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The Conversation
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
The Conversation Global launched as a pilot project in September 2016. The Conversation is an independent source of news and views, from the academic and research community, delivered direct to the public. Our team of professional editors work with experts to unlock their knowledge for use by the wider public.
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A Philosopher’s Take On NZ’s Bill To Define Who Counts As A Woman Or Man
Sunday, 14 June 2026, 4:12 pm | The Conversation
The bill treats a complex cluster of biological traits as if it were one settled thing, and ties legal meaning to the pretence. More >>
Private Space Tourism Is Taking Off – But Laws On Outer Space Are From Another Era
Saturday, 13 June 2026, 7:18 pm | The Conversation
Commercial operators are launching more rockets and carrying more passengers than ever before. But international space law was written in the 1960s. More >>
Are The US And Iran Back At War, Or Negotiating? Why Bombing Your Way To Peace Won’t Work
Saturday, 13 June 2026, 7:14 pm | The Conversation
Escalating a conflict is paradoxically one way to end it. But this strategy can be flawed, particularly in a region like the Middle East. More >>
Will ‘Move On’ Orders For Rough Sleepers Make Cities Safer – Or Revive Victorian-Era Cruelty?
Friday, 12 June 2026, 8:29 am | The Conversation
The government says proposed move-on orders will tackle disorder. Critics argue they risk punishing homelessness while doing little to address its causes. More >>
Warming Winters Are Changing NZ’s Landscapes, Bringing Insect Pests, Smaller Fruit And Carbon Loss
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 8:04 am | The Conversation
Warmer winters mean insect pests like wasps will likely spread further, while weedy plants and rats invade alpine zones, shrinking the refuge for endangered birds. More >>
‘Technostress’: Why Many Older People Feel Shut Out By The Digital World
Wednesday, 10 June 2026, 7:29 am | The Conversation
As more services move online, a study based on interviews with over-65s reveals growing barriers to staying connected, informed and independent. More >>
Why The Tax NZ Never Wanted To Talk About Is Back On The Political Agenda In 2026
Tuesday, 9 June 2026, 9:22 am | The Conversation
Labour’s proposed capital gains tax has revived a debate long deemed politically toxic. But growing pressure on NZ’s tax system is making it harder to avoid. More >>
Demand For Menopause Hormone Therapy Is On The Rise – But Training Gaps Remain For Doctors
Tuesday, 9 June 2026, 9:15 am | The Conversation
The latest research on menopause hormone therapy is reassuring, showing little to no association with stroke and blood clots, but benefits for bone health. More >>
Should We ‘Stream’ School Students Based On Ability? New Research Suggests Yes – But We Need To Be Cautious
Monday, 8 June 2026, 8:32 am | The Conversation
Educators have long debated whether it is better for students to be learning with students of a similar ‘ability’ or a mix. More >>
UN Report Warns AI Could Soon Use 3% Of World’s Electricity And More Water Than We Need To Drink
Sunday, 7 June 2026, 6:54 pm | The Conversation
As AI models become cheaper and more attractive, they will likely encourage new uses and higher volumes of use – erasing any efficiency gains. More >>
NZ’s New Forestry Rules Promise Consistency. Will They Also Increase Environmental Risk?
Saturday, 6 June 2026, 9:40 pm | The Conversation
As an overhauled rulebook for commercial forestry comes into force, there are concerns it could weaken safeguards as climate risks intensify. More >>
National Insecurity: What Happens When Countries Start To Lose Their Sense Of Identity?
Friday, 5 June 2026, 9:58 am | The Conversation
Borrowed from psychiatry, the term “ontological security” describes how nations understand themselves and their place in the world – and how it can break down. More >>
Why A US ‘Freeloading’ Claim Has Put The Heat On NZ’s Independent Foreign Policy
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 8:19 am | The Conversation
Defence Minister Chris Penk has inadvertently highlighted a major tension between increased defence spending and New Zealand’s nuclear-free policy. More >>
Jacinda Ardern Turns Her Own Imposter Syndrome Into Self-Help Wisdom For Young Readers
Wednesday, 3 June 2026, 7:43 pm | The Conversation
In this adaptation of her bestselling memoir, Jacinda Ardern turns inward toward the psychological terrain of her own self-doubt – and how to overcome it. More >>
National Wants To Scrap Sexual Offender Character References; Should NZ Go Further?
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 8:03 am | The Conversation
Countries including the US, UK, Canada use consistent sentencing guidelines. Is it time that New Zealand follows suit? More >>
Can Wegovy Move The Needle On NZ’s Obesity Crisis, Or Simply Treat Its Symptoms?
Monday, 1 June 2026, 8:07 am | The Conversation
The popular new drug can bring dramatic weight loss for some patients. But for NZ, tackling a rising obesity epidemic is likely to require much broader change. More >>
Friday Essay: How To Sell A Genocide Exposes The Double Standards Of Reporting On Gaza
Sunday, 31 May 2026, 8:42 pm | The Conversation
Almost all major human rights organisations agree the destruction of Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide. Yet liberal news outlets still do not use the word. More >>
Budget Investment In Health Signals Continued Austerity Without Long-Term Vision
Saturday, 30 May 2026, 8:50 pm | The Conversation
Some new spending initiatives in health should add value, but the budget lacks a long-term vision for building cross-party consensus on improving healthcare. More >>
500-Million-Year-Old Fossil Helps Fill A Strange Gap In Our Record Of Life On Earth
Friday, 29 May 2026, 7:35 pm | The Conversation
The fossil is a reminder of how incomplete our understanding of Earth’s history remains. More >>
‘Like Drinking From A Firehose’ – What It’s Like To Be The Human In The AI Loop
Thursday, 28 May 2026, 8:14 pm | The Conversation
For legal reasons, organisations require a human reviewer of generative AI outputs. But this human oversight must be valued and budgeted for in the transition to AI. More >>
