Premium Politics

'Abuse and harassment': Hundreds of local election races being won by default

Minister says he isn't concerned about the number of races with no competition.

Kiwis are drinking less, and violent crime is dropping. New data shows how the two relate

The number of victims of alcohol-related violent offending is dropping.

Opinion: Internal disputes are part of politics, not proof of party collapse

Friction is inherent to party politics and does not automatically signal dysfunction.

Simon Wilson: The Fletcher flutter – A councillor's tip for working with Wayne Brown

OPINION: Entrust, rubbish collections, Voices for Freedom and quotes from the campaign.

Adam Pearse: National’s runway for relief is shrinking

OPINION: Everybody agrees power should be cheaper and yet no one can agree on what to do.

Kerrin Leoni no-show: Auckland mayoral candidate pulls out of debate

The candidate has frequently criticised Mayor Wayne Brown for not turning up.

Potential conflict of interest stopped Willis making gentailer decisions – why she's now fronting

A list of other ministers' potential conflicts of interest has been revealed.

'Stop playing PlayStation': PM tells school leavers to 'get off the couch', 'go find a job'

Improving school attendance was 'job number one' for cutting future unemployment, he said.

Matthew Hooton: Why NZ’s fiscal future may hinge on new immigrants

OPINION: Treasury’s forecasts depend on a million more immigrants by 2050.

Nearly $1m was budgeted for electricity review – why minister says it was 'absolutely' worth it

The Government rejected the major recommendations of the Frontier Economics report.

Audrey Young: Shane Jones' silence on energy reforms speaks volumes

OPINION: The minister's uncharacteristic reticence is all about election 2026.

'Corrections crisis': Assaults, double-bunking, inmate tallies hit record highs

Assaults are much more numerous than the last time prisoner numbers neared 10,900.

New Pharmac boss promises reset to improve patient trust and access

Natalie McMurtry is just three weeks into the job after uprooting her life in Canada.

Watch: 'Everyone's a critic' - Luxon assesses his leadership as questions mount

The PM has researched leaders since he was a schoolboy - he chooses one per year to study.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon talks about leadership and managing the coalition

Christopher Luxon said National got everything it wanted from coalition talks except for two things. Video / Mark Mitchell

Simon Wilson: The 'war on cars', the CRL and the battle for Queen St in local elections

OPINION: Because of Queen St, the race for the Waitematā ward has citywide significance.

Carolyn Tremain steps down after eight years leading MBIE - there will be growth again

Carolyn Tremain who led 6000 public servants at MBIE says you have to be calm and approachable. Video / Mark Mitchell

Police axed ‘non-core’ crime-prevention funding to meet Budget 2025 savings expectations

Treasury said agencies did not consider crime prevention measures to be a 'core' function.

Property Insider: Eke Panuku’s legacy and what will replace the agency that has changed the shape of Auckland

'Guiding urban renewal projects across the Auckland region' - Allan Young's achievements.

What makes a good minister? Exiting MBIE head Carolyn Tremain is an expert

Carolyn Tremain is leaving MBIE after eight years of "calm" leadership.

Audrey Young: How Winston Peters could have gone further on Palestine

OPINION: Sure, the US has the greatest leverage. But leadership comes in many forms.

'Expensive crisis': Prisons dangerously full, budget blown nearly a year early

Corrections calls its own staffing "sub optimal". It has 277 vacancies.

Mechatronics and AI: What kids can expect from the new school curriculum

BusinessNZ says the updated curriculum will better equip future workers.

Grumpy outsider no more? Wayne Brown sits down for first in-depth interview of election

Simon Wilson talks transport, housing, floods and the city's future with Auckland Mayor.

Simon Wilson's Love this City: Out and about on the election campaign trail this week

OPINION: Campaign quotes of the week, how they voted on zoning and more.

Six more MPs own properties they haven't declared under Parliament's rules

The new revelations come as Parliament launches an inquiry into MP Carl Bates' 25 houses.

Adam Pearse: How the Govt can prove it’s listening to the Mood of the Boardroom

OPINION: Speculation was buzzing around the Beehive for weeks ahead of survey's release.

Meta expands Teen Account protections to NZ, U16 campaigner sceptical

The changes come as the Government mulls an under-16 social media ban.

Power price poll: Are we about to see 'bold' action from Government on energy?

The Energy Minister is describing the planned changes as 'significant but surgical'.

Audrey Young: Why Erica Stanford is more popular outside caucus than in it

OPINION: There’s a world of difference between being a good minister and a good leader.

Simon Wilson: The parable of ‘Chrissie’s little train set’

OPINION: Why are leafy suburbs like Mt Eden opposed to density even when it's done well?

Jamie Ensor: NZ First, National at odds on immigration, plus is New Zealand a 'launch pad’ to Aussie?

ANALYSIS: The issue will almost certainly become a political football at the election.

'Preventable': New research reveals how firearms deaths cost NZ $300m a year

The annual cost of firearms harm is $321m in lives lost and $1.48m in hospital care.

Audrey Young: Luxon leadership strain - what's the strategy on the ninth floor?

OPINION: Luxon's playbook: talk it up - and if people aren't convinced, talk it at length.

Luxon refuses to release key Swift, Kelce wedding communications

The Prime Minister last month invited the couple to marry in New Zealand.

'We feel unwelcome': Union boss says Key met with him often but Luxon refuses

The CTU President said relationships with previous govts involved respect and listening.

Can builders' groups lumped with liability under new regime afford to protect home owners?

The Government mulls requiring Master and Certified Builders to meet solvency standards.

Simon Wilson's Love this City: Density, sewage, term limits and quotes of the week

Opinion: Why Brown says greenfields growth is bad for Auckland’s future.

Thomas Coughlan: Health funding has gone up, why isn’t it enough?

OPINION: The fiscal cost of ageing will only get worse.

How China became a wedge between NZ and the Cook Islands

New York Times: Is China a threat or a partner for growth?

Thomas Coughlan: Inside Nicola Willis' toughest day

OPINION: The Finance Minister was on the mat but the Opposition failed to strike.

Audrey Young: Peters complains to PM about Seymour as Palestine tensions rise

OPINION: Seymour is straining coalition ties by mouthing off about NZ's position on Gaza.

'Funding switch': Where the $100 foreign tourist levy is really going

Environmental groups say more of the IVL revenue should go towards protecting nature.

Richard Prebble: Why separate seats could weaken the Māori influence they aim to protect

OPINION: Rotorua's Māori councillor numbers fell after wards were introduced.