Latest Politics Headlines
Further Job Losses At Kāinga Ora Shows The Government Intent To Dismantle The State Housing Build Programme
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 3:15 pm | Public Housing Futures
Starving public services of resources, gutting the workforce and then proposing private market solutions has been a key strategy of this government, says Vanessa Cole, spokesperson for Public Housing Futures. More >>
Gene Tech Bill: A High-Stakes Gamble That Risks Farmers’ Livelihoods, Trade, And NZ’s Global Reputation
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 2:15 pm | Organics Aotearoa New Zealand
The government’s own Regulatory Impact Statement acknowledges that organic producers will bear the financial burden of adapting to the risks posed by GMO expansion. More >>
Financial Statements Of The Government Of New Zealand For The 8 Months Ended 28 February 2025
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 10:14 am | The Treasury
Net worth at $187.6 billion (43.9% of GDP) was $3.1 billion higher than forecast largely reflecting the year-to-date operating balance result. More >>
Te Pāti Māori To Hold Own Hearing After Boycotting Privileges Committee
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 9:50 am | RNZ
Te Pāti Māori says it will hold its own "alternative independent hearing". More >>
How Multinational Dairy Companies Convinced Ministers To Back Away From New Rules For Baby Formula
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 9:39 am | RNZ
Tougher guidelines were 11 years in the making. But for multinational dairy companies, profits were at stake. More >>
Chief Human Rights Commissioner Apologises To Muslim Community
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 9:29 am | RNZ
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is standing by Chief Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow, despite calls for him to be sacked for remarks characterised as Islamophobic by some groups. More >>
Threats Without Consequences: Parliament's 'Schoolyard Stupidity'
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 9:25 am | RNZ
Gerry Brownlee was a teacher when the cane ruled the classroom. As Parliament's Speaker, he is reluctant to use the punishments options available. More >>
Chinese Ship Granted Consent From Government To Undertake Research
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 8:57 pm | RNZ
The Australian Prime Minister said he would prefer not to have the ship in his country's waters. More >>
Climate Change Is A Real Financial Risk, Super Fund Managers Say
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 8:51 pm | RNZ
The managers of the New Zealand Super Fund say they apply a climate lens to every activity. More >>
Jewish Groups Call For Resignation Or Removal Of Stephen Rainbow As Chief Human Rights Commissioner
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 7:39 pm | Dayenu
“I have written to Paul Goldsmith, the Minister of Justice, asking for an independent investigation into Dr Rainbow’s fitness for the job. This is the first step to remove him from the role,” says Philippa Yasbek. More >>
RNZRSA Supports Willie Apiata VC's Stand To Drive Change To Veterans’ Support Act
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 11:28 am | RNZRSA
The RSA has long advocated for changes to the Veteran Support Act. In its current form the Act is discriminatory and leaves many of our service personnel who have been affected by their service unable to access the support they need. More >>
Winston Peters Rails Against "Marxists" And Declares "War On Woke"
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 9:17 am | Socialist Equality Group
Peters promised to carry out a “war on woke", a term which the far-right uses to refer to everything from identity politics & affirmative action programs, to education about the brutal history of colonisation, protections against discrimination, environmental ... More >>
Rainbow Wellington Condemns Threats Against Rainbow MP
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 9:12 am | Rainbow Wellington
People are entitled to their opinions on what language is acceptable for MPs to use in social media. However, to imply that a rainbow parent is unsafe to their child without any evidence is completely unacceptable. More >>
War Hero Willie Apiata Entrusts MP With Victoria Cross Medal
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 9:32 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
Apiata received the medal for carrying a wounded fellow soldier to safety under heavy fire in Afghanistan in 2004. He has campaigned for more than 5 years for changes to the Veterans Support Act 2014. More >>
New Poll: Most Voters Think Parents Should Provide School Lunches
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 8:33 pm | RNZ
The government's revamp of the school lunch programme has received a lot of attention this term and featured as a topical question in this week's poll. More >>
Green MP Benjamin Doyle Away From Parliament This Week After Death Threats
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 8:30 pm | RNZ
"We have a member of parliament that has been subjected to immense abuse and real-world death threats," the party says. More >>
Disappointing Govt Attack On Diversity, Inclusion In Public Service
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 3:27 pm | PSA
Successive governments have sought to build a workforce that reflects the New Zealand population that it serves so it is better able to deliver effective policies and services. More >>
Crown Apologises For Bringing ‘Death And Division’ To Ngāti Hāua
Monday, 31 March 2025, 7:27 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith delivered an apology to some 400 people at the marae, for Crown actions he said had caused harm and prejudiced Ngāti Hāua for over a century. More >>
Democracy At Risk
Monday, 31 March 2025, 6:43 pm | Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand
Decision-makers need to consider who needs to be around the table at the earliest stages of policy development and think more creatively about how the policy process can work to truly empower people and communities. More >>
Parliament Bill Submissions Open Up Conversation On Constitutional Arrangements
Monday, 31 March 2025, 5:18 pm | RNZ
Submitters on a bill about Parliament asked for more MPs, a budget office and changes to Parliament's funding model. More >>
Health And Safety Changes Driven By ACT Party Ideology, Not Evidence Said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff
Monday, 31 March 2025, 5:18 pm | NZCTU
“It’s disappointing to see the Minister has ignored the widespread consensus on what New Zealand needs to do to improve its poor track record and instead has chosen to carve out small businesses from good health and safety practices,” Wagstaff ... More >>
Sell The Interislander Before Taxpayers Go Down With It
Monday, 31 March 2025, 4:05 pm | Taxpayers' Union
“If the Government cared about value for money, it would separate the Interislander from KiwiRail and let private operators do what they do best—run safe, efficient, unsubsidised services.” More >>
ANZMES Calls For Equitable Tax Policies To Sustain Charitable Impact
Monday, 31 March 2025, 3:57 pm | ANZMES
“ANZMES exists to bridge gaps in understanding, support, and research for ME/CFS,” said Fiona Charlton, President. “We rely on innovative, mission-aligned funding solutions to fulfil our purpose. Taxing these e orts would divert resources away ... More >>
Walk Without Fear Trust Welcomes New Sentencing Reforms Aimed At Restoring Public Safety
Monday, 31 March 2025, 3:23 pm | Walk Without Fear Trust
Chairman Eugene Bareman says the measures will go a long way toward shifting the balance back in favour of victims and those impacted by violence. More >>
Lawyers Join Calls For Declarations Of Torture Outside Of Lake Alice Hospital
Monday, 31 March 2025, 1:34 pm | Cooper Legal
Since the Government’s announcement last year that those placed at the Lake Alice Child & Adolescent Unit within a small window of time would receive significant compensation, Cooper Legal has called on Government to extend the settlement framework to cover ... More >>
Government Selling State Housing In Area Where Over 500 Households Wait For Homes
Monday, 31 March 2025, 9:55 am | Public Housing Futures
The real estate advert is directed towards land bankers and property investors. The three state houses, which previously housed families, were empty to make way for 8 new state houses before the Government stalled and cancelled hundreds of Kāinga ... More >>
PSA Litigation Stops Health Restructure Of Three Directorates
Monday, 31 March 2025, 9:22 am | PSA
The PSA filed legal proceedings last month with the Employment Relations Authority because the proposed restructures breached the Code of Good Faith for the public health sector, the Employment Relations Act 2000, collective agreements and Te Mauri ... More >>
Green Party Says It's Time For Judith Collins To Reveal What's Wrong With Government-funded Satellite
Sunday, 30 March 2025, 4:20 pm | RNZ
Judith Collins says details of the methane-hunting, government-funded satellite's troubles are confidential. More >>
Treaty Principles Bill: Thousands Of Submissions To Be Excluded From Parliamentary Record, Labour Says
Saturday, 29 March 2025, 3:39 pm | RNZ
Labour's Justice spokesperson Duncan Webb says committee staff do not have enough time to process the unprecedented number of written submissions. More >>
Study Examines How Health Issues Affected Four Former Prime Ministers' Performance
Saturday, 29 March 2025, 3:32 pm | RNZ
A New Zealand Medical Journal article highlights leaders with diminished capacity leading to reckless decision-making. More >>
US Security Blunder Prompts Questions For NZ On Intel Sharing And Five Eyes
Saturday, 29 March 2025, 3:21 pm | RNZ
Analysis - Can New Zealand and other Five Eyes members trust the US any longer, after top Trump officials accidentally shared military plans on a messaging app that included a journalist? More >>
New Poll Shows Opposition To Cutting Living Wage Procurement Rule
Saturday, 29 March 2025, 2:31 pm | E Tu
“The poll demonstrates that New Zealand voters know the importance lifting wages, especially for our lowest paid workers,” E tū National Secretary, Rachel Mackintosh says. More >>
1000 Days Since Landmark Pay Equity Deal Expired - Workers Losing $145 A Week
Saturday, 29 March 2025, 5:13 am | PSA
With no new pay equity settlement being agreed, care and support workers have seen their hard-won pay equity settlement eroded by inflation and the failure to maintain relativity above the minimum wage, says Melissa Woolley, an Assistant Secretary with ... More >>
New Climate Target 'Below Expectations' Of Partners, Government Warned
Friday, 28 March 2025, 7:08 pm | RNZ
The government was told its climate target for 2035 was "below expectations" for a developed country. More >>
The House: Urgency Gives And Urgency Takes Away
Friday, 28 March 2025, 7:05 pm | RNZ
Parliament spent much of this week debating bills under urgency. The government can get more done in the House that way, but it also slows down progress in committees. More >>
Minister - Hear The Voice Of Health Unions If You Want A Better Health System
Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:17 pm | PSA
We agree with the Minister on one thing - New Zealanders deserve a health system that ensures patients get timely, quality health care, but he’s going about it the wrong way, said National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga ... More >>
Ambitious Teen Eager To Bring Māngere’s Voice To Parliament
Thursday, 27 March 2025, 8:38 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
Marques is the youngest student to be selected for Youth Parliament, a nationwide development opportunity for those aged 16-18 to experience the political process and represent their communities. More >>
Widow Of Fa'anānā Efeso Collins Seeks Inquiry Into His Death: 'Unanswered Questions'
Thursday, 27 March 2025, 6:51 pm | RNZ
The widow of late Green Party MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins is calling for an inquest into his death, accusing the organisers of the charity event he was attending at the time of failing him. More >>
Labour's Peeni Henare Not In Contempt Over 'Disorderly' Actions During Treaty Principles Reading
Thursday, 27 March 2025, 6:29 pm | RNZ
The committee recommended the Labour MP be "required to apologise". More >>
The Bureaucracy Is Still Bloated — This Ain’t No Fiscal Diet
Thursday, 27 March 2025, 2:59 pm | Taxpayers' Union
“The Government needs to go full cold turkey and ditch the extra public servants. Trimming a little off the top won’t cut it. Nicola must show she’s serious in Budget 2025 and bring staffing at least back to 2017 levels." More >>
Chief Ombudsman Releases Final Report
Thursday, 27 March 2025, 2:25 pm | Office of the Ombudsman
‘The Way I See It, Report by the Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier, December 2015 - March 2025, on leaving Office’ contains his personal thoughts on the jurisdiction and constitutional position of the Ombudsman in New Zealand. More >>
Ernie Abbott Memorial Lecture To Examine The History And Prospects Of Fair Pay Agreements
Thursday, 27 March 2025, 1:59 pm | Wellington Socialist Society
The annual Memorial Lecture is dedicated to the memory of Ernie and all those who have given their lives in service of working people and is focused on labour, trade union, and socialist history in Aotearoa. More >>
Cuts Will Ramp Up Pressure On Corrections Staff
Thursday, 27 March 2025, 1:47 pm | PSA
Corrections’ latest change proposal would result in a net reduction of 49 roles in its already stretched People and Capability, said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. More >>
Latest Privacy Breach At Health NZ Should Be A Wake-up Call To Reverse IT Cuts
Thursday, 27 March 2025, 12:48 pm | PSA
Health NZ today confirmed an IT security incident in October 2024 that resulted in unauthorised access to some staff information from 2020 to 2024 at Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley, and Wairarapa districts. More >>
National MP’s Bill Raises Environmental And Constitutional Concerns
Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 11:46 am | Lawyers for Climate Action
Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc says the Members’ Bill lodged by Joseph Mooney seeking to prohibit tort claims arising from or related to climate change matters raises serious issues for both the environment and the constitutional role of the ... More >>
Greenpeace Shocked By Govt MP’s Attempt To Strip New Zealanders’ Democratic Rights
Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 11:23 am | Greenpeace
This bill would have a chilling effect on New Zealanders’ democratic rights and our ability to secure a liveable future for our kids and grandkids, says Greenpeace spokesperson Amanda Larsson. More >>
New Zealand Government Seeks Closer Ties With Trump, Modi Administrations
Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 9:27 am | Socialist Equality Group
The visits took place amid a sharp lurch to the right by ruling elites around the world in response to the escalating global economic crisis of capitalism and the US-led drive to imperialist war. New Zealand is embroiled in these developments. More >>
Iwi Says RMA Reforms Is ‘Open Attack On Māoridom’
Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 7:44 pm | Craig Ashworth - Local Democracy Reporting
Ngāti Ruanui’s Crown-mandated agency said the south Taranaki iwi wasn’t opposed to improving the resource management system. But Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui kaiwhakahaere Rachel Arnott said they totally rejected not carrying over Treaty obligations. More >>
Māori Development Minister Unaware Government Ruled Out Treaty Clause In RMA Reform
Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 6:19 pm | RNZ
The Minister of Māori Development didn't know Cabinet had agreed not to include the clause in the coalition's proposed legislation. More >>
Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem Condemns Swarbrick’s Sanctions Bill Against Israel
Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 4:46 pm | Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem
"Swarbrick’s bill is antisemitic as it denies Israel, the world’s only Jewish state, the right to self defense, a right granted to all other sovereign states." More >>
REVEALED: Ministry Funnels $3.8 Million To Eco-Lobbyists
Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 1:24 pm | Taxpayers' Union
Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys Hurley said: “This isn’t environmental protection—it’s a taxpayer-funded activist slush fund.” More >>
Resource Management Reform Set To Streamline Desperately Needed Thermal Generation
Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 9:22 am | Energy Resources Aotearoa
We’re pleased to see the government working from the basis that the clear allocation of property rights is a fundamental tenet of a well-functioning economy. This is critical to unlocking the investment we need to thrive and grow. More >>
Greenpeace: Government's RMA Overhaul A Hostile Takeover Of Nature
Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 8:22 am | Greenpeace
The Government has signalled that it plans to premise the country’s legal environmental protection framework on private property rights. More >>
No Love Lost As Winston Peters And Chris Hipkins Trade Barbs
Monday, 24 March 2025, 8:27 pm | RNZ
Peter's State of the Nation mentioned Labour 30 times and accused the last government of a "litany of lies". More >>
India Trade Talks: Winston Peters Pours Cold Water On Immigration Changes
Monday, 24 March 2025, 8:16 pm | RNZ
The Foreign Minister says he sees no need for a relaxation of immigration settings as part of trade talks with India. More >>
Ngāti Hāua Deed Of Settlement To Be Signed In Taumarunui On Saturday 29 March 2025
Monday, 24 March 2025, 7:10 pm | Ngati Haua
“Finally our story can be heard, and the Crown now acknowledges the injustices that were inflicted on Ngāti Hāua,” says Chair of Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust, Graham ‘Tinker’ Bell. “Those injustices include being pushed out of Heretaunga (Hutt ... More >>
EDS Responds To RM Reform Announcement
Monday, 24 March 2025, 7:01 pm | EDS
The challenge now is to get the best possible outcome from the split Act model. We will be working closely with the Government over the course of this year to that end. We simply must have a more nuanced outcome from this process than from the Fast-track ... More >>
Free Speech Union Submissions On Media Reform And Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill
Monday, 24 March 2025, 5:23 pm | Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union has made two submissions advocating for more speech, not less, on the Media Reform Proposals and the Regulatory Systems (Occupational Regulation) Amendment Bill, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. “Our ... More >>
REVEALED: Cultural Consultants Cash In $1.365m While Dunedin Rates Soar
Monday, 24 March 2025, 3:19 pm | Taxpayers' Union
“The Government has rightly decided to scrap Councils’ focus on social and cultural ‘wellbeings’ and get them back to getting the basics right first, and it’s time Dunedin Council followed suit.” More >>
Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance Slams Auckland Councillors For Eden Park 'Kick Back' Sleaze — Demands Repayment
Monday, 24 March 2025, 1:57 pm | Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance
"The councillors were given tickets because they are councillors, at the very same time they're considering the future of the stadium. It's beyond belief that anyone is defending this." More >>