News
Thousands give feedback on draft review of electoral laws
A review of New Zealand's electoral laws has received more than 2100 submissions on its draft recommendations in the space of a month.
Greens rent control plan may mean fewer landlords, less maintenance - Economist
An economist is warning the Green Party's proposal to introduce rent controls may drive landlords away and leave the rental system worse off.
Suspended Oranga Tamariki staff on paid leave two years after facility closed
Four Oranga Tamariki staff appear to be clocking up close to two years of paid leave after being suspended for their involvement in a shut-down children's home in Christchurch.
Ethnicity in health debate gets under MPs' skin
Politicians went head to head on health equity this week, with opposition parties making a concerted effort to paint a waitlist prioritisation tool as discriminatory.
With accusations flying from…
AudioStuart Nash did not share confidential information with other donors, probe finds
A Cabinet Office report has cleared Stuart Nash of further confidentiality breaches but also flagged "lower level" concerns about the government appointment of one of his high school friends.
'It's a real missed opportunity' - Govt set to break meth rehab rollout promise
National said slow progress on the rollout of the Te Ara Oranga programme was a tragedy.
Public transport discount for under-25s hits snag
The policy is supposed to take effect on 1 July but Wellington, and potentially Auckland, are not ready for it. Audio
National Party wants to give farmers more time before paying for emissions
National has announced its plan to reduce agricultural emissions, including pushing back the final deadline by which farmers have to start paying for them - and keeping them off the ETS.
National leader urging Kiwis to have more babies was 'a joke'
National's deputy leader says Christopher Luxon was joking when he encouraged people to "have more babies".
Agricultural emissions plan in jeopardy as National walks back support
A plan to price New Zealand's agricultural emissions may be out to pasture before it gets going, as National backs away from supporting He Waka Eke Noa.
Electoral system review recommends voting age lowered to 16
The independent panel of experts which considered public submissions on electoral law also recommended a referendum on a longer Parliamentary term. Audio
ACT preens as party in waiting ahead of Election 2023
Power Play - ACT Party leader David Seymour will be patting himself on the back after a sell-out annual conference in central Auckland this weekend.
ACT pitches new ministry to sort 'jungle of red tape'
This proposed ministry would be given the powers to evaluate new regulatory proposals, review red tape and change laws to remove surplus regulation.
Former National MP switches to ACT for 2023 election
Parmjeet Parmar, a former National list MP voted out in 2020, will stand for the ACT Party in this year's election.
Labour and National in standoff over housing density
The main parties both say they are willing to work together on policies to build more housing, but neither seems likely to budge over their approach.
Hipkins juggles competing ideologies over PNG-US deal
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' whistlestop trip to Papua New Guinea sends a clear message: superpowers may come and go, but New Zealand is here to stay.
The US and PNG signing a security deal is the…
AudioHipkins to meet Indian PM, Pacific leaders, US Secretary of State at summit
The summit is Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' first chance for face-to-face meetings with Pacific leaders in the top job, in a whirlwind 23 hours on the ground.
ACT alternative budget highlights tax, prison bed policies
The ACT Party is proposing to condense income tax brackets, slash the number of public servants and increase prison beds in its alternative budget.
Staffing woes menace Te Whatu Ora winter health plan
Covid-19, flu, RSV and other respiratory illnesses are on the rise as we inch towards winter, so Te Whatu Ora launched its winter preparedness plan this week with the aim of easing the pain for…
AudioBudget 2023: Borrowing may be 'sacrificial lamb' for government, economist says
An economist is predicting Labour could end up borrowing more than it planned for this year's Budget given the "immense competing interests" it is facing.
Rich-lister supports capital gains tax as new research opens fresh tax debate
One of New Zealand's wealthiest people says he supports a capital gains tax, as new research lays the groundwork for a fresh tax debate.
'No by-election': Stuart Nash says he plans to stay in Napier seat
The National Party has been quick to call for a by-election in the Napier electorate after Stuart Nash was sacked as a minister over a breach of Cabinet rules.
Civilians at risk as gang members target wrong addresses in drive-by shootings
Drive-by shootings more than doubled at the height of inter-gang conflict between the Tribesmen and Killer Beez last year.
High Court rules decision to allow Posie Parker into country was lawful
The government's decision to allow British anti-transgender activist Posie Parker into New Zealand was the right one, the High Court has ruled.
Climate policy purge leads to clashes between Greens, Te Pāti Māori
Te Pāti Māori says the Greens' climate minister James Shaw should resign. Shaw says Labour breached long-standing practice over the co-operation agreement.