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Aotearoa 2025: A Year of Unexpected Turns - Review Highlights

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Friday, January 2nd 2026 at 0:18 GMT by The New Zealand Herald

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A Year of Unexpected Turns: Reflecting on Aotearoa’s 2025 – According to Glenn Dwight

Glenn Dwight’s recent review in the New Zealand Herald, “Looking Back at Aotearoa’s Quirky Year - My Review of 2025,” paints a picture of a nation navigating a year defined by surprising shifts, unexpected cultural trends, and a persistent undercurrent of economic uncertainty. Dwight doesn't offer a straightforward chronological recap; instead, he weaves together observations on key events, societal changes, and emerging narratives that characterized 2025 in Aotearoa New Zealand. The overall impression is one of resilience tempered by a sense of bewildered amusement at the sheer oddity of the year’s trajectory.

One of the most prominent themes Dwight highlights is the continued evolution – and sometimes abrupt disruption – of the tech landscape. While AI development remained a constant buzz, 2025 saw the rise of “Sensory Immersion Pods” gaining surprising traction amongst both entertainment consumers and niche professional sectors (like architectural design and therapy). These pods, allowing users to experience simulated environments with near-perfect fidelity, initially sparked excitement but quickly faced criticism regarding accessibility and potential societal isolation. Dwight notes a particularly awkward incident involving a pod malfunction at the Auckland Arts Festival which resulted in several attendees experiencing a shared hallucination of a giant kiwi bird – an event that became a viral sensation and a symbol of the technology’s unpredictable nature. He wryly observes that "we thought we were mastering AI, but it seems AI is learning to master us…and occasionally conjuring oversized flightless birds.”

Beyond tech, 2025 saw a significant resurgence in traditional Māori practices influencing mainstream culture. While this wasn't entirely new, the scale and integration was notable. Dwight points to the unexpected popularity of rongoā (traditional Māori healing) as a direct response to ongoing concerns about healthcare accessibility and affordability. He mentions the rise of community-led initiatives teaching ancient herbal remedies and practices, often in conjunction with – and sometimes challenging – conventional medical approaches. This movement wasn’t without its complexities; Dwight acknowledges debates around cultural appropriation and the need for respectful engagement with rongoā knowledge holders. He also notes a surprising pivot within the tourism sector, with “immersive Māori cultural experiences” becoming significantly more sought after than traditional sightseeing tours.

The economic climate formed another significant backdrop to 2025's quirks. While inflation had begun to ease from its peak in previous years, anxieties about job security and cost of living remained high. This contributed to a peculiar phenomenon Dwight describes as "the Great Upcycling Renaissance." Faced with rising prices and a desire for sustainability (driven by both environmental concerns and economic necessity), New Zealanders embraced creative reuse and repair on an unprecedented scale. Dwight details the proliferation of community workshops teaching skills like furniture restoration, clothing alteration, and even appliance repair. Online marketplaces dedicated to secondhand goods thrived, and "upcycled" fashion became a legitimate trend amongst younger generations. He jokes that “the phrase ‘fast fashion’ now evokes pity rather than aspiration.”

Politically, 2025 was marked by a period of relative stability following the tumultuous elections of 2024 (Dwight briefly references this earlier political upheaval as context). However, a seemingly minor policy regarding urban beekeeping sparked an unexpectedly fierce debate. The proposed regulations – intended to ensure responsible bee management in city environments – ignited passionate arguments about property rights, food security, and even the symbolic importance of bees within Aotearoa’s ecosystem. Dwight finds humor in the absurdity of the situation, highlighting how a seemingly innocuous issue could galvanize such intense public engagement.

Furthermore, Dwight touches upon the evolving relationship between New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours. He notes an increased emphasis on collaborative initiatives addressing climate change impacts and shared cultural heritage. A joint project to revive traditional navigation techniques using star charts – drawing on knowledge from both Māori and Polynesian cultures – received significant media attention and symbolized a growing sense of regional solidarity.

Dwight’s review isn't solely celebratory. He acknowledges the ongoing challenges facing Aotearoa: housing affordability, climate change vulnerability, and persistent inequalities. However, his tone remains largely optimistic, emphasizing the resilience and adaptability of New Zealanders in the face of adversity. He concludes by suggesting that 2025 served as a reminder that even in an increasingly complex world, there’s still room for unexpected joy, quirky innovation, and a surprising amount of ingenuity – especially when faced with giant hallucinated kiwi birds or the necessity to mend your own clothes. The year demonstrated, according to Dwight, that Aotearoa's ability to find humour and connection in unusual circumstances remains its defining strength. He leaves the reader pondering what unexpected twists 2026 might hold.

Note: This summary is based solely on the information provided in the URL’s article. To fully understand Dwight's nuanced observations, reading the original piece is highly recommended. I have attempted to capture his tone and key points while providing context for a broader audience.