News
Peters' stock rises on final vote count, how much will Luxon pay?
The final act of the 2023 election has reset the calculus, blowing apart National's dream scenario and driving up the price for forming government.
With NZ First's support now a requirement, Winston…
AudioAnxious politicians discuss three-week wait for final results
ACT and the Greens say free and fair elections must not be sacrificed for a faster final result, as National's Christopher Luxon continues to express his frustration with delays.
Councils given dressing-down over secret meetings
Councils have been reprimanded for holding secret workshops behind closed doors too often and for invalid reasons such as allowing councillors a "safe space" to ask "silly questions".
On the campaign trail, week four: The week of Winston Peters
Call this the week of Winston Peters - with the New Zealand First leader, riding a wave of renewed relevancy.
In not one, but two TV polls, New Zealand First featured above that critical 5 percent…
AudioNational MP, gang supporters clash in protest on Parliament forecourt - 'Is that a threat?'
National MP Mark Mitchell got into a heated exchange with a group of gang whānau this morning after refusing to accept their petition protesting anti-gang policies.
Ministry to review contracts it awarded to firm with Cabinet minister links
The Health Ministry has commissioned an independent review of all contracts it has awarded to the company Tātou, a consultancy with close ties to Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare.
Economists' analysis rubbishes National's foreign buyers tax numbers
Economists analysing National's foreign buyers tax have found it would likely raise $210 million a year - falling well short of the $740m a year National expects to rake in. Audio
'Best thing to do is stand aside' - MP bows out over list standing
Long-serving National MP Michael Woodhouse has announced his surprise "departure from political life" after being unhappy with his ranking in the party list.
Labour's GST-free fruit and vege strategy falls foul of the experts
Set the table for bread and butter - or in this case, fruit and veg: Labour fired its opening election campaign salvo on Sunday with a starkly populist pitch for tax-free produce.
The party is…
AudioCall for review of government contracts awarded to minister-linked firm
National has asked for a review into the handling of government contracts with a company run by Cabinet Minister Peeni Henare's partner.
'Populist' and 'stupid': 12 tax experts respond to GST-free fruit and veges
Labour's GST-free fruit and vegetables tax policy is being widely panned by experts, who say it is betting on voters' ignorance.
Global tensions prompt NZ to ramp up security and defence resources
New Zealand's Defence Force will ramp up its readiness for combat, taking a more "proactive and purposeful" approach as part of a new government strategy.
'What a shameful day': Labour blocks National's paid parental leave bill
National has accused Labour of "shameful, mean and spiteful" politics after the government party blocked efforts to make paid parental leave more flexible.
Willis rejects Labour's criticism of policy costings: 'It will add up'
National has hit back at Labour's criticisms of its fiscal calculations saying it's 'very telling' Labour never proceeded with plans for an independent policy-costing service.
Kiri Allan charged after car crash, resigns as minister
Allan was taken into police custody on Sunday night and was charged with careless use of a motor vehicle and refusing to accompany a police officer.
Ex-minister referred to Privileges Committee
A scathing inquiry has criticised Michael Wood for "a worrying and ongoing lack of awareness" over the need to quickly correct errors when managing conflicts of interest.
Backup plane for PM Hipkins' trip more 'unusual' than NZDF claimed
The Defence Force has conceded the prime minister's trip to China was the first time it had sent along a dedicated backup plane.
National straddles two strategies as it prepares for nail-biter election
Power Play - In letting slip its election-night target of 45 percent this weekend, the National Party revealed some of its inner thinking around its campaign strategy.
National's Nicola Willis warns against 'lazy politics of envy'
In a rousing address to National's rank and file, the party's deputy has warned against "lazy politics of envy", saying "reckless tactics" to punish the wealthy would divide the country.
Anti-poverty groups call 'bulls---' on Working For Families overhaul delays
Labour says this year's Budget was simply "not the time" to overhaul Working for Families.
Budget 2023: bare bones, blowout, or both?
The 2023 Budget has proven difficult to define: neither the belt-tightening exercise that was promised, nor the blatant bribery sometimes seen in election years.
Certainly, it is no election…
Audio