I normally don’t post about politics but this time I cannot stop myself. The United States is going to ship humanitarian aid into Gaza while at the same time shipping arms and weapons to Israel. This is ridiculous! A ceasefire is urgently needed!!

In this week's NZ Listener I review the late Terence O'Brien's autobiography. O'Brien was a fearless advocate for New Zealand and his successes and scrapes are well detailed, with humour and often biting wit. The genre of diplomatic memoirs is alive and well.

Thanks to all those who turned up on Thursday 9 May to the launch of my late father's memoirs which are called Consolations of Insignificance. Read more here wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=160489

What big idea do you have to deliver better outcomes today and what action should be taken to safeguard the future? Take part in our public consultation on the upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future being hosted by António Guterres this September. unanz.org.nz/learn/news-and…

National Assembly urged to pass Whistleblowers Protection Bill nationalaccordnewspaper.com/national-assem… Corruption Anonymous WIN PPLAAF MacArthur Foundation

John OBrien António Guterres Same strategic alignment with US at play one assumes. But in NZ’s case, there is a long history of support for the UN & of fairness on Palestinian issues.

Seasons Greetings to everyone from New Zealand!

I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace. None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under

Today, the United States launched a trade war against Canada: their closest partner and ally — their closest friend. Canadians are reasonable, but we will not back down from a fight. Not when our country is at stake.

The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, to chart their own future, and to live on their land in freedom and security. There must be irreversible steps now toward the realization of the two-State solution — before it’s too late.

Jonah Lomu RIP. What a legend. See this Instagram post by All Blacks instagram.com/p/DJhxKkPzgy9/…

I was pleased to be praised recently as a "Hero of New Zealand" by Transparency International. As some of you know, I believe the UN system is deeply broken. Staff there are scared to speak out about wrongdoing or corruption for fear of losing their jobs. transparency.org.nz/blog/whistlebl…

COP 30 in Belem had 56,000 people. COP 1 in Bonn had 2,600 people. The more people, the more complexity and what most of those people who attend always fail to tell you is the temperatures continue to rise and we are not on track to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees celcius!

56,000 people sent to COP 30 and not a single high level delegate from the USA which emits some 12.60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. carbonbrief.org/analysis-which…

Happy Christmas everybody and best wishes for 2026!

New Zealand is concerned by and actively monitoring developments in Venezuela and expects all parties to act in accordance with international law, says Foreign Minister Winston Peters. But only one Party broke international law. What a ridiculous and embarrsing statement!

Listening to Art Garfunkel sing Scarborough Fair at 80 years old gave me goosebumps. That golden voice never fades… What a legend! 🫶🫶

Thames Valley Police have opened an investigation into an offence of misconduct in public office. A man in his sixties from Norfolk has been arrested and remains in police custody. As per national guidance we will not name the arrested man. Read more: orlo.uk/Jhrou

How was this man ever a PM?

Why is the only high profile person here being held to account Andrew Mountbatten Windsor? This is ridiculous. Where are all the others?