BREAKING: The Crown has disrespected a national treasure

First they came for our pavlova, now they’ve come for our Buzzy Bees. Tara Ward watches the new season of The Crown and discovers Australia has pinched more of our stuff. It seems I was premature in declaring that season four of The Crown was all about New Zealand. After a sneak peek at the … Read more

The breakout star of the new season of The Crown is… New Zealand

A new trailer for season four of The Crown dropped overnight, and big news, Aotearoa: we’re in it. London-based Māori group Ngāti Rānana has confirmed they were involved in filming a haka scene. The fourth season of Netflix’s award-winning drama about the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II premieres next month, and a new … Read more

The Bulletin: Donations, lawyer in focus after week of scandal 

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Focus shifts to lawyer in NZ First Foundation scandal, Canterbury hail smashes crops, and tobacco companies cynically raise prices under tax cover. Around this time last year, a party leader had just brazened out a week of scandal, much of it focused on allegations of … Read more

While we were toasting baby Louis, his grandad inched closer to the throne

In going along with the Queen’s wish to make Charles their next head, Commonwealth leaders put paid to any hopes the crown might skip a generation, writes Louis – sorry, Lewis – Holden When it comes to the British Royals, the excitement of many for Prince William and Kate’s latest addition eclipsed a somewhat more … Read more

Prince Charles, meet King Tūheitia Paki of Ngāruawāhia

Steve Braunias reviews a new biography of Prince Charles by way of wondering when a full account will ever be given about New Zealand’s royal family and the kiingitanga. One of the great forbidden stories of New Zealand journalism is a portrait of the court of King Tūheitia Paki. It’s not exactly open government at … Read more