News Stories

Research funds face further cuts
RNZ | 19 Aug 2025

A decades-old fund dedicated to blue-skies research says it was given a day's notice of further funding cuts and told to keep quiet about it until the government made it …

How much do New Zealand's teachers actually earn, anyway?
RNZ | 19 Aug 2025

Explainer - Claims by Judith Collins on teachers' pay fired up the debate recently. How much do teachers earn, and what's the current offer to change that?

How Jacinda Ardern’s ‘groundbreaking’ climate law has become ‘a shell’
RNZ | 19 Aug 2025

The Zero Carbon Act promised to lock climate ambition into law. But with key policies repealed, delayed or watered down, the once 'world-leading' legislation has become a husk of its …

Market should decide who secures dwindling supply of gas, says Energy Minister
The Post | 19 Aug 2025

Simon Watts says the decision on when Methanex and Ballance exit the market for gas is “a decision for those entities, not for government”.

Winston Peters apologises – sort of – for attack on Greens
Stuff | 19 Aug 2025

“That remark was in the heat of a noisy heckling period and I misread my notes,” the foreign minister says after levelling an allegation of fraud more than four months …

Auckland business leader begs government for economic plan
RNZ | 19 Aug 2025

Auckland CBD's business association is asking the government to collaborate on a plan to revive the city's economy. On Morning Report, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon shut down Auckland Mayor Wayne …

Gore mayoralty: Rates, debt hot topics as Ben Bell, Nicky Davis square off
RNZ | 19 Aug 2025

It's a two horse race with a former councillor and current mayor Ben Bell facing off for the mayoralty.

Homeowners could be left with costs under building consents changes - lawyer
RNZ | 19 Aug 2025

But Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says the government will explore mechanisms to protect homeowners.

Go-it-alone councils brace for ministerial intervention in water services
Newsroom | 19 Aug 2025

Local Government Minister Simon Watts has sent cautionary notes to six smaller councils that are proposing to deliver their drinking water and wastewater services on their own, rather than teaming …

PM talks up competition move but power firms see larger shareholder payouts ahead
The Post | 19 Aug 2025

Mercury joins Contact in increasing dividend despite Christopher Luxon forecasting downward pressure on prices from regulatory action.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis accuses Labour of reckless approach to spending
RNZ | 19 Aug 2025

New Zealand has been praised for it's long-term commitment to prudent fiscal policies but the coalition government is under pressure from business leaders.

Andrew Little looks to Auckland to fix Wellington
The Spinoff | 19 Aug 2025

Wellington’s rate of housing construction has plummeted. Mayoral candidate Andrew Little thinks he has the solution – and he’s borrowed some ideas from our biggest city.

Chrizzzzzzzzzz Bishop asleep in his car?
Stuff | 19 Aug 2025

A post has been doing the rounds on social media of Housing Minister Chris Bishop asleep in his electorate-branded car. It’s not a fake. He told Stuff it’s a few …

Winston Peters replaces Trevor Mallard as ambassador to Dublin
The Post | 19 Aug 2025

Mallard, a former Speaker, has been ambassador to Ireland since 2023.

Grant Robertson stands by Covid era spending in wake of Treasury 'rewriting history'
RNZ | 19 Aug 2025

The former Finance Minister is also rejecting the suggestion the last Labour government did not have enough real-world experience to run the country.

A tired teacher explains why they’re striking tomorrow
The Spinoff | 19 Aug 2025

Teachers entered into negotiations with a set of very reasonable demands, but the government ignored our requests and crafted an offer seemingly purpose-built to make things worse, argues secondary teacher …