Lucy Bennett
Political Reporter
Lucy Bennett is a political reporter for the New Zealand Herald
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 Lucy’s latest content
Capital Gains Tax: New push to target property owners
Nationwide campaign pushing for CGT is being launched today by Tax Justice Aotearoa NZ.
Ardern to gun owners: Surrender your weapons now, before law changes
Guns and social media in the site of the Government following mosque shootings.
'We want to live': Breast cancer sufferers' plea to Parliament
'Outdated' Pharmac comes under fire from dying women.
Jacinda Ardern's scorecard: The snag that's delayed Government's progress
Opposition says nothing has happened; Govt says good things take time.
Watch: Protester removed from Waitangi welcome after shouting at MPs
PM tells crowd 'there is still more to do' with helping Māori but work has started.
Getting the nephs off the couch: The plan
Today's announcement is the second big cash pledge from the PGF in as many days
$100m for regional employment scheme
Another day, another large Provincial Growth Fund announcement
Greens tell Bridges to 'come clean' over Government agency surveillance
Calls for minerals exploration joint intelligence group to be disbanded
Synthetic drug makers and suppliers to face life in prison
Harsher penalties for peddlers of deadly synthetics but more help for users
NZ faces a 'rising tide' of mental distress and addiction
Report charts a new direction for mental health and addiction services.
Simon Bridges slashes spending, latest MPs' expense figures show
Opposition leader spent slightly less than PM on travel and expenses.
Regions spared from 'big city' union practices: NZ First
Changes make bill more palatable to business but still areas of concern.
Education Minister hits back: 'Other Kiwis would appreciate $9500 pay hike'
Primary and intermediate teachers are going on strike tomorrow.
Nats' fury: Ross 'going through a psychotic episode at the moment'
National MPs are fired up about Jami-Lee Ross' behaviour, and still backing Bridges.
Rotorua to lose local-based rescue chopper
Clark says Rotorua will be well-service by rescue choppers based elsewhere.
Secondary teachers reject pay offer
The Post Primary Teachers' Association has voted to reject a pay offer.
Don't like our values? 'Go home': Peters weighs in on Respecting NZ Values bill
New Zealand First bill will force refugees and migrants to sign up to NZ values.
NZ First plans law change to make migrants, refugees 'respect NZ values'
The motion was hotly debated at party's annual convention.
Winston Peters reviews the past year in Government
Peters on the 'second longest-surviving political party that has not changed its name'.
HNZ tenants to be paid back for meth evictions
Housing NZ releases report into its response to meth contamination of state houses.
PM cancels weekend media appearances
Jacinda Ardern says a "diary issue" is behind the cancellation of weekend appearances.
Family violence victims to get more protection
Amendments to bill aim to improve early intervention and risk assessment
More post-quake powers for officials proposed
Minister, territorial authorities and MBIE to have more control during emergencies
National MPs' devices to be searched in hunt for leaker
Bridges guarantees only information concerning leak will be looked at
Treasury suggested stopping bowel screening expansion
Advice warned of 'negative outcomes' for patients and reputational damage to Government
Ardern admits Labour should do things differently after camp
It would not be appropriate to release a report into Labour summer camp, PM says
Labour to review policies after report into summer camp scandal
Labour to develop policy on alcohol at events, how sexual harassment complaints handled.
'Rotten' Simon Bridges tried to poach my MP: Winston Peters
Bridges denies any conversation with NZ First MPs over deals with National
Bridges' expense leak probe deepens
Speaker to consider whether inquiry into leak should go further
Denials all round on Simon Bridges expenses leak
It wasn't my MPs - Bridges confident no rogue MP leaked expenses information
Emotions run high ahead of Treaty settlement
Tauranga iwi vow to keep fighting even as settlement signed at Parliament
Striking won't work, Peters tells teachers
Peters reiterates that not everything can be fixed in one Budget
Regulated drugs market could stop deaths: Drug Foundation
Not knowing what's in synthetic drugs is part of the problem
Synthetic cannabis: Fly spray and grass clippings
Police Minister says engagement with the disaffected and disengaged is needed
Another pay claim looms for Govt: Police predict 'torrid' negotiations
Police union expects 'torrid' negotiations in new pay round.
No more money for nurses: Government
Government ministers say the nurses' offer could be re-cut but there will be no more money
Greens backlash: MP accused of 'selling out' by own party
Government Minister and Green MP Eugenie Sage under fire over water-bottling decision.
New Zealand's health, disability system to be reviewed
Health Minister David Clark is keen for a "fresh" look at the way DHBs operate.
Government to try eradicating cow disease
150,000 + cattle will be culled in a world-first bid to eradicate Mycloplasma bovis.
Nurses, midwives threaten to strike for two days over pay
Nurses say they will strike for two days if latest pay offer not acceptable
Asbestos in one in three DHB buildings
Bay of Plenty DHB says there is no risk from asbestos contamination in hospital buildings.
DHBs turn over medicines budgets to Pharmac
Pharmac takes over DHB medicines budgets to increase buying power for drugs.
Labour accused of breaking promise to Māori
The Labour Party has been called out over a broken funding promise on Whānau Ora.
Hipkins: $1.1b needed for school property
National did not invest enough when it was in Government, says minister.