In this edition, a sweeping move to the right across the world as an allergic reaction to ‘wokeness’ or ‘progressive’ left-wing politics reaches critical mass, catalysing and emboldening and parties on the right, while centre-right parties deliberate between strategies of ‘avoid’ or ‘react’. Progressive institutions once at the vanguard of cultural change meanwhile, are finding themselves left behind by this shift in culture.

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International Govt, Society and Culture

In his first 100 hours of his second term, President Trump signed a record-breaking 26 executive orders, surpassing previous presidents and signalling a decisive cultural shift reports NY Post.

Globally, the political left is at its weakest since the Cold War, with Trump’s victory underscoring a broader shift as traditional left voters gravitate toward a more populist right, with the Telegraph reporting this stems from culture wars, the erosion of class-based politics and internal fragmentation, with forecasts suggesting further declines. Belgium is the latest country to elect a right-wing government, and Dr Oliver Hartwich opined Austria is likely the next domino in the left’s decline.

Big Tech policies on free speech are diverging sharply between the US and Europe, reports CNN, with Meta and X loosening content moderation in America while European tech giants voluntarily strengthen hate speech regulations in line with EU law.

The UK government is bringing back its free speech law for universities but with changes – students and staff will no longer be able to sue universities for restricting free speech, but universities can still be fined if they fail to uphold it, reports BBC News.

In response to a series of anti-Semitic incidents in Australia including vandalism and attempted arson at a synagogue, New South Wales Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus is pushing for the Australian government to introduce criminal penalties for hate speech, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Meanwhile, more than 100 Australian public figures including PM Tony Abbott have signed an open letter urging the Australian government to pause all medical gender transitions for minors pending an independent inquiry, reports Sky News. The letter follows Queensland’s recent decision to halt hormone treatments for new patients under 18.

Recent unequal hostage/prisoner exchanges between Israel and Palestine have fuelled concerns that the imbalance incentivises future kidnappings and security risks.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s de facto leader and ex-HTS commander, has scrapped the constitution, dissolved parliament, and declared himself president, vowing to dismantle Assad’s Baath Party, reports The Washington Post. Meanwhile, SBS News reports that he has assured Syrian Christians they will be safe under his rule.

The Vatican has issued new guidelines allowing gay men to train as Catholic priests, provided they uphold celibacy and do not advocate for ‘gay culture,’ reports NZ Herald.

NZ Govt, Society and Culture

Seeking to ride some of the ripples from the US, NZ First’s Shane Jones shouted “send the Mexicans home” and Winston Peters told immigrant MPs to show gratitude and not impose foreign ideas, reports Stuff.

National, meanwhile, has been seeking to avoid distracting culture-war topics and stick to a ‘by the book’ strategy of focussing on core issues of government such as economic growth, justice and education, and health, which polling from before the 2023 election tells them most kiwis care about. However, they may be starting to rethink this ‘ignore’ approach as their coalition partners more reactionary approach grabs more headlines and sees them retaining steady support, while National falls in the polls .

Chris Bishop, for example, recently ordered Sport NZ to rewrite its transgender inclusion guidelines in community sports, following pressure from NZ First, an open letter from Olympians, and backlash from National supporters.

In her Op-Ed ‘Challenges face media integrity amid cultural shifts, Veteran Herald Columnist Fran O’Sullivan offered awareness as to the causes of falling trust in NZ media, and across the western world, when she critiqued journalists’ focus on Brown’s position on abortion at his appointment as Health Minister, rather than reporting on actual challenges of the health system.

It is one example of a trend in which institutions such as the media, universities and left-wing government administrations were once at the vanguard of cultural leadership and change, they are being left behind by the international reaction against secular progressivism. Many institutions and individuals will be digging in their heels and hoping this cultural shift is a ‘blip’ in the long march of ‘secular progressivism’. While some respected commentators believe this to be the case, others think the shift is more substantial.

National MP Greg Fleming is advocating for police to charge event organisers for their presence, arguing it would reduce distractions from core policing duties, reports Newstalk ZB. However, critics warn this could be used to suppress controversial events by imposing prohibitive security costs, promoting Free Speech Union to raise concerns with the Minister and Associate Minister of Police.

Schools

Education Minister Erica Stanford is “preparing for a year of cuts and reforms” warning that Budget 2025 will slash ineffective education spending while advancing structured literacy, targeted maths initiatives, and potential long-term sector reform, reports Newsroom.

NGOs

The Sallies have teamed up with the Otago Highlanders to help Kiwis in need.

Foodbanks nationwide say they are finding themselves under mounting pressure as demand surges amid the post-Christmas and back-to-school costs, with some struggling to meet growing requests for assistance, reports Cambridge News and Te Awamutu News.

Maxim’s Tim Wilson on The Huddle responded to PM Luxon’s claim that NZ needs more ambition, agreeing somewhat that we have a culture of saying 'no' and stressing the need for a clear vision of what we affirm and reject, citing Singapore’s strict approach as an example.

Churches & Christianity in the news

Gloriavale leaders have apologised for historic abuse revealed in last year’s inquiry, admitting failures to report cases and pledging support for survivors, including access to redress, reports 1News.

Meanwhile, Catholic Church abuse survivors have criticised the bishops’ pastoral letter following the Prime Minister’s apology, calling it detached from victims and lacking accountability, with Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) alleging bishops have ignored or silenced survivors.

Of Interest

ABC reports for the first time in nearly 30 years, more Gen Z men (39%) than women (28%) identify as Christian, according to Australian Community Survey data.

With the refugee programme frozen under Trump, agencies are turning to churches to help them, reports Christianity Today.

The 2024 NZ Abortion Report reveals a nearly 23% increase in abortions since the Abortion Legislation Act passed in 2020, with a 14.9% rise from 2022, bringing the annual total to 16,277.

The Jacinda Ardern documentary ‘Prime Minister’ premiered at Sundance to mixed reviews, praised for its intimacy but criticised for lacking depth, reports RNZ.

Commenting on Israeli-Palestinian hostage and prisoner exchanges, former National MP Simon O’Connor criticised Hamas' handling of hostage releases as a “grotesque spectacle,” accusing the group of psychological manipulation and media theatrics while contrasting it with Israel’s low-profile prisoner releases.

In an op-ed for The Post, Ethos Alliance's Alex Penk argued that respectful disagreement is essential to democracy and loving thy neighbour in action, challenging conformity and urging universities to embrace open debate beyond legal obligations.

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