Analysis: National may be playing happy – but here's why senior MPs' futures are at risk
However the party wants to spin it publicly, unless its polling can be drastically improved, there is a reckoning coming for National.
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Labour ‘confident’ in capital gains tax revenue, won’t say what it’ll do if it makes less than expected
Labour won’t say how it plans to pay for three health policies if its proposed capital gains tax (CGT) generates less revenue than expected, saying it will “cross that bridge later if we have to”.
Exclusive: NZ First's Winston Peters takes on National, own Government policy at Fieldays; would ditch Paris climate agreement, questions rates cap
Winston Peters is dialling up his attacks on National and his own Government at Fieldays, distancing himself from the Prime Minister on climate issues, questioning the coalition’s rates cap policy, and suggesting farmers change their voting habits.
Exclusive: Concern raised about minister’s chainsaw use in social media video
A minister’s technique for starting a chainsaw in a social media video has prompted concern to be raised with WorkSafe, while a forestry industry group is calling out “unsafe practice”.
Exclusive: NZ diplomat suggested $10k donation to Samoa amid Luxon matai title discussions
New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Samoa suggested giving thousands of dollars to an undetermined project in Apia as officials explored koha arrangements ahead of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon being bestowed with a matai title.
Analysis: When will Labour release policy? It may not be when you expect
Less than six months out from the November 7 contest, Labour’s dearth of new proposals for the public seems to have caught up with the party.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon remains National leader after confidence vote in caucus
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon remains the National Party leader after the party’s caucus voted in support of him following Luxon raising a formal motion of confidence during a three-hour caucus meeting.
Exclusive: Government quietly agrees to repeal number of Treaty references in laws
The Government has quietly agreed to repeal a number of references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within laws, while amending others to be more specific.
Exclusive: Inside NZ-US work on critical minerals deal - Why ministry told Herald to destroy sensitive info
Ministerial briefings reveal how a proposed arrangement with the United States on critical minerals came about, what a draft version included, and its potential risks. But within documents obtained by the Herald was also information that wasn’t meant to be released. Jamie Ensor reports.
'We deal with the highs and lows together': The local creatives offering a fresh take on department stores
How emerging NZ designers want to change the way you dress
Then, a sudden gust ripped through the pitch-black room. Heads whipped to meet it. Gasps. Invisible doors cracked open on the other side of the runway. Behind it, a neon-green garden was aglow. Jojo Ross’ first model wandered through and crossed the threshold – the embossed, mossy dress seemed to …
Exclusive: Government to allow ‘relief’ for some student loan borrowers – so what’s the catch?
The Government is giving Inland Revenue the discretion to provide relief to some overseas-based student loan borrowers where it would be “equitable” to do so.
Inside the booming business of bomb shelters for billionaires
A basic backyard bunker housing four people underground for up to a week while shielding them from bomb blasts and radiation costs around US$25,000 ($43,000).More sophisticated models, designed for years-long stays, can cost millions of dollars depending on how much food, energy and water they are stocked with.“It depends if …
Inside the booming business of bomb shelters for billionaires
A basic backyard bunker housing four people underground for up to a week while shielding them from bomb blasts and radiation costs around US$25,000 ($43,000).More sophisticated models, designed for years-long stays, can cost millions of dollars depending on how much food, energy and water they are stocked with.“It depends if …
Analysis: Inside the day the question of Luxon’s exit moved from ‘if’ and closer to ‘when’
National’s disastrous performance in the Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll today shifted the needle on the likelihood of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s premature departure from an “if” question to something closer to a “when and how” question.
Hipkins reignites criticism of $12.8 billion pay equity figure as Treasury stands firm
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has doubled down on his criticism that the Treasury engaged in guesswork in calculating the savings produced as a result of the Government’s controversial pay equity changes.
Analysis: The warning signs for National, Labour in latest Ipsos survey results
The latest Ipsos Issues Monitor contains warning signs for both major parties.
Exclusive: ‘She’s not a trained lawyer’: Winston Peters hits out at India’s top diplomat in NZ over FTA comments
The outgoing Indian High Commissioner says it is an “aspiration” for New Zealand’s private sector to invest US$20 billion in India under the proposed free trade agreement, the same language National ministers have deployed to allay concerns over the clause.
Forest’s Plabita Florence on pivoting her top Auckland restaurant to an ice cream parlour
The pivot by chef and owner Florence was unexpected for some customers. A restaurant many consider to be at the top of its game transforming into an ice cream parlour. Why? Florence, wearing house colours (a tree-green T-shirt) and socks covered in sweetcorn, sitting beneath tumbling plants in her dining …
Exclusive: Driver’s licence fees could be hiked next year despite Government celebrating 'initially' cutting them
The Government trumpeted an $80 reduction to the total cost of getting a full driver’s licence, but a close look at the Cabinet documents and officials’ advice suggests more changes - possibly an increase - to the fees could come afterwards.
Analysis: Pole position for Peters - Why NZ First has momentum heading into election 2026
There has been a question swirling around Parliament for the past year or so, over whether New Zealand First can successfully follow the path of Nigel Farage’s Reform in galvanising support behind a populist alternative to the two main political parties.
Analysis - Christopher Luxon’s election-year opener: What to expect from PM's State of the Nation speech
The Prime Minister’s election-year opener will see Christopher Luxon attempt to wrestle New Zealanders’ attention away from turbulent affairs overseas and remind them of what the Government sees as steady, promised progress in key areas such as law and order, education and cutting red tape.
'We believe in this city and we want to be part of it': Why local designer is backing NZ fashion
“Kristine really took a chance on me – when I think back, I was really underqualified and she was so open. She was always really supportive and I think that gave me a chance to explore and try it out. I was so naive ... I’m so grateful for that …
Booksellers and bookworms on their 25 favourite books of 2025
From readable romances to thoughtful collections and turbulent journeys of meaning, these are the new release books and contemporary classics that captured our attention this year.
Exclusive: Claims of bribery, AI content, 'shaming' in Youth MPs' speeches before controversial review
Several cases of potentially defamatory comments, breaches of privacy and unsupported assertions were found in Youth MPs’ draft speeches by officials tasked with reviewing them before delivery during a Youth Parliament overshadowed by censorship claims earlier this year.
Exclusive: Mowbray’s personal text to PM amid social media lobbying
A member of the high-profile Mowbray family personally messaged the Prime Minister to express disappointment about National announcing legislation to ban social media for under-16s just days before an event to launch a campaign on the issue.
Analysis: The growing connections between NZ First and Labour
While the differences between NZ First and Labour may be stark, over the past month or so, several issues have come to the fore on which there seems to be greater similarity between those two parties than NZ First and its current partners.
Exclusive: The pay hikes Crown bosses got after recent changes
The Government has begun approving significant pay hikes for members of Crown boards - in several cases roughly doubling their compensation - after introducing a new set of fees.
Exclusive: Police Minister says 36 emails about Jevon McSkimming weren’t shared with him at Police Commissioner order
Police Minister Mark Mitchell’s office received 36 emails containing allegations against former deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming since December 2023. However, Mitchell has told the Herald then-Police Commissioner Andrew Coster directed police staff in the ministerial office to send the emails directly to his own office and not share them
Fashion’s $7.8b case: Industry leaders urge ministers to back 'quiet economic powerhouse'
“It felt like we hadn’t really heard that story before – and also really acknowledging the fact that it’s a really female-dominated industry – and I felt that it would be a really important message for my parliamentary colleagues to be able to hear and see the contribution that this …