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Patent nonsense in Parliament on a dusty Saturday night
Last weekend Parliament did what it always does on Budget week — sit until all hours of the day and night passing legislation under urgency.
Mike Houlahan
O'Connor talks trade and Waitaki candidacy
O'Connor talks trade and Waitaki candidacy
The ODT has a new weekly on-line feature, Election 2026 - a feature interview with a politician about the issues of the day.
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Look at moi! Look at moi! as climate case issue simmers
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Look at moi! Look at moi! as climate case issue simmers
Not many politicians volunteer to become involved in a looming scandal, but Southland National MP Joseph Mooney was positively champing at the bit this week.
Budget prompts nostalgia not optimism
Budget prompts nostalgia not optimism
If Budget 2026’s Economic and Fiscal Update document came with a soundtrack it would be The Way We Were, by Barbra Streisand.
Budget no frills and no thrills
Budget no frills and no thrills
Finance Minister Nicola Willis promised that Budget 2026 would not be one to get the pulse racing, and boy did she deliver.
Willis negotiating tricky Budget path
Willis negotiating tricky Budget path
Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ third Budget has been drafted during troubled economic times. She talks to ODT political editor Mike Houlahan about the challenges.
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The art of being surprised about something you already know well
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The art of being surprised about something you already know well
As befits an MMP Parliament, the House’s business committee likes to ensure that all speaking slots are allotted on a proportional basis.
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Rediscovering that winning feeling
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Rediscovering that winning feeling
Arsenal are champions again, and that has put a smile on the face of long-serving fan Mike Houlahan.
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Shifting paradigms and protecting precious natural places
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Shifting paradigms and protecting precious natural places
This week the government progressed a range of legislation which will preserve New Zealand’s species and environments for generations to come.
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Pitchforks and torches at the ready, but a phoenix may rise
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Pitchforks and torches at the ready, but a phoenix may rise
This week the government announced that it was going to disestablish the Broadcasting Standards Authority: thanks, in part to Act New Zealand Southland list MP Todd Stephenson, it will not have to...
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It’s not fake: MPs are working together for positive change
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It’s not fake: MPs are working together for positive change
Wednesday offered a rare example of cross-party collaboration at Parliament as every Bill on Members Day was passed its first reading — many unanimously.
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Getting up to speed on a tricky first day/week at the office
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Getting up to speed on a tricky first day/week at the office
Starting a new job is always a testing time, trying to get used to new duties, get a handle on new responsibilities and familiarise yourself with new people.
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Back to basics
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Back to basics
The government’s school reforms are about building a solid foundation for New Zealand’s future, Education Minister Erica Stanford tells political editor Mike Houlahan. But teachers and principals are far from happy with the proposed curriculum changes.
‘Golden Visa’ bringing in billions: Stanford
‘Golden Visa’ bringing in billions: Stanford
The so-called ‘‘Golden Visa’’ is returning golden results for New Zealand, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
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Southern say: Embracing opportunities
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Embracing opportunities
It is a cliche that Dunedin matters little in the national political scheme of things: its seats are reliably red.
Jacinda Ardern reunites with former finance minister Grant Robertson
Jacinda Ardern reunites with former finance minister Grant Robertson
A reunion of the leaders of the last Labour government on Thursday night was like watching a reunion gig by one of your favourite bands.
Ardern, Robertson reunion a crowd-pleaser
Ardern, Robertson reunion a crowd-pleaser
The reunion of the leaders of the last Labour government in Dunedin last night was like watching a reunion gig by one of your favourite bands.
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Threshold in reach: new party leader
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Threshold in reach: new party leader
Three times The Opportunity Party has tried to cross the 5% threshold to make it into Parliament and three times it has failed.
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Tilting at electoral windmills as the Alliance gallops again
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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.
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Talk with former PM spurred Simmonds
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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.