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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.
Mike Houlahan
Hospital pledge highlight of packed Labour meeting
Hospital pledge highlight of packed Labour meeting
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OpinionOctober 30

One more time with feeling for the standard stump speech

``Labour is going to win.’’
Mike Houlahan
One more time with feeling for the standard stump speech
One more time with feeling for the standard stump speech
NationalOctober 28

Can we build it? Yes we can — maybe

In an election campaign full of rancour and disagreement, infrastructure is an oasis of collegiality and consensus.Well, almost.
Can we build it? Yes we can — maybe
Can we build it? Yes we can — maybe
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.
Mike Houlahan
Opportunity rides out the storm, sets sights on the sun
Opportunity rides out the storm, sets sights on the sun
North OtagoOctober 26

Waitaki candidates hear rural concerns ahead of election

Farming, red-tape, and an absent Labour candidate were front and centre at a meet the candidates event in the Waitaki electorate.
Waitaki candidates hear rural concerns ahead of election
Waitaki candidates hear rural concerns ahead of election
NationalOctober 26

Private sector gets 80% of govt’s increase in public health funding - union report

Eighty percent of the increase in public health funding from the government over the past three years has gone to the private sector, according to a new report.
Private sector gets 80% of govt’s increase in public health funding - union report
Private sector gets 80% of govt’s increase in public health funding - union report
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.
Mike Houlahan
Health a bitterly disputed policy battlefield
Health a bitterly disputed policy battlefield
NationalOctober 25

Hipkins promises his government would be formed by Christmas

Chris Hipkins has promised a Labour-led government would be formed by Christmas, and he's set out five things he would tackle in his first week as prime minister.
Hipkins promises his government would be formed by Christmas
Hipkins promises his government would be formed by Christmas
NationalOctober 25

Enrolments closed, advance voting begins for 2026 Election

Enrolments have closed and voting in the general election begins today, with party leaders among those casting their ballot on day one.
Enrolments closed, advance voting begins for 2026 Election
Enrolments closed, advance voting begins for 2026 Election
NationalOctober 25

National removes volunteer after learning of sexual conduct with minor conviction

National has removed one of its campaign volunteers after learning he had been convicted of sexual conduct with a minor five years ago.
National removes volunteer after learning of sexual conduct with minor conviction
National removes volunteer after learning of sexual conduct with minor conviction
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.
Mike Houlahan
Tax a taxing issue this election campaign
Tax a taxing issue this election campaign
NationalOctober 25

Luxon warns not all gang photos are the same after photos with Black Power members surface

National leader Christopher Luxon says a photo of him with gang members is different to those posted by opposition parties.
Luxon warns not all gang photos are the same after photos with Black Power members surface
Luxon warns not all gang photos are the same after photos with Black Power members surface
NationalOctober 24

Explainer: How to enrol to vote and why today is your final chance

Today is the final day to enrol to vote in this year's election. If you haven't enrolled yet, you've got until midnight today.
Explainer: How to enrol to vote and why today is your final chance
Explainer: How to enrol to vote and why today is your final chance
NationalOctober 24

National sets out 100 day plan if re-elected

The National Party has released its 100 day plan, setting out the first actions it would take if re-elected.
National sets out 100 day plan if re-elected
National sets out 100 day plan if re-elected
NationalOctober 24

Luxon, Mitchell defend Potaka after photo with gang members emerges

Christopher Luxon says it would be "disingenuous" to say a photo circulating online of National MP Tama Potaka posing with gang members is the same as images of Labour, Green and Te Pāti Māori MPs.
Luxon, Mitchell defend Potaka after photo with gang members emerges
Luxon, Mitchell defend Potaka after photo with gang members emerges
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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.
Mike Houlahan
The fine line between robust and wrongful debate
The fine line between robust and wrongful debate
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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.
Mike Houlahan
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.
Mike Houlahan
Election 2026 debate: Taieri
Election 2026 debate: Taieri
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DunedinOctober 22

Defending a Labour stronghold from National attack

It is difficult to describe any of the southern electorates as marginal, but the one which comes closest to that description is Taieri.
Mike Houlahan
Defending a Labour stronghold from National attack
Defending a Labour stronghold from National attack
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North OtagoOctober 21

Race for Waitaki set to be lively

You’d better have your popcorn ready.
Ruby Shaw
Race for Waitaki set to be lively
Race for Waitaki set to be lively
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DunedinOctober 20

Student vote critical in Dunedin

The Dunedin seats seldom attract much attention in election year given that you have to go back to 1975 for the last time anyone other than the Labour candidate was returned as the electorate MP.
Mike Houlahan
Student vote critical in Dunedin
Student vote critical in Dunedin
NationalOctober 20

National jumps four points in poll ahead of leaders’ debate

Support for National has surged in the latest political poll, with the party up four points to 32 percent.
National jumps four points in poll ahead of leaders’ debate
National jumps four points in poll ahead of leaders’ debate
NationalOctober 20

Reality of National campaign ad paints different picture

One of National's campaign ads promises a brighter future for New Zealand - but the reality on the ground is a little less colourful.
Reality of National campaign ad paints different picture
Reality of National campaign ad paints different picture
NationalOctober 20

Threats against NZ MPs have risen 'astronomically', says Speaker

Threats against New Zealand MPs have risen "astronomically" in recent years, prompting Parliament to ramp up security, the Speaker says.
Threats against NZ MPs have risen 'astronomically', says Speaker
Threats against NZ MPs have risen 'astronomically', says Speaker
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SouthlandOctober 19

Slim pickings for Invercargill

Invercargill could be forgiven for feeling somewhat passed over.
Ruby Shaw
Slim pickings for Invercargill
Slim pickings for Invercargill