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Seymour campaigns for smaller govt in blunt 'State of the Nation' speech
In Christchurch, the ACT leader pushed for a smaller state, rejected Treaty "division" and vowed to keep Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori from power.
Ministry advisory group rented expensive Symonds Street space against advice
15 Feb 2026The group is paying $119,000 for the 2025/26 year.
'We had to intervene': Govt bans taking shellfish from Auckland rockpools
15 Feb 2026The ban is for all of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, and further north at Kawau Bay and Ōmaha Bay.
Migrant worker protection key in free trade with India - Labour
15 Feb 2026Labour leader has written a letter to the Prime Minister outlining the conditions National must meet before the party will consider supporting the deal.
Politics headlines with summaries.
Solids, liquids and gas: Infrastructure ills back in the frame
15 Feb 2026Mediawatch: Sewage is pouring into Wellington's harbour while the government plans gas imports. Are media focusing on politics over the bigger picture?
Employment relations and speedy, lopsided debates
15 Feb 2026The government continues legislating apace, with frequent extra sittings. Among the priorities this week was a bill to "rebalance" employee-employer rights. The debate was lopsided.
Ditch NZ Super entirely, minor party says
13 Feb 2026The Opportunity Party says New Zealanders would be better served by dropping NZ Super and replacing it with an entirely new support system.Audio
Stanford hails $3.39b boost from new 'golden visa'
13 Feb 2026The immigration minister said 573 applications had been received since changes to the investor visa took effect last April.
Opposition finds school lunch scheme rebrand hard to swallow
A free school lunches programme rebrand has dropped the reo Māori name Ka Ora Ka Ako, a move David Seymour says is "delivering real value".
Relying on tug boat from Australia risks lives, council leaders say
13 Feb 2026Leaders on both sides of Cook Strait say lives could be put at risk due to its emergency tug being off-contract from this month.
'Nakedly political': No rivals considered for Collins' new job
13 Feb 2026The outgoing minister was the only person considered for Law Commission president - with no recruitment process and no other candidates.Audio
What imported gas will mean for homes and businesses
13 Feb 2026The government's plan has triggered an explosive row over the difference between a tax and a levy.
New health and safety laws won't keep workers safer - experts
13 Feb 2026Experts warn proposed changes to health and safety laws won't shift the dial on the country's dire death and injury statistics.Audio
Coalition promises to snuff out feared 'water tax' for farmers
13 Feb 2026The government has promised to change a contentious clause in legislation the could leave the door open to a future water tax for farmers.
NZ First to campaign on Māori seats referendum
12 Feb 2026Te Pāti Māori has slammed the decision as "race baiting".
Growing numbers of Pākehā seeking to understand Te Tiriti o Waitangi
13 Feb 2026More Pākehā are enrolling in Treaty education workshops and seeking out information about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, according to long-standing Treaty educators.
Government increases space launch limit tenfold
13 Feb 2026A physics professor says he does not trust the New Zealand Space Agency to make good decisions but the agency says it assesses all space activities against clear legislative criteria.Audio
Reserve Bank review originally supposed to be completed by March
The review into RBNZ's monetary policy decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic is now set to be published in September.
Government tweaks law for contractors
12 Feb 2026The workplace minister says it has nothing to do with the Supreme Court's Uber decision.
Public Service Amendment Bill reignites diversity debate
12 Feb 2026The Public Service Amendment Bill is back from Select Committee, reigniting debate on the culture war flashpoint - diversity, equity and inclusion.
Willis urges former Reserve Bank governor Orr to front up in new inquiry
12 Feb 2026The government recently announced an independent review into the central bank's actions during the pandemic, including official cash rate cuts, money printing and its interactions with government…
Willis challenges Labour to keep Investment Boost policy if elected
12 Feb 2026Finance Minister Nicola Willis talked up the policy's effects so far in a speech to the New Zealand Economic Forum in Hamilton.Audio
Watch: PM faces questions in Southland
12 Feb 2026Christopher Luxon is in Southland for a visit to Space Operations New Zealand.
Government launches inquiry into deadly Mount Maunganui landslide
12 Feb 2026Six people died after a portion of the maunga collapsed onto a section of a campground on 22 January.
Ministers want to bypass own fast-track law to speed up new gas terminal
12 Feb 2026A proposed LNG terminal will bypass even the fast-track process in order to be built in time.Audio
Blank Māori engagement section in governance manual raises questions
12 Feb 2026The omission was raised during council debate on the manual.
Former Governor backs review into Reserve Bank Covid moves
12 Feb 2026However, concerns over the review's timing so close to election time are a "fair question", he says.Audio
Natural hydrogen can make decarbonising industry cheaper
12 Feb 2026Currently, "green" hydrogen - made by splitting water with renewable electricity - costs more than $12 per kilogram.
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