Media Links

Racing enjoys special treatment under NZ gambling laws. Why?

Despite the harm it is known to cause to a significant number of New Zealanders, the gambling industry as a whole is commonly defended for its contribution back to the community.

NZ doesn’t take data breaches nearly as seriously as it should

Until our laws have some teeth, New Zealanders will continue to pay the price for cyber security mismanagement

What Trump’s America wants from NZ’s mines

Mining leaders met in Washington this month to showcase what their nations could contribute to a new minerals supply chain as the US looks to counter China’s dominance in the sector

Healthcare disruption as GPs association opposes new super-PHO

A doctor who’s joining the new organisation says: ‘If people were satisfied with the status quo there wouldn’t be this deluge of people running in the opposite direction…’

ComCom hit by wave of top-level resignations

Competition regulator has more to do, with less money and fewer staff to do it – but its chair Dr John Small insists he’s not worried

An antisocial blowback on Luxon’s social media

Across summer the Prime Minister’s been busy on social media – and he’s been inundated with personalised negativity in reply. Why does he provoke such a strong reaction?

A state of emergency, again and again and again

After another wild week of weather, The Detail looks at the surge in declarations of states of emergency, and whether we risk ‘crying wolf’

Govt retains right to second-guess changes to Auckland housing

The Government’s latest attempt to solve its own election year problems over Auckland housing intensification could lead to a standoff with the city or even court action

Besieged mining firm withdraws fast-track bid to plough Taranaki seabed

NZ has ‘lost sight of opportunity’ says Trans-Tasman Resources boss, as iwi and environment groups cautiously welcome backdown

Work safety minister butts head with officials over ‘missing’ evidence

Brooke van Velden says she doesn’t know why MBIE omitted estimates produced via consultation in its regulatory impact statement

Bishop’s housing backtrack is a hollow victory for Parnell

Auckland’s grumbling inner suburbs got the housing cuts they wanted. They may be disappointed by what comes next.

Echo Chamber: All aboard the racist express to parliament

Everyone’s talking about immigrants and Māori. It must be an election year.

Reserve Bank signals a ‘structural change to the housing market’ in Anna Breman’s debut

In her first big moment as Reserve Bank governor, Anna Breman made predictions for the New Zealand economy in 2026, and the chief economist argued a big change was under way in real estate.

Greater Wellington Regional Council rejects Combined Territories Board proposal, moves toward regional reform

Greater Wellington Regional Council has formally rejected proposals for a Combined Territories Board as part of the Government’s Simplifying Local Government reforms, instead signalling support for a region-led reorganisation process developed in partnership with mana whenua.

Te Huia passenger rail service extension welcomed as future planning continues

A one-year extension of the Waikato–Auckland Te Huia inter-regional passenger train trial has been welcomed by regional leaders, rail advocates and government officials as they seek more time to evaluate its future and build momentum for long-term services connecting the two regions.

Wellington council wants overriding power to strip heritage listings

The Wellington City Council wants the Government to grant local authorities more prerogatives to curb heritage listings in its planning law reforms.

Labour MP ejected from House after 'trifling' over Peters' remark

Labour's Kieran McAnulty has been ejected from Parliament's debating chamber after "trifling" with the Speaker over his refusal to sanction Winston Peters after the NZ First leader's "racist" remarks about a Green MP.

Seymour and mayor spar over Auckland housing density changes

Labour and the Greens have accused the Government of political capitulation over its decision to dial back intensified housing plans in Auckland.

Kaushal defends near $1m contractor bill as retail crime group winds down

Nearly $1 million was spent on contractors hired to support the Government's soon-to-be disbanded ministerial advisory group for retail crime victims, new figures reveal, as the group's chairperson says he feels "stabbed in the back" by a former colleague.

'If the stars align, boom!': Rangitikeī iwi bets on green energy

Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa is staking its claim in New Zealand's clean energy future, backing a 280-megawatt green hydrogen and methanol project that could deliver climate gains, generational returns and long-term iwi ownership.

Unions called it a ‘dark day for workers’, but what does the latest employment law change actually do?

The Government has passed changes to employment law which, it says, will modernise workers’ rights and employer obligations. But workers’ unions declared it a “dark day” for the nation. Political reporter Glenn McConnell explains what the changes mean.

‘This bill is bullshit’: Fiery scenes as politicians debate English becoming official language

A parliamentary debate over legislation aiming to make English an official language was always going to be fiery.

The bill, introduced by New Zealand First, had its first reading in Parliament on Thursday.

‘National has not heard the message’: Aucklanders cool on housing climbdown

Chris Bishop called it a “compromise”, Cabinet colleague Simeon Brown labelled it a “significant win” for Aucklanders.

But the Government’s backdown on housing intensification in the City of Sails has - so far - failed to convince residents who spoke to Stuff.

The retrospective law change that will mean beneficiaries lose out on $63m

When a person who has received beneficiary support applies for - and receives - a LOPE backpay, MSD takes part of it to reimburse what it has paid out. It’s designed to stop double dipping - the LOPE backpay covers what the person should have been receiving all along, in which case they wouldn’t have needed a benefit.

The many knives in Chris Bishop’s back

OPINION: Chris Bishop got onstage in Auckland on Thursday to do something no politician enjoys - back down. Again.

Anna Breman says Kiwis can expect RBNZ to have integrity and ‘stay true to the data’

Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman says threats to central bank independence have increased around the world over the past few years but she feels comfortable with the legislative framework here.

The Post/Freshwater Strategy Poll: Christopher Luxon’s approval drops sharply

ANALYSIS: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s favourability rating has taken a significant hit in the latest The Post/Freshwater Strategy Poll with Infrastructure New Zealand.

NZ competition bill clash: MPs warned of lobbyist imbalance and AI-driven collusion

Cut off mid-flow as she was explaining to MPs on Thursday about how supermarkets go about extracting maximum profits, she could not hide her surprise.

Swimming next summer in doubt as Tiaki Wai inherits Moa Point mess

Tiaki Wai’s board chairperson, just 90 working days away from inheriting Wellington’s Moa Point fiasco, is making no promises of south coast swimming next summer – and has a surprising claim about the sewage-spewing plant.

Army pauses cultural skills framework after concern raised with Minister

The implementation of a cultural skills framework for Army personnel has been paused after concerns were raised with the Defence Minister about potential requirements for leaders to know waiata and karakia off by heart.

Act MP Todd Stephenson wrote to Defence Minister Judith Collins after being sent a copy of the framework, saying it appeared to go beyond normal expectations of the Public Service.

Inland Revenue consults on narrow bank tax tweaks; Nicola Willis tight-lipped on whether a more widespread tax grab is in the works

Inland Revenue has been consulting on making changes to the way a small segment of the New Zealand banking sector is taxed.

The Herald has obtained a copy of a consultation document Inland Revenue sent the industry on January 13, titled “Changes to tax rules for foreign-owned New Zealand banking groups”.

David Harvey: The rules-based international order is dying. What comes next?

For decades, Western leaders invoked the “rules-based international order” as a talisman – the post-1945 system of institutions and norms that would constrain power, prevent conquest and bind even the mighty to agreed standards. That faith is crumbling.

Wellington residents clean poo spray off houses after severe weather, failed Moa Point sewage spill

A film of toxic poo spray has coated homes around Wellington's south coast after nearly a billion litres of raw sewerage have been dumped in the marine reserve.

Higher KiwiSaver contributions may mean lower pay rises

You might be going to get a bigger contribution to your KiwiSaver this year - but will it be at the expense of your pay rise?

The first step in the increase in KiwiSaver contribution rates takes effect on April 1, for people who do not opt out.

Bill to make English an official language of NZ introduced to Parliament

Parliament's last order of the week was to debate something the minister in charge of the bill has admitted is not really a priority.

The government has introduced a bill to make English an official language, to ridicule from the opposition, and a fierce defence from Winston Peters.

'Very strange': Auckland councillors' mixed reaction to government's housing backdown

Auckland councillors are split on what to make of the government's sudden change of heart on intensification.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced on Thursday the number of homes Auckland Council must plan for would be reduced from 2 million to 1.6m, but only if it submitted a plan that was approved by the central government.

MSD claw backs will 'financially cripple' state abuse survivors, advocate says

A state abuse survivor is sickened she may have to repay welfare supports that kept her afloat while she was waiting for ACC compensation.

It comes as a lawyer and researcher flags his concerns the government is not meeting its own standards set in the Regulatory Standards Act.

Labour MP Kieran McAnulty ordered to leave the House after challenging Speaker

Labour MP Kieran McAnulty was ordered to leave the House during a tense session that included many challenges on the Speaker's rulings.

Question Time began with Gerry Brownlee indirectly rebuking New Zealand First leader Winston Peters for his remarks towards Green MP Teanau Tuiono on Wednesday, but stopping short of demanding an apology.

More than half of police force considering quitting - union survey

Police bosses say a survey showing almost 60 percent of officers have considered quitting in the last year is not a pressure point that can be used in pay negotiations.

A Police Association survey of almost 6000 officers put the quit figure at 57 percent and said big factors were insufficient pay and strain on the job.

Many tenants of social housing agency Te Toi Mahana unable to access rent subsidy

More than three-quarters of tenants at Wellington's biggest social housing agency will not be able to access the cheap rent it was set up to provide.

Te Toi Mahana, a Wellington City Council organisation, took over the council's housing portfolio in 2023, managing more than 1600 properties.

It was formed so tenants could access the government's Income Related Rent Subsidy (IRRS) which capped rent at a quarter of their income - because by law, council housing tenants were not eligible.

Confidential Wellington council documents found in sold desk should have been destroyed, review finds

Confidential documents discovered in a former Wellington mayoral desk sold to a member of the public should have been destroyed, a review has found.

It's also revealed the desk was checked three times before its sale.

In September last year a stash of more than 200 papers were found in a locked cupboard within the desk bought from the Tip Shop, a second-hand store at the city's landfill.

Bay of Plenty SH2 residents push for safety fixes after nine crashes

One October smash injured six people and sparked the safety campaign.

Onemana sinkhole near wastewater plant sparks beach health alert

Treated wastewater is believed to have entered a wetland and nearby stream.

NZ First leader Winston Peters has say after deputy Shane Jones makes ‘New Delhi’, ‘Uber driver’ Indian migrants remarks

The comments by NZ First's deputy leader have been called 'racist'.

Police and Education Ministry probe alleged drinking by Northland school bus driver

A parent claims they found an empty can and two full beers in the bus.

Extreme weather inspires uni student to create hazard-reporting website

The site was created to work alongside official channels, like councils and police.

Inland Revenue consults on narrow bank tax tweaks; Nicola Willis tight-lipped on whether a more widespread tax grab is in the works

The Herald obtains a copy of consultation Inland Revenue is doing with industry.

Ads are coming to AI. Does that really have to be such a bad thing?

American artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic this month attracted applause – and a surge in users – for clever advertisements poking fun at its competition.

A few weeks of X’s algorithm can make you more right-wing – and it doesn’t wear off quickly

A new study published today in Nature has found that X’s algorithm – the hidden system or “recipe” that governs which posts appear in your feed and in which order – shifts users’ political opinions in a more conservative direction.