In a world obsessed with ‘being authentic,’ what if the real you isn’t all that great? This week, Executive Director Tim Wilson explores this very idea in his column A Defence of Inauthenticity. From the Polkinghorne trial to the pressure of social media’s ‘real self’ narrative, Tim makes a bold case for why sometimes being a little unreal might actually be better—for you and society. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that will challenge everything you’ve been told about authenticity and the mantra of ‘you do you.’

Smartphones frequently provide content without context, leaving Gen Z vulnerable to misinformation. Former intern (and Gen Zer) Alexandra Lay explains how cultivating the habit of reading books can counteract groupthink and foster thoughtful reflection in an era where social belonging outweighs truth.

Read the column on Substack.

Executive Director Tim Wilson chats with Professor Nicholas Aroney on New Zealand’s choice to stay out of the Australian Federation and the cultural, political, and geopolitical forces that have shaped the ANZAC bond.

Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour exposes a glaring contradiction in New Zealand's welfare reform strategy: while championing "Social Investment" as a data-driven approach to break cycles of disadvantage, the government overlooks superannuation, which amounts $23.2 billion annually—almost equal to the cost of all other welfare programmes combined.

Forget the yellow submarine—we’re a lever-pull away from cancellation living in today’s red chair society. In this week’s column, Researcher Maryanne Spurdle draws a clever parallel between a playful segment on The Graham Norton Show and alarming displays of intolerance in society. She urges a change in approach, advocating for a return to honest debate where dissenting voices are considered.

Read the column on our website.

As the Government prepares to introduce new gene technology legislation, Dr Stephanie Worboys warns that we may open a Pandora's Box.

She raises critical concerns about the unintended consequences of gene technology, from off-target DNA effects to ecological damage and moral dilemmas.

With New Zealand on the brink of significant legislative changes, Stephanie offers a well-informed cautionary perspective, emphasising the need for careful consideration before we open the door to this powerful technology.

New Zealand’s energy crisis is more than just rising power costs—it's a glaring signal of our vulnerability in an unstable world. Our reliance on imported energy has gone from luxury to liability in a changing global world.

New Zealand's healthcare system is on life support as staff shortages and patient wait times worsen. Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown examines the urgent need for ambitious, sustainable reform with a long-term vision. Decades of tinkering have landed us here. We need more than bureaucratic band-aids to heal our ailing system.

Read the column on our website.

The Olympics has been mired in controversy with the "satire" of the Last Supper at the opening ceremony. Executive Director Tim Wilson explains how a "Conspiracy Theory Conspiracy Theory" developed and what it tells us about our cultural elites.

Read⁠ the column on our website.

Countries with greater school choice are outperforming New Zealand. Researcher Maryanne Spurdle explains how charter schools can actually benefit public schools instead of holding them back. She demonstrates how our overloaded public education system can improve through increased school choice, and how greater accountability and independence have led to higher satisfaction ratings with schools internationally.

Read the column on our website.