News

Editorial coverage from the Wellington New Zealand Wire newsroom.

Science
Godzilla Minus Zero is incredibly loud. Who decides on the cinema volume? And is it safe?
Godzilla Minus Zero’s incursion into Australian cinemas is proving to be a proper theatrical event.
SyndicatedAlison Cole, Composer and Lecturer in Screen Composition, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney5 Nov 20264 min read
Technology
The US$6.3 billion Binance hack is the biggest heist ever – it should be a wake up call for cryptocurrency users
The cyberattack on crypto-asset exchange Binance is potentially the largest theft of its kind on record. Binance has estimated the assets stolen at an eye-watering US$6.3 billion (£4.7 billion).
SyndicatedIwa Salami, Professor of Law, University of East London3 Nov 20265 min read
Government
Could Trump interfere in the US midterms – and what checks and balances could stop him?
On Tuesday, voters across the United States will cast their votes in the 2026 midterm elections. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate are on the ballot.
SyndicatedJean-Nicolas Bordeleau, Research Fellow, Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies, Flinders University2 Nov 20265 min read
Science
How evolutionary biology became an unwilling ally of the manosphere
From steroid use to “bone smashing”, the “looksmaxxing” movement is only the latest example of the manosphere’s toxic hold on young people.
SyndicatedEric Harvey, Professor, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)29 Oct 20263 min read
Culture
Boo! How to pick scary books for kids that thrill but won’t haunt for life
Halloween is one of the few holidays centered around children. When else can students come to school dressed like astronauts, monsters and witches, or ring strangers’ doorbells to ask for candy?
SyndicatedLiz Rosenberg, Professor of English, General Literature and Rhetoric, Binghamton University, State University of New York24 Oct 20265 min read
Technology
The problem with Shane Gillis’s joke isn’t just sexism, it’s sex work stigma
In his Oct. 10 Saturday Night Live (SNL) monologue, American comedian Shane Gillis joked that women at the gym dress like “whores” these days. The backlash was swift and widespread, in the news and across social media.
SyndicatedCarmen Logie, Full Professor, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto22 Oct 20265 min read
Business
Australia has let abuse of its representatives become ‘part of the job’ – and women bear the brunt
Australians have been deeply shocked by the alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines that has left her in critical condition in hospital, and having lost a leg.
SyndicatedJosh Holloway, Senior Lecturer in Government, Flinders University21 Oct 20265 min read
Culture
Horror films exploit how human vision works to deliver movies’ best scares
This article contains spoilers from popular horror movies and shows.
SyndicatedArryn Robbins, Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Richmond21 Oct 20265 min read
Health
Can social media bans protect young people’s mental health? Early research suggests that bans aren’t the answer
The year 2026 has been an expensive one for social media platforms.
SyndicatedAri Lightman, Professor of Digital Media and Marketing, Carnegie Mellon University17 Oct 20266 min read
Culture
Sally Rooney’s books are being withdrawn from sale in the UK, due to her support for Palestine Action
Internationally acclaimed Irish novelist Sally Rooney has announced that she is being forced to withdraw her books from sale in the United Kingdom.
SyndicatedJulian Novitz, Senior Lecturer, Writing, Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology15 Oct 20265 min read
Culture
Michelin came for the food. It found what makes South Australia special
Last night, my husband and I watched Australia’s inaugural Michelin ceremony, live-streamed from Adelaide Convention Centre, with the anticipation usually reserved for a favourite series finale.
SyndicatedAnita Manfreda, Associate Professor, Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, Torrens University Australia15 Oct 20264 min read
Government
Life in Gaza after 12 months of ‘ceasefire’
It’s one year since the US-brokered ceasefire for Gaza formally came into effect. On October 9 2025, Hamas handed over the 20 remaining hostages and the bodies of four Israelis who had died while being held captive.
SyndicatedAnne Irfan, Associate Professor in Interdisciplinary Race, Gender and Postcolonial Studies, UCL14 Oct 20264 min read