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politics

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
SUBSCRIBER
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
DunedinAugust 21

Election 2026 interview: Taieri MP Ingrid Leary

This week's Election 2026 political interview guest is Taieri Labour MP Ingrid Leary.
Mike Houlahan
Election 2026 interview: Taieri MP Ingrid Leary
Election 2026 interview: Taieri MP Ingrid Leary
SUBSCRIBER
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
DunedinAugust 21

Election 2026 interview: Labour leader Chris Hipkins

Today we have an Election 2026 special guest, Labour leader Chris Hipkins.
Election 2026 interview: Labour leader Chris Hipkins
Election 2026 interview: Labour leader Chris Hipkins
NationalAugust 18

‘Scandalous’: Documents reveal Health NZ hiring crackdown

Health NZ leaders told the Health Minister tight controls on hiring staff were crucial to delivering its budget and that recruitment of any frontline worker was only possible with the sign-off of senior executives.
‘Scandalous’: Documents reveal Health NZ hiring crackdown
‘Scandalous’: Documents reveal Health NZ hiring crackdown
NationalAugust 18

Peters sidesteps questions over support for Luxon as PM

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters refuses to say whether he still supports the prime minister in light of a recent attempt within National to overthrow him.
Peters sidesteps questions over support for Luxon as PM
Peters sidesteps questions over support for Luxon as PM
NationalAugust 18

‘Unacceptable’: Thousands of pensioners miss out on Winter Energy Payment due to error

The prime minister and social development minister have offered an apology to thousands of pensioners who did not receive their Winter Energy Payment this year, after an error in a law change meant people who were supposed to get the payment missed out.
‘Unacceptable’: Thousands of pensioners miss out on Winter Energy Payment due to error
‘Unacceptable’: Thousands of pensioners miss out on Winter Energy Payment due to error
NationalAugust 17

Sacked National minister likely to return to Parliament next week

National MP Chris Penk will likely return to Parliament next week after being sacked from his ministerial portfolios for challenging Christopher Luxon's leadership.
Sacked National minister likely to return to Parliament next week
Sacked National minister likely to return to Parliament next week
NationalAugust 17

Hipkins rules out taxes at heart of ‘hysterical’ National attack ads

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says Christopher Luxon is incompetent and is dismissing National's attacks over the opposition party's tax plans as hysterical desperation.
Hipkins rules out taxes at heart of ‘hysterical’ National attack ads
Hipkins rules out taxes at heart of ‘hysterical’ National attack ads
NationalAugust 16

‘I didn't challenge for the leadership’: Stanford

National Party minister Erica Stanford is emphasising she categorically supports the Prime Minister after this week's challenge to Christopher Luxon's leadership.
‘I didn't challenge for the leadership’: Stanford
‘I didn't challenge for the leadership’: Stanford
NationalAugust 15

Opportunity Party vows to 'clean up politics'

The Opportunity Party is vowing to "clean up politics" by regulating lobbying and reforming political donations.
Opportunity Party vows to 'clean up politics'
Opportunity Party vows to 'clean up politics'