ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 18, 2026.
Former NZ PM Jacinda Ardern donates book, media earnings to homelessness project
Kindness in Power Media Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has donated her personal income from speaking engagements, book projects, and community initiatives over recent years — estimated at NZ$3.8 million — to a nationwide homelessness support initiative across Aotearoa. The project helps fund 60 transitional housing units and more than 120 emergency shelter…
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jonno Duniam on guilt and relief about quitting politics
The departing Liberal frontbencher also said it’s ‘mad’ to be talking about doing deals with One Nation so far from an election.
Halving the fuel tax was a bad idea – and it shouldn’t be extended. There’s a fairer alternative
A more radical reform package would include a road user charge.
India’s youth-led Cockroach party may prove as hard to kill as its namesake
Despite its comedic origins and mission as the ‘voice of the lazy and unemployed’, the movement represents a seismic shift in India’s political landscape.
From prejudice to harm – current policies targeting trans people follow a clear pattern of escalation
Anti-trans policies are often described as protective, but they follow a documented pattern that creates conditions to make exclusion and harm easier to justify.
Making a big, life-changing decision? 7 steps to consider
Big decisions are messier than they look, but there are things you can try before taking the leap – or not.
How much clothing is too much? The maths behind having a sustainable wardrobe
The average wardrobe has about 200 items of clothing. Many of these may never earn their environmental keep.
Trump went to war against Iran and got a deal far worse than Obama
COMMENTARY: By Lim Tean Two days ago, I wrote an article and posted on FaceBook describing the US-Iran ceasefire as a surrender document. That article has since been viewed more than 4.5 million times, liked 56,000 times, and shared more than 11,000 times. The response confirmed what many already sensed but could not yet prove:
How Australia can deliver the secure gas, renewable fuels and battery minerals Asia and the Pacific need
Energy security has been front of mind for Asia-Pacific leaders this year. Australia could play a key role in assuring supply of both gas and clean exports.
New study shows 1 in 7 people have been victims of sextortion – and AI is making it worse
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where a perpetrator coerces or tricks a victim into sending intimate images. New research shows it’s on the rise.
Is ‘baby brain’ real? A neuroscientist explains
The fog new parents feel is real. But is it just sleep deprivation or is more going on?
Sovereign AI? Anthropic shutdown reveals Canada’s weakness
Canada is now investing billions to strengthen domestic AI capacity. But sovereignty is not simply about where the servers sit.
Australia risks losing its ‘corporate brain’ if more high-value jobs keep being sent offshore
The effects won’t be immediately visible. But many of these jobs are entry points for young graduates and early-career professionals: our future business leaders.
What does it mean to be ‘Wasian’ – and is it OK to celebrate it?
Drawn from the words white and Asian, many use the term to celebrate shared experiences. But the label raises questions about valuing proximity to whiteness.
Bonfires, Maypoles and a saint’s day: How Europe celebrates the longest day of the year
Midsummer celebrations throughout Europe coincide with the solstice. Many blend pre-Christian and Christian traditions.
Heat waves increase wildfire risk – a new study explains how much, and it’s not a small number
Heat waves do more than dry out vegetation that can easily burn. They also play a role in lightning strikes, particularly dry lightning.
Does screen time mean children are missing out on play?
Different play experiences may provide different developmental opportunities.
What makes the ideal digital icon? A psychologist explains
To the designer Susan Kare, designing icons was about solving ‘the little puzzle of making an image fit a metaphor’. Forty years later, that challenge remains.
The kombucha paradox: measurable effects, uncertain wellbeing benefits
The drink may alter aspects of metabolism, but showing a meaningful wellbeing benefit requires much stronger evidence.
A ‘super’ El Niño has the power to devastate fishing – and leave seals and sea lions starving
A dip in anchovy stocks is not only vital for Peru’s economy, but also essential for supporting fish farming and food production worldwide.