Audrey Young, Senior Political Correspondent at the New Zealand Herald based at Parliament, specialises in writing about politics and power.
I’m Audrey Young – Senior Political Correspondent at the New Zealand Herald. I was the NZ Herald’s political editor for 18 years, through some of the most tumultuous political times. In 2021 I moved into a new role as Senior Political Correspondent, where I now have more time to produce in depth stories, which are not necessarily part of the daily news cycle. I love getting my teeth into a complex issue or helping bring some clarity to a misunderstood issue. And I have a special interest in foreign affairs and Treaty of Waitangi issues. In 2018 and 2020 I was Voyager Political Journalist of the Year. Occasionally I also dish out my own awards and rankings to politicians, which includes rating the performance of Cabinet Ministers or the opposition’s Shadow Cabinet. I’ve been working at the Herald for so long that my 30th anniversary was mentioned in Parliament. However, I never tire of seeing what people do to try to gain power and what they do when they get there. I was pleased to be the union representative on the Press Council for six years. In a previous life, I worked as a sub-editor at the ill-fated Auckland Sun, was a tutor for a Pacific Island journalism course at Manukau Polytechnic in Otara, and was a teacher in Wellington.
Govt stops putting general Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation
NZ First wants Treaty matters decided by Parliament, not the courts.
Audrey Young: Tone deaf or 'kick-a***'? PM's political radar offline again
OPINION: The problem isn't what the PM says, but how he says it.
US diplomat abandons speech - what she would have said
Protests inside and outside the building derail US Aukus official's speech.
Audrey Young: Uproar over boot camps, consents plays into Govt's hands
OPINION: The centre-right Govt has left voters in no doubt it is more right than centre.
Audrey Young: Luxon cops fiscal backlash after allowance blunder, rego hikes
OPINION: The PM is usually the one delivering economic lectures. Not this week.
Audrey Young: Pressure on Willis to deliver as Opposition comes out swinging
OPINION: National has ceded the moral high ground, raising the stakes for its May Budget.
Audrey Young: Child poverty statistics intensify battle over welfare reform
OPINION: The stats relate to Labour's time in office, which makes them politically tricky.
Audrey Young ranks maiden speeches by our new MPs - why Efeso Collins' was so special
Meet our intriguing new MPs, their families, tragedies and brushes with crime.
Audrey Young: The real jobseeker shocker everybody missed
OPINION: Critics might want to check the fine print before they cry 'cruelty'.
Audrey Young: Flash utes fair game as Govt expands spending cuts
OPINION: Optics are even more important when you're on a cost-cutting drive.
Former top public servant and raconteur dies - but he leaves great work stories
The man with rich stories about working with Sir Rob Muldoon and David Lange.
Audrey Young: The underestimated MP who's got Luxon's ear
OPINION: Simeon Brown is a punchline for some opponents. He may get the last laugh.
Luxon delivers strong message over Rafah operation
Foreign Minister Winston Peters met with the Israeli ambassador.
Audrey Young: The woman who saved Luxon from disaster at Waitangi
OPINION: The PM's day would have been much worse if he wasn't able to speak at all.
Audrey Young: Lingering issue remains after Govt's sloppy week
OPINION: Without a full reckoning, it'll be death by a thousand innuendos.
Bill English on the 'twists and turns' of the Treaty relationship
The former PM points to lessons from the past five years.
Shane Jones lashes out at inquiry - 'it's not the Waitangi Tribunal's business'
The first regional wānanga in the constitution inquiry is set to get under way this week.
Audrey Young: Luxon starts 2024 as the great unifier ... of Māori
OPINION: The PM probably wishes he'd never heard of the Treaty Principles Bill.
Luxon memo to speechwriter: Make it dull
OPINION: There were some fireworks at Ratana, but not involving the PM.
Charter school plans: More radical than before - David Seymour
David Seymour is planning to improve on the charter school model but unions are worried.
Audrey Young: All the signs Ardern was about to drop a bombshell
OPINION: Five of the top columns of the year from Audrey Young.
Audrey Young: 'Vibe' budget leaves key questions hanging
OPINION: We wanted details about tax cuts. We did not get them.
Audrey Young: Foreign Minister Mark III - Peters surrounded by old work family
OPINION: Foreign policy is definitely under new management.
Audrey Young: Brownlee off to a solid start as Speaker
OPINION: It's a tricky job, but so far the political veteran is making it look easy.
Audrey Young: It's a ship-show, but that's not a bad thing for National
OPINION: It took an epic maritime mess to wrest the spotlight from Winston Peters.
Audrey Young: Peters wastes no time with foreign policy pivot
OPINION: 'Independent' policy is out, New Zealand's traditional allies are back in.
Audrey Young: Seymour sets out detail of Act's Treaty principles bill
David Seymour on the King's hui - "it's exactly what I hoped would happen".
Out of office: Chris Hipkins on power, pressure - and Scrabble with partner Toni
'People don't vote on a left-right continuum. They vote on the vibe of the campaign.'
Audrey Young: Clear MVP after a sensational first week in Parliament
OPINION: Political rookies, take notice: this is how you set the tone.
Audrey Young: Who has the advantage and disadvantage in the new debating chamber?
Where the new battle lines are drawn as Question Time resumes.
Audrey Young: It'll take more than a mihi to fix this, Prime Minister
OPINION: Protesters feel targeted by the new Government - and it's not hard to see why.
Audrey Young: Act ushers in a debate it never bargained on - Māori sovereignty
OPINION: Debate about Treaty principles leads to a much deeper debate on the articles.
Audrey Young: Luxon's Govt on the defensive after a ragged start
OPINION: Govt's controversial measures have given Opposition parties stronger start.
Audrey Young: Winston Peters’ bad behaviour overshadowing Luxon, Seymour
OPINION: He should be happy, but it is as though Winston Peters needs an enemy.
Audrey Young: Mallard, Maharey, Coster - how safe should they be?
OPINION: Andrew Coster should be safe but Mallard might not be.
Audrey Young: Luxon's dream start goes up in smoke
OPINION: The new PM has been shown how easy it is to lose control of the narrative.
Move to undo court decision 'entrenches colonisation' - Te Pati Maori
Opposition says Parliament's law was unfair and court decision should be respected.
Audrey Young on Luxon's first Cabinet - the good, the bad and the unfair
OPINION: Cabinet positions suggests National well and truly in charge.
Audrey Young: Double trouble? Luxon had no choice but to split Deputy PM role
OPINION: Luxon has made a bold decision to have Peters and Seymour take turns.
Audrey Young: Seymour's swipe puts National on notice
OPINION: Also in today's politics wrap - Cameron Brewer cleans up his mess (mostly).
Audrey Young: Luxon's next four problems and how to deal with them
Opinion: Now it's down to deciding who gets what position.
Audrey Young: Seymour schooled on Treaty referendum
OPINION: An expert whose work David Seymour regularly cites has put the record straight.
Audrey Young: Let the musical chairs begin in Foreign Affairs
OPINION: Foreign ministers don't get to hand-pick their chief executives.
Audrey Young: To veto or not to veto - that is NZ First's question
OPINION: While Shane Jones talks tough, Winston Peters chooses his words carefully.
Audrey Young: Joining the NZ Herald - the tears stopped after a while
OPINION: Readers can work out who to trust in their politicians and media.
'Most Māori are successful' - Casey Costello pushes message of aspiration
Casey Costello met Winston Peters after a demonstration at Parliament.
Audrey Young: National's tax plan is a done deal - or it should be
OPINION: Act and NZ First don't have the heft to torpedo National's centrepiece policy.
Meet the chiefs of staff pulling strings for Luxon, Peters and Seymour in coalition talks
A look at the backroom operators behinds the coalition talks.
Audrey Young: The departing MPs I'll miss the most
OPINION: Also in today's wrap: Peters' petulance continues; closest races set for recount.
Audrey Young: Christopher Luxon eats his words after Supie collapse
OPINION: Suddenly, National thinks the new Grocery Commissioner should be given a chance.
Audrey Young: What Act and NZ First would want in coalition negotiations
OPINION: Could Winston Peters demand to be Deputy Prime Minister?
Court lowers hurdle for customary title on foreshore and seabed
Critics say most of New Zealand's coastal area will end up in customary title.
Audrey Young: There's only one sensible pick for Deputy PM
OPINION: Christopher Luxon has been given ample reason this week to tread carefully.
Talk about the Treaty - Finlayson suggests a way to do it
Shane Jones is challenging the notion that only the Māori version of the Treaty matters.
Audrey Young: Nats' 'father of the House' could be turfed out
OPINION: National's list has fallen victim to its unexpected success in the electorates.
Audrey Young: Key's coalition brainwave is likely to irritate Peters
OPINION: It wasn't Christopher Luxon who came up with the Winston-for-Speaker idea.
Comment: Luxon was better than anyone anticipated
OPINION: Whatever the final count, Christopher Luxon has had a remarkable result.
Winston Peters - a career of defeat and victory
OPINION: One strong pattern has been evident throughout Winston Peters' career.
Battleground seats - the grudge contests this election
Where are the big contests on the ground this election?
Battleground seats - the grudge contests this election
Where are the big contests on the ground this election?
Audrey Young: The key issue of the 2023 election campaign - and its MVP
OPINION: Also in today's wrap - weirdest campaign calls, best ad and best debate.
Who won the final leaders’ debate? The verdicts on Hipkins and Luxon
OPINION: Our political writers have their say on the leaders' performances.
Audrey Young: Can voters trust Winston Peters' promises about Labour?
Opinion: Audrey Young explains why voter scepticism goes back a long way.
Staffing increase at police HQ 'unacceptable' - Nats MP
The Police Minister says a boost in HQ staff includes police working on organised crime.
Audrey Young: The one critical thing Luxon doesn't get about Peters
OPINION: For a lesson in how not to handle Winston Peters, look to National.
Audrey Young: Can Labour win from here? There is a narrow path
A swing of 90,000 people could shift current polling predictions, says a data expert.
'It’s a lie': Winston Peters rails against National ads and news media
NZ First leader also mocked the campaign coverage of Labour and National.
Audrey Young: Luxon's tax pitch comes back to haunt him
OPINION: Finally, someone crunched the numbers - and the numbers are embarrassing.
Waitangi Tribunal pushes for more change to foreshore and seabed law
Christopher Finlayson promoted the new regime in 2011 with the support of the Māori Party.
Audrey Young - Loose tax talk gives National ammunition
OPINION: Labour MPs need look no further than to National for an example of discipline.
Audrey Young: Chicken stunt leaves egg on Hipkins' face
OPINION: Labour's dig over debate re-scheduling just made its leader look weak.
Audrey Young: Sparks fly over Treaty issues, 'race-baiting'
OPINION: Chris Hipkins should have addressed divisive issues much sooner.
Audrey Young: Hipkins finally finds a voice on the Treaty
OPINION: Māori do have different rights.
Getting to know Winston: 10 things Chris Luxon should know about Winston Peters
National leader Chris Luxon says he doesn't know Winston Peters well. Here are 10 things.
Who won Newshub leaders’ debate? The verdicts on Hipkins and Luxon
Our political writers give their thoughts on Wednesday's performances.
Audrey Young: What Luxon really means when he says he'd rather work with Act
OPINION: National needs some leverage to rein in Act's extremes.
Audrey Young: Why Luxon made NZ First coalition call
OPINION: Christopher Luxon ran out of excuses on the coalition question.
Audrey Young: Labour MP concedes election, PM's trust win, Peters sets the tone
OPINION: A small win for Labour, but there isn't much time to close the gap.