Mike Houlahan

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Week of House firsts for southern MPs

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Week of House firsts for southern MPs

It was a week of firsts in Parliament for our southern MPs: Rino Tirikatene passed his first Bill as a minister and Joseph Mooney asked his first primary at Question Time.

DHB back from the dead for last huzzah

The Southern District Health Board at the health select committee, (from left) Te Whatu Ora...

DHB back from the dead for last huzzah

It is Easter, approximately, the time when the resurrection is marked, so it seems a fitting time for district health boards to make a comeback from the dead.

MP’s time in House rained on by Nash

Dunedin Labour list MP Rachel Brooking leads off the debate on the Budget Policy Statement on...

MP’s time in House rained on by Nash

Wednesday was meant to be Dunedin Labour list MP Rachel Brooking’s day in the sun.

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Locals give their views on PM’s statement

Joseph Mooney debates the Prime Minister’s statement in Parliament on Wednesday. PHOTOS:...

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Locals give their views on PM’s statement

The rolling maul of political punch and counterpunch that is the debate on the Prime Minister’s statement was brought to a halt on Wednesday, and southern MPs were at the front as it staggered...

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Forestry needs questioning, like all land use

Southland MP Joseph Mooney surveys forestry slash in Tairāwhiti/Gisborne. PHOTO: FACEBOOK

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Forestry needs questioning, like all land use

With the greatest of respect to the multibillion-dollar timber industry, it would be fair to say that not many people’s first inclination when a political party announces a portfolio reshuffle is...

Accessibility Bill seen as talkfest, unenforceable

Accessibility Bill seen as talkfest, unenforceable

Back in August last year, Southern Say considered the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill, noting that very few of the people who the Government intended to help by passing it seemed very...

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Top has clear strategy for southern seats

The Opportunities Party leader Raf Manji at his campaign launch in Ilam on Wednesday. PHOTOS:...

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Top has clear strategy for southern seats

So, there we were, all agog at the prospect of Parliament being back after a two-month absence — go on, I know you were — when Cyclone Gabrielle derailed everyone’s thinking.

Reshuffles take a back seat to Hipkins’ big clean-out

Rachel Brooking chairs her first finance and expenditure select committee meeting. PHOTO: PARLIAMENT

Reshuffles take a back seat to Hipkins’ big clean-out

As you may recall, Labour and National did some cleaning over the summer break and neatly rearranged their front benches for the new parliamentary year.

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Clark pushes grocery industry Bill, shows health minister hospital site

Health Minister Ayesha Verrall is shown around the new Dunedin hospital site by colleagues Rachel...

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Clark pushes grocery industry Bill, shows health minister hospital site

There are plenty of moments in politics which seem like exercises in futility, and Monday morning served up another one.

New minister sees hospital as key issue

Dr Ayesha Verrall, Minister for Seniors, Minister for Food Safety, Associate Minister of Health...

New minister sees hospital as key issue

Incoming Health Minister Ayesha Verrall says the future of the new Dunedin Hospital project will be a major focus for her.

What of southern MPs after Ardern and reshuffle?

Departing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern farewells soon-to-depart Dunedin MP David Clark. PHOTO:...

What of southern MPs after Ardern and reshuffle?

January is usually a sleepy month in New Zealand politics, when very little happens and topical columns take a break due to there being, well, very few topics to discuss.

Labour reacts well to crisis, avoids leadership battle

Labour reacts well to crisis, avoids leadership battle

The usually solid political management skills of Labour demonstrated over the past five years have been shaky in the past 12 months, but over the last three days it's reacted perfectly to an unexpected crisis.

‘Privilege and responsibility’

Incoming Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and incoming Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni during...

‘Privilege and responsibility’

A trip to Auckland today, the annual Ratana celebrations tomorrow, and being sworn in on Wednesday means Prime Minister-designate Chris Hipkins has little time to reflect on his sudden rise to power.

A PM who was ‘anything but complacent’

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is congratulated by conference delegates after her keynote address...

A PM who was ‘anything but complacent’

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is going, but she certainly will not be forgotten.

Time to ‘call it a day’ — Ardern resigns

The annual Labour caucus retreat began yesterday with the ultimate withdrawal, the unexpected resignation of party leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Southern MPs understanding of Ardern's departure

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern puts her arm around fiance Clarke Gayford as they leave her media...

Southern MPs understanding of PM’s departure

Labour's Southern MPs, like the rest of the country, were stunned yesterday when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation.

Woodhouse gets new job in Nats’ reshuffle

Woodhouse gets new job in Nats’ reshuffle

Talk about having your thunder stolen.

Time to ‘call it a day’ — Ardern resigns

The annual Labour caucus retreat began yesterday with the ultimate withdrawal, the unexpected resignation of party leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

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Everyday events and some comedy served to lighten the grim times

The non-commissioned officers of the Otago Infantry Group pictured just before their departure...

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Everyday events and some comedy served to lighten the grim times

Despite the ravages of World Wars 1 and 2, life back home went on.

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Role attracted headlines

David Clark and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have a cuppa at Otago Polytechnic. Photo: ODT Files

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Role attracted headlines

In the fourth of a five-part series, the Otago Daily Times names the South’s top 20 inspiring people for 2022.

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Mike Houlahan