Positively polarising
Positively polarising
Controversy has never done Act New Zealand leader David Seymour any harm in the past, and he does not think it will do him any harm in the future either, he tells political...
Mike Houlahan
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Positively polarising
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Positively polarising
Controversy has never done Act leader David Seymour any harm in the past, and he doesn't think it'll do him any harm in the future either, he tells political editor Mike Houlahan.
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Exploring diligently throughout Question Time
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Exploring diligently throughout Question Time
When I get back from leave, I am going to have to find out if the HR department is in cahoots with the government.
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Southern say: The Bill and the trees
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The Bill and the trees
Something which often surprises those whose only glimpse of Parliament is a few seconds on the TV news of MPs shouting at each other, is that most politicians actually get along fairly well.
Pacific relationship will ‘remain constant’: Peters
Pacific relationship will ‘remain constant’: Peters
Few people are as well placed to comment on the shifting sands of international politics in the South Pacific as Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
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MPs scrutinise the cream cheese latte, among other things
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MPs scrutinise the cream cheese latte, among other things
Another Scrutiny Week is done and dusted, although some ministers and ministries came under more scrutiny than others.
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Simmonds out and about and talking trash in recess week
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Simmonds out and about and talking trash in recess week
As regular readers of Southern Say will know, this is a column which likes a cheap pun as much as the next hack.
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To infinity and beyond with a possum and sweet chilli sauce
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To infinity and beyond with a possum and sweet chilli sauce
One of the things MPs like most about the Budget debate is that it enables them to speak about almost anything so long as it can (sometimes very loosely) be linked back to the Budget.
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In it for the long haul
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In it for the long haul
If you like Parliament you well and truly had a treat last week, as the House sat until midnight Saturday under urgency to consider the wide range of legislation the government wanted to progress.
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Simmonds taking charge as Te Pukenga gets whacked
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Simmonds taking charge as Te Pukenga gets whacked
Vendetta is the Italian word for "revenge", and it was used quite a lot by Labour in the House on Tuesday.
Trump’s tariff flames lick at incentives
Trump’s tariff flames lick at incentives
You will not see the name Donald Trump anywhere in the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update, but the United States president looms large over the financial predictions contained within.
Budget 2025: Firms given get-fit regime
Firms given get-fit regime
In her "Growth Budget", Nicola Willis has sent the country’s businesses to the gym for a workout.
No respite for the politically driven
No respite for the politically driven
The evergreen Winston Peters keeps rolling on and on, and he tells ODT's political editor Mike Houlahan that he has no intention of quitting now.
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Tikanga or not tikanga, that's the regulatory review question
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Tikanga or not tikanga, that's the regulatory review question
The regulations review committee is one of those select committees which does not get the recognition it deserves.
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Tamping down expectations
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Tamping down expectations
New Zealand is not in clover, but there is reason to be optimistic as Finance Minister Nicola Willis prepares her second Budget, writes political editor Mike Houlahan.
An eye on achieving ‘good outcomes’
An eye on achieving ‘good outcomes’
A new MP with a new ministerial portfolio, James Meager is a man breaking new ground, political editor Mike Houlahan reports.
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Govt says do be hasty
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Govt says do be hasty
You may have had a bad week but it’s probably nothing compared with the week Dunedin Labour MP Rachel Brooking has had.
Parker leaves House knowing he ‘tried to move the dial’
Parker leaves House knowing he ‘tried to move the dial’
A self-described proud Otago conviction politician, David Parker bade farewell to the House of Representatives last night in a valedictory speech in which he wore his heart on his sleeve.
Stark contrast between conferences
Stark contrast between conferences
Political parties always try to put their best face forward for conferences, but it can be difficult to paper over discord and dissension.
Closing a fulfilling career
Closing a fulfilling career
After 23 years in Parliament, former Otago MP and one-time Dunedin lawyer David Parker is about to retire from politics. He talks to Mike Houlahan about the highs...