Emma Ricketts

NZ does do the summer break differently - and there are some fair reasons for that The make up of New Zealand’s economic activity may shift temporarily over the Christmas/summer period, but there is no evidence of a drop.

Clear, factual reporting that takes the time to research whether a reckon is actually real shouldn't be rare, but it is really feels like it increasingly is. Ricketts explainer delivers again.

www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

Climate minister admits new target may breach global 1.5C goal Climate Minister Simon Watts admitted the Government's new methane target may not be consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5C.

New: Climate Change Minister Simon Watts concedes the Government’s new methane target could result in outcomes not consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5C above preindustrial levels – a threshold mandated in New Zealand and international law.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/15/c...

The last interview with Tory Whanau for now - I'll miss these, they're always lovely chats

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Oops, Monday brain hitting on that last one. Correct link here: www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

And, finally, the Dixon St flats. More specifically, do rights of first refusal granted under Treaty settlements mean iwi can simply buy up government land for less than market value?

I'll give you a sneak peek: no.

www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

Someone told me there's tons of jobs out there and you're just lazy. I asked some young people if they agree

www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

Not on my bingo card for 2025, but I might actually understand government debt now?

Unforeseen result: huge engagement from readers. Who knew this was such a hot topic

www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

‘Predators’ and shock bills: Roblox looks like harmless fun but Kiwi parents say it’s not that simple Parents raise concerns about predators and addiction, but Roblox says platform has rigorous safety features.

First up, I had to download Roblox to finally understand what it is. My conclusion? I'm older than the targeted age group and I can't say I get it. Also, watch out for your kiddos online

www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

It's been a few weeks of settling into my new round, turning 30 and waddling my way through some explainers (with a little local election coverage on the side). Here's a short 🧵 with some recents and some favourites!

What are Māori wards, and why will their fate be decided in the local elections? Voting papers for this year’s elections are being sent out. Depending where you live, you might find a referendum about Māori wards in your ballot.

Finally found some time to pull together an explainer on the Māori ward referendums. Not a yarn for the top of the home page with everything going on this week, but I hope people find it when they need it 🙌🏻
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

Great prompt for an update here - starting this week I'm focusing on explainers and fact-checks for Stuff!

I'm still based in Wellington (with an unhealthy interest in local politics), but this is the sort of thing you'll be seeing most from me from now on 🙌🏻

UN's highest court finds countries can be held legally responsible for emissions The landmark decision is the culmination of six years of advocacy and diplomatic manoeuvring which started with a group of Pacific university students in 2019.

Huge.

UN's highest court finds countries can be held legally responsible for emissions www.rnz.co.nz/internationa...

How a Ray Chung campaign event descended into chaos Chung and other ‘Independent Together’ candidates held a campaign town hall on Tuesday night. It quickly descended into a scene of yelling, finger-pointing and accusations of assault.

With videos from @joelmacmanus.bsky.social 🙏🏻

www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...

The prime Wellington sites Kāinga Ora is selling off The public housing provider plans plans to divest two undeveloped plots, and has just 42 new units in the pipeline for Wellington City.

I pass these two Adelaide Road sites everyday on the bus, and often wondered why they're sitting empty when they're in such a good location. It took an OIA to get the info from Kāinga Ora, but good to get some clarity on their plan to sell.

Luxon is ‘punching down on Wellington’, mayor says Christopher Luxon made some comments about local government, and Wellington in particular, which its mayor Tory Whanau has rejected.

“In fact, turnout in Wellington’s last local government election was 45.4%, higher than the national turnout of 42%. It was in Auckland’s last local government election where turnout was 35.4%.”

www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...

When the carbon capture project doesn't deliver as planned

Stop using us to tell the story of ‘dying’ Wellington, hospo bosses say Some Wellington restaurateurs say they’re tired of being the poster child for a struggling capital city.

I love living in Wellington. Parts of the city are definitely struggling, but there are also areas that are so fun to be in ☕️🍻🍲 It was awesome to chat to some of the people behind the businesses and get their take on how they've been portrayed.

Explained: Is the Government saying it’s OK to kill kiwi to build roads? An amendment to the Wildlife Act will change how DOC permits work after a recent court decision put government projects in jeopardy.

The govt announced two bills to be passed under urgency this week. I thought one of them warranted a bit of explanation. Have a geez: www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3606...

Transmission Gully looks like it’s finished. It’s not Among the things left undone on Transmission Gully, which has a number of resource consents outstanding, is providing passages for fish.

Alright, it's time to actually post on this thing. I can't promise any form of consistency, but I can promise some banger Wellington stories. Read away.

And on that note I recently learned about fish passages. Can't stop reading so this won't be the last on the topic!

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Not a typo! 🤦🏼‍♀️

The Wellington water situation (and some of this lame-o stuff), explained The prime minister said Wellington councils are “pretty lame-o” for failing to submit a proposal for a 10-year regional deal.

Excellent factual Explainer on this stuff from Emma Ricketts

www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3606...

(see, great journos working for the stuff conglomerate!)