of Hormuz after Trump halts attacks
Tensions are escalating after Iran seized two vessels for maritime violations - the first time it’s seized ships since the war began in February.
RNZRNZ News

Still not open

Treasury officials revisit economic forecasts ahead of Budget delivery
In a briefing at her Beehive office, Finance Minister Nicola Willis told reporters the move was “very unusual” and demonstrated the intense global volatility.
RNZCraig Mcculloch

Back on track yet?

No rethink on US, drones on right path for now, says new Defence Minister
And Chris Penk says the country is not movng too slowly on getting military drones, even though some other countries are accelerating quickly.
RNZPhil Pennington

""No, I think we need to understand clearly where our ideals and interests lie. So in that sense, nothing's changed." Really? The entire US administration is the reason, not just their illegal war

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon bats away business concerns over no SailGP funding
The prime minister has brushed off businesses’ criticism of the government for not stumping up to help fund its return to Auckland.
RNZRussell Palmer

"Luxon said the proposal for funding Sail GP in Auckland did not stack up, but distanced himself from it - acknowledging he was not across the details." ""Yeah, look, um, you know, we'll continue our conversations with Auckland Council and SailGP but the proposal we received just frankly didn't stack up," he said." "I can't remember what the proposal specifics was, but when we run it through our evaluation criteria, just didn't stack up." He's never 'across the details'

Government continues with US minerals deal negotiations
A just-released Cabinet paper reveals Shane Jones recommended continuing work drafting a bilateral agreement.
RNZLauren Crimp

Working for their sponsors

Christopher Luxon cancels weekly TVNZ Breakfast slot, lodges complaint over press gallery conduct
The Prime Minister’s withdrawal comes not long after the appointment of former Newshub political editor Tova O’Brien as Breakfast co-host.
RNZRNZ News

Scared of Jack, scared of Tova

Researchers call for ute tax, citing burden on health system
They say utes contribute about seven times as much social harm in areas like air pollution, and accidents involving utes are seven times more likely to be fatal.
RNZFelix Walton

The Utes this govt subsidise

Environmentalists split over revived NZ-US rare minerals deal
A resurrected minerals deal with the US is causing mixed reactions among environmentalists.
RNZAnya Fielding

Hon Shame Jones, Minister of Regional Environmental Destruction

Government looks to cut heavy vehicle regulations as part of fuel response
The latest government data shows New Zealand’s fuel stocks have continued to fall, but movements remain within expectations.
RNZRNZ News

Nothing to do with the 'fuel response', the road lobby have wanted this for decades

Government shouldn’t wait to loosen heavy vehicle restrictions, Transporting NZ says
But Transport Minister Chris Bishop says officials are looking at whether likely damage to roads from heavier loads is a worthwhile trade-off.
RNZKrystal Gibbens, Morningreport

See comment above...

Green Party disapproves of government granting prospecting permit for UNESCO site
It comes after a prospecting permit was approved within Te Wāhipounamu, one of the country’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
RNZFelix Walton

They will literally fuck up anything, Hon Shame Jones, Minister of Regional Environmental Destruction

Christopher Luxon defends economic record in face of downgrades, poor polling
The PM is brushing off forecasts of doom and gloom for the economy, insisting progress is being made.
RNZMorningreport

Back on track?

Watch: Prime Minister Luxon discusses diesel supply at post-Cabinet press conference
The 90 million litres of diesel, equivalent to around nine days of supplies, is expected to be in the tanks at Marsden Point by late June or early July.
RNZGiles Dexter

Govt de-risks Z

Government’s diesel partnership good for supply not for price, Business NZ says
The government announced a deal which will see Z Energy procure, own and manage 90 million litres of diesel at Marsden Point refinery’s refurbished fuel tanks.
RNZRussell Palmer
Prime Minister Luxon alienating voters by cancelling weekly Breakfast interview, expert says
Political scientist Dr Claire Robinson says she would have advised Luxon against cancelling his weekly Breakfast interview slot.
RNZMiddayreport

Scared of Tova

Locked up for 22 hours a day: What life is like for New Zealander Everlee Wihongi detained in ICE facility
Everlee Wihongi is entering her third week in US detention after being detained in an ICE processing centre in California. Her mother is speaking out.
RNZJanatenahuowen

MAGA'fuckation in action

Trade Minister Todd McClay questioned by Indian media over Shane Jones’ ‘butter chicken tsunami’ barb
Trade Minister Todd McClay said he told media the New Zealand First MP was “entitled to say what he wanted” - but it was not a widely held view.
RNZLauren Crimp

No censure for 'Hon Shame Jones'

Question Time begins with a showdown between Minister and ... Minister?
Parliament began this week with a Question Time in which the government was being pressed by ... another member of the government.
RNZLouis Collins

It's election year, so everyone is in opposition, even the government

Updated to 2026-04-29

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