News Stories

Moa Point: Wellington mayor makes first move towards inquiry
RNZ | 12 Feb 2026

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little said he'd given Local Government Minister Simon Watts his proposal for a terms of reference for any inquiry.

One MP, One Pint: Lawrence Xu-Nan on being everyone’s favourite pub quiz pick
The Spinoff | 12 Feb 2026

The Green MP on his path to parliament – and to a One Pint pinnacle. Floating through Pint of Order in a black cape, Lawrence Xu-Nan has an elegant and …

Parliament’s Speaker Gerry Brownlee has been incorrectly declaring his property ownership for two decades
NZ Herald | 12 Feb 2026

Gerry Brownlee has corrected 16 years of property declarations but inconsistencies remain.

Willis: I need Labour on board with investment policy
The Post | 12 Feb 2026

Nicola Willis says her centrepiece policy from last year’s Budget is being held back by Labour not supporting it.

Paul Eagle to quit Chatham Islands council amid Auditor-General probe
The Post | 12 Feb 2026

The former Labour MP will step down as chief executive at the end of February as the council faces scrutiny over sensitive spending and procurement practices.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little commits to lowering commercial rates differential
NZ Herald | 12 Feb 2026

The mayor spoke at a "state of the capital" event this morning.

Wellington mayor’s pledge to drop rates divide
The Post | 12 Feb 2026

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little has promised to tackle the city's high commercial rates differential, a 3.7-times multiplier which is among the highest in the country

LPG plan: Govt wants to bypass fast-track process
Otago Daily Times | 12 Feb 2026

Energy Minister Simon Watts. Photo: RNZ By Kate Newton of RNZ A proposed liquefied natural gas terminal will bypass even the fast-track process in order to be built in time …

The Moa Point mess is not a one-off - Tim Brown
NZ Herald | 12 Feb 2026

Wellington Water errors include a $51m budget blowout and late 2024 accounts.

Otago Peninsula Community Board
Otago Daily Times | 12 Feb 2026

Former mayor and councillor Jules Radich was remembered at the board meeting. Photo: Peter McIntosh Sam Henderson looks at highlights from the Otago Peninsula Community Board.

‘Major rebuild’: Moa Point damage inspection imminent
The Post | 12 Feb 2026

As blowflies buzz, business slumps, sewage seeps and heavy rain threatens, Wellington Water has called in the lawyers - but mayor Andrew Little has a ray of good news.

New dialysis unit opens at Southland hospital
Otago Daily Times | 11 Feb 2026

Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds, Health NZ Social chief medical officer Dr David Gow (left) and Health NZ social group operations manager Craig Aston attend the opening of the new Invercargill …

Insider to head MLT
Otago Daily Times | 11 Feb 2026

Mataura Licensing Trust board president Vince Aynsley (left) with newly announced chief executive Glenn Dickson, who will be taking over the role in April. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG The Mataura Licensing …

‘Systemic’ wastewater issues exposed as water authority admits limits
The Post | 11 Feb 2026

The Greens call for the water regulator’s powers to be beefed up in light of Wellington’s sewage spill, and Local Government Minister Simon Watts is open to looking at what …

Nicola Willis’ Reserve Bank inquiry asks the right questions at the wrong time – Thomas Coughlan
NZ Herald | 11 Feb 2026

The Government's inquiry probes very apt terrain but is cynically timed.

'Without substance': Ong's complaint against Chambers thrown out
Otago Daily Times | 11 Feb 2026

A complaint by Benedict Ong against a fellow Dunedin city councillor alleging "discriminatory remarks" has been dismissed after it was found to be without substance.

Peters vows to change ‘disgraceful’ visa rule, but the coalition’s not sure
Stuff | 11 Feb 2026

Winston Peters says NZ’s visa rules are unfair to our friends in the Pacific, but the immigration minister is in no rush to change the rules.

Labour slams timing of Government-ordered review of RBNZ Covid policies
The Post | 11 Feb 2026

Chris Hipkins called the review into NZ’s pandemic monetary policy response an “exercise in cynical political manipulation”, with the results due in the run-up to the election.

Election 2026: Sir John Key reveals advice for National’s Christopher Luxon to win election
NZ Herald | 11 Feb 2026

The former PM urges National MPs to stick with Luxon and avoid a late leadership swap.