Thomas Coughlan, Deputy Political Editor at the New Zealand Herald, loves applying a political lens to people's stories and explaining the way things like transport and finance touch our lives.
I’ve been working at the Herald since 2021. I’d previously worked for Stuff and Newsroom in their Press Gallery offices in Wellington. Since joining the Press Gallery in 2018, I’ve barely strayed ten paces from my first desk - it feels like home. I love putting a political lens on people’s stories and explaining the way things like transport and finance touch our lives. I’m a massive fan of spreadsheets. I love cooking and reading - generally not at the same time. If I’m not working, you’ll find me in the kitchen or at the library… or perhaps at a gig. You can find my amusing tweets at @coughlthom
Jacinda Ardern slams politics of fear and takes veiled swipe at Winston Peters
The former PM said Asian Invasion attacks made by politicians in the 1990s were horrific.
Grant Robertson talks RBNZ, Covid and what he and Don Brash agree on
Moving away from the OCR as the Reserve Bank’s primary tool is worth looking at, they say.
Climate costs will hit average household by $783 a year
Treasury officials have warned climate change will hit household budgets.
Inside China meeting: Aukus deal discussed
China says security threats are 'imaginary'. Winston Peters disagrees.
PM not ruling out new taxes or cuts to promised tax cuts as fiscal warnings grow
Christopher Luxon also wouldn't say there would be no new taxes on working people.
Winston Peters meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
China's top diplomat visited Wellington today.
Greens reeling from third scandal in a year; questions over what MP told party
The Greens are asking questions of themselves after MPs have repeatedly fallen short.
Oops! Govt MPs vote for wrong amendment, accidentally cut proposed taxes for hybrid cars
Labour and the Greens are chuffed Govt MPs accidentally cut taxes for hybrids.
Officials side with Government on $2.9b rent debate
Landlord tax cut will reduce rent hikes, but officials fear house prices may rise more.
Second blowout in a week: Government caught short $500m by gambling levy
The Government's will get vastly less money by taxing online gambling than it hoped.
Labour MPs gather for first retreat after defeat
Labour gets they lost, they don't know what to do next.
Chris Hipkins speaks of 'new era' as Labour rebuilds
The party is licking its wounds at its retreat: dogged by talk of Trump, Putin and tax.
'That's a win-win': Winston Peters sees path to trade victories after India trip
Peters returns from India touting wins on direct flights, trade, and security.
100-day plan, tick. Eyes now turn to Budget, potential for broken promises
All eyes are now on the Budget.
Labour claimed 346 landlords owned 200+ properties, but official data can prove only one
The Government has hit out at Labour for using misleading figures.
Seymour says IRD advice disproves Labour's $90m fiscal hole claim
Labour thought it had spotted an error in the Government's accounting
Climate Change Commission gives Government a burping, taxing, inflationary headache
The Climate Change Commission's advice to ministers raises uncomfortable questions.
Inside Treasury’s fight to keep $23b climate cost off the books
Taxpayers face a huge climate bill. Why isn't it sitting on the Government's books?
Landlord tax break cost rose by $800m to $2.9b
National’s pre-election fiscal and tax plans costed the policy at $2.1b.
Simon Bridges to become NZTA chair
The former National leader and Transport Minister will chair Waka Kotahi's board.
109 urgent hours in 100 days: Government’s rush to complete plan
The new Government sets a recent record for use of urgency.
Luxon's popularity crashes in latest poll after housing allowance blunder
Luxon's rating falls in a poll taken after his accommodation allowance claim was revealed.
Conservation warning issued for Government over planned fast-track consenting bill
Minister Shane Jones said DoC consents will deprioritise conservation.
Americans talk feminism and nuclear submarine deal with Judith Collins
American Defence brass fly into Wellington to discuss Aukus agreement.
Government introduces new bill to speed up major projects
Luxon faces questions about a key minister, as Govt nears end of 100-day plan.
Government's road transport budget means big changes for roads
The Government's $20b transport plan will fundamentally change our transport system.
What is the Winston Rule and did James Shaw just kill it?
A longstanding tradition of Question Time might have changed.
'Embarrassing': PM misses meetings with world leaders after yet another NZDF plane breakdown
Defence Minister Judith Collins said the breakdown resulted in 'pitying looks'.
PM flying commercial to Oz after fault on Air Force plane
Luxon will press the flesh with nine international leaders in Australia.
Govt commits to new roads - fuel taxes gone by end of decade, fines could double
The Government remains committed to the roads despite an apparent $20b blowout.
'Road to nowhere': Govt criticised over $50 rego hike and fuel tax increase
The Government has unveiled its transport spending priorities.
Nicola Willis warns surplus promise may not be met
Tax cuts still on table, but Willis warns surplus will be difficult.
'A moral issue': Chris Bishop airs plan to tackle housing crisis
The new Housing Minister promises to turn the ship around.
Australian officials fly in, fly out for Aukus talks
Australia wasted no time in sending officials to NZ to talk about Aukus
Health services may need to be cut to slow rising costs
Health spending will rise 40 per cent in coming decades and service cuts may be needed.
Government doesn’t want you to know how much axing section 27 report funding costs
Officials said accreditation could stem abuse of the system.
Kiwis to give more cash to Ukraine to buy weapons
The aid package brings New Zealand's support to the war to $100 million
Robertson makes way for Edmonds in key finance spokesperson role
Labour gets its first new finance spokesperson in nearly a decade.
Casey Costello apologises to Parliament for 'confusion' on smoking tax advice
After multiple denials, Casey Costello has rolled back her answers on smoking.
Govt eyes public-private partnerships in future of Wellington port
Nicola Willis says she is keeping an open mind when it comes to the future of the port.
PM defends beneficiary sanctions, Opposition labels welfare reset 'politics of cruelty'
The Prime Minister is making good on his promise of tough love within the welfare system.
Luxon's shots fired at Labour over transport cash - but did they land?
Christopher Luxon's $200b hole claim doesn't quite pass the sniff test.
'Absolute nonsense': Hipkins slams Luxon's $200b hole claim
Christopher Luxon delivered his first state of the nation address as Prime Minister.
Minister for Auckland job in doubt, thanks to funding running out in June
Will we have a Minister for Auckland in July?
National extends lead in latest political poll, Chris Hipkins falls
National is nearly ten points ahead of Labour, but Act is behind the Greens.
Revealed: New benefit rates reduce forecast incomes of disabled by $2300 by 2028
Fresh modelling shows disabled people will lose out.
Niwa defends $700k spend up on four 'luxury' utes
The weather agency says it needs the four utes for towing boats.
'Catastrophic': NZ, Canada and Australia send warning to Israel over Rafah invasion
Christopher Luxon has joined fellow leaders in condemning impending invasion.
Government’s $3b landlord tax cut would be retrospective, trigger refunds
The IRD says the new Government's tax cuts could be applied retrospectively.
KiwiRail visited South Korean shipyard after Government scuppered ferries
KiwiRail is now in the process of cancelling the contract with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.
Officials warn up to 13,000 children will be pushed into poverty as a result of benefit changes
Officials warned a Government change will increase poverty.
Son of British baron challenging Chlöe Swarbrick for Green's co-leadership
Alex Foulkes, the son of a British baron, is running to be the co-leader of the Greens.
Treaty leapfrogs education to become one of top three issues for voters
The Treaty has become a top issue for voters.
Where did Labour’s $1.2 billion spend on ill-fated Three Waters go?
The last Government spent $1.2b on Three Waters - here's where it went.
EV drivers are being ripped off, Greens claim
Fresh data shows charges for EVs will be higher than for polluting cars.
Govt defends new consenting bill, after Labour slams it as ‘Muldoonist’
Bill would create a process that allows ministers to approve projects.
Spending limits for next Budget to be revealed
Finance Minister Nicola Wills will drop two key Budget dates on Monday.
Coughlan: Why Luxon cannot stop voters having their say on Act's bill
OPINION: One way or another, voters will have a say on the Treaty bill.
'Cottage industry costing taxpayers': Govt scraps cultural reports funding
The Government got back to work this week.
Surprise tax cut? Government getting advice on dumping tariffs to reduce costs
David Seymour says lowering tariffs is important, but might not be coming soon.
Act launches campaign to twist National's arm on Treaty referendum
The Act Party has begun a campaign to goad National into backing a Treaty vote.
Housing warning to Government: ‘hard landing’ likely, ‘it is not profitable to build’
Government officials have warned of a downturn in housebuilding.
Treasury’s warning: Consider Capital Gains Tax quickly to plug spending hole
Treasury warned the new Government a capital gains tax may be needed.
China v Crusher Collins: Beijing lashes out over NZ position
The embassy has responded strongly to a joint NZ-Oz statement criticising China.
First test of Australia-NZ defence ties will be in May Budget
Interoperability, not Aukus, is the first test of new ties.
Tax system is fairer than you think, despite high-income earners rorting top rate
A report binned by the Government actually backs what it has been saying.
Australian officials coming to NZ to talk Aukus deal as Winston Peters, Judith Collins salute strength of Anzus
The ministers have spent the day locked away talking about China and submarines.
Watch: Judith Collins nearly runs over Australian Deputy PM with pink Mars rover
The four ministers have spent the day locked away talking about China and submarines.
Aukus on the agenda, as Winston Peters and Judith Collins try to charm Australia
The pair are in the country for a history-making defence meeting.
Winston Peters and Judith Collins land in Melbourne
Winston Peters and Judith Collins have touched down in Melbourne.
Opinion: James Shaw’s departure won’t wreck the Greens
The redder they get, the more people vote for them.
Winston Peters and Judith Collins make history with Australia trip
Peters and Collins will leave for meetings with their Australian counterparts today.
Who will replace James Shaw as Green Party co-leader?
Let's face it, it's probably Chlöe Swarbrick.
James Shaw resigns from Greens co-leadership
Shaw quits leadership after nearly a decade, but will stay in Parliament for now.
Wellington water crisis: Observers not in the frame, Simeon Brown says
The local government minister promises flexibility for cash-strapped councils.
‘We don’t want to position China as a foe’ - David Parker on how Labour sees the world
Labour's new foreign affairs spokesman says it is important to stay independent.
Govt not cutting UN money after allegations agency staff aided attack on Israel
New Zealand is not joining other nations in cutting funding.