Navigation for News Categories
Politics
Politics headlines with summaries.
-
Booze, betting, and the right to banter: Bills this week
17 Feb 2026With the opening formalities finally complete, Parliament this week is solely focusing on legislation, including the first members' day for the year.
-
Country's first national infrastructure plan unveiled
17 Feb 2026The plan lays out 16 changes and 10 priorities needed to fix and update the nation's struggling roads, water, hospitals, schools and courts.
-
Party leaders call for politics to be taken out of planning for weather events
17 Feb 2026Luxon wants it handled independently, while Hipkins says infrastructure should not be something the parties "compete" on.
-
Pharmacists accept Health NZ pay offer
17 Feb 2026The agreement covers pay and conditions for pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and technicians.
-
Teaching Council fell short in managing conflicts of interest, probe finds
17 Feb 2026The Public Service Commission has published its investigation into procurement and conflicts of interest management.
-
Our trade deal with India, explained
17 Feb 2026It hasn't been ratified yet but the terms of New Zealand's free trade deal with India have been agreed on, even though the details are somewhat mysterious
-
'Machines will play an increasing role in targeting' - NZDF's vision for the future
17 Feb 2026Visions of a digital twin for each soldier, laser weapons and drones using satellites to engage with targets before a human pulls the trigger are all in the latest NZDF briefing.
-
New poll has New Zealand First on double digits
16 Feb 2026The right block would have enough to govern.
-
Judge accused of yelling at Winston Peters cross-examined
16 Feb 2026District Court Judge Ema Aitken at the judicial conduct panel earlier this month.
-
Moa Point sewage failure to be independently reviewed
16 Feb 2026The government has confirmed there will be an independent review looking into the Moa Point treatment plant failure.
-
PM Christopher Luxon 'open' to looking at bed tax in a second term
16 Feb 2026The Prime Minister has softened his language around a bed tax, indicating it is something the government will consider if it wins a second term. Audio
-
Seymour campaigns for smaller govt in blunt 'State of the Nation' speech
15 Feb 2026In Christchurch, the ACT leader pushed for a smaller state, rejected Treaty "division" and vowed to keep Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori from power.
-
Ministry advisory group rented expensive Symonds Street space against advice
15 Feb 2026The group is paying $119,000 for the 2025/26 year.
-
Chris Hipkins speaks to media in Auckland
16 Feb 2026The Labour leader is taking questions on the day's events including the severe weather and Eden Park announcements.
-
'We had to intervene': Govt bans taking shellfish from Auckland rockpools
15 Feb 2026The ban is for all of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, and further north at Kawau Bay and Ōmaha Bay.
-
Migrant worker protection key in free trade with India - Labour
15 Feb 2026Labour leader has written a letter to the Prime Minister outlining the conditions National must meet before the party will consider supporting the deal.
-
Solids, liquids and gas: Infrastructure ills back in the frame
15 Feb 2026Mediawatch: Sewage is pouring into Wellington's harbour while the government plans gas imports. Are media focusing on politics over the bigger picture?
-
Employment relations and speedy, lopsided debates
15 Feb 2026The government continues legislating apace, with frequent extra sittings. Among the priorities this week was a bill to "rebalance" employee-employer rights. The debate was lopsided.
-
Ditch NZ Super entirely, minor party says
13 Feb 2026The Opportunity Party says New Zealanders would be better served by dropping NZ Super and replacing it with an entirely new support system. Audio
-
Stanford hails $3.39b boost from new 'golden visa'
13 Feb 2026The immigration minister said 573 applications had been received since changes to the investor visa took effect last April.
-
Opposition finds school lunch scheme rebrand hard to swallow
A free school lunches programme rebrand has dropped the reo Māori name Ka Ora Ka Ako, a move David Seymour says is "delivering real value".
-
Relying on tug boat from Australia risks lives, council leaders say
13 Feb 2026Leaders on both sides of Cook Strait say lives could be put at risk due to its emergency tug being off-contract from this month.
-
'Nakedly political': No rivals considered for Collins' new job
13 Feb 2026The outgoing minister was the only person considered for Law Commission president - with no recruitment process and no other candidates. Audio
-
What imported gas will mean for homes and businesses
13 Feb 2026The government's plan has triggered an explosive row over the difference between a tax and a levy.
Parliament Links
NZ Parliament audio live streamTop News stories
- Homes evacuated in Central Otago as fire threatens properties
- Meridian warns households could face power bill increases up to seven percent
- US President Donald Trump vows 'turnaround for the ages' in State of the Union
- MediMap hack: Pharmacists implement manuel system to maintain safe care levels
- Sharlene Smith homicide: Vehicle of interest identified
