Jamie Ensor is a political reporter for the NZ Herald, based at Parliament in Wellington.
Jamie Ensor is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team based at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub Press Gallery office.
Watch – 'I have a PhD': Labour's Russell fires up at former judge over contentious bill
The 'academic jousting' happened during a select committee hearing.
Seymour reckons banks are 'fairly taxed', expects Willis' work will find same
Finance Minister Nicola Willis won't rule out a major new levy on banks.
‘Power grab’: Former PM, Māori leader, disgraced ex-MP lash Seymour’s bill
But David Seymour says there is 'so much misinformation' circulating about it.
Exclusive: Finance Minister eyeing tax settings ahead of potential election-year changes
A 'wide range of options' is now under consideration.
Mandatory sentences could replace judge discretion – Goldsmith
That would be an alternative to the normal 'maximum' sentence regime.
Special tax change for fossil fuel companies was proposed ahead of Budget
Ministers opted to instead set money aside for stakes in new gas fields instead.
Group of prominent Kiwis – including former PM – issue letter against Act bill
David Seymour says debate has been 'marred by misinformation and alarmist language'.
'Still tough': PM unveils new action plan after Labour pulls ahead on key issue
Many of the actions are just next steps in actions from previous plans.
SOE pay ranked: Brown calls in officials as CEO pay climbs despite underperformance
One executive of a company partly owned by the Government took home $3.8m in a year.
New visa: Why Ministers were warned over migrant numbers, health system impact
One model presented to ministers showed a potential surge of up to 15,000 migrants.
New Reserve Bank board member revealed – and he's a familiar face
He also previously criticised the bank's actions during Covid.
‘Disappointed’: Māori advisory group says there was a 'breach' in relationship with Minister
It's put staff in an "invidious position", says the group.
‘Utter garbage, lies’: Hobson’s Pledge and National’s 'wokest' minister clash over Treaty in schools
The minister says the claim is "based on complete and utter rubbish".
Minister ditches agency's Māori name, forming new group instead of ‘Māori-only one’
She wants the group to represent more than just Māori.
'Deepest desire to serve mankind': NZ First MP Tanya Unkovich resigns as MP
The decision came this morning via a statement.
Watch: ‘Heartbroken’ MPs pay tribute to Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp
Kemp died aged 50 following a battle with kidney disease.
'Vanity-belief community': NZ abandons global alliance, concerns reputation at risk
One group said it was an 'international embarrassment'.
Could companies sue for compensation under Seymour's controversial bill?
Labour's Willie Jackson says he doesn't trust Regulation Minister David Seymour.
‘Ardern lives in exile’: Jones attacks gas ban, calls for apology in fiery hearing
The Resources Minister came to the select committee sporting a Make NZ Great Again hat.
Willis: Greens' claim of $700m KiwiSaver hole ‘wrong’, cost could be fraction of that
'More like in the quantum of between $100 and $200 million,' says Willis.
‘Don’t expect explosion’: Stanford on whether visa change could lead to migrant influx
There's no cap on the new visa, with up to 10,000 applications expected per year.
Luxon tops list of world leaders for handling foreign affairs
The Prime Minister is ahead of other big international names.
Labour overtakes National in post-Budget poll, Peters' net favourability positive
New survey shows the fight for government would be close if people were voting today.
Reserve Bank admits 'regret' over handling of Orr's resignation after Willis criticism
The bank's chair has apparently acknowledged it could have done better.
‘Risk to community’: The ‘gap’ in child sex offender system, how ministers responded
A key risk was offenders could enter and reside in New Zealand undetected.
'Don't forget who the real enemy is': US slams NZ and others for Israel sanctions
One of Donald Trump's top officials was highly critical.
Minister announces multimillion-dollar plan to increase tourism numbers
The Government wants to restore international visitor arrivals to their 2019 levels.
Government agrees to big change for proposed anti-stalking law, doxing included
The committee believed the act of “doxing” should be added to the list.
New visa to allow migrants' parents to visit NZ for up to 10 years
There are a number of criteria that have to be met.
'Don't want war': Jackson on the Labour-Te Pāti Māori relationship
The Labour MP believes he may have upset Te Pāti Māori.
Seymour loses Oxford debate but lauds its ‘contrast’ to Te Pāti Māori actions
Deputy PM says English debate was "great fun", despite his team's defeat.
‘Ugly and sad’: Te Pāti Māori MPs condemn unprecedented suspension for haka after chaotic debate
Three Te Pāti Māori MPs have received the harshest penalties in Parliament's history.
Police endorse decision not to charge PM’s deputy press secretary Michael Forbes
Current commissioner Richard Chambers says the police's executive team were made aware.
Watch: Parliament votes for harshest-ever sanctions for Te Pāti Māori co-leaders
Three MPs have been sanctioned after a haka in the House last year.
Inside Phil Goff's sacking: Officials sought wife's help to contact him
Texts, emails and phone calls reveal a frenzy of activity set off by Goff's Trump remarks.
Be profitable: Brown's warnings to Govt-owned companies
Act's David Seymour says the time for hard questions is approaching.
Worst results for Budget in nearly 30 years, says pollster
Nicola Willis says the Budget will help economic recovery.
‘Will not accept repeat of last winter’: Major move unveiled to boost country’s energy
The changes to hydro generation are expected to power around 6000 more homes.
‘Major concern’: CommComm head looking at changes after business fear about power companies
Small has called reports of business concerns a "big red flag".
Biggest change in NZ history: New proposals for freshwater, infrastructure, farming
'Sorting out our planning rules is critical to boosting economic growth.'
Businesses scared to speak about energy costs, fear retaliation from power companies, leader says
'It points to serious issues with the way market power is being exercised.'
'Every little bit counts': Willis says ministers 'worked hard' to find savings, Seymour's cuts 'small portion'
The Government found about $5.3 billion overall in savings.
How much did Seymour's public sector savings contribute to Budget 2025?
'The coalition certainly hasn't saved as much as Act would save.'
Hipkins denies differences with Edmonds over $13b pay equity changes
National is accusing Labour of 'economic incoherence'.
‘Didn’t bother to show up’: Te Pāti Māori co-leaders miss key Budget debate
Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer were absent from the debate yesterday.
Budget papers reveal effective 0.5% tax hike on 180k families, considered company tax cut
The Government considered a 5 percentage point cut to the corporate tax rate.
Hipkins won’t commit to returning $13 billion savings to pay equity regime
Nicola Willis said it was 'typical of Labour'.
Budget breakdown: The 10 things you need to know
From pay equity savings, to subsidising private schools, to KiwiSaver changes.
Public feedback overwhelmingly negative to bootcamp bill, MPs recommend physical force safeguards
Providers will be able to use force against children as a last resort.
'Psychological warfare': Shock move pushes out Te Pāti Māori haka punishment verdict
Parliament's Privileges Committee recommended suspending three Te Pāti Māori MPs.
Hipkins calls Greens' Budget 'huge spend-up', 'unrealistic' but agrees with some elements
The Labour leader has previously refused to rule in or out supporting parts of the plan.
MPs’ property portfolio disclosures: How Luxon's has changed
Some MPs have interests in overseas property.
PM’s office keeping info on speech that irritated Peters secret
The office wants to protect 'free and frank' opinions.
Multiple exchanges between Willis and Orr in weeks before his shock exit
Nicola Willis says Orr didn't raise his intention to resign.
'Unacceptable': Another blistering report blasts Oranga Tamariki practices
'The effects of decisions on children and their families are still not known.'
'Big distraction': Hipkins admits question that led to c-bomb was 'mistake'
'I’ll own that,' the Labour leader said.
Labour doesn’t rule out taxes from Greens’ $89b plan, coalition attacks 'Marxist' budget
National says Labour "on the train to the clown show".
'Lies': Luxon on attack as Hipkins claims PM ‘taking money out of women’s pay packets’
The Labour leader denied he's scaremongering.
Power prices: Poll reveals Kiwis’ growing concern
Nearly half of New Zealanders also back breaking up the gentailers.
Luxon maintains Act shifted on social media policy despite Seymour saying that's incorrect
The Act leader claims it's others who are shifting their positions.
Former Supreme Court judge refuses to engage ‘in debate’ over controversial Hong Kong court role
'I have nothing to say that has not already been said.'
Work on under-16s social media restrictions to be part of Govt agenda
A top National minister will be in charge.
Act triggers rarely used coalition clause amid row with National on firearms registry
It's only been invoked a small number of times.
Swift destruction of boy racer vehicles proposed, more powers for police
Boy racers currently get multiple warnings before their cars face being destroyed.
'Gone off script': Govt announces Waitangi Tribunal review, Opposition attacks 'bad faith' move
David Seymour says the tribunal needs to be put 'in its place'.
Watch: Govt invests $774m in improving state abuse redress scheme - but no new scheme
But it has resisted recommendations to set up an independent redress body.
National leads Labour in latest poll - but Hipkins' party gets big boost
Both Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins have gained support.
Govt spent $20k flying former Trump aide to speak in Auckland
The expat Kiwi was offered a business premium seat from New York.
Te Pāti Māori admits social media post ‘mistake’, tells Collins ‘you’ve got us’
The party is reviewing how it happened.
Just 0.3% of submitters support David Seymour's regulation law – why he's charging forward anyway
The Act leader believes social media campaigns led to 'totally off-topic' submissions.
Collins 'shocked' at Te Pāti Māori social media post as MPs consider haka verdict
'This is not something we’ve seen before.'
World media spotlight NZ film industry amid Trump tariff threat, minister says 'concerning'
Paul Goldsmith said he wouldn't call New Zealand rebates a 'threat' to the US.
'Disastrous’: NZ leaders respond to Trump film threat
Trump says movies made outside the US are a 'sort of a threat to our country'.
Who donated what? National tops list of political donations: Shane Jones' partner lends NZ First $119k
A number of MPs donated to their parties.
What is a woman? NZ First wants to clarify to avoid 'woke ideology'
Winston Peters said the legislation was about 'ensuring a focus on biology'.
'Unwavering': NZ extends military deployment for Ukraine support
It comes ahead of Luxon's visit to NZ troops.
Luxon, Peters, Hipkins lead NZ tributes to Pope Francis
Pope's death comes hours before Luxon is due to meet King Charles in London.
MPs visit Taiwan, meet President despite NZ not recognising it as country
'Taiwan and New Zealand share the universal values of democracy.'
‘Current law is confusing’: How Easter alcohol rules could change
It's a hotly debated topic in Parliament.
Luxon promotes NZ as ‘champion for free trade’ as he heads to UK amid global uncertainty
The PM will also visit Gallipoli for Anzac events.