As 2025 draws to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you, our readers, for engaging with Steve Baron Unfiltered throughout the year.
It’s been another year of robust political debate, challenging the status quo, and advocating for democratic reform in New Zealand. Whether you’ve agreed with our perspectives or found yourself questioning them, we’re grateful that you’ve taken the time to read, think, and participate in the conversation about our nation’s future.
Democracy thrives on informed citizens who care enough to engage with ideas, even uncomfortable ones. Your readership and feedback remind us why this work matters.
As we head into the Christmas season, we hope you’ll take time to relax with family and friends, reflect on the year that’s been, and recharge for the challenges and opportunities that 2026 will bring.
New Zealand faces important decisions ahead, and we’ll continue to bring you unfiltered commentary on the issues that matter most to our democracy, our economy, and our communities.
That’s us for the year (unless the urge takes us), so we’ll see you back here in 2026 when there’s something worth saying.
From our families to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas filled with joy and good cheer, and a Happy New Year 2026 filled with health, prosperity, and hope.
Steve and Frank
Steve Baron Unfiltered
Pat says:
Thanks for a year of thought-provoking commentary, Steve and Frank. What I find particularly valuable about your approach is the willingness to tackle uncomfortable questions – research suggests that democracies actually strengthen when citizens engage with challenging ideas rather than retreating into echo chambers. Given New Zealand’s ongoing challenges with housing affordability, infrastructure deficits, and climate adaptation, there will be plenty to discuss. The OECD’s recent governance indicators suggest we’re performing well on transparency measures, but there’s still considerable room for improvement in policy coherence across sectors. Enjoy the break – informed commentary requires time for reflection and synthesis.
Steve Baron says:
Thank you.
Don says:
Good on you Steve for another year of straight talking – like a good farm dog, you keep the politicians honest and round up the facts when they try to scatter. The city folk in Wellington could learn a thing or two about common sense if they actually read what you’re putting out here instead of just listening to their own echo chamber. Hope you and Frank get a proper break over Christmas – even the best stock need time in the paddock to recharge. Looking forward to seeing what 2026 brings, especially with the way this government’s been carrying on lately.
Steve Baron says:
Thank you.
Stu says:
Enjoy your break mate, and here’s hoping 2026 brings some common sense solutions instead of the usual theatrical nonsense.
Linda J says:
Thanks for another year of thought-provoking commentary, Steve. From my time on council, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to have voices willing to challenge conventional wisdom – even when I haven’t always agreed with your conclusions. Your focus on democratic reform resonates with me, particularly having sat through countless meetings where proper process seemed to take a backseat to political expediency. The upcoming year will indeed bring significant challenges for local and central government alike, and we need more citizens engaged in these conversations rather than just complaining about rates notices after the fact. Here’s hoping 2026 brings more substantive debate about governance structures rather than just the usual point-scoring. Enjoy your break – those of us who’ve been in the political arena know how draining it can be to constantly analyse and comment on the machinery of government. Merry Christmas to you and Frank from sunny Napier!
Bob G says:
Merry Christmas Steve and thanks for another year of keeping us informed on the issues that matter. As we head into 2026, I hope your “unfiltered commentary” will include more scrutiny of where our tax dollars and rates are actually going – ratepayers in Christchurch are still dealing with the fallout from years of poor financial decisions at both central and local government level. The challenges you mention for 2026 need to include some serious discussion about fiscal responsibility and stopping the endless cycle of spending announcements without proper cost-benefit analysis. Looking forward to seeing more accountability focus in the new year, and hope you and Frank have a good break over the holidays.
Priya says:
Thank you Steve for another year of thought-provoking commentary. As someone who came to New Zealand from a country where press freedom and open debate weren’t always guaranteed, I deeply appreciate platforms like yours that encourage citizens to engage with difficult questions about our democracy. Your point about democracy thriving on informed citizens really resonates – back in India, I witnessed how quickly democratic institutions can weaken when people become complacent or stop participating in these conversations. While I don’t always agree with every perspective shared here, I value that we can have these debates openly in New Zealand. Wishing you and Frank a wonderful Christmas, and looking forward to more robust discussions in 2026 as we navigate whatever challenges lie ahead for our democracy.
Trev says:
Cheers Steve, appreciate the straight-up commentary you’ve been putting out this year. Really need more voices calling out the bureaucratic mess that’s strangling small business in this country. Had three jobs delayed this year alone because council kept shifting the goalposts on consent requirements – bloody ridiculous mate. Here’s hoping 2026 brings some common sense back to the decision makers, have a good break with the family.
Murray says:
Thank you for your commentary, Steve. In my experience teaching social studies for over three decades, I found that genuine democratic engagement requires exactly what you’ve described here – citizens willing to grapple with uncomfortable ideas and challenge prevailing wisdom. My students used to ask why political discourse seemed so polarised, and I’d often point them towards independent voices like yours that refuse to be boxed into neat partisan categories. The health of our democracy has always depended on this kind of rigorous debate, dating back to the spirited exchanges in our early Parliament. While I don’t always align with every perspective you present, I deeply value the space you’ve created for substantive discussion about New Zealand’s future. Here’s to continued civic engagement in 2026, and may we all approach the year ahead with both critical thinking and genuine goodwill.