Thomas Coughlan, 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.
‘Never say never': Former Labour MP Stuart Nash on NZ First candidacy rumours
'I have an immense amount of respect for Winston Peters.'
Govt unveils plans to 'flood' cities with more housing
Size and balcony requirements will be gone as part of sweeping changes announced today.
Budget: $14 billion revealed in tax cuts worth $4-$40 a fortnight
Follow our live coverage – what's in the Budget for you?
The law changes looming from new Govt; Peters, Seymour to split Deputy PM
Unorthodox Deputy PM jobshare, 20 Cabinet roles include three each from NZ First, Act.
U-turn: Cyclone-affected properties will be exempt from capital gains tax
The u-turn follows reporting in the Herald.
Thousands of families, cyclone victims subject to CGT on family home under new rules
An IRD interpretation may mean high tax via the bright-line test for many.
Cost of living crunch or 'no ideas' - Budget 2023 breakdown
Kids (and their parents) are the big winners with childcare subsidy, public transport.
Concerns Treasury underestimated cyclone cost by $100m a year
A consultancy also says 600-1500 permanent horticulture jobs may be lost short-term.
Meka Whaitiri remains an MP - 'waka-jumping' law not triggered - Speaker
The Speaker's statement follows confusion over Whaitiri's move to Te Pāti Māori.
Thomas Coughlan: Why Labour's playing nice with Whaitiri and Te Pāti Māori
Labour's being very nice to Te Pāti Māori after Meka Whaitiri's defection.
PM Chris Hipkins rules out taxes to pay for $14b cyclone rebuild
Chris Hipkins confirms there are no new taxes in the Budget.
Stuart Nash to retire from politics at election after sacking and scandals
The Labour politician will not contest his Napier seat in October's election.
Nash scandal takes disturbing turn as more revelations emerge
Revelations about the release of official information up the ante.
'Luxon smiles to your face but stabs you in the back' - Nash swings at Nats
Nash earlier posted a response to his dismissal on Facebook.
Nash faces probe into his correspondence with donors
Nash set to make future plans clear later this morning
'Where there's smoke there's fire': National calls for Nash to leave Parliament
Stuart Nash won’t stand down as Napier MP after sacking.
‘Inexcusable’: Stuart Nash sacked from Cabinet after new email emerges
The latest scandal relates to a pandemic-era commercial rent relief package.
Cyclone Gabrielle: National’s Christopher Luxon slams criminals, opposes ‘flood tax’
Christopher Luxon has hit out at the Government for downplaying crime fears.
Flooded Hawke's Bay substation identified as 'critically at risk' in 2020
Officials knew flooded substation was vulnerable and planned to begin work to fix it.
Watch: Luxon defends promoting Collins, Muller; says Nats ready to 'get things done'
National has announced its new line-up.
Budget 2022: $350 cash payment for 2m Kiwis - just enough for a ticket to Aussie, say Nats
Tune in for our live coverage and the key points of today's Budget.
'Significant event': PM visits storm-ravaged East Coast to 'get a handle' on situation
Jacinda Ardern visited flood-hit parts of the East Coast today.
15 Covid-related deaths today, almost 21,000 cases and 1016 in hospital
Of the 15 people who died, 9 were from Auckland, 3 from Waikato, and 3 from Wellington.
Minister tests positive for Covid; 14,633 new cases as NZ reaches grim milestone
Eighty per cent of cases recorded since the start of the pandemic are currently active.
Live: 151 new Covid cases; 1m vaccine passes issued; new case in Canterbury
More than one million people have now successfully downloaded their My Vaccine Pass.
Govt to force through Three Waters reform, U-turn on voluntary position
There is significant opposition from many councils to plans to amalgamate water services.
How the new Covid traffic light system works
The Government has revealed the system that will replace alert levels.
Labour, National's joint plan to allow 105,000 more homes within a decade
Labour and National are joining forces on density rules.
Road out for Auckland: Small bubbles to mix outdoors from Wednesday
Covid restrictions to be relaxed as Government acknowledges elimination strategy is over.
Covid crash: Labour, Nats down in post-lockdown poll; more bad news for Collins
The only big winner in tonight's poll is Act.
Live: 'Getting on top of it' - Deputy PM defends modelling as case numbers drop
Grant Robertson and Dr Caroline McElnay present today's pandemic update.
'Would be irresponsible': Deputy PM grilled over handling of MIQ escape; 28 new cases
The latest details come as Northland spends its first day in level 3 since Delta outbreak.
Live: Fears Auckland heading for longest level 4 lockdown; Wellington outbreak believed 'contained' says PM
Aucklanders face another fortnight in level 4, while the country eyes up freedom.
Live: 'Decent number' of new cases today, peak in next 48 hours; North/South alert level divide likely - expert; New employment agreements could require vaccine
Despite record numbers of daily cases, the Government is hopeful it can crush the curve.
Cases set to rise for five days, today could be highest yet - Minister; 4 KFC stores linked to outbreak; lockdown exit 'messy' - expert
An expert says in hindsight, the country should have been at a permanent state of level 2.