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Latest FromClaire Trevett

National Party leader Todd Muller with his deputy Nikki Kaye and the resurrected Amy Adams. Photo / Mark Tantrum

NEW ZEALAND

Building bridges: Will the new-look Nats line-up be enough to soothe ructions?

25 May, 2020 7:43pm
4 minutes to read

Simon Bridges left hanging, but Muller gave Bridges' supporters little to complain about.

National Party leader Todd Muller sets out his reshuffle with deputy leader Nikki Kaye, right, and Amy Adams. Photo / Mark Tantrum

NEW ZEALAND

Muller v Ardern: New leader's Cabinet zinger as he faces PM today

25 May, 2020 7:00pm
7 minutes to read

Todd Muller quotes Alan Curnow and tries to get under the PM's skin.

National Party Leader Todd Muller, deputy leader Nikki Kaye and Gerry Brownlee (rear). Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Exclusive: Todd Muller rebuffs Bridges' request for top role

25 May, 2020 8:09am
6 minutes to read

Todd Muller calls US President Donald Trump's style of politics "appalling".

National Party leader Todd Muller and wife Michelle speak to media. Photo / Getty

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: The Nat and the Hat - rating Muller's first days as leader

25 May, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Muller's first days as leader could not have gone better, minefields ahead.

Todd Muller speaks to media shortly after assuming the role of National Party leader after Friday's leadership coup. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Secrets, leaks and betrayals: Inside Todd Muller's coup

24 May, 2020 5:00am
10 minutes to read

Muller's challenge took three days to execute, but was weeks in the making.

Newly elected National Party Leader Todd Muller and wife Michelle arrive at a press conference at Parliament. Photo / Hagen Hopkins Getty

NEW ZEALAND

Todd Muller: Now I'll deal to Labour

23 May, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Todd Muller faces challenge ahead while Simon Bridges ponders his future.

Newly-elected National Party Leader Todd Muller.

NEW ZEALAND

National's new leader Todd Muller - 'I expect to be PM after election'

22 May, 2020 2:58pm
9 minutes to read

Nikki Kaye has been elected his deputy, replacing Paula Bennett

National Party leader Simon Bridges (left) and Todd Muller after the election day in 2017. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

It's showtime - Bridges and Muller prepare for noon vote

22 May, 2020 7:10am
5 minutes to read

A second disastrous poll for National as MPs prepare to vote on leadership at noon

It's the second poll in a week as National leader Simon Bridges prepares for Todd Muller's leadership challenge. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

National drops to 29% in poll as leadership vote looms

21 May, 2020 6:09pm
5 minutes to read

The second poll in a week comes as Opposition leader prepares for Todd Muller challenge.

National leader Simon Bridges. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

'You'll be seeing a lot of me': Bridges confident as MPs arrive for showdown

21 May, 2020 3:35pm
4 minutes to read

It was a day of long phone calls before the day of the long knives.

National Party leader Simon Bridges (left) faces a challenge from Todd Muller. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Game on for Simon Bridges and Todd Muller

21 May, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Can National take the risk of an untested new leader just before an election?

National MP Todd Muller has confirmed he will challenge Simon Bridges. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Blue coup: National can't win election under Bridges - Todd Muller

20 May, 2020 5:31pm
5 minutes to read

Muller tells colleagues he is the man to lead them into September election.

National Party MP Judith Collins. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Judith Collins crushes coup, predicts bid to oust Simon Bridges will fail

20 May, 2020 12:18pm
3 minutes to read

Judith Collins: 'I am not part of anything that is going on'.

FACE OFF: National Party MPs Simon Bridges (left) and Todd Muller in 2017. Photo / George Novak.

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Bridges' put up or shut up punch to challengers

20 May, 2020 11:43am
4 minutes to read

Simon Bridges takes a Covid-19 strategy to his challengers: go hard, go early. Eliminate.

Is Simon Bridges walking into his biggest fight yet? Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

'Working on it': National MP's revealing email as Simon Bridges set to face no-confidence vote

20 May, 2020 5:42am
7 minutes to read

A stormy week ahead for National MPs as they prepare for D-Day next Tuesday.

As preferred PM, Jacinda Ardern was at 59.5 per cent - up 20.8 points on the last poll and the highest any Prime Minister has scored in the Reid Research poll's history. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Labour soars, National plummets in first Covid-19 poll

18 May, 2020 6:19pm
4 minutes to read

First public poll since February shows major change in political landscape.

Act Party leader David Seymour wants mandatory pay cuts for all MPs. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Covid-19: Politicians vote for own pay cuts

15 May, 2020 3:23pm
4 minutes to read

Temporary pay cuts for MPs, mayors, councillors may now go ahead.

Auckland's Marist College is one of NZ's 16 Covid-19 clusters.

NEW ZEALAND

Covid's 'long tail': New school cluster case, patient had tested negative

15 May, 2020 2:11pm
4 minutes to read

Today's new case had previously tested negative, it shows Covid's 'long tail': Bloomfield

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Govt will take huge haircut in Budget

14 May, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Level 2 begins with muddy waters, and with it a Budget spelling a 'tough winter'.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said funerals was one of the most difficult issues to contend with. Photo / Hagen Hopkins

NEW ZEALAND

Comment: Funerals highlight problems of level 2

13 May, 2020 4:47pm
3 minutes to read

The funerals issues showed PM Jacinda Ardern's power over public opinion had limits.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Winston Peters' hongi call: 'Adapt or die'

12 May, 2020 5:21pm
2 minutes to read

Winston Peters' suggestion was dismissed by other politicians.

National Party leader Simon Bridges wants more leniency for funerals and churches. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Bridges: Funeral limits 'inhumane'

12 May, 2020 4:33pm
4 minutes to read

Winston Peters and PM Jacinda Ardern give conflicting advice on holding a wake.

PM Jacinda Ardern drives home the hand washing message as NZ moves to level 2. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Who's jealous now, Australia?

11 May, 2020 5:50pm
3 minutes to read

PM would have struggled to convince many NZers they needed to stay in lockdown.

There was a worldwide shortage of laptops and modems as schools around the globe went into lockdown. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Cabinet papers show scramble to get laptops, modems to disadvantaged students

8 May, 2020 5:24pm
3 minutes to read

Cabinet documents show the struggle - and cost - of quickly rolling out online learning.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins sets out distance learning tools for children. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Document dump: Warning uni students were moving to dole

8 May, 2020 3:47pm
2 minutes to read

Fears that students struggling with job losses and higher costs would drop out altogether

PM Jacinda Ardern and Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield explain the rules for Level 2. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Level-2 trade-off: Freedom in NZ coming at last ... but there's a catch

8 May, 2020 7:39am
7 minutes to read

PM urges cautious entry for level 2 to ensure NZ does not go back to lockdown.

National Party leader Simon Bridges speaks to media on Tuesday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Ardern, Bridges - an analysis of their latest political tactics

7 May, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

The lap of luxury is not a comfortable one for National's Simon Bridges.

We'll meet again: PM Jacinda Ardern and Australia's Scott Morrison meet in 2019. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Why are we waiting? Ardern v Bridges - pressure on to lift lockdown early, Peters enters fray

6 May, 2020 7:45am
7 minutes to read

PM should be asking herself every day what can be safely opened, says Bridges.

The first Helen Clark attribute Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern mastered was her death stare.

NEW ZEALAND

Secrets of PM's Covid-19 response: Helen Clark death stare and invaluable First Man

2 May, 2020 5:00am
12 minutes to read

Jacinda Ardern needed to tame human nature for the lockdown to work. How did she do it?

PM Jacinda Ardern. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Sir John Key's lesson for Jacinda Ardern and Simon Bridges

30 Apr, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Labour and National have similar slogans and 3-stage plans, but the question is execution.

National Party leader Simon Bridges talks to the media before Parliament started again. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: How did Simon Bridges fare in redemption test?

28 Apr, 2020 7:41pm
4 minutes to read

David Seymour wanted a hair cut and a pay cut, Peters served a dish he prepared earlier.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern directing proceedings at a press conference. Photo / Mark Mitchell

BUSINESS

Exclusive: 'Astounding' - PM praises Kiwis, now to save jobs

28 Apr, 2020 5:42pm
8 minutes to read

As alert level 3 kicks in, PM is confident she made the right decisions.

National Party leader Simon Bridges earlier this week. Photo / Mark Mitchell

BUSINESS

Whistling in the wind: Bridges locked under the shadow of Key, English

25 Apr, 2020 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Back him or sack him: National needs to put leadership speculation to bed, fast.

National Party leader Simon Bridges speaks to media on Tuesday. Photo / Hagen Hopkins / Getty

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Simon Bridges making the same mistake twice

21 Apr, 2020 4:27pm
4 minutes to read

This is the worst time for Bridges to give his caucus reason to doubt his judgement.

PM Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield arrive to announce the decision on lockdown. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Triumphant PM still has a job to keep restricted Kiwis onside

21 Apr, 2020 5:35am
4 minutes to read

PM confident Covid-19 won't flare up again but has booked five extra days for insurance.

Better safe than sorry: PM Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield use hand sanitiser on the way to a press briefing. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: What - and who - Ardern is facing as she considers lifting lockdown

18 Apr, 2020 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: PM's natural caution and 'elimination' goal speaks against a lift of lockdown.

Walking towards level three? Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern leaves press conference after setting out level three rules. Photo / Hagen Hopkins

NEW ZEALAND

Comment: Covid-19 level 3 - the surf and turf lockdown

16 Apr, 2020 5:33pm
3 minutes to read

Rein in your excitement, but level 3 will return a few treats in life.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says all Government Ministers and leading public sector bosses would take pay cuts. Photo / Getty

BUSINESS

Revealed: What Ardern, Bloomfield earn and what their pay cuts will be

15 Apr, 2020 4:33pm
5 minutes to read

Prime Minister outlines 20 per cent pay cut for all Government Ministers.

One of these politicians has given themselves a pay cut - the other has not. PM Jacinda Ardern with Australia's PM Scott Morrison earlier this year. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: The political necessity of the PM's pay cuts

15 Apr, 2020 4:28pm
3 minutes to read

PM won't have missed the hue and cry when Australia's Scott Morrison ruled out pay cuts.

Maori Party co-leaders John Tamihere and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. Photo / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Maori Party announces new co-leaders

15 Apr, 2020 2:20pm
2 minutes to read

Maori Party president says new leaders will help advocate for Maori during Covid-19.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson and PM Jacinda Ardern talk about Government measures during the lockdown. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Rising death toll as Govt tempers lockdown hopes

15 Apr, 2020 6:22am
5 minutes to read

PM says NZ might be 'past the peak' but not yet out of the woods.

Workers at a Covid-19 testing station in Mangere. Photo / Peter Meecham

NEW ZEALAND

Covid 19: Got the symptoms? Expect to be tested now

1 Apr, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

PM says much more testing is needed to gauge how widespread virus is.

NEW ZEALAND

Comment: PM Jacinda Ardern gets blood out of stone from Oz

31 Mar, 2020 12:28pm
3 minutes to read

Australia's nod to the NZers among them a case of asking for a mile and getting an inch.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern heads to Parliament for the special coronavirus sitting. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

A week like no other: Inside Jacinda Ardern's pandemic war room

28 Mar, 2020 5:00am
14 minutes to read

In one week, the PM took New Zealand from level 2 to lockdown. This is how it rolled out.

A staffer in protective gear at a drive-through testing station for coronavirus in Auckland. Photo / Alex Burton

NEW ZEALAND

Covid 19: PM tries to quell protective gear concerns

27 Mar, 2020 5:37pm
3 minutes to read

Medical staff have raised concerns about the supply of protective gear in the pandemic.

PM Jacinda Ardern demonstrates the maximum size of an isolation 'bubble.' Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: The lockdown relief for all the lonely people

26 Mar, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

We have a Thomas the Tank Engine style controller & children are grounding the Boomers.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson arrive to announce NZ is going into lockdown. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: The two Covid-19 numbers that sent PM to lockdown

23 Mar, 2020 5:52pm
4 minutes to read

The PM had a very fine line to walk between going too soon, and leaving it too late.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern holds up information on Covid-19 alert levels. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Ardern the great reassurer, but did she have to follow Muldoon?

21 Mar, 2020 4:21pm
4 minutes to read

PM Jacinda Ardern is a pro in a crisis but did it need a dramatic Statement to the Nation?

Long arms needed: the media and the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern try to maintain 'social distancing' in a scrum. Photo / Stephen Parker

NEW ZEALAND

Beehive Diaries: the Covid-19 dance of distance

20 Mar, 2020 2:55pm
4 minutes to read

Step away from the Prime Minister, the Speaker rights a wrong.

National leader Simon Bridges. Photo / Mark Mitchell

BUSINESS

Claire Trevett: Is Simon Bridges right to criticise Covid-19 response?

19 Mar, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Simon Bridges might be negative Neddy, but governments need to be stress-tested in crisis.

This is not 'social distancing': PM Jacinda Ardern on election night 2017. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Will Covid-19 end the traditional election campaign?

17 Mar, 2020 12:37pm
4 minutes to read

Big rallies, street corner meetings and baby kissing may come a cropper in Campaign 2020.

A Bengal tiger in Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India. Photo / 123RF

TRAVEL

In search of tigers: an India safari

16 Mar, 2020 12:00pm
6 minutes to read

A tiger safari proves the highlight of a trip to India.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to media at Parliament on March 15, 2019. Photo / Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

A year on from PM Jacinda Ardern's 'darkest day'

14 Mar, 2020 5:00am
7 minutes to read

PM Jacinda Ardern says NZ was changed by the mosques attacks

The late Green Party founder Jeanette Fitzsimons with her husband Harry Parke in 2008. Photo / Jason Dorday

NEW ZEALAND

Beehive Diaries: Winston Peters asked for pick for the US election?

13 Mar, 2020 12:29pm
5 minutes to read

Chris Bishop is caught out, Parliament farewells Jeanette Fitzsimons

National Party leader Simon Bridges announces his bonfire of regulations outside a brewery. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Simon Bridges and the red tape under the bed

12 Mar, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Bridges is unrepentant about bare-faced cheek in his regulations bonfire plan.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson deliver an update on Covid-19 in the Beehive. Photo / Mark Mitchell

BUSINESS

Claire Trevett: Why coronavirus threatens to derail Labour's election dream

7 Mar, 2020 5:00am
7 minutes to read

The Government has faced its crises - but Covid-19 is its big test.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admires Winston Peters' suit. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Beehive Diaries: Air NZ shin-dig and Winston Peters' slippers

6 Mar, 2020 2:57pm
5 minutes to read

Simon Bridges goes to the dogs, and a lolly hierarchy emerges in Parliament.

National Party MP Nikki Kaye at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Nikki Kaye on turning 40 and beating cancer - National's 'leftie' Auckland MP

23 Feb, 2020 5:00am
10 minutes to read

Nikki Kaye and Simon Bridges argue but she is vital in National's battle to win Auckland.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern next to Deputy PM Winston Peters in Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: Why PM has chosen the weak option to deal with Peters

20 Feb, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

PM Jacinda Ardern had a choice: look weak, or unstable. She chose weak.

Jami-Lee Ross talks to the media after visiting Wellington Central Police Station in 2018 . Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Jami-Lee Ross: The greatest political own goal in history

20 Feb, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

It's not good for the National Party but Simon Bridges will now know the feeling of karma.

Humayan's Tomb in Delhi, built in 1569. Photo / Getty

TRAVEL

The power of onions: India the luxury way

16 Feb, 2020 5:52am
9 minutes to read

How to see the real India without leaving the comfort zone.

NZ First leader Winston Peters fronts the media after the referral of donations concerns to the SFO. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Claire Trevett: The price all parties pay for donations saga

13 Feb, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

The problem is not donations laws: it is those who try to outwit them.