News Stories

Why the new LNG terminal could raise, not lower, your power bill
Newsroom | 10 Feb 2026

Analysis: Energy Minister Simon Watts is confident importing gas will lower power prices, but questions remain about the scheme and its costs The post Why the new LNG terminal could …

Centre receives $175k donation
Otago Daily Times | 10 Feb 2026

Waitaki Event Centre Trust chairman Kevin Malcolm (left) and Oamaru Licensing Trust grants committee chairman Ali Brosnan stand in front of the retractable seating bought with a $175,000 donation from …

ORC should shuffle off this mortal coil
Otago Daily Times | 10 Feb 2026

Port Otago, a political hot potato. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY The Otago Regional Council has the district in a sea of troubles, Lee Vandervis writes.

Labour MP agrees to present cyber petition
The Post | 10 Feb 2026

Labour Party MP Ayesha Verrall will present a public parliamentary petition calling for stronger enforcement powers and penalties for privacy breaches.

Luxon and Hipkins swap roles for ‘gas tax’ fight
The Post | 10 Feb 2026

OPINION: While National ventured into Labour territory to tell the country a “levy” is not a “tax”, Chris Hipkins signalled a shift in how he will attack long-term investments.

Property and infrastructure industry bosses want certainty over Auckland’s planning rules
NZ Herald | 9 Feb 2026

Chris Bishop wants growth centred on the central city, rail hubs and key transport routes.

New electricity levy ‘not a tax’, Luxon says, as Hipkins chides ‘another kick’ for households
Stuff | 9 Feb 2026

The Government has short-listed possible proposals for a liquefied natural gas import facility.

Watch live: Taranaki's Liquefied Natural Gas import facility expected to save New Zealanders millions
RNZ | 9 Feb 2026

Energy Minister Simon Watts on Monday announced a contract was expected to be signed by the middle of the year.

Government plans levy on power users to pay for $1b LNG import terminal
Waikato Times | 9 Feb 2026

The levy is expected to cost households about $15 to $30 a year on average but Energy Minister Simon Watts believes they can expect to be better off overall from …

Government plans levy on power users to pay for LNG import terminal
The Post | 9 Feb 2026

The levy is expected to cost households about $15 to $30 a year but Energy Minister Simon Watts believes they can expect to be better off overall from the investment.

Mayor says sewage spill ‘out of this world’ amid calls for ministerial inquiry
The Post | 9 Feb 2026

Wellington mayor Andrew Little is calling for a ministerial inquiry ahead of his meeting with the Prime Minister today.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says government 'unqualified' to lead city's economic recovery
RNZ | 9 Feb 2026

The comments came as Wayne Brown again renewed calls for a bed levy tax, despite the government's opposition to the move.

PM Christopher Luxon says US president Donald Trump should apologise for 'racist' Obama post
RNZ | 9 Feb 2026

The prime minister says the post was racist and "it's right that it's been removed".

Water treatment plant failure 'catastrophic': Luxon
Otago Daily Times | 9 Feb 2026

The Moa Point Treatment Plant. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Wellington Water says people may have to stay out of the water around Wellington's south coast for months.

Calls for investigation into Moa Point Treatment Plant failure
RNZ | 9 Feb 2026

PM Christopher Luxon told Morning Report the failure was "catastrophic" and he would be further talking with the mayor later on Monday.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to face questions after fast-track panel rejects mining plan
NZ Herald | 9 Feb 2026

Trans-Tasman Resources wanted to mine 50 million tonnes of seabed each year for vanadium.

Enough evidence given for investigation to proceed: Ong
Otago Daily Times | 9 Feb 2026

Benedict Ong. PHOTO: ODT FILES A Dunedin city councillor tried to tell an investigator she had enough information about his complaint, so a full investigation "should proceed".

Hawkins lobs hat in again
Otago Daily Times | 9 Feb 2026

Aaron Hawkins. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH A former Dunedin mayor has decided he wants to return to city politics — as a councillor this time.

The unshakeable Sunny Kaushal
The Spinoff | 9 Feb 2026

For years Sunny Kaushal has been telling any politician who’ll listen that he has the solution to New Zealand’s retail crime crisis.