Audrey Young
Senior Political Correspondent
Audrey Young, Senior Political Correspondent at the New Zealand Herald based at Parliament, specialises in writing about politics and power.
I’m Audrey Young – Senior Political Correspondent at the New Zealand Herald. I was the NZ Herald’s political editor for 18 years, through some of the most tumultuous political times. In 2021 I moved into a new role as Senior Political Correspondent, where I now have more time to produce in depth stories, which are not necessarily part of the daily news cycle. I love getting my teeth into a complex issue or helping bring some clarity to a misunderstood issue. And I have a special interest in foreign affairs and Treaty of Waitangi issues. In 2018 and 2020 I was Voyager Political Journalist of the Year. Occasionally I also dish out my own awards and rankings to politicians, which includes rating the performance of Cabinet Ministers or the opposition’s Shadow Cabinet. I’ve been working at the Herald for so long that my 30th anniversary was mentioned in Parliament. However, I never tire of seeing what people do to try to gain power and what they do when they get there. I was pleased to be the union representative on the Press Council for six years. In a previous life, I worked as a sub-editor at the ill-fated Auckland Sun, was a tutor for a Pacific Island journalism course at Manukau Polytechnic in Otara, and was a teacher in Wellington.
Check out Audrey’s latest content
'Winston didn't want a 65-year-old larrikin': Shane Jones gets serious after talking-to
Shane Jones is playing the jester less as he goes about his politics
'A decisive win' - NZ triumphs in big dairy trade dispute with Canada
NZ claimed Canada was making a mockery of the rules.
UK signs up to Asia Pacific free trade agreement, including NZ
Six other countries have applied to join, including Ukraine and China.
Time for NZ to get creative on trade as FTAs reach limit: expert
If free trade agreements are no longer the panacea, what else is?
'Here's the guts of it': Is Kieran McAnulty Labour's secret weapon?
OPINION: The hard-case minister who is infuriating National and Act.
It's complicated - UK told to improve its CPTPP offer
Australia won't get a better deal than New Zealand, says EU Parliament's "Big Beast."
Power plays behind China's bid to join CPTPP
The CPTPP commission works on consensus which gives all countries a veto on new members.
Winston Peters misty-eyed as PM pays tribute at Parliament farewell
Winston Peters dabbed his eyes during a speech by Jacinda Ardern.
Ngai Tahu takes court action over South Island lakes and rivers
The papers were served on the Crown shortly after the Cabinet was announced.
Audrey Young: Ardern v Collins must force election rethink
COMMENT: National and Labour will need to rethink their election strategies and messages.
'Political hari kari': Bridges 'brought leadership challenge upon himself by going public'; Bennett 'feeling confident'
Todd Muller told the caucus yesterday that the party could not win under Simon Bridges.
NZ's newest political party launched
Gene technology could be a powerful tool in reducing predators, says Vernon Tava.
Audrey Young: Climate change shift enhances Simon Bridges' leadership
COMMENT: In subterranean battle between Simon Bridges and Judith Collins, Bridges won.
Listen live: PM Jacinda Ardern joins Mike Hosking to discuss her 'nuclear moment'
It's time to deliver action, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Jacinda Ardern secures upgrade on China free trade deal
Jacinda Ardern and Premier Li Keqiang confirmed the upgrade during talks in Bangkok.
Audrey Young: Is that purring coming from the Beehive?
James Shaw's patience pays off handsomely, writes Audrey Young.
Green MP thanks Fonterra for 'leadership'
Fonterra's leadership had been 'incredibly important' says Chloe Swarbrick.
Audrey Young: Reshuffle gives Bridges a chance to right a wrong
COMMENT: Many saw move from climate change to agriculture as a demotion. They were wrong.
Simon Bridges' plan for rural New Zealand
Labour shortages are so bad that some food is left rotting says Simon Bridges.
Is this the Government's most 'dangerous' minister?
Eugenie Sage's decision over Waihī mining is causing widespread anxiety.
Shane Jones: A minister 'on a political mission'
Shane Jones was interviewed today as part of the Auditor-General's review of the PGF.
Tax heats up the battle for heartland NZ
COMMENT: Winston Peters was badly off his game in an important week.
CPTPP benefits kick off by end of year - Trade Minister
CPTPP will kick in on December 30, marking the first free trade deal between NZ and Japan
Audrey Young: A budget with a promise of better to come
COMMENT: A budget with a bit of something for everyone, except Simon Bridges.
Robertson promises more inclusive Budget
Winston Peters says his party will add the "heart and conscience" to the Budget.
Who's backing who in National's big race
Four challengers are in the race to be National's next leader. Who's backing them?
Strict new tests for NZ manuka honey exports
All NZ manuka honey for export will have to be tested as authentic under new MPI rules.
Peters: It's a matter of sovereignty
Winston Peters says a tax on exports is a domestic issue, not a foreign policy issue.
No deal: How the TPP talks collapsed
The future of TPP has been thrown into doubt after Canada's sudden about-face.
The TPP done deal that turned out not to be
How Trade Ministers from 11 nations made a blunder of Oscars Best Picture proportions.
English patient as Peters pans idea of Deputy PM
Winston Peters appears in no hurry to get coalition negotiations underway.
Ardern on Labour's 'full tax plan'
"There will be no new taxes or levies introduced in our first term of government."
Who is most capable to run the country?
More Aucklanders rate English but more Wellingtonians rate Ardern.
New poll: English v Little v Peters - The PM race
We ask Kiwis who they think is most capable of running the Government.
TPP ministers agree on next steps for deal
Some TPP provisions could still apply to the US, says Todd McClay.
Winston Peters: Bigger tax take will allow tax cuts
Dairying and tourism cannot expand indefinitely says Peters.
Trade officials head off to save the TPP
New Zealand trade officials are headed to Canada and Argentine to save the TPP sans the US
Minister: TPP woes no cause to celebrate
Trade Minister Todd McClay is starting to look at options for TPP but opponents say it is time for a major shift in thinking.
Kerry holds out hope for 'tweaked' TPP
US Secretary of State John Kerry says a failure of trade benefits to flow further is a failure of social policy, not of trade policy.
John Key: Election bad for TPP
PM John Key fears Donald Trump's election spells end for TPP trade deal.
John Key says TPP still has 50:50 chance
John Key says TPP hasnt got a show if Trump is elected but it could if Clinton is the next US president and the top congressional Republican backs it.
Brexit will lead to new opportunities, Brit PM tells John Key
'I think we now have some interesting opportunities for developing trade between UK and New Zealand,' says Theresa May.
Audrey Young: Regional wine register uncorked
Area labelling is sure to be extended in the upcoming free trade talks with the European Union, writes Audrey Young.
Audrey Young: Groser hopes years add shine after limited TPP gains for dairy
The TPP could be improved after a few years, Trade Minister Tim Groser has said, acknowledging NZ lost against powerful forces that limited dairy sector rewards.
Biggest deal in a generation
New Zealand and 11 other countries strike Pacific trade pact - a deal that will affect 40 per cent of world's economy.
Most types of farming can claim exemption under health and safety reforms, says Minister
More than 50 industries have been identified by the Government as high-risk, meaning they will be not exempt from some requirements under the Health and Safety Reform law.
Landcorp may have to sell farms - English
Finance Minister Bill English won't rule out state farming company Landcorp having to sell more farms than usual to ensure it is not too loaded with debt.
No special financial support for dairy: English
Finance Minister Bill English said today the Government would not be offering special financial support to dairy farmers in trouble because of low prices.
China offers hope for dairy
Finance Minister Bill English says the current review of tariffs in the China New Zealand free trade agreement was one of the things that could benefit the dairy sector.
Groser has big concerns about dairy in TPP
Trade Minister Tim Groser says he has concerns that New Zealand's market access for its dairy products under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could be sewn up in private talks.
Farm sales okay, as long as there's jobs
A majority of voters approve of farm sales to foreigners only when it brings a significant advantage over a New Zealand buyer such as jobs, according to the latest Herald-DigiPoll survey.
Cunliffe brokers union deal on TPP
Labour leader David Cunliffe intervened in a meeting of affiliated unions at the party conference in Wigram to broker a compromise resolution on the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Ministers, QC in food probe
The Government has asked Queen's Counsel Miriam Dean to chair its review into the Fonterra food scare.
Govt eyes new Fonterra inquiry
The Cabinet will today discuss establishing a commission of inquiry into the Fonterra food safety crisis, but it may be a week away from finalising details.
NZ sets TPP signing terms
New Zealand will not sign a Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement unless it removes tariffs on dairy products and allows the state-owned drug-buying agency to stay.
Phil Goff: Labour would shut door on foreign land buyers
Labour has made a dramatic turnaround on its foreign investment policy, and now says it will turn down big land sales to overseas buyers except in exceptional circumstances.
Farmers rally after Christchurch earthquake
Audrey Young finds Canterbury farmers are sticking together after yesterday's massive earthquake.
NZ wins 90-year Australia apple war
A World Trade Organisation decision issued in Geneva early this morning ruled against Canberra's efforts to block imports of Kiwi apples in what Tim Groser says is 'a stunning victory' for NZ.
<i>Audrey Young:</i> The New Zealand "boogey man"
Audrey Young speaks to an American dairy farmer and finds that a little understanding could go a long way.
You need the ETS, Key warns farmers
John Key warns farmers they reject a response to climate change at their peril - endangering their reputations, future incomes and the economy.
NZ, US to discuss emissions initiative
NZ will make progress on its agricultural emissions initiative in talks with the US in 10 days, Tim Groser said yesterday.