SUBSCRIBER
Tilting at electoral windmills as the Alliance gallops again
The South has plenty of MPs — nine all up, across five parties — but no party leaders and only two ministers.
Mike Houlahan
SUBSCRIBER
Talk with former PM spurred Simmonds
SUBSCRIBER
Talk with former PM spurred Simmonds
A frank and honest conversation with former prime minister Sir Bill English helped spur Invercargill National MP Penny Simmonds on her way to Cabinet.
Penny Simmonds promoted to Cabinet
Penny Simmonds promoted to Cabinet
Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds has been elevated to Cabinet.
SUBSCRIBER
Parliament tries to find homes for friends of Lily and Zoi
SUBSCRIBER
Parliament tries to find homes for friends of Lily and Zoi
Parliament is many things to many people but this week it broke new ground by setting up in the pet rehousing business.
Obituary: A life building Clutha community
Obituary: A life building Clutha community
Juno Hayes was a builder.
SUBSCRIBER
Critters, fresh water and the endless growth agenda
SUBSCRIBER
Critters, fresh water and the endless growth agenda
Parliament was in recess this week but the last few days have been anything but a break for members of the environment select committee.
SUBSCRIBER
Taking a gamble and the law of unintended consequences
SUBSCRIBER
Taking a gamble and the law of unintended consequences
The thing about politics, to borrow a cliche, is that you pay your money and you take your chances.
SUBSCRIBER
Anxious wait ahead for Willis
SUBSCRIBER
Anxious wait ahead for Willis
Taieri Green Party list MP Scott Willis had a nervous election night in 2023 wondering if he would be elected, and he likely faces a similarly anguished time in this year’s election.
SUBSCRIBER
Conscience matters on booze sales
SUBSCRIBER
Conscience matters on booze sales
It is not often that Miles Anderson and Rachel Brooking vote the same way on something. Or Scott Willis and Penny Simmonds for that matter.
SUBSCRIBER
Invercargill MP poised to legislate herself out of existence
SUBSCRIBER
Invercargill MP poised to legislate herself out of existence
Something many people do not know about the building which includes Parliament’s debating chamber is that there is another similar chamber just behind it.
SUBSCRIBER
Greens to go all in for Dunedin
SUBSCRIBER
Greens to go all in for Dunedin
Expect to see Chlöe Swarbrick in town a lot this year as the Green Party steps up its profile in Dunedin, political editor Mike Houlahan writes.
SUBSCRIBER
Picking cherries, cooking books: the Public Finance Amendment Bill
SUBSCRIBER
Picking cherries, cooking books: the Public Finance Amendment Bill
Cherry picking is an important matter in the South. In a good season, some 5000 tonnes of fruit will be exported from Central Otago orchards.
National puts candidate on ballot again
National puts candidate on ballot again
The race for the Taieri electorate in the 2026 general election will look very much like the 2023 contest, National having confirmed that Matthew French will once more contest the seat.
SUBSCRIBER
Racing this time in two contentious high-stakes handicaps
SUBSCRIBER
Racing this time in two contentious high-stakes handicaps
Monday morning is early in the week for an existential crisis, but that was what Parliament’s primary production select committee had on its schedule.
Greens to make big push in Dunedin
Greens to make big push in Dunedin
The Green Party is launching an ambitious and potentially divisive campaign to capture the Dunedin seat from Labour.
SUBSCRIBER
MPs respond to prime minister’s vision for the year ahead
SUBSCRIBER
MPs respond to prime minister’s vision for the year ahead
Parliament is back, an election date set and everyone’s motors are up and running for a big year ahead.
Obituary: Radich a passionate promoter of Dunedin
Obituary: Radich a passionate promoter of Dunedin
Former Dunedin mayor Jules Radich lived a full and colourful life.
SUBSCRIBER
When an MP sued the paper
SUBSCRIBER
When an MP sued the paper
Mike Houlahan looks back at how the ODT covered burning issues of yesteryear. Today: when the newspaper itself was in the spotlight.
SUBSCRIBER
Black Tuesday’s import delayed
SUBSCRIBER
Black Tuesday’s import delayed
Mike Houlahan looks at how the Otago Daily Times reacted to news of a crash on the New York stock exchange.
Staying on the right track essential for change
Staying on the right track essential for change
2026 is election year and parties are already jockeying for position. In a five-part series ODT political editor Mike Houlahan asked a senior MP from the leading parties about how the first two...