Latest Politics Headlines
Where Does NZ Stand On Killer Drones?
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 9:37 pm | RNZ
The Prime Minister is calling for new norms on how armies use artificial intelligence, but also says rules are "giving way to power". More >>
Winston Peters Says New Zealand Wants Permanent Gaza Ceasefire
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 9:09 pm | RNZ
The Foreign Minister says he's deeply concerned about renewed fighting. More >>
What Exactly Was Winston Peters' Mission In Washington DC?
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 9:03 pm | RNZ
Analysis: Peters heads home from Washington DC armed with fresh intel on what the new US administration is thinking, and the impact it might have on New Zealand and the wider Pacific. More >>
PSNA Wants Government MPs To Speak Out On Gaza Attacks, Since Foreign Minister Won't
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 5:57 pm | Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
“New Zealanders want sanctions on Israel for genocide but Mr Peters refuses to say anything, let alone impose any form of sanction at all. That is appeasement,” Minto says. More >>
PSA Takes Probation Officer Pay Equity Claim To The Employment Relations Authority
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 3:36 pm | PSA
The application to the ERA asks it to decide rates of remuneration for probation officers that are free from gender-based discrimination. The ERA has the power to fix those rates. More >>
More Damaging Cuts To Defence Civilian Workforce Shows Hypocrisy Of Govt Promise
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 2:37 pm | PSA
NZDF told staff today of plans for a major restructure of the civilian workforce resulting in a net reduction of 374 roles. This comes on top of cuts late last year which saw 144 civilian workers take voluntary redundancy. More >>
Wellington Queer Community To Hold Hīkoi To Defend Trans Teens’ Access To Puberty Blockers
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 2:14 pm | Queer Endurance in Defiance
The Hīkoi is intended to pressure the Government and Ministry of Health to reverse moves towards restrictions, and guarantee access to puberty blockers and hormones. Protesters are set to assemble at 10am at Waitangi Park, before marching through ... More >>
Outgoing Chief Ombudsman Releases ‘Reflections’ Report On Official Information Act
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 8:38 am | Office of the Ombudsman
Outgoing Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has today released a report about his reflections over the past nine years, on the Official Information Act 1982, along with separate investigations into seven agencies, and two new case notes. More >>
Six Years After The Christchurch Massacre
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 9:26 am | Socialist Equality Group
The anniversary of New Zealand’s worst mass shooting—which the United Nations designated in 2022 as an International Day to Combat Islamophobia—attracted minimal media coverage. More >>
When Government Plays Socialist Games, It Wins Socialist Prizes
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 9:07 am | Conservative Party
Voters who find themselves disappointed in the current government should realise that these parties are actually delivering what they promised – for all the talk of efficiency, they never promised real change. More >>
Emergency Protest As Israel Breaks Ceasefire With Deadly Dawn Attacks On Gazan Civilians
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 5:03 am | Justice for Palestine
We call on the New Zealand government to immediately condemn these attacks and implement sanctions against Israel, in accordance with international law. More >>
Too Many Catching Covid-19 In Hospital, Experts Say - But Precautions Being Rolled Back
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 6:11 pm | RNZ
Hospital-acquired infections are a billion-dollar burden and cause more disability than road crashes. Why aren't we doing more to prevent them? More >>
The Art Of Tiptoeing Around Donald Trump
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 6:04 pm | RNZ
Former New Zealand ambassador to the US Tim Groser explains the tightrope walk of pleasing the US president. More >>
No Decisions Expected On US Aid Changes For Pacific Until April
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 5:54 pm | RNZ
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says the US will not make any decisions on aid funding for the Pacific region until mid-April. More >>
Indian PM Narendra Modi Alleges 'Anti-India Activity' In New Zealand
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 5:49 pm | RNZ
The Indian prime minister's comments created a moment of disagreement during an otherwise warm meeting with Christopher Luxon. More >>
REVEALED: KiwiRail Painting Over Failure With $87,000 Kitty-Cat And Cultural Murals
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 3:48 pm | Taxpayers' Union
Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys Hurley said: “Wellington commuters should be fur-ious that KiwiRail is prioritising feel-good pet projects while services go to the dogs.” More >>
‘Another Tax Grab’ – Wellington's Airbnb Rates Bump
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 3:28 pm | Taxpayers' Union
“It’s an excuse to get more out of ratepayers” said Sam Warren, the Local Government Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union. More >>
Internal Affairs Gutted Again With Govt Planning To Cut 133 Roles
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 2:49 pm | PSA
Staff were told today of the latest proposed job cuts which could result in the net loss of 64 permanent roles, plus 69 fixed term roles which are not being renewed beyond 1 September, for a total reduction of 133 roles. These are spread across all ... More >>
Rangitāne O Wairau Slams Government’s Water Services Bill As An Attack On Local Decision-Making And Treaty Rights
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 1:46 pm | Rangitane
Corey Hebberd, Kaiwhakahaere Matua of Rangitāne o Wairau, presented to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee today, outlining the Bill’s serious failings and the devastating impact it will have on iwi, councils, and communities, with a particular ... More >>
Poverty Is No Joke: April 1st Rallies Demand A Living Wage
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 1:34 pm | Unite Union
Every worker deserves a wage they can live on. That remains out of reach for many. On April 1st, the minimum wage will rise by just 35 cents. This is effectively a pay cut for thousands of workers as it is a below inflation adjustment. More >>
Govt Must Act Decisively And Ban Engineered Stone
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 9:37 am | NZCTU
“If Brooke van Velden is genuine when she calls for an evidence-based approach to this issue, then she must support a full ban on engineered stone products,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff. More >>
New Zealanders Urge Winston Peters To Speak Up For Palestine In His Meeting With The US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio
Monday, 17 March 2025, 9:29 pm | Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
Open letter requesting government action on the future of Gaza More >>
Associate Education Minister David Seymour Accuses School Lunch Programme Critics Of 'Nitpicking'
Monday, 17 March 2025, 8:13 pm | RNZ
The Associate Education Minister told Q+A the programme had "shown two sides of New Zealand". More >>
After 20 Years In And Out Of The Saddle, Winston Peters' Latest Foreign Rodeo Has Potential To Be His Bumpiest Yet
Monday, 17 March 2025, 7:37 pm | RNZ
Analysis - The Foreign Minister's trip to Washington comes at a time of global volatility, where rules seem to be constantly changing. More >>
Tripartite Call For Government Action On Silicosis Risks
Monday, 17 March 2025, 4:02 pm | MinEx
A workshop was held by MinEx earlier this month to help develop a pan-industry response to silicosis across extractive, construction, concrete and other sectors as well as health and safety organisations and researchers. More >>
Kiwi Aid Agencies Urge Government To Increase Climate Finance & Foreign Aid Spending
Monday, 17 March 2025, 3:47 pm | Council for International Development
The letter, from the Council for International Development (CID), the peak body for New Zealand NGOs and charities in the international development and humanitarian space is addressed to Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Finance Minister Nicola Willis, ... More >>
Luxon Reaffirms NZ's Support For Ukraine After 'Coalition Of The Willing' Call With World Leaders
Sunday, 16 March 2025, 7:54 pm | RNZ
The Prime Minister attended a virtual summit to discuss the potential deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine. More >>
Simeon Brown Rejected Officials' Advice To Have Lower Bowel Screening Age For Māori, Pasifika
Sunday, 16 March 2025, 7:49 pm | RNZ
Health Minister Simeon Brown rejected advice from officials to lower the bowel screening age to 58 for the general population and 56 for Māori and Pacific people, just-released documents show. More >>
The House: Urgency And Fudging Budgets
Sunday, 16 March 2025, 7:36 pm | RNZ
This week, Parliament began with a secret bill and ended with a debate on coping with climate change. Between the two the word "growth" bloomed. More >>
Media Statement From Coalition Of Ministers Supporting Israel
Sunday, 16 March 2025, 6:18 pm | COMS Israel
Unilateral moves by the UN will not solve this conflict; only sincere negotiations between the affected parties will. We must call for dialogue and negotiation, not sanction. More >>
Deal Or No Deal? Christopher Luxon's India Trip Puts Trade Promise To The Test
Saturday, 15 March 2025, 7:44 pm | RNZ
Two trade experts based in Delhi expressed some mild optimism about Luxon's chances, but with a major caveat: NZ would have to abandon hope of including dairy in any deal.. More >>
A Tough Budget Preached In A Revivalist Tent
Friday, 14 March 2025, 8:54 pm | RNZ
Parliament has debated its inquiry into the 2025 Budget Policy Statement. The government side was evangelical on growth, but the numbers did not suggest a promised land. More >>
The Cost Of A Meal That Sticks In The Throat
Friday, 14 March 2025, 8:22 pm | RNZ
The school lunch debacle is causing an increasing clamour to rip it up and start again. More >>
How Much Can NZ Boost Its Military Spending, Really? And Is It Really Needed?
Friday, 14 March 2025, 8:19 pm | RNZ
Analysis: New Zealand is being urged to spend 2% of GDP on defence, but is that possible and would it make a difference? More >>
Undermining Democratic Process
Friday, 14 March 2025, 3:32 pm | St Peters on Willis Social Justice Group
A first step of good faith would be the reinstatement of a Social Sector Budget lockup for Budget 2025, inviting a cross-section of organisations representing the diversity of our population to hear key Budget messages firsthand. More >>
Economists, Campaign Groups Hit Out At PPP’s Labelling Them ‘Ideological, Reckless’
Friday, 14 March 2025, 3:25 pm | ActionStation
“There is no financial case for PPP’s in New Zealand where the Crown can borrow more cheaply”, said CTU Economist Craig Renney. More >>
Luxon’s Mining Obsession Drives Away Second Offshore Wind Investor
Friday, 14 March 2025, 11:24 am | Greenpeace
Newsroom has reported today that a second offshore wind group, Sumitomo, has been forced to halt plans for massive new electricity generation in the south Taranaki Bight after the government announced it was promoting seabed mining in the same space. More >>
Tory Whanau Considered Quitting Wellington Mayoralty While 'Humiliated'
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 8:29 pm | RNZ
Tory Whanau opens up about being "humiliated in front of the whole country" and gaining a thick skin. More >>
New Zealand Has Not Joined The 'Coalition Of The Willing', Judith Collins Says
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 8:24 pm | RNZ
The government says New Zealand is not among about 15 countries that have committed to join the coalition of the willing on Ukraine. More >>
Infrastructure Summit: Italian Business Among Potential Bidders For Building Northland Expressway
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 8:06 pm | RNZ
Some attendees are already showing strong interest in the government's plans for Public Private partnerships, the Finance Minister says. More >>
Government Cleaners, Security Guards, And Caterers Counting On NZ First
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 4:01 pm | Living Wage Aotearoa
Our position is clear – this procurement rule must not be scrapped. It’s a practical way for the Government to improve lives and show these workers that they are valued, says Gina Lockyer, Executive Director of the Living Wage Movement. More >>
Chief Ombudsman Publishes OIA And LGOIMA Complaints Information For July To December 2024
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 12:04 pm | Office of the Ombudsman
The number of complaints about the way government agencies handle OIA requests continues to trend upwards. In the most recent six-month period, the Ombudsman received 1,029 complaints, a rise from 946 in the previous half year. More >>
Luxon’s Investment Claims Undermined By Breaches Of Free Trade Agreements
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 11:06 am | Greenpeace
Questions on New Zealand’s commitment to the environmental chapters have already been raised in the UK and EU Parliaments. More >>
Erica Stanford And David Seymour Meet Over Free School Lunches Programme Fiasco
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 9:01 pm | RNZ
Erica Stanford and David Seymour have met to talk about the school lunches programme. The Education Minister and her associate were set for one of their regular meetings last Tuesday More >>
Tax Reforms Needed To Bolster Economic Growth - IMF Report
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 9:00 pm | RNZ
The government needs to get control of its finances and make broad based tax and regulatory changes, according to the International Monetary Fund. More >>
'Nonsense': Hipkins And Peters Clash Over 'Wokeness' In Public Sector
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 8:55 pm | RNZ
The New Zealand First leader is adamant diversity is being preferred over merit for people getting jobs in the public sector. More >>
Minister Weeds Wokeness Out Of MFAT
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 8:25 pm | Family First New Zealand
It’s time that MFAT got back to their core activity – foreign affairs and trade, security in the region (including especially the Cook Islands), free trade deals – rather than ramming down DEI and Wokeism 101 down the throat of every other country. More >>
New Zealand Government Spending Should Benefit New Zealand
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 8:10 pm | WEAll Aotearoa
Government spending should deliver public value and economic benefits to New Zealand and prefer New Zealand businesses — big, small and Māori and Pasifika-owned. It is good to see this proposed. More >>
Palestine Forum Of New Zealand Calls On Government MPs To Support Sanctions Bill Against Israel’s Unlawful Occupation
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 8:07 pm | Palestine Forum of New Zealand
In September 2024, New Zealand voted alongside 123 UN member states in support of sanctions against those responsible for illegal settlements and settler violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Despite this, the Government has yet to ... More >>
Manaaki Rangatahi Invites Christopher Luxon To Attend Regional Hui To Address Youth Homelessness
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 7:34 pm | Manaaki Rangatahi
We look forward to hosting him in a few weeks time to talk about how everyone has the right to housing, and what we can do to work together to ensure that housing and peoples well-being, and the well-being of our children are human rights. More >>
Peters Needs To Tell Trump To Stop The Israeli Bullies
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 5:50 pm | Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
“We want Mr Peters to remind the US administration that the rules apply to Gaza as well” says PSNA Co-chair John Minto. “Mr Peters should be suggesting to the US that it should stand up to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu” More >>
Infrastructure Summit Should Prioritise Environmental Outcomes
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 4:05 pm | Environmental Defence Society
New Zealanders want high environmental standards to be met. Despite the Government’s efforts to derail good environmental outcomes with the shameful Fast-track Approvals Act. More >>
Government Plan To Scrap The Living Wage For Contracts “abhorrent”
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 3:01 pm | E Tu
Currently, contractors who deliver cleaning, security, and catering services for government agencies are required to pay at least the Living Wage ($27.80 at present time) to all their workers. In a media release today, Nicola Willis has announced ... More >>
Sad Day For Low Paid Workers As Govt Rolls Back Living Wage Requirement
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 2:38 pm | PSA
"The Government again shows it doesn’t care about the most vulnerable workers in New Zealand," said PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. More >>
New Procurement Rules Hurt Low-income Workers
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 1:43 pm | NZCTU
“The Minister of Finance Nicola Willis has proposed a new rule saying that the Living Wage no longer needs to be paid in cleaning, catering, and security guard services that are procured by government. These workers now face the potential of ... More >>
Prime Minister Fails To Address Concerns Over Young Children Identifying As Gender Neutral
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 11:54 am | Conservative Party
The Conservative Party is the only political party that has consistently and strongly urged caution against the widespread adoption of "gender affirming" policies in schools. More >>
Five Biotechnology Teams Saved At Callaghan Innovation, But Hundreds Of Redundancies Still Expected
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 11:05 am | PSA
"This whole approach has been clumsy from the get-go with job cuts last year coming ahead of the science system reform plan this year, causing unnecessary distress and uncertainty for many Callaghan workers and their families." More >>
New Zealand Diplomat Sacked After Criticizing Trump
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 10:42 am | Socialist Equality Group
Goff, appointed in 2022, is a former Labour Party leader, foreign affairs minister and Auckland mayor. The position is one of NZ’s most important diplomatic posts. More >>
Asia New Zealand Foundation Joins Prime Minister’s Visit To India
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 9:51 am | Asia New Zealand Foundation
The delegation will include a diverse group of business, community and government leaders, including Asia New Zealand Foundation Chief Executive Suzannah Jessep, Foundation Honorary Advisers Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand and Sameer Handa, and Trustee Hone McGregor. More >>
Minister Looking At Further Interventions At Wellington's Councils
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 8:48 pm | RNZ
Simon Watts says he is concerned about Wellington Water, and the lack of a City and Regional Deal proposal which prompted the PM to call the councils "lame-o". More >>