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
Audrey Young: Buckle in – money is tight, you’d better believe it
OPINION: Cuts to Government agencies will become business as usual.
Emotional Māori Party co-leader slams 'amateur' MPs
A large contingent of supporters was in the public gallery and interjected frequently.
Audrey Young: National makes limited progress on new women candidates
ANALYSIS: It is not just the number of women selected, it is where they have been selected
Crown makes urgent move to halt 501 decision, Govt says it will change law
Government says it will urgently pass retrospective legislation when Parliament returns.
Audrey Young: If not now, then when for beneficiaries?
OPINION: After spending $57b on the Covid fund, the time was right to lift benefits.
Little says health system under serious stress, major reform on way
Core reform to reinforce Treaty of Waitangi principles in "by Māori, for Māori approach".
Police Commissioner asks for clarity over intelligence gathering
Andrew Coster said he wanted a balanced public conversation about it.
Local veto on Māori wards will be abolished
The process is fundamentally unfair to Māori, says Nanaia Mahuta.
The Verdict: Experts on election night's triumphs, carnage
OPINION: Audrey Young, Simon Wilson, Claire Trevett and Fran O'Sullivan on the results.
Lockdown tensions: Winston Peters - health an imperative 'but not at all costs... we'll be broke'
Winston Peters says there are "huge tensions" balancing health and economic issues.
Whānau Ora - PM out of her depth, says Turia
A letter from Māori women leaders about their concerns went unanswered.
Audrey Young: Twists and turns of climate change policy
Comment: Arguments over climate change policy have lasted a lifetime for some.
600 school staff for kids with special learning needs: PM
Kids with complex learning needs are the winners from Jacinda Ardern's announcement.
The mystery texter and leaker: Simon Bridges turns on Parliament's Speaker
Simon Bridges to leaker: We will be understanding. I promise them that.
Nats draw up own bill on medicinal cannabis
Simon Bridges: "We must have the right regulatory and legislative controls in place."
Peters taking new legal action against Ministry of Social Development
Winston Peters has begun new legal action seeking $450,000 for alleged breach of privacy.
Audrey Young: A budget with a promise of better to come
COMMENT: A budget with a bit of something for everyone, except Simon Bridges.
Budget Live: What's in it for you and your family
Simon Bridges goes on the attack after Grant Robertson's first Budget.
Robertson has given himself more options
COMMENT: Robertson resisted calls to blow the windfall in this Budget.
Robertson promises more inclusive Budget
Winston Peters says his party will add the "heart and conscience" to the Budget.
Bridges denies any Nats involvement in false Gayford slurs
Bridges has told his MPs of a zero tolerance for peddling rumours or innuendo.
Comment | Low-life gossipers a distraction for PM's office
COMMENT: Low-lifes peddling rumours are trying to inflict maximum damage on the PM.
PM bans new offshore oil, gas exploration: 11,000 jobs 'at risk'
Simon Bridges describes Ardern as "reckless", but environmental groups hail the decision.
Ardern: TPP not a perfect deal but good enough
Green MP Golriz Ghahraman accuses her coalition government of "spin" about revised TPP.
Watch: Ardern and Turnbull front up
Ardern and Turnbull reiterated the two nations' "partnership" at Sydney press conference.
Game on: Bridges brings out mongrel in Ardern
Comment: He may be Oxford educated but it was pure Te Atatu.
Audrey Young: Joyce, Collins win campaign but not contest
Comment: Conditions of secrecy helped Joyce's campaign to get off the starting block.
Bridges closest but not close enough yet
Steven Joyce and Amy Adams have been talking over the weekend but no deals done.
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?
Nats 'at a crossroads' as leadership race heats up
Rival National Party leadership candidates are stepping up meetings with undecided MPs.
Peters drops legal case against journalists
Deputy PM to pursue National MPs in legal action over the story of his over-paid pension.
Joyce warns Ardern: 'Stay away from another country's business'
Barnaby Joyce has sent a less than veiled message to our PM about Manus Island.
Audrey Young: Minister resorts to bluster
Willie Jackson was not the only minister who learned a hard lesson today.
Joyce: Super leak against Peters was stupid
Jacinda Ardern says she would not have formed a government without the boost in seats.
Ardern set to meet President Rodrigo Duterte
Duterte last week revealed he killed a person when he was 16.
Audrey Young: Radical change or modified status quo?
Will the new grand political coalition bring radical change or a modified status quo?
Revealed: Winston Peters set to be Deputy PM, Foreign Minister
Winston Peters is set to become Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
English tipped to remain National leader
Bill English is tipped to be strongly endorsed to remain National leader.
Audrey Young: Legendary tale of new leader just grows
Comment: More wanted change than not and the numbers don't lie.
Young on Peters: One offer good, two offers can get complicated
COMMENT: Which ever party takes power, NZ First could expect a deal to help it survive.
Live: MPs twiddling their thumbs as they wait
Peters said the process had been far more complex than he had originally thought.
Wooing Winston: The stumbling blocks
Choosing teams for coalition talks with NZ First sets in train the jockeying for power.
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.
Bill or Jacinda? New poll on who you trust most
Opportunities Party leader Gareth Morgan rates higher than many current politicians.