Michele Hewitson is a columnist, feature writer and politics writer for the NZ Listener
The listener.co.nz is the website of the award-winning New Zealand Listener, which has been covering the political, cultural and literary life of Aotearoa New Zealand for 80 years with features on current events, politics, social issues, health, technology, arts, food, culture and entertainment.
![The Good Life: Baking bread makes me feel like a better person](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
The Good Life: Baking bread makes me feel like a better person
"Sometimes I look at a recipe for croissants. Then I have a lie-down."
![Michele Hewitson: In a time of frustrating silence on our new government, silliness fills the void](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Michele Hewitson: In a time of frustrating silence on our new government, silliness fills the void
By the time you read this, we may have a government. Or we may not. Who knows?
![Review: Far Right rule, poisonous plants and a country club killing make for thrilling reads](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Review: Far Right rule, poisonous plants and a country club killing make for thrilling reads
"She knows she looks odd but she doesn’t care. And there is nobody to look at her."
![The Good Life: When intrepid family members return to rural NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
The Good Life: When intrepid family members return to rural NZ
"She and Miles had concocted a top-secret plan to smuggle her into our paddock."
![Michele Hewitson: Investigating the 2026 election further](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Michele Hewitson: Investigating the 2026 election further
"He only bothered with a byline when there was a chance of winning another media award."
![Michele Hewitson: Looking forward to the final week of Campaign 2026](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Michele Hewitson: Looking forward to the final week of Campaign 2026
"It was an ignominious way for a lifelong Conservative to go: death by leftie."
![The Good Life: Sharing a love of boxes - and their contents](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
The Good Life: Sharing a love of boxes - and their contents
Weirdly, I love boxes. You can hide all manner of things in boxes.
![Michele Hewitson: Winston Peters likes a party, but which one?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Michele Hewitson: Winston Peters likes a party, but which one?
He’s not in the game to be liked. He’s in the game simply to be in the game.
![Michele Hewitson: Pre-election performances career from farcical to fatiguing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Michele Hewitson: Pre-election performances career from farcical to fatiguing
Hapless voters are left counting the days until October 14.
![Jane Ussher’s political portraits of the 2023 contenders](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Jane Ussher’s political portraits of the 2023 contenders
With less than a month until the country votes, Listener views the incumbent leaders.
![Michele Hewitson: This election campaign is like an unentertaining musical](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Michele Hewitson: This election campaign is like an unentertaining musical
Politicians are behaving as if they’ve won lead roles in a local amateur dramatics show.
![Michele Hewitson: Attack ads are the political equivalent of unguided missiles](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Michele Hewitson: Attack ads are the political equivalent of unguided missiles
“Out of touch. Too much risk.” Ouch. Not really. The CTU needs to get snappier slogans.
![The Good Life: Being knocked down by my pet ram lamb](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
The Good Life: Being knocked down by my pet ram lamb
I couldn’t believe I was making a doctor’s appointment for getting knocked down by a ram.
![Michele Hewitson: Coalition of cuts or coalition of chaos, what’s better?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Michele Hewitson: Coalition of cuts or coalition of chaos, what’s better?
At least a meeting of what may loosely be called minds would be a non-partisan pick’n’mix.
![Michele Hewitson: All rise for Judge Luxon and his tough-on-crime policies](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Michele Hewitson: All rise for Judge Luxon and his tough-on-crime policies
When it comes to election-year tough-on-crime policies, the Nats are repeat offenders.
![Review: New crime and thriller books hitting shelves](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Review: New crime and thriller books hitting shelves
Fresh releases exploring a range from an intrepid girl gang to 1970s civil rights.