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Mike Houlahan
Mike Houlahan
Mike HoulahanPolitical Editor
mike.houlahan@odt.co.nz

Latest

The MixSeptember 18

Review: Two political tales just in time for an election

As you may have noticed, the next general election is not far away and hence ‘tis the time for political books to be issued while people are paying attention.
Review: Two political tales just in time for an election
Review: Two political tales just in time for an election
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OpinionSeptember 18

Taking one’s own sweet time before reaching an agreement

Tuesday was an important day in the House, and the reason you know it was an important day was because Labour Dunedin list MP Damien O’Connor was wearing a tie.
Taking one’s own sweet time before reaching an agreement
Taking one’s own sweet time before reaching an agreement
The MixSeptember 11

Review: Bright, breezy explanation of a dry topic

The authors are keen to stress that they do not think trade wars are a good idea, and if you are so minded to start one that you will likely lose.
Review: Bright, breezy explanation of a dry topic
Review: Bright, breezy explanation of a dry topic
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OpinionSeptember 11

The taxing issue of bed taxes is not staying away

EVERYONE likes to be popular, but few politicians get to enjoy that sensation.
The taxing issue of bed taxes is not staying away
The taxing issue of bed taxes is not staying away
NationalSeptember 10

Election 2026 interview: Tākuta Ferris

This week's Election 2026 political interview guest is Tākuta Ferris, the MP for Te Tai Tonga.
Election 2026 interview: Tākuta Ferris
Election 2026 interview: Tākuta Ferris
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OpinionSeptember 4

Your tax dollars (but no new tax dollars) hard at work

It was not quite the age old philosophical question ``if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it did it make a sound?’’ but Todd Stephenson’s contribution to Wednesday’s General Debate came awfully close.
Your tax dollars (but no new tax dollars) hard at work
Your tax dollars (but no new tax dollars) hard at work
NationalSeptember 4

Election 2026 interview: Green MP Francisco Hernandez

This week's Election 2026 political interview guest is Green list MP and his party's Dunedin candidate, Francisco Hernandez.
Election 2026 interview: Green MP Francisco Hernandez
Election 2026 interview: Green MP Francisco Hernandez
DunedinAugust 28

Election 2026 interview: Minister for South Island James Meager

This week's Election 2026 political interview guest is National MP and Minister for the South Island James Meager.
Election 2026 interview: Minister for South Island James Meager
Election 2026 interview: Minister for South Island James Meager
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OpinionAugust 28

We may, or we may not, have a cunning plan

As I type this, Rachel Brooking is standing up in Parliament talking about planning law.
We may, or we may not, have a cunning plan
We may, or we may not, have a cunning plan
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DunedinAugust 21

We can work together, to a degree: Hipkins

Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday ruled in working with National on some things, such as long-term infrastructure projects.
We can work together, to a degree: Hipkins
We can work together, to a degree: Hipkins