Paula Bennett
Former deputy prime minister and Herald on Sunday columnist
Former deputy prime minister and Herald on Sunday columnist
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Paula’s latest content
Fast Track Approvals Bill a good reason for tradies to stay in NZ
OPINION: We have more people homeless as houses aren’t built at scale.
Paula Bennett: Evict tenants who don't deserve state homes
OPINION: It is all about your rights instead of acknowledging you have responsibilities.
Paula Bennett: It’s wrong to take cheap shots at public servants
OPINION: You get the best out of people by inspiring the best in them.
Paula Bennett: We need to get out of the way and decentralise
OPINION: Too often it is who you know, not what you are doing that helps access funds.
Paula Bennett: The cost of losing our No 8 wire mentality - we can't blame the Government
OPINION: We are experts at getting in our own way, over-regulating and making excuses.
Paula Bennett: There’s a whole lot of grey in being a politician
OPINION: Waitangi weekend is a good time to reflect on respect for each other.
Young people on jobseeker benefits need sanctions - Paula Bennett
OPINION: How can we accept that 34,000 young people are on benefits.
Paula Bennett: Are we becoming too American?
OPINION: Is the political gap between left and right supporters becoming unbridgeable?
Paula Bennett: Twas the night before Xmas and Parliament was leaking
OPINION: Former Deputy PM pens a Christmas Eve poem.
Paula Bennett: The Government has a plan, it just needs to implement it
The new Government has been swiftly implementing its 100-day plan.
Paula Bennett: My 'wild side' and the time Paddy Gower saved me from going viral
If someone in a high-powered role is struggling with addiction, they should get help.
Paula Bennett: Short on time, Labour gets tough on crime
Opinion: 'Rushed' roll-out of youth and crime policies screams of desperation.
Paula Bennett: Let me introduce you to the Lux I know
Opinion: Christopher Luxon has many attributes that I am happy for a leader to have.
Paula Bennett: The harsh realities of Question Time in Parliament
OPINION: 'Zip it, sweetie' didn't cut it with Trevor Mallard
Paula Bennett: Why it's hard to be a white guy in NZ at the moment
OPINION: Paula Bennett Let's improve gender relations in a way that is understanding
Paula Bennett: What sort of deals would Rawiri Waititi want in a coalition?
OPINION: If Rawiri Waititi holds the balance of power at the election, what would it mean?
Paula Bennett: No, Tory, the criticism isn’t because you’re a woman
Tory Whanau Mayor of Wellington has been criticised for missing meetings.
Paula Bennett: Five offences in Jan Tinetti truancy data saga
OPINION More than half of our kids don't attend school regularly - that's the top offence.
Paula Bennett: More planning needs to go into high-density housing development
Auckland suburbs are being spoiled by poor-quality housing developments
Paula Bennett: Do you feel safer? I don't
Every day we read about another ram raid, another burglary, another assault.
Paula Bennett: Why Ayesha Verrall is wrong on Pharmac and cancer drugs
The Minister’s accusations are abhorrent and untrue.
Paula Bennett: Did Meka Whaitiri leave Labour or did Labour leave her?
Leaving a party should be on fundamental political differences
'They said my husband left me because I was so fat': Paula Bennett on the weight loss scam using her name
I’m angry, sick to death of my image, name and even my signature being used to scam people
Paula Bennett: Reality speaks louder than words
Don't gaslight us; the health system is broken and crime is increasing.
Paula Bennett: PM's mantra rings hollow as health system flounders
Reports this week said 5000 Kiwi nurses have registered to practise in Australia.
Paula Bennett: What does it means to be a New Zealander?
It feels like we are increasingly divided, and it doesn’t feel good.
Paula Bennett: Marama Davidson needs to apologise to white cis men
OPINION: In her position of power, she could pull us together, not divide us.
Paula Bennett: Gender equality is vital but not at the expense of our boys
The push for equality is vital, let’s make sure it is not at the expense of our boys.
Paula Bennett: PM a chicken over Stuart Nash scandal
OPINION: Ex-Police Minister Stuart Nash went from rooster to feather duster this week.
Paula Bennett: Female tradie told to wear bigger shirt to cover breasts
Paula Bennett reflects on the highs and lows of being a woman.
Paula Bennett: Another Chris Hipkins apology - 'sorry' is not enough, he needs to change
If Hipkins could learn from previous mistakes he would not have to apologise so often.
Paula Bennett: Keep up the fight, you are not alone
Building resilience in times of chaos is helped by support of community
Paula Bennett: The broken, the bruised and the guilty
How can I feel flat and over it all when I wasn’t directly affected by the cyclone?
Paula Bennett: Govt mothballs unpopular policies; will they return?
Polling will tell Labour that many of its policies are deeply unpopular.
Paula Bennett: The changing of the guard - but not the tide
Will a new leader be enough to change Labour's decline in popularity?
Paula Bennett: A snappy push to protect fish in the Hauraki Gulf
There's a snappy push to end to bottom trawling and scallop dredging on our doorstep.
Paula Bennett: New Year resolutions are all about decisions, eventually
Self-improvement is good but there is no need to rush.
Paula Bennett: ‘I went into mum mode’ - the day I broke up a fight
Top five columns of the year from Paula Bennett.
Paula Bennett: Give the gift of a gift this Christmas
Paula Bennett is a regifter - but gives it a lot of thought.
Paula Bennett: 'Tis the season to be patient
The world won’t end if we don’t meet before Christmas, writes Paula Bennett
Paula Bennett: Let’s talk safety and hope before age 16 vote
Talk of whether 16-year-olds can vote detracts from mental health, housing, crime issues.
Paula Bennett: The year of youth offending
National’s youth offender military academies' proposal welcomed to tackle teen crime.
Paula Bennett: A live example of how to bounce back
Learning resilience helps your inner voice to be positive and get you through low times
We need to pull together to get the best out of our people and this country’
Co-governance isn't working with a separatist system, says Paula Bennett
Paula Bennett: Youths have no respect for authority
Ram raids and violence will get worse if police don’t act.