ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on March 19, 2026.
How melodrama became the theme running through the 2026 Perth Festival
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan W. Marshall, Associate Professor & Postgraduate Research Coordinator, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University Theatre academic Peter Brooks championed the rise of melodrama as a popular form replacing tragedy. Melodrama, he said, tends to be explicit and hyperbolic in its representation of emotional
Where did the ancient Greeks and Romans think lightning came from? Hint: not just the gods
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Edwell, Associate Professor in Ancient History, Macquarie University Is it any wonder ancient people thought lightning came from the gods? Even today a close lightning strike feels like a terrifying brush with the supernatural. Some ancient thinkers, however, suspected the gods had nothing to do with
‘Disaster inertia’: why must NZ keep relearning the same lessons from extreme events?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin D Tombs, Pūkenga-Lecturer in Property Law, University of Otago In the aftermath of another summer of weather disasters, there were headlines about a “growing gap” between recovery efforts and preparation for climate change impacts. There were calls for a rethink of how New Zealand approaches natural
How the law of naval warfare applies to the Strait of Hormuz
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natalie Klein, Professor, Faculty of Law, UNSW Sydney The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow body of water adjacent to Iran and Oman, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. While it is a shared body of water between Iran and Oman, Iran functionally
A new museum every 1.5 days: what’s driving China’s massive cultural expansion
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justine Poplin, Teaching Associate, Faculty of Education, Southern Cross University From state-backed mega museums to privately-funded contemporary art spaces, the expansion of China’s galleries, libraries, archives and museums – or “GLAM” – sector is reshaping how the nation narrates its past and imagines its future. China’s museum
Solomons PM refuses to convene parliament amid political crisis
By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist The Solomon Islands Prime Minister is refusing to convene Parliament next week amid a takeover bid by government defectors who have joined forces with the opposition. Jeremiah Manele is not expected to convene Parliament until May or June and maintains the government is continuing to function despite the
5 books to help you understand Iran – recommended by experts
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Ley, Deputy Books + Ideas Editor, The Conversation Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran has been condemned in the West as a repressive theocracy. But the history of this vast nation of more than 90 million people is long and complicated. In times of war,
Horror won big at the 2026 Oscars – it’s time the genre was taken seriously
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frazer Lee, Reader in Creative Writing, Brunel University of London The horror genre rose from the grave to win big at this year’s Oscars, with four films featuring prominently in the awards. Ryan Coogler’s period vampire movie Sinners was nominated for a record-breaking 16 Oscars, bringing home
Teens suffer the most from e-bike incidents – are stricter rules the answer?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Associate Professor and Principal Fellow in Urban Risk and Resilience, The University of Melbourne E-bikes and e-scooters are in the spotlight again. That’s because Queensland, as part of a parliamentary inquiry, is pushing for the nation’s most comprehensive review of the use and safety of
Why millions of JB Hi-Fi customers are getting these texts and emails about a court case
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeannie Marie Paterson, Professor of Law (consumer protections and credit law), The University of Melbourne It looks like a scam. But if you’ve received an unexpected email or text message, starting with The Supreme Court of Victoria has ordered that you receive this notice because you may
In a world of AI text, speech still reigns supreme
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Celeste Rodriguez Louro, Associate Professor, Chair of Linguistics and Director of Language Lab, The University of Western Australia I remember the first time I attended a linguistics lecture as an undergraduate in Argentina. The lecturer asked a simple question: where does language come from? My instinctive answer
Project Hail Mary is packed with hard science. An astrophysicist breaks it down
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Webb, Course Director, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology As an astrophysicist, my world revolves around the wonders of space and the mysteries of the universe. This means I can be a tough critic of science fiction books and films that explore these
NZ imports of unhealthy ultra-processed foods have risen sharply since 1990 – new study
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Garton, Senior Research Fellow in Population Health, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Over the past three decades, New Zealand’s imports of “ultra-processed” foods and drinks increased significantly, from 16 kilograms per person in 1990 to 104 kilograms in 2023. Our research shows the share of
Psychedelic drug MDMA could help treat PTSD – but there’s a reason it’s not widely available
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Varker, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne About 11% of Australians will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their life. PTSD is a mental health disorder people may develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. People with PTSD currently
Chalmers says latest Treasury modelling shows Australia’s inflation could reach 5%, as national cabinet meets on fuel
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australia’s inflation rate could peak in “the high 4s or even higher” this year, according to Treasury modelling, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says. The latest modelling comes as Anthony Albanese prepares to meet state and territory leaders in a national cabinet
Project Vault: Peace in the moana or military outpost?
COMMENTARY: By Niamh O’Flynn To most of us in Aotearoa, the current illegal war in Iran feels distant. We see it in our news feeds, we feel it at the petrol pump, and we hear about it in “trade disruptions”. We tell ourselves we’re just a small, peaceful nation caught in the crossfire of superpowers.
Iran’s ‘Samson option’ : Deterrence restored or nothing – the logic behind Tehran’s next move
ANALYSIS: By Kevork Almassian When the Strait of Hormuz closes, you don’t need to be a military analyst to understand what just happened. You only need to understand what the world runs on. Oil. Gas. Shipping lanes. Insurance rates. Container schedules. Energy prices that decide whether factories hum or go dark, whether households heat or
Sir Anthony Mason, a jurist who shaped Australia, dies at 100
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney Sir Anthony Mason, the former Chief Justice of Australia and one of Australia’s greatest and most influential jurists, has died just shy of his 101st birthday. He was a man of sharp mind, strong principles, and a
Thousands urge NZ prime minister Luxon to condemn illegal US-Israeli war on Iran
Greenpeace AotearoaThousands of people have signed a petition demanding New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stand up and condemn the illegal attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. Greenpeace delivered the petition to opposition Labour leader Chris Hipkins in Wellington today. Standing on the steps of Parliament, Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Dr Russel
Electric vehicles: what to know if you’re considering an EV
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hussein Dia, Professor of Transport Technology and Sustainability, Swinburne University of Technology Soaring petrol prices are once again making many Australians think seriously about switching to an electric vehicle. As politicians warn Australians not to resort to panic buying, finding constructive ways to reduce your petrol costs
