E-EDITIONS
SECTIONS
Mike Houlahan
Mike Houlahan
Mike HoulahanPolitical Editor
mike.houlahan@odt.co.nz

Latest

SUBSCRIBER
DunedinOctober 30

Hospital pledge highlight of packed Labour meeting

Labour leader Chris Hipkins gave Dunedin what it wanted to hear yesterday: an unequivocal promise to build the region’s new hospital, as promised.
Hospital pledge highlight of packed Labour meeting
Hospital pledge highlight of packed Labour meeting
SUBSCRIBER
OpinionOctober 30

One more time with feeling for the standard stump speech

``Labour is going to win.’’
One more time with feeling for the standard stump speech
One more time with feeling for the standard stump speech
North OtagoOctober 28

Election 2026 debate: Waitaki

Today the Otago Daily Times brings you the fifth and final debate in our series of debates for the candidates in the southern general seats.
Election 2026 debate: Waitaki
Election 2026 debate: Waitaki
DunedinOctober 27

Opportunity rides out the storm, sets sights on the sun

Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong is adamant nothing is going to rain on she and her party's parade.
Opportunity rides out the storm, sets sights on the sun
Opportunity rides out the storm, sets sights on the sun
DunedinOctober 27

Election 2026 interview: Qiulae Wong

This week's guest on Election 2026 is Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong.
Election 2026 interview: Qiulae Wong
Election 2026 interview: Qiulae Wong
NationalOctober 26

Health a bitterly disputed policy battlefield

While some might wish for a bi-partisan approach to health, that seems far from likely, political editor Mike Houlahan writes.
Health a bitterly disputed policy battlefield
Health a bitterly disputed policy battlefield
NationalOctober 25

Tax a taxing issue this election campaign

Whether it is nine new taxes, one new tax or no new taxes, tax has become a pivotal argument in Election 2026.
Tax a taxing issue this election campaign
Tax a taxing issue this election campaign
SUBSCRIBER
OpinionOctober 23

The fine line between robust and wrongful debate

There has been a lot of discussion here in the South in recent weeks about who should, and should not, be entitled to attend political meetings.
The fine line between robust and wrongful debate
The fine line between robust and wrongful debate
SUBSCRIBER
DunedinOctober 23

The tricky tides of Te Tai Tonga

It is notoriously difficult to predict what will happen in the Māori electorates; they are large, difficult to poll and often reasons for voter motivation are very different to those in the general seats.
The tricky tides of Te Tai Tonga
The tricky tides of Te Tai Tonga
DunedinOctober 23

Election 2026 debate: Taieri

Today the ODT's series of southern electorate debates continues, with Taieri taking centre stage.
Election 2026 debate: Taieri
Election 2026 debate: Taieri