News Stories

Government ditches tougher alcohol rules in favour of red-tape cuts
The Spinoff | 29 Aug 2025

A leaked Cabinet paper revealed ministers once considered slashing off-licence hours, but new reforms instead focus on curbing community objections to licensed premises.

Levin mayor says arrests reassuring but concern main offenders remain at large
RNZ | 29 Aug 2025

Arrests have eased tensions but it's "still a concern" that those responsible for several shootings remain at large, Bernie Wanden says.

Luxon says Costco is backing his supermarket policy. Costco has said nothing
Stuff | 29 Aug 2025

“You would have seen their public statement since we made the announcement,” Christopher Luxon told Stuff on Friday. We hadn’t - and still haven’t.

Pubs celebrate booze law overhaul as health voices slam U-turn
The Post | 29 Aug 2025

Police and health officials told Nicole McKee to restrict the hours alcohol can be sold. She ignored their advice in favour of reducing red tape for businesses.

'Truly shocked': Rotorua mayor criticises Hobson's Pledge for using her image
Stuff | 29 Aug 2025

Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell has criticised Hobson’s Pledge for using her image without permission in a social media post critical of Māori wards.

Nicola Willis: No demand for Reserve Bank chairman’s resignation
The Post | 29 Aug 2025

Neil Quigley, under pressure over the controversial departure of ex Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr, is himself gone. But while the Finance Minister insists he wasn’t pushed, she says the …

US court gives Māui dolphin charity hope in fight over seafood ban
Newsroom | 29 Aug 2025

Māui dolphins are a headache for Fisheries Minister Shane Jones, not least because he doesn’t believe they exist The post US court gives Māui dolphin charity hope in fight over …

Former National figures appointed Crown negotiators for regional deals
The Post | 29 Aug 2025

Ex-finance minister Steven Joyce and ex-chief of staff Wayne Eagleson will represent the Government in city and regional deal talks.

Is it the final Countdown? Maybe we’ll come back to earth, who can tell…
Newsroom | 29 Aug 2025

Two neighbouring Countdowns, long a cause for mirth in Napier, now epitomise the difficulties frustrating Nicola Willis' supermarket competition reforms The post Is it the final Countdown? Maybe we’ll come …

Tory Whanau launches campaign for Māori ward seat
The Post | 28 Aug 2025

“I will not pretend this journey has been without pain,” the outgoing mayor of Wellington tells supporters, but says serving as mayor has been the greatest privilege of her life.

The Asian candidates contesting local government seats in Wellington
RNZ | 28 Aug 2025

Overall, more than 10 Asian candidates are contesting local body seats in Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council, Wellington City Council and Upper Hutt City Council. We profile some of …

Candidates court a curious crowd
Manawatu Standard | 28 Aug 2025

Info on support and opposition to Featherston St cycle lanes, rates, Te Motu o Poutoa development.

Tāmaki Makaurau byelection: A day on the campaign trail with Peeni Henare
NZ Herald | 28 Aug 2025

Peeni Henare and Oriini Kaipara are contesting the Auckland Māori seat.

John Tamihere compares coalition government to ‘Nazi Germany’
Stuff | 28 Aug 2025

The Holocaust Centre deputy chairman said ‘it’s not an appropriate comparison from a historical point of view’.

Teacher warns Stanford of ‘lost generation’ if NCEA scrapped
Stuff | 28 Aug 2025

As many as 89 principals have signed an open letter to Education Minister Erica Stanford calling for NCEA reforms to be stopped and slamming them as ‘politically motivated’.

Holocaust Centre condemns John Tamihere saying Govt ‘worse than Nazi Germany’
NZ Herald | 28 Aug 2025

Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere made the comments on Martyn Bradbury's podcast.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee reveals raft of alcohol law changes
NZ Herald | 28 Aug 2025

The reform would simplify the process of allowing bars to open for major sporting events.

The Political Aspirations of Webworm
Webworm | 28 Aug 2025

As if this wasn't enough to take in, Michael Organ – the subject of my 2022 documentary Mister Organ – is also running in the local elections in New Zealand. …