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Politics

BusinessSeptember 8

Luxon announces National's alternative to bed tax

The National Party has announced its alternative to introducing the bed tax.
Luxon announces National's alternative to bed tax
Luxon announces National's alternative to bed tax
NationalSeptember 7

Jobseeker numbers almost 80,000 over target and climbing

Three of the Government's nine key targets risk not being met, the latest update shows.
Jobseeker numbers almost 80,000 over target and climbing
Jobseeker numbers almost 80,000 over target and climbing
NationalSeptember 7

Internal polling has Labour above 30%: Hipkins

Labour's internal polling has the party above 30%, compared with the latest Taxpayers' Union Curia poll which has the party at 25.9%, leader Chris Hipkins says.
Internal polling has Labour above 30%: Hipkins
Internal polling has Labour above 30%: Hipkins
NationalSeptember 7

Hipkins brushes off latest poll as major parties take another hit

Labour leader Chris Hipkins is brushing off a poll result which puts his party in the mid-20s, saying the only poll that matters is the election result.
Hipkins brushes off latest poll as major parties take another hit
Hipkins brushes off latest poll as major parties take another hit
NationalSeptember 6

Act unveils plan to scrap net zero target

The Act party has vowed to get rid of the net zero emissions target, repeal the Zero Carbon Act and cut carbon tax if elected.
Act unveils plan to scrap net zero target
Act unveils plan to scrap net zero target
NationalSeptember 6

'Affordable Kai': Greens vow to break up supermarket duopoly

The Green Party is campaigning on establishing a publicly owned supermarket chain to break up the duopoly and drive down food prices.
'Affordable Kai': Greens vow to break up supermarket duopoly
'Affordable Kai': Greens vow to break up supermarket duopoly
NationalSeptember 5

Nats promise wider access to low-deposit home loans if re-elected

National is promising to help more people buy their first home by expanding access to the government's low-deposit scheme, if it's re-elected.
Nats promise wider access to low-deposit home loans if re-elected
Nats promise wider access to low-deposit home loans if re-elected
NationalSeptember 4

NZ First to campaign for conservation land to be open for economic development

New Zealand First says it will be campaigning for conservation land to be opened up for economic development.
NZ First to campaign for conservation land to be open for economic development
NZ First to campaign for conservation land to be open for economic development
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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.
Mike Houlahan
Your tax dollars (but no new tax dollars) hard at work
Your tax dollars (but no new tax dollars) hard at work
NationalSeptember 1

Move-on orders: MPs recommend 14 to 17- year-olds be excluded

The government's proposed move-on orders look set to be watered down, with MPs recommending that 14 to 17 year olds be excluded.
Move-on orders: MPs recommend 14 to 17- year-olds be excluded
Move-on orders: MPs recommend 14 to 17- year-olds be excluded
NationalSeptember 1

Upston apologises in House for ‘significant problem’ with benefit payments

Payments were incorrectly stopped following a law change rushed through Parliament last year.
Upston apologises in House for ‘significant problem’ with benefit payments
Upston apologises in House for ‘significant problem’ with benefit payments
NationalAugust 29

Thousands of young people to lose unemployment benefit after law changed under urgency

Thousands of youths across the country are set to lose access to unemployment benefits, after a welfare bill passed into law under urgency on Friday night.
Thousands of young people to lose unemployment benefit after law changed under urgency
Thousands of young people to lose unemployment benefit after law changed under urgency
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.
Mike Houlahan
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.
Mike Houlahan
We may, or we may not, have a cunning plan
We may, or we may not, have a cunning plan
NationalAugust 26

Act MP says he's 'stuffed' in valedictory speech

An Act MP who is leaving Parliament due to ill health said he's conceded he's "stuffed", and urged MPs to continue fighting for farmers.
Act MP says he's 'stuffed' in valedictory speech
Act MP says he's 'stuffed' in valedictory speech
NationalAugust 26

Te Pāti Māori unveils 'Kiwi tax plan' with new 5% ‘stamp duty’

Te Pāti Māori has unveiled its "Kiwi tax plan" for the November election, which retains some policies from last election, tweaks some others, and launches an entirely new one.
Te Pāti Māori unveils 'Kiwi tax plan' with new 5% ‘stamp duty’
Te Pāti Māori unveils 'Kiwi tax plan' with new 5% ‘stamp duty’
NationalAugust 25

‘We will support that bill’: Labour backs social media ban

Labour will support National's under-16s social media ban to select committee before the election.
‘We will support that bill’: Labour backs social media ban
‘We will support that bill’: Labour backs social media ban
NationalAugust 25

Housing an 'enormous challenge' in NZ: Chris Bishop

Housing Minister Chris Bishop says there is "an enormous challenge" around housing in this country.
Housing an 'enormous challenge' in NZ: Chris Bishop
Housing an 'enormous challenge' in NZ: Chris Bishop
NationalAugust 24

Govt puts 4% cap on council rates rises

The government has announced it will cap the amount councils can increase rates by to a maximum of 4 percent, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Govt puts 4% cap on council rates rises
Govt puts 4% cap on council rates rises
NationalAugust 24

Chris Penk returns to Parliament, won't say if he challenged Christopher Luxon

Sacked defence minister Chris Penk has returned to Parliament but is refusing to confirm or deny whether he challenged the National Party leader.
Chris Penk returns to Parliament, won't say if he challenged Christopher Luxon
Chris Penk returns to Parliament, won't say if he challenged Christopher Luxon
NationalAugust 24

Political poll shows who thought Luxon should leave as National leader

National's decision to stick with Christopher Luxon appears at odds with the wider public, with more voters saying the caucus got it wrong than right.
Political poll shows who thought Luxon should leave as National leader
Political poll shows who thought Luxon should leave as National leader
NationalAugust 24

Govt pushes ahead with social media ban for under-16s

The government is pressing ahead with its ban on social media for under-16-year-olds, with the legislation set to be introduced today.
Govt pushes ahead with social media ban for under-16s
Govt pushes ahead with social media ban for under-16s
QueenstownAugust 23

‘Policy making in a state of panic’: Queenstown mayor slams decision to rule out bed tax

The Auckland and Queenstown Lakes District mayors are both disappointed with National's announcement on Sunday ruling out the bed tax, with Auckland mayor Wayne Brown hitting out at National "walking away" from its commitment to the Auckland Regional Deal.
‘Policy making in a state of panic’: Queenstown mayor slams decision to rule out bed tax
‘Policy making in a state of panic’: Queenstown mayor slams decision to rule out bed tax
NationalAugust 23

Luxon again rules out Opportunity, despite poll placing them as kingmakers

The Opportunity Party is in the kingmaker position, with the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll showing neither the coalition nor the opposition would have the numbers to form a government without its help.
Luxon again rules out Opportunity, despite poll placing them as kingmakers
Luxon again rules out Opportunity, despite poll placing them as kingmakers
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OpinionAugust 21

Learning lessons over breakfast with Chippie

The election campaign trail is a marathon, not a sprint, and it often begins by taking small steps first.
Mike Houlahan
Learning lessons over breakfast with Chippie
Learning lessons over breakfast with Chippie