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PM 'struck by huge challenges' after viewingTai Rāwhiti damage
Christopher Luxon has indicated reconnecting some isolated communities could take up to six months.
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ACT's refusal to back slavery bill prompts Labour and National to team up
21 minutes agoA new process to skip the 'biscuit tin' lottery is being used for the first time - because ACT refused to support a government bill.
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'I was asked to disregard the evidence': Ex-staffer on new school curriculum
10:00 am today"I watched colleagues run back and forth to the Beehive for approval, watched academics and sector experts be removed," she says.
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Nelson Marina upgrade secures $13m from govt
3:42 pm todayThe loan will fund a new service centre and a vessel hoist for marine maintenance.
Politics headlines with summaries.
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Civil Defence payments coming for people impacted by recent storms
about 1 hour agoThe Green party had earlier questioned why they were not activated sooner, calling them a lifeline for affected communities.
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Two new specialist schools to open for children with high needs, disabilities
2:55 pm todayThe announcement comes as school starts back for 2026.
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NZ First pulled support for India FTA before it was secured, minister reveals
3:48 pm todayNational and New Zealand First have been clashing over the deal.
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900,000-tonne miscalculation makes carbon target even tougher
10:14 am todayIt's given New Zealand less wiggle-room to meet all of its planned greenhouse gas savings.
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Parliament warms up to the election
12:29 pm todayThe House: Parliament's first week is the 2026 election campaign writ small, from departing MPs, to the week's 13-hour long debate over whether the government should continue.
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Jacinda Ardern among contenders at NZ's biggest book awards
9:36 am todayNine debut authors appear on the longlist announced today, including the former prime minister for her recent memoir.
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Fire and Emergency faces tough questions over decision to ground watercraft
28 Jan 2026Many of the questions directed at FENZ focused on the organisation's banning of all powered watercraft during water emergencies.
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Settlement milestone to mark end of 'long, hard road' for Ngāti Hāua
8:00 am todayThe Ngāti Hāua Claims Settlement Bill will have its third and final reading in Parliament on Thursday, enacting the tribe's Treaty settlement, Te Pua o te Riri Kore.
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Civil Defence payments wanted for storm-hit communities
5:29 am todayThe payments were activated following flooding in various parts of the country from 2022 to 2024, but are yet to be stood up for this year's weather events.
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Students learn better in uniform, headmaster says, brushing off cost concerns
8:50 am todayThe head of an Auckland high school is defending high uniform costs, arguing it is in students' best interests - and cheaper for parents overall. Audio
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Concern business costs may spiral in wake of competition law reforms
7:26 am todayChanges could add unnecessary cost to mergers and acquisitions, while undermining investor confidence, a prominent law firm says.
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Mayors fear for future of Canterbury rural hospitals
10:39 am todayTwo Canterbury mayors are still waiting for answers on the future of two rural hospitals which are in desperate need for maintenance.
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Peters wrong about India Free Trade Agreement, Luxon says
28 Jan 2026Winston Peters is concerned the Agreement will put pressure on the labour market.
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Nearly 40% of voters think Treaty has too much sway
28 Jan 2026Voters also had their say on whether the Prime Minister should be in Waitangi for Waitangi Day commemorations, in the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll.
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Adrian Rurawhe delivers his valedictory speech
28 Jan 2026Speaking off-the-cuff, Rurawhe says one of his biggest honours was to serve as Speaker.
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UK High Commissioner fronts after confusion over dual-citizen changes
28 Jan 2026It comes after new rules for those trying to go back to Britain without a British passport.
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Well wishes across political spectrum as Collins resigns
28 Jan 2026"I've seen Judith and I know she's got a great intellect, she's got a great sense of humour, but most important she's cared a lot for our people and our staff," Christopher Luxon says.
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MPs told bill assumes 'unfettered political control' can replace schools' expertise
9:30 am todaySubmissions to Parliament's Education and Workforce Select Committee nearly all spoke against the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill.
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Judith Collins retires from politics
28 Jan 2026First elected in 2002, Collins is one of the most experienced politicians in the government, and is taking up the role of President of the Law Commission.
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No 'splashing the cash' in this year's Budget, Willis says
28 Jan 2026Despite it being election year, there will be no big spend-up, the Finance Minister is warning.
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Brown, Sepuloni trade accusations over deadly storms
28 Jan 2026National's Simeon Brown and Labour's Carmel Sepuloni butted heads over funding for resilience. Audio
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What voters think about Labour's options after election
28 Jan 2026Leader Chris Hipkins has so far refused to say which parties Labour would or would not work with in a future government. Audio
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Curtains down for Crusher Collins, one of politics' leading players
28 Jan 2026Analysis: Perhaps now we'll get a Judith Collins' memoir that actually 'Pulls No Punches'.
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'Not enough': Parties respond to funding for weather-hit communities
28 Jan 2026Marae that provided welfare will receive $1m, but Te Pāti Māori's co-leader says their communities often face severe weather and need money for resilience.
Parliament Links
NZ Parliament audio live streamTop News stories
- PM Christopher Luxon speaks to media from Tai Rāwhiti Emergency Coordination Centre
- AI on Australian travel company website sends tourists to nonexistent hot springs
- Otago Peninsula on the verge of being possum-free
- How to cut down on trans fats if cooking from scratch isn’t an option
- Watch: National and Labour MPs team up to get slavery bill heard after ACT objects