ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on August 11, 2026.
Keith Rankin Essay – The Problem for National
Keith Rankin writes; My guess is that, if National does get to form a government (after the 2026 election) despite having no list MPs, then David Seymour will be insisting on becoming Minister of Finance. Or Shane Jones? New Zealand First might have more leverage than Act.
Keith Rankin Analysis – Generations of Working-Age New Zealanders
Keith Rankin writes; New Zealand's working-age population is in flux. Good for the international airlines which fly to Aotearoa, but potentially very difficult for the making of social policy. Mind you, if the policymakers don't really know about these dramatically fluctuating demographics, then they will be blissfully unaware of the difficulties which they face.
Colombia earthquake has killed at least 132. My research helps explain why it was so destructive
Many buildings in Colombia have thin concrete walls, which makes them extremely vulnerable to collapse.
Luxon’s leadership on the line – again. Neither National nor Labour stand to benefit
Whatever the outcome at tomorrow’s caucus meeting, Christopher Luxon has been found wanting as a political leader. But so has Labour’s Chris Hipkins.
Brain scans provide world-first evidence dogs can distinguish between human fear and sadness
Think your dog can tell when you’re angry rather than sad? New research inside dogs’ brains suggests the answer might be more complicated than you think.
Today’s Mediterranean diet leans on olive oil, vegies and fish. But the ancients mainly ate bread
The ancients ate mountains of bread and cheese, but you’d never know from today’s version of the Mediterranean diet.
Papua New Guinea seeks dialogue over new hefty $20,000 US visa bond
By Kaya Selby of RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has sought further dialogue with the United States over its new visa bond policy. In a statement, Marape acknowledged that the US had copped them with a “substantial” US$20,000 visa bond for ordinary business and tourism travel to the US, saying Papua
Why do certain lyrics touch us so deeply? We studied 35 years of hits to find out
An estimated 5.7 billion people listen to music. But there’s a lot we still don’t understand about why certain songs affect us the way they do.
Would Ted Lasso be a good sports coach in real life?
The best modern coaches combine high support with high expectations. But they also speak openly about vulnerability and empathy – and it works.
Let’s stop arguing about antisemitism and focus on researching it
This is what strong, empirical research into antisemitism can look like – and why it’s important.
Expanded citizen’s arrest powers could open a legal can of worms – here’s what to know
Ever wondered what it really means to make a citizen’s arrest? It’s more complicated and risky than you might think, despite the latest changes to the Crimes Act.
Two-way battle – no clear majority as Cook Islands prepares for polls
By Rashneel Kumar, editor of the Cook Islands News An exclusive poll reveals a tight election with no clear winner, as the surging Cook Islands United Party (CIUP) challenges the governing Cook Islands Party (CIP) while cost-of-living concerns dominate voter focus. With just two days to go before the country heads to the elections on
Australians have said they have ‘no religion’ on every census we’ve had – and it is growing every year
In Australia’s first census in 1911, only 0.4% of us said we had ‘no religion’. Now, ‘no religion’ is Australia’s biggest religious affiliation.
Complaints about online platforms often go nowhere. AI could actually be part of the solution
It’s almost impossible to get an online complaint resolved. Enter the chatbot.
What’s a doula? What do – and don’t – they do during childbirth?
Massage is in; examinations are out. Here’s what to think about if you’re considering hiring a doula.
Reef relief: how a late summer monsoon helped cool the Great Barrier Reef at just the right time
Scientists have been monitoring the reef’s health for the past 40 years.
Can the searing European summer put climate action back on the agenda – or will disaster response take over?
Wildfire, drought and heat have made climate change impossible to avoid this northern summer. But will authorities tackle the cause – or the symptoms?
Education ministers are worried about technology use in schools. Should they be?
There is no comprehensive national data on how much time an Australian child spends on a device at school. The rules are just as patchy.
After nearly 12 years in power, the Victorian government’s longevity has come at some cost to its integrity
Successive reports from integrity bodies have found the Labor government acted improperly across a range of issues over the years. It’s time that changed.
Dolphins learn how to use tools to hunt for fish from their mothers
Tool use among non-human animals is more widespread than you might think.