Merepeka Raukawa-Tait is a columnist for the Rotorua Daily Post
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.

Opinion: Not wanted or valued by Labour - I don't blame Louisa Wall for leaving politics
OPINION: MPs should be above jealousy and envy towards one of their own.

Opinion: Crisis after crisis - and many families will not survive
MEREPEKA RAUKAWA-TAIT: Collective leadership is needed to sort the country's woes.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: The mess in Wellington can hardly be called a protest
Comment: Protesting is more than a big get together, more than a party.

Opinion: When Queen's reign ends, republic question will re-emerge
Is an overseas monarch still appropriate to New Zealand's evolving identity?

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Euthanasia decision one of my hardest
OPINION: I had to be sure I had enough information to make a decision I could live with.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Oranga Tamariki is 'dysfunctional'
OPINION: It's the responsibility of whānau, hapu and iwi to look after their own children.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: What marrying a native te reo Māori speaker taught me
OPINION: Theo explained that until 'I wanted' te reo I wouldn't be interested in learning.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Three Waters loomed large at LGNZ forum
OPINION: Overriding concern was accountability to local ratepayers would be removed

Opinion: Abusing service industry staff is not on
Let's not come out the other side of Covid meaner in attitude and human spirit.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Māori demand the same level of healthcare as Pākehā
If health is 'needs-based', why haven't Māori health needs been addressed yet?

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Māori can be trusted to look after their own
What we saw playing out in Hawke's Bay shows little has changed

Comment | Israel Folau gives Christians a bad name
Holier-than-thou people are hard to budge, they're not the "contaminated ones"

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Kindness is not a sign of weakness
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: No one should have been surprised by our Prime Minister last week.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: The racists I look out for are the covert ones
Merepeka Ruakawa-Tait: The racists I look out for are the covert ones.