Jason Walls is Newstalk ZB's Political Editor and has years of experience working across print and radio.
Cutting my teeth in the world of business reporting, my economics degree served me well in delving into numerous Government budgets and dissecting various political parties' policies. After a stint at NBR and Interest.co.nz, I moved over to the Herald's Press Gallery office, where I covered elections, leadership changes, re-shuffles, riots, pandemics, and everything else in between. But my love of broadcast meant it was only a matter of time before ZB came calling. I started out as the Gallery's Chief Political Reporter, before being made Deputy Editor in mid-2022 and I took over as Editor early in 2023.
Act MP: Why I held up ‘my’ nude photo in Parliament
Laura McClure held up an AI deep fake of herself in Parliament.
‘He’s the minister responsible’: PM makes expectations clear to Seymour over school lunches
Christopher Luxon says the programme is still experiencing some 'teething issues'.
Jason Walls: Luxon’s brilliant week of diplomacy; terrible week of politics
Luxon proved a master deal-maker in Vietnam but a gaff-prone interviewee back home.
Kiwi police in Vietnam amid Wellington sexual assault case investigation
PM Luxon: 'Anyone coming to New Zealand needs to respect our laws. Anyone.'
War drums and sabre rattling: PM sets scene for big Defence spend-up
PM cites a global shift as he gears up for more military spending.
Luxon floats sending Navy ship into South China Sea
The move to send a vessel will affirm closer ties with Vietnam.
Luxon tells major summit NZ’s risks are real as regional tensions flare
The PM spoke of conflict threats in the Asia-Pacific region during his Vietnam trip.
Luxon says NZ ‘clear-eyed’ about risks of conflict in Pacific
The Prime Minister delivered a bleak outlook for the Asia-Pacific region at Asean
Luxon poised to meet Vietnam’s ‘Big Four’; plays down China tensions
The looming spector of China in the Pacific will be top of Luxon's mind in capital Hanoi.
Watch live: PM speaks to Hosking before Vietnam trip amid domestic pressure over MP’s exit
As Luxon prepares to fly to Vietnam one of his ministers has resigned.
Mike King’s message to Mental Health Minister following controversial alcohol comments
The minister disagrees with comments about alcohol use being a solution to mental health.
Jason Walls: The haka haunting the Prime Minister, half a world from home
OPINION: At Apec, the talk of the town is Te Pāti Māori's haka in Parliament.
'He has a lot of time for NZ': Chris Luxon bids farewell to Joe Biden at gala
And the PM reveals a concern China's President raised with him during their meeting.
Luxon raises ‘concerns’ with President Xi over China missile launch
The Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile landed in the Pacific Ocean.
PM Luxon speaks after 'constructive' meeting with China President Xi Jinping
The pair met for the first time on the sidelines of Apec in Peru this morning.
Luxon to use Apec to prepare for China charm offensive
Luxon is at Apec in Peru - and will met with China's Xi Jinping this morning
Luxon crams in Apec meetings as he eyes Presidents Xi and Biden with ‘new energy’
Luxon's off to Peru for Apec promising to maximise his time on the ground with leaders.
'Not just talk': Government pledges $20m to set up Pacific climate fund
Winston Peters says New Zealand’s put its money where its mouth is for climate funding.
A soggy Saturday in Samoa, with NZ’s First Lady Amanda Luxon
NZ's First Lady (or Gentleman) tends to stay out of the spotlight. Not today.
King Charles lays down Commonwealth climate gauntlet with warning of 'conflict'
There was no ambiguity as to the message royal wanted to convey to leaders.
‘Best of New Zealand:’ Luxon full of praise for Kiwi Manawanui taskforce
'Well done, my bald brother,' Luxon said to one NZDF personnel at the taskforce HQ.
Ready to meet King Charles, Luxon gears up to travel to Samoa for CHOGM trip; with sunken ship an issue
The PM's adamant the Manawanui saga won't detract from official events.
Willis’ candid advice to Wellington Mayor ahead of airport share sale meeting
Officials urged her to use her 'political capital' to help with financial issues.
The $3b child poverty price tag: Why the minister's not writing that cheque
Official advice shows it would cost $3b a year to meet the child poverty goals.
Jason Walls: Luxon eyes bipartisan approach to solve $1 trillion infrastructure hole
OPINION: Jason Walls was on the road with PM Chris Luxon during his visit to Sydney.
‘Safety of Australians’ trumps Luxon’s calls for fairness on 501s debate
Luxon did manage to come away from the meeting with a few wins.
Luxon and Albanese meet in Canberra; Aukus and 501s on agenda
Luxon will push for a return to the deportation agreement with former PM Jacinda Ardern.
PM Luxon praises viral breakdancer Raygun: 'We’re loving her in New Zealand'
PM hints at further Reserve Bank cuts and discusses Pacific stability, Raygun, in Sydney.
Christopher Luxon prepares to lobby Australia's Anthony Albanese over 501s
He will push for a return to Australia's agreement with former PM Dame Jacinda Ardern.
PM urges parents to be alert for meth-laced lollies distributed in food parcels
Christopher Luxon is in Sydney on an infrastructure and investment trip.
Luxon's ‘pretty direct’ message for Albanese: Deportees and infrastructure on agenda at third meeting
Christopher Luxon comes with a message on 501s for the Aussie PM.
Kāinga Ora sold $80 million of state housing in five years
Two Remuera properties were sold by the Govt housing agency for $2.3 million.
‘Godspeed’: Cost of PM's latest NZDF plane breakdown revealed
A breakdown in PNG, and an 11th-hour rescue mission from Air NZ: The final bill revealed
Exclusive poll: Do Kiwis want the PM to replace our breakdown-prone Boeing?
Christopher Luxon says the most recent aircraft breakdown was frustrating.
Revealed: The Government ghost offices costing taxpayers $300k
The now-disestablished Productivity Commission's lease doesn't expire until next year.
Jason Walls: Why MPs deserve a pay rise and why it shouldn't happen yet
OPINION: A decision on if MPs should get a pay rise is imminent - it's a tricky question.
PM’s pay pickle: MPs’ pay rises loom amid public sector cuts
The independent Remuneration Authority will soon decide if MPs should get a pay rise.
Govt’s $108m spend-up on office renovations and refurbishments
$14,200 for a wardrobe unit and $22,700 for a bookcase at the Ministry of Justice.
Govt spends $1m to 'raise awareness' but not increase school attendance rates
Govt's school attendance campaign 'not expected to have a direct, quantifiable impact'.
Auckland surgeons must now consider ethnicity in prioritising patients for operations
Health officials said it was an important step in reducing historical health inequities.
Parents and teachers sound alarm over ‘king of toxic masculinity’ Andrew Tate
Education officials have been warned about a possible 'generation of radicals'.
Fight for Life: National MP calls on ‘Minister of Muscles’ to meet him in the ring
'Nashy’s worried about his pretty face'.
Mallard’s final sting in $55k bill over Peters’ case
It came after former Speaker Trevor Mallard trespassed Winston Peters from Parliament.
Consultants snap up two-thirds of Govt's $66 million Auckland light rail spend
Of that, $44 million – or roughly 66% – was spent on 'expert consultants'.
$45 million in three years: Govt defends speed limit review spend
Millions has been spent on investigating and reviewing speed limits.
Private Three Waters consultants paid $16m but DIA defends spending
The price tag is being questioned by the Opposition.
'Final insult': Mallard's legal bill over Winston's trespass stoush revealed
Mallard rescinded trespass notice soon after it was issued but it still cost taxpayers.
Taxpayers have forked out $140m for Avatar sequels so far
Major overseas productions get rebates from the govt – Avatar's set to be the biggest yet.
'A staggering sum:' $1b spent on emergency housing
A large proportion of the money has been spent on housing people in motels.
Human Rights Commissioner's 110-day wait for 'urgent' meeting with PM
Despite an 'urgent' request to meet the PM, Paul Hunt was made to wait 110 days.
Revealed: The 'ridiculous' amount the Govt spent on two big red props
The prop number 'zeros' were commissioned as part of the Govt's 'road to zero' campaign.
Multi-million dollar road to zero: Govt cops criticism for 'extraordinary' ad spending
The Opposition's crying foul at the cost of the Govt's public awareness advertising.
Exclusive: 'Out of control' - Govt's $1b bill for contractors, consultants slammed
Some 50 official information act requests reveal the extent of Govt's consulting spend
10k rapid Covid tests 'gathering dust' after Govt withholds approval
Surgical Supplies is calling on the Health Ministry to allow their tests onto the market.
$36m of MIQ bills not issued due to 'incomplete or inaccurate' data
The Ministry in charge of MIQ says it takes the recovery of money owed "very seriously".
Govt granted Mongrel Mob life member Harry Tam essential workers exemption
He's the second mob boss to be granted an essential workers exemption to come to Auckland.
PM defends essential worker exemption for Mob boss
Sonny Fatupaito, the Mongrel Mob's Waikato chapter president, was given the exemption.
Amazon's private LOTR MIQ pitch shot down by Govt
The company wanted to secure hotels, holiday homes and rentals for their own MIQ
Lockdown breach: More than 50 seen lining Auckland street for tangi
Police say they were 'dealing with people visibly going through the grieving process'.
Housing agency under fire for $30k spend on carving
But Kāinga Ora has defended the spend, saying it has been received well by the community.
Waikeria Prison written down to the tune of up to $25m after riots
For six days, at least 17 inmates rioted causing widespread damage at the prison.
Govt ignored Treasury warnings over EV feebate scheme
The scheme would hurt those in low income households, the advice said.
$38m in unpaid MIQ fees - despite Govt calling in debt collectors
More than $8m is considered 'overdue' – just a fraction of that's so far been recovered.
National calls on Govt's spending watchdog to probe Mob-related funding
National wants the Auditor-General to look into some controversial spending decisions.
Ministry for Primary Industries' priorities questioned after $1m rebrand
The Ministry's being called on to spend more money on supporting struggling fruit growers.
Revealed: Govt sells $30m of seized criminal cryptocurrency
Money being used for crime prevention services such as preventing aggravated robbery.
Opposition slams Government for train project 'no one asked for'
Opposition slams the Government for train 'project no one asked for'.
'Insulting, appalling': Human Rights Commission's donation to Mongrel Mob
Money gifted in May after a controversial speaking event the Commissioner attended.
Govt secures top Kiwi actress for $3.5m ad campaign slammed as a 'smear'
Rachel House lends her voice to the Government's three waters campaign.
Forced on to black market: ACC called on to change cannabis rules
Critics say ACC's funding of medical cannabis is cruel, outdated and needs to change.
MoH trying to reach 500 Melbourne returnees; no new cases of Covid today
500 of the 5000 Melbourne returnees were unable to be reached by email.
Nash's new, significantly slimmed down, PFG – how it's different
The Govt's new look PGF tenth the size of the old one – there are some big differences.
PM: No change in NZ-China relationship despite Mahuta's 'storm' comments
Mahuta was candid when talking to the Guardian about the Australia-China relationship.
PM, Hipkins deny accusations of vaccine roll-out delay
Push back comes after Ministry of Health quietly updated its vaccination timeline.
Finance Minister defends 'skyrocketing' Crown Entity debt levels
The debt levels will be close to $13b in 2021 – that's expected to rise to $21b by 2025.
NZ's travel bubble with Victoria paused, Melbourne outbreak grows
The pause came into place on Tuesday night and is in place for 72 hours initially.
The Queen backs NZ's new Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro
Dame Cindy topped a 'very long list' of candidates but was Ardern's top pick.
Watch: Dame Cindy Kiro revealed as NZ's next Governor-General
Dame Patsy Reddy finishes her five-year term in September.
Who will it be? Speculation of new Governor-General begins
Dame Sian Elias, Andrew Becroft, Ella Henry … Winston Peters? All names being mentioned.
The $400,000 question: NZ's next Governor-General to be revealed today
The Prime Minister has not previously given any indication as to who will get the gig.