u/Kiwi_In_The_Comments

Hopefully, the trial will begin to address the central issue in the case once forensic psychiatrists start giving evidence.

The trial has been slow and longer than necessary, with a lot of unfocused evidence. So far, Dr. Jhilam Biswas, who assessed Lindsay at Brigham and Women's Hospital, is the only forensic psychiatrist that has testified; she reported no psychotic features.

At this stage in the proceedings, it seems like the prosecution has a strong case against Lindsay Clancy, including rebutting her defence. But this case is far from over.

Despite the evidence, Lindsay's lawyer, Kevin Reddington, has been doing a stellar job in front of the judge and jury. It’s an absolute masterclass. Day in, day out.

On the flip side, the prosecution might be turning the jury off. Despite the strength of the evidence, they often come across as overly aggressive and overly invested. This might just end up alienating the jury rather than convincing them. Sometimes I wonder if prosecutor actually wants to get in the witnessbox and start testifying.

Is the prosecution overplaying their hand?

It's been widely reported that travelled business class return from Auckland to Europe funded by the insurance industry. Do we know the exact cost of the trip?

She does amazing work, but why is consistently appearing on reddit. Does she suggest clients post on reddit? I think she's likely one of the best surgeons in the world.

“I watch parliament sometimes and - you know - ‘point of order!’ How do they know the points of order? Does someone come up to you at the beginning of Question Time saying, ‘You could maybe bring this up?’ 

(Herald on Sunday, 19 July 2026).

Andrea Vance in the Sunday Star-Times and Heather du Plessis-Allan in the NZ Herald on Sunday pen scathing columns on NZ First and their candidate lineup.

Lots of creative insults, describing the party and its recruits as:

• a "toxic NZ First manosphere of the undead"
• an "algorithmic collection of outrage merchants" and "culture-war hobbyists"
• "exiled, fringe, attention-seeking or ageing political desperados"
• a "cast of embittered political zombies" hoping to "reanimate their dead careers" while "chasing its 1990s glory days"
• "refugees of collapsed political movements" and "culture-war mercenaries"
• men trying to keep their "snout firmly attached to the public trough" to collect $180,000 a year
• "rage-baiters" and "culture-war mercenaries" crawling out from failed political projects
• a "second-hand shop" for washed up talk show hosts
• politicians driving into the Winston Peters' "salvage yard"
• candidates hired simply to be "embalmed and keep the caucus seats warm"
• relics proving that "the 90s called and want their man back"
• a "reheat from 1996" bringing a "whiff of stale controversy"
• a party leaning hard into its "retro appeal" by "resurrecting" old politicians
• "petty and unprincipled and a bit too shifty".

I can't help but wonder if there's something personal that sits behind these columns.

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The recent report in the NZ Herald about the government’s state housing sell-off shows that the property industry, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and property developers, were the prime buyers.

• Taranaki Whānui purchased the Dixon Street apartments in Wellington $1.04 million and on-sold them the same day to a Wellington private developer for $3.04 million, 192% profit margin!
• A Harcourts agent purchased three Papatoetoe properties listed by his own agency branch.
• Shareholders of the a Shosha vape chain got seven state homes through South Auckland syndicates, subdividing them to charge up to $825 a week in rent.

777 properties sold for $330 million. That averages out to $424,710 per property.

Government giving away prime land or neglected assets?

As someone who grew up and has only lived in urban New Zealand, I used to look at the Topp Twins as a national embarrassment. I found them odd, misunderstood their relationship, and felt their comedic act lacked originality and any subtlety. To my mind, they relied on basic tropes and resembled a cross between circus clowns and a sideshow.

My perspective has shifted. I now recognise their place in New Zealand - performing in provincial areas that rarely get any live entertainment or performances. They were well-liked in rural New Zealand and brought joy to people in rural communities who otherwise missed out on the acts that only toured the main centres.

It took me time to see it, but I appreciate the legacy they built outside the cities.

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Fran O’Sullivan is doing what she always does: conflating symptoms with causes.

One of the key causes of the Christchurch boom has been the opening up of new (greenfields) land for housing, which has made housing more affordable than in other parts of New Zealand.  

It’s not the new stadium, it’s not bed taxes, and it’s not aerospace.

​Curious to hear what others make of the recent Labour Party list rankings and what they indicate about the party.

​Sophie Handford featured in media articles about the release of the list. She promotes herself as a climate activist.

Wonder about their electoral strategy? It seems to me she might appeal more to existing Green Party supporters rather than capturing the swinging centrist or National voters that Labour typically needs to form a government.

​Most voters do not study the party list before voting. The rankings still communicate something about the party.

Has Kieran McAnulty shown that he possesses any strong political skills or any solid new ideas?

As a Minister, he couldn't influence NZTA. NZTA ran circles around him.

His electorate rejected him, and those touting him as a Labour Party leader do so for superficial reasons - liking style, his tone or he speaks like a regular white Kiwi block.

Come on, substance over style. Has he shown any substance?

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Media of the defendants arriving at the Auckland High Court today was very interesting. The sunglasses. The trial has heard they drove a Mercedes van. Was it about the money?

Seems to be a real pause in proceedings? No big cases being streamed currently?

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A dark, heavy pinstripe fabric with structured shoulders is a hallmark of corporate power dressing from the 1980s. The hair and make up - waves and prominent red lipstick are all reminiscent of 1980s.

This is from someone who spent her life working a PR manager for a milk monopoly, telling people to get out the 1980s.

​I sometimes cannot understand the cost of skin lasers. When I look at the results people achieve after spending thousands of dollars, the outcomes sometimes look underwhelming.

​Lasers certainly have their place for vascular conditions. However, chemical peels frequently deliver identical, if not superior, improvements to skin tone and texture for a fraction of the price.

​Has anyone else noticed this, or did lasers actually justify the investment for you?

Air New Zealand shareholders should not expect its financial performance to improve anytime soon.

Looking at Air New Zealand's latest shareholder corporate publication, there is no acknowledgement by management that the service and pricing are simply not good enough anymore.

Qantas is now offering very competitive pricing on many routes and cutting Air New Zealand's lunch. Their service is often better. While Qantas sometime uses older aircraft, its planes are reliable.

It is odd to read Air New Zealand's shareholders publications and see management blame performance almost entirely on outside factors like:

• rising domestic landing charges
• jet fuel prices
• engine maintenance delays – not our fault – the manufactures fault - that have grounded up to eight aircraft.

The airline needs to address its high prices and service standards, shareholders will likely continue to see poor results.