Thomas Coughlan
Political Editor
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.
Check out Thomas’s latest content
Meat and skincare on the agenda for PM's first day in China
Christopher Luxon's first day in China includes a surprising win for cosmetics exporters.
Moo-turn: Chris Hipkins says farming emissions policy ‘under review’
Labour on verge of giving up on a 17-year battle to price agricultural emission?
Minister ‘pretty certain’ bird flu outbreak over
Andrew Hoggard warns another incursion of a different strain is likely.
NZ First introduces bill to fine ‘woke banks’ $500,000
Banks would be stopped withdrawing services from customers for purely 'woke' reasons.
‘Freddy the frog’ feature of minister’s mining strategy
Shane Jones wants to start a conversation about mining on conservation land.
BNZ tells coal mine it will shut all accounts by 2030
BNZ wrote to the mine saying its accounts would be closed by 2030.
Shane Jones joins forces with Australian MPs to fight ‘woke’ banks
The fight against 'woke' banking has gone transtasman.
Government's climate plan hits some targets, misses others
The Climate Change Minister is bullish about his Government's chances.
Canada ‘very disappointed’ by NZ decision to escalate dairy battle
Canada's Trade Minister has responded to New Zealand's decision to ramp up action.
New Zealand forces Canada to negotiating table in $200m dairy dispute
NZ could impose tariffs on Canada if a solution is not found.
'What other f***ing signs do you need?' Shane Jones fumes over mill closures
The Regional Development Minister says foreign investors were warned.
Three Waters fix could mean credit downgrades for some councils
The head of the LGFA says borrowing costs unlikely to increase significantly for councils.
'Significant downside': Greens maintain decades-long opposition to GE crops
The two parties are still cautious on the issue of genetic engineering.
Government plans tree-planting frenzy as report shows NZ no longer on track to hit climate target
The Government is no longer on track to hit its third target.
MP returns to Parliament after son’s tragic death
Act MP Mark Cameron is returning to Parliament after his son's tragic death.
NZ launches trade negotiations with UAE
The country has begun trade negotiations with the United Arab Emirates.
Niwa defends $700k spend up on four 'luxury' utes
The weather agency says it needs the four utes for towing boats.
‘I may never be the Todd Muller I was four years ago': Former National leader on rebuilding, moving on
Todd Muller describes rebuilding himself after 2020 - and deciding to leave.
Not quite a ‘ute tax’ - what the data says about the axed EV scheme
It was taxpayers, rather than ute drivers, who paid for Labour's now dead EV policy.
Luxon heckled to repay $8k Tesla subsidy as Govt ditches 'ute tax'
The Government says it will publish a report on the EV law, but not before voting begins.
Luxon bullish on India trade deal, despite India’s misgivings
The Prime Minister talked down the former Government's trade achievements.
'Financial time bombs': Three Waters regulator funding dries up
A key tranche of Three Waters funding will run out next year.
Trade Minister on flying visit to India
The new minister is keen to make good on a campaign pledge.
Potential battle brewing over foreign investment
Winston Peters wants Act to convince him loosening foreign investment rules is worth it.
Cheap Chinese electric utes will help NZ meet climate goals once 'ute tax' repealed
An economist thinks the arrival of Chinese EVs will see uptake soar.
New Zealand 'no longer on track' to meet climate goals - officials
They doubt the Government can hit its 2025 target; NZ risks becoming a climate pariah.
Election 2023: Chris Hipkins promises a swift trip to India if Labour wins
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins promises to make Labour's first trip to India.
'Too many cows': Climate protesters disrupt final Question Time
Four protesters have been trespassed after the incident.
National to fund 'prudent' tax cuts with foreign buyer tax, immigration levies
Luxon said the plan would target the 'squeezed middle'.
Todd Muller bows out with plea for climate action, more co-operation between National and Labour
Former National leader Todd Muller has delivered his valedictory speech.
Former National Party leader on rebuilding and moving on
Todd Muller describes rebuilding himself after 2020 - and deciding to leave.
National, Greens support giving households share of $2.5b ETS revenue
The parties both support the idea in principle, but disagree on the detail.
Government passes RMA replacement bills, ending 30 years of RMA
National says it will repeal the laws by Christmas
David Parker will not say whether he thinks Labour's GST policy will work
Labour's former Revenue spokesman will only say he 'supports' the policy.
Labour forced to fix GST policy after $240m mistake found
Labour confused the years in which the policy would apply.
Thomas Coughlan: Why do experts hate Labour’s potential GST exemption?
OPINION: It gives a massive tax cut to supermarkets at the expense of the public.
Emissions reduction hole might not close in time for first carbon budget
The Government may have to "borrow" emissions reduction to hit goals.
NZ, EU see 'eye-to-eye' on China perspective, says ambassador
New Zealand and the European Union can help each other de-risk.
Watch: PM says disagreements with China reflect ‘robust’ relationship
In a major foreign policy speech, Hipkins said China and NZ had robust discussions.
‘Great importance’: Chinese leader hails NZ relationship at meeting with Hipkins
Hipkins faces his greatest diplomatic test this evening.
Thomas Coughlan: Can NZ sustain a 'values-based' relationship with a dictatorship like China?
OPINION: Hipkins sits down with Chinese President Xi Jinping later today.
PM fronts media after touching down in Beijing for make-or-break trip
Hipkins landed in Beijing ahead of a busy week of diplomacy.
Chris Hipkins touches down in Beijing for make or break trip
Hipkins landed in Beijing ahead of a busy week of diplomacy.
Thomas Coughlan: 20 billion reasons for PM to tread carefully in China
OPINION: China's middle-class now totals more than 700 million people.
Emissions deal ‘very much alive’, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says
The Government is upbeat on He Waka Eke Noa after meeting agriculture leaders today.
Government finally delivering on 2020 forestry promise
Rules around permanent pine forests come in three years after first being touted.
Watch: Luxon speaks to media as Nats reveal agriculture emissions pricing plan
Christopher Luxon will announce his party's agricultural emissions policy.
National promises to end Genetic Engineering ban
National says it will end an effective ban on genetic engineering.
Government sets aside $252m extra for major road projects
Programme includes major road projects in Auckland and Wellington.
Ministers considered exempting clean utes from ‘ute tax’
Ministers considered changes to exempt some utes from the 'tax'.
‘Hard calls’ on cyclone recovery to come - Finance Minister Grant Robertson
Grant Robertson delivers caution and a warning.
Tight labour market slows Govt spending of climate money
The Government is struggling to spend its climate change funding.
'Gold standard': NZ-UK free trade agreement to begin at end of month
New Zealand's deal with the UK set to unlock opportunities for businesses and investors.
$80 million paid out on Teslas - Feebate EV scheme rejigged
The Government will hike fees and cut rebates as the EV policy is too successful.
James Shaw: Time running out for final decisions on emissions pricing
With an election imminent, both sides concede it is possible a deal may go to the polls.
National wants India trade deal, but MFAT officials sceptical
MFAT says India won’t budge on dairy - that’s a problem for NZ.
Three Waters reset: Govt to create 10 new entities; Luxon calls rebrand a 'dumb policy'
The Government will announce its Three Waters replacement today.
Thomas Coughlan: Bye Three Waters - welcome, ‘Affordable Water Reform’
The policy to replace Three Waters will be announced today.
Grant Robertson seeking ETS advice, as tumbling carbon price lowers cost of pollution
Tumbling carbon prices have forced the Government to look at the ETS.
Treasury warns of skyrocketing bills if carbon price used to cut emissions
Treasury and the Climate Change Commission scrapped over where to set carbon prices.
David Parker rejects calls to delay RMA reforms
Environment Minister has rejected calls to slow down RMA reforms.
RMA war heads towards final battle
OPINION: Thomas Coughlan says the RMA reforms face more challenges than ever.
Explainer: National’s comprehensive and progressive Three Waters reform
OPINION: Labour and National's Three Waters policies - which one is best?
‘You’re making my head hurt’: Parliament debates Three Waters entrenchment
MPs delved into the Three Waters entrenchment scandal in Parliament this week.
Cyclone Gabrielle: $300m for recovery, PM says police have looting under control
The Government has announced flood support as it plays down fears of crime.
Clean car scheme breaks EV records, but ‘Ute Tax’ may need to rise to pay for discounts
The Government's EV scheme may need higher fees after thousands buy new EVs.
Thomas Coughlan: How Mahuta lost control of Three Waters, and Ardern lost control of Mahuta
OPINION: This week, the Prime Minister and her minister were openly at odds.
PM, Mahuta at odds over Three Waters entrenchment mistake
Nanaia Mahuta points the fingers at junior Labour MPs over Three Waters entrenchment.
Three waters: Jacinda Ardern sticks by Nanaia Mahuta - for now
Jacinda Ardern stuck by Nanaia Mahuta, but would not say if she will stay a minister.
Three Waters entrenchment: Labour warned a year ago that clause could be 'constitutionally damaging'
Cabinet decided to kick the matter back to Parliament’s Business Committee.
'Falling down a carbon black hole' - Labour attacks Nats' climate plan
National would see emissions increase by twice Auckland's annual emissions, claims Labour.
David Parker’s RMA reform merges 100 plans into 15, saving $150m a year
More than 100 plans will be reduced to just 15 in reforms saving millions in consent costs
The end of the Resource Management Act: Here's what happens next
The Government finally releases its RMA replacement today.
Explainer: MPs propose fixes to Government’s controversial water reforms
What's in the Government's changes to water reforms?
Greenpeace sceptical as Government signs deal with agriculture to reduce emissions
The Government hopes the agriculture sector can reduce emissions with tech.
Councils propose Three Waters fix - no co-governance
A powerful group of councils has proposed an alternative to Govt's plans.
Fees could rise after clean-car policy too successful
The Government's EV policy is a runaway success - but that has come at a big cost.
McKelvie and Bennett to retire at election
Christopher Luxon paid tribute to retiring National MPs Ian McKelvie and David Bennett.
New Zealand wins $1.8b trade deal with EU at eleventh hour
The deal took four years of often torturous negotiations.