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National Party finance spokesman Paul Goldsmith with leader Simon Bridges. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: National's surprise secret weapon on money

6 Jul, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Few would have tipped it, but Goldsmith has been a surprise impact player.

Forestry Minister Shane Jones in his shrunken KiwiRail jacket at the Waingawa log hub at Masterton. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett's Beehive Diaries - the big political plays of the week

5 Jul, 2019 11:22am
5 minutes to read

Psychological warfare at the Cricket World Cup, and Stuart Nash's gun crushing.

Speaker Trevor Mallard turned 65 - and his staff and colleagues were happy to rub it in. Photo / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett's Beehive Diaries: The Speaker at 65, Bridges on slippery slope

21 Jun, 2019 12:00pm
5 minutes to read

Christopher Luxon may get the last laugh over Shane Jones yet.

If the hat fits. Winston Peters hides his hat under an umbrella. Photo / John Borren

NEW ZEALAND

Trevett: Labour's transparency drive is faltering

20 Jun, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

There are legitimate reasons to withhold information. Annoying the Opposition is not one.

National Party leader Simon Bridges (right) stands under a canopy. Photo / Warren Buckland

NEW ZEALAND

Beehive Diaries: best of the week

14 Jun, 2019 2:30pm
4 minutes to read

PM at Fieldays, Hipkins' teething problems, and Shane Jones has a moment of enlightenment.

Winston Peters gets away with things because most know to garnish them with salt. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Winston says: Outlandish claims of our Deputy PM

14 Jun, 2019 11:24am
9 minutes to read

Winston Peters gets away with things because most know to garnish them with salt.

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern promoted the fees-free policy on the campaign trail at Victoria University in Wellington in 2017. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Another Labour Party policy off to the panelbeaters

13 Jun, 2019 11:00am
4 minutes to read

Labour has to consider whether fees-free is really benefiting those who need it.

Government partners: NZ First leader Winston Peters, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Green Party co-leader James Shaw. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Inside the fight between NZ First and the Greens

13 Jun, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Winston Peters is not beyond claiming credit where credit is not due.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and National Party leader Simon Bridges. Photos / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Budget 'hack' showdown: Ardern v Bridges

11 Jun, 2019 6:57pm
5 minutes to read

Both had something to prove in first post-Budget encounter between Bridges and the PM.

National Party leader Simon Bridges flanked by deputy leader Paula Bennett (left) and finance spokeswoman Amy Adams. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Trevett: Polls do zero to help National's leadership agitators

10 Jun, 2019 7:00pm
4 minutes to read

Leadership changes best dealt with like sticking plaster: Rip it off fast to avoid pain.

National Party leader Simon Bridges with Amy Adams (l), Mark Mitchell, Judith Collins and Paula Bennett. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Do polls signal tick-tock for Simon Bridges?

10 Jun, 2019 9:33am
4 minutes to read

Bridges went from rock bottom to rockier bottom, while Collins lifted to rock bottom.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron discuss the 'Christchurch Call' last month. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

Beehive Diaries: Who went to the Wiggles and who gave the Budget a raspberry?

7 Jun, 2019 1:21pm
5 minutes to read

Chris Hipkins' hot potato, PM's return to social media and the seniors' Budget raspberry.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister David Clark announcing Government's response to the Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: PM could take a target lesson from William Tell

6 Jun, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The political risk of missing the bullseye is no reason not to put up a target.

Prisoners can top up the prison meals with canteen treats. Photo / NZPA

NEW ZEALAND

Corrections' canteen rakes in $4.4m more from prisoners

5 Jun, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Corrections says it does not profit from its canteen, despite a big lift in revenue.

Treasury Secretary Gabriel Makhlouf. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

From Egypt to pulling NZ's purse strings, just who is Gabriel Makhlouf?

31 May, 2019 8:26pm
5 minutes to read

Dry witted and good company but Gabriel Makhlouf has made controversial calls in his time.

Shine a little light: Finance Minister Grant Robertson in the Budget 2019 lockup at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Inside the Beehive's stormy week: Wellbeing Budget that left Treasury feeling sick

31 May, 2019 12:13pm
5 minutes to read

Claire Trevett: Behind the scenes of Parliament's stormy week.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson display his 'Wellbeing Budget'. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

The top 10 points from the Budget

30 May, 2019 2:00pm
2 minutes to read

What did Budget 2019 hold? Here are 10 things you need to know.

National Party leader Simon Bridges, flanked by deputy leader Paula Bennett (l) and finance spokeswoman Amy Adams. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Trevett: Jobs on the line over Budget disclosure furore

30 May, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Either Simon Bridges or Grant Robertson will have some explaining to do.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson put on a united front to downplay National's Budget releases. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: The Budget leak - What the Nats were trying to cover up

29 May, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: For the second time, Simon Bridges was a recipient of leaks rather than a victim.

National Party leader Simon Bridges. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Is Budget leak a cock-up or conspiracy?

28 May, 2019 1:54pm
4 minutes to read

Budget details second release of sensitive Government information to National in a month.

DPAA forensic anthropologist Dr Paul Emanovsky shows those still unaccounted for from the WWII battle at Tarawa. Photo / Claire Trevett

NEW ZEALAND

The search for missing soldiers: How US is bringing wartime fallen home

25 May, 2019 7:00pm
10 minutes to read

New Zealand has almost 10,000 missing in action but no plans to replicate the US effort.

National Party MP Alfred Ngaro in his office at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Alfred Ngaro on a date with Destiny and a new apology

24 May, 2019 5:00am
11 minutes to read

Alfred Ngaro has apologised twice for his comments about abortion. He explains his views.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and National Party leader Simon Bridges in February. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Simon Bridges squeezes Australian lemon of hope

23 May, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Scott Morrison had two things Simon Bridges does not: friends and Bill Shorten.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford. Photo / Jason Oxenham

BUSINESS

Housing Minister's Waterloo: Will KiwiBuild cost Twyford?

21 May, 2019 8:09am
8 minutes to read

Phil Twyford's defenders say his main crime has been over-promising on KiwiBuild.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson on top of the world, looking down on the Wellington Central electorate. Photo / Mark Tantrum

BUSINESS

Carpool Budget: Riding with Grant Robertson

18 May, 2019 8:35am
11 minutes to read

Grant Robertson will deliver his second Budget on May 30 and is quite excited about it.

Violet being dispatched to the naughty corner of Speaker Trevor Mallard's office at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

What's the buzz around Parliament? Claire Trevett reveals all

17 May, 2019 2:17pm
5 minutes to read

A recap of the highlights of the week in politics.

Jacinda Ardern promoted the fees-free policy regularly on the 2017 campaign. Here she is at Victoria University. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: KiwiBuild, fees-free and the merits of U-turns

16 May, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

PM should be asking if KiwiBuild and Fees-Free are solutions or are now costly problems.

Police Minister Stuart Nash was one of the ministers who watched the rugby from Huawei's corporate box. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: The perils of the corporate box for MPs

9 May, 2019 8:08pm
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Chinese tech giant Huawei appears in MPs' corporate box entries for first time.

A cannabis shop in Poland. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Having lost the CGT, is a stoners' tax the answer?

9 May, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The "binding" nature of the referendum is more by way of pinky promise than by law.

Pro-choice protesters gate-crash a Voice for Life protest at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Exclusive: Breakthrough on abortion reforms

2 May, 2019 2:54pm
6 minutes to read

NZ First gives go-ahead to abortion reform, but rejects referendum on MMP threshold.

A disappointed Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pointed to NZ First as the reason she could not get the tax over the line. NZ First proudly took ownership of that. Photos / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Inside the coalition: Who's really running the country?

2 May, 2019 2:20pm
17 minutes to read

Money, politics and the Deputy PM all stand accused of stalling the change train.

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Simon Bridges and the enemy within - why he's jinxed

2 May, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The bright side for Bridges is as bright as the latest Game of Thrones episode.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern explains plans to work with other world leaders on social media. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: PM takes on social-media Hydra

25 Apr, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Comment: PM has been quiet on Facebook since Christchurch attacks, but that will change.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: terrible dilemmas in hostage case

18 Apr, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Government had to grapple with difficult decision while nurse's life was in the balance.

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: PM's hostage no comment says everything

16 Apr, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: PM made it clear she disagreed with Red Cross decision to name Louisa Akavi.

NEW ZEALAND

How the story of Isis hostage Louisa Akavi was kept secret

15 Apr, 2019 9:32am
7 minutes to read

Former minister Murray McCully talks about keeping Louisa Akavi's plight secret, and why.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Trevett: Labour's support up after mosque attacks

11 Apr, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Labour is riding high after attacks, but bread and butter issues are returning to debate.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern leaves after a press conference at Parliament on the day of the shootings. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

When the call came: Inside Jacinda Ardern's 72 hours after mosque attacks

6 Apr, 2019 5:00am
16 minutes to read

What was happening behind the scenes for the three days after the mosque attacks?

Act Party leader David Seymour. Photo / Michael Craig.

NEW ZEALAND

Trevett: David Seymour's one-man stand

4 Apr, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Comment: Act leader David Seymour shouldn't be ignored, despite making a clown of himself.

Act Party leader David Seymour. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: The Mankadding of David Seymour

2 Apr, 2019 5:17pm
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: A cunning Hipkins popped Seymour's principles in a glorious 36-second sprint.

Police Minister Stuart Nash will oversee the gun reforms wanted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Trevett: Kiwi jokes vs US Constitution in gun debate

28 Mar, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Judith Collins' "bugger off" response to NRA could be turned to all manner of uses.

Photos of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a hijab have gone worldwide. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Jacinda Ardern's kindness a powerful diplomatic tool

23 Mar, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Turkey's President expects more than gun control to save NZ's reputation.

Religious leaders follow Speaker Trevor Mallard into Parliament for the speeches on the Christchurch mosque attacks. Photo / Claire Trevett

NEW ZEALAND

Religious unity in unprecedented day at Parliament

19 Mar, 2019 5:24pm
4 minutes to read

In an unprecedented move, the leaders of many faiths walked into Parliament together.

A mourner placing flowers on a memorial to the victims of the terror attack across the road from the Linwood Mosque in Christchurch. 17 March, 2019. New Zealand Herald photograph by Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Foreign Governments tell citizens in NZ to 'remain vigilant'

18 Mar, 2019 3:24pm
3 minutes to read

The US, Canada, Australia and Bangladesh have advised their citizens in NZ to be careful.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets with the Muslim community at the Kilbirnie Mosque in Wellngton. Photo / Getty

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Solace and steel in PM's terror response

17 Mar, 2019 4:56pm
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Few leaders could imagine a more testing situation - or step up to it so well.

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Shane Jones' fatal attraction

14 Mar, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Jones and Ron Mark need to be more careful not to mix business with campaigning.

Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross says he wasn't at a meeting with a businessman whose donation was split up, but Simon Bridges was. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

National Party donation complaint by Jami-Lee Ross referred to Serious Fraud Office

12 Mar, 2019 6:07pm
4 minutes to read

Donation probe: Bridges says his hands are clean; Ross says he wasn't at donor meeting.

PM Jacinda Ardern and NZ First leader Winston Peters in 2017. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: The never-ending capital gains tax headache for PM

7 Mar, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Jacinda Ardern's hardest job will be convincing voters nothing will change after 2020.

Dame Annette King during her visit to Parliament for the launch of her book. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Insider's look: The rise of Jacinda Ardern, and dealing with Winston

6 Mar, 2019 6:00pm
8 minutes to read

Annette King biography gives insider's peek of Labour through the ages.

Simon and his wife Natalie with Jemima, Harry and Emlyn in December last year. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

Natalie Bridges' verdict on her husband: 'A dirty little street fighter'

2 Mar, 2019 5:00am
12 minutes to read

Simon Bridges talks about the 'upsides' of life after his first year as leader.

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Air NZ fare cuts won't shut Shane Jones up

28 Feb, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Comment: It might help temper Shane Jones' ego if Air NZ stopped granting his every wish.

Green Party leader James Shaw is pushing for a capital gains tax but coalition partners Labour and NZ First are likely not so keen. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Tax and pies get Greens going

21 Feb, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: After keeping their heads down, the Greens have started to call to their base.

National Party leader Simon Bridges is stuck in the doldrums in the latest poll. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Comment: Simon Bridges' perilous poll seesaw

18 Feb, 2019 6:49pm
3 minutes to read

Smaller parties feel the squeeze as Labour and National fight it out in polls

National Party MP Judith Collins looks on as leader Simon Bridges holds a press conference. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Would Judith Collins be saviour or a big mistake?

14 Feb, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Collins is not National's Jacinda Ardern - but could be its David Cunliffe.

Winston Peters speaks at Rātana. Photo / Lewis Gardner

NEW ZEALAND

Peters' words come back to bite at Rātana

25 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Peters had to defend PM's honour against cads dismissive of her taking off for Davos.

Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters addresses Ratana on Thursday afternoon. Photo/ Lewis Gardner

NEW ZEALAND

Peters says jobs priority as Ratana celebrations kick off

24 Jan, 2019 12:55pm
5 minutes to read

Political year kicks off at annual Ratana celebrations

The tourist family accused of bad behaviour leaving the Hamilton District Court. Photo / Christine Cornege

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Thanks for the memories, unruly tourists

17 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The unruly tourists deserve a round the world trip, such was the entertainment provided.

Bridges eyeing drum kit but PM says all she wants is sleep.

NEW ZEALAND

Jacinda Ardern and Simon Bridges talk turkey before big day

24 Dec, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Jacinda Ardern and Simon Bridges on Christmas, and the PM's Christmas Eve recipe.

Sally Dellow says she doesn't want young trans people to suffer as she did. Photo / Marty Melville

NEW ZEALAND

Big Read: A matter of identity

21 Dec, 2018 5:00am
14 minutes to read

Bill which would have allowed trans people to self-identify gender stirred bitter debate.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson. Photo / Mark MItchell

NEW ZEALAND

Trevett: Finlayson put in effort to deliver a better NZ

20 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Every journalist has favourite politicians, although some will not admit it.

Retiring National MP Chris Finlayson at Parliament, Wellington, this week. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

A final roadie with Chris Finlayson

15 Dec, 2018 5:00am
11 minutes to read

Chris Finlayson leaves quite the legacy but will not bore people by boasting about it.

Opposition leader Simon Bridges in Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Trevett: Air NZ strikes the bad news National wanted

13 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The Air NZ strikes were timed to cause maximum damage to Air NZ - and the Government.