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Leigh-Marama McLachlan
Columnist
Whanganui

Columnist

We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

Check out Leigh-Marama’s latest content
Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Escaping the noise to focus on what's important
New Zealand

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Escaping the noise to focus on what's important

15 Oct 04:00 PM
Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: 'This lockdown has hit me like a train'
New Zealand

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: 'This lockdown has hit me like a train'

27 Aug 09:00 PM

'There is a lot to process that is completely out of our hands... so be kind to yourself'.

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Why moving home to Whanganui is the best decision I've made
Kahu

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Why moving home to Whanganui is the best decision I've made

13 Aug 05:00 PM

"I often say the river called me home."

Premium
Comment: Support for mental health crises not good enough
New Zealand

Comment: Support for mental health crises not good enough

30 Jul 05:00 PM

"Most of us find it hard to even acknowledge anything about our mental health."

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: 'We refuse to let hate speech slide'
Kahu

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: 'We refuse to let hate speech slide'

16 Jul 05:00 PM

There will be consequences for hate speech, writes Leigh-Marama McLachlan.

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Puanga celebrations good for the soul
Kahu

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Puanga celebrations good for the soul

02 Jul 05:00 PM

Puanga or Matariki has always been a big part of Māori society from early on.

Premium
Comment: A passion for our people, our culture and our reo
Kahu

Comment: A passion for our people, our culture and our reo

18 Jun 05:00 PM

It was in the house next door that the very first broadcast for Awa FM took place in 1991.

Premium
Comment: Why I will be getting the Covid-19 vaccine
Opinion

Comment: Why I will be getting the Covid-19 vaccine

02 Apr 04:00 PM

"I get the impression the ministry was severely underprepared for this process."

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Castlecliff's sense of community is contagious
Kahu

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Castlecliff's sense of community is contagious

12 Mar 04:00 PM

Making new memories in an old Castlecliff home.

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Small signs of progress 26 years on from Pākaitore
Kahu

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Small signs of progress 26 years on from Pākaitore

26 Feb 04:00 PM

An important stand by local Māori took place in 1995 and it was not about just one issue.

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: What defiance over tie symbolises
Kahu

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: What defiance over tie symbolises

11 Feb 11:00 PM

Rawiri Waititi's defiance is an important and timely stand and is hugely symbolic.

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Iwi checkpoints about protecting communities
Kahu

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Iwi checkpoints about protecting communities

29 Jan 04:00 PM

'Stop moaning about iwi checkpoints and let Māori leadership help us through.'

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Rātana without politicians a welcome break
Opinion

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Rātana without politicians a welcome break

15 Jan 04:00 PM

It will be a different Rātana event at the end of the month with no politicians.

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Christmas not the day it used to be for many Kiwis
Kahu

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Christmas not the day it used to be for many Kiwis

18 Dec 04:00 PM

Christmas is terrible for putting pressure on families to buy gifts and spend up large.

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Comfort in the way we handle death as Māori
Kahu

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Comfort in the way we handle death as Māori

04 Dec 04:00 PM

'I have found comfort in the way we handle death as Māori'.

Premium
Best of 2020: Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Good people smoke cannabis
Kahu

Best of 2020: Leigh-Marama McLachlan: Good people smoke cannabis

06 Nov 04:00 PM

Taking a punitive approach to cannabis does not work, writes Leigh-Marama McLachlan.

Premium
Leigh-Marama McLachlan: The major issues our newly elected MPs need to deliver on
Kahu

Leigh-Marama McLachlan: The major issues our newly elected MPs need to deliver on

23 Oct 04:00 PM

Comment: The pressure is on for Labour to deliver real change over the next term.

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