News Stories

Luxon, splendid optimist, makes his pitch to the country
Newsroom | 22 Jan 2026

Analysis: ‘Trust our plan’, says the PM, while stoking fear the opposition will take the country backwards The post Luxon, splendid optimist, makes his pitch to the country appeared first …

Luxon was flying at Air NZ but as PM he’s all at sea
Newsroom | 22 Jan 2026

Comment: At no point since coming to office has Luxon set out a big picture of the future he and his government see for NZ The post Luxon was flying …

Dansey off to Wellington as election tussle looms
Waikato Times | 22 Jan 2026

Labour’s Georgie Dansey heads to Parliament next month as Waikato voters decide who is worth voting for on November 7.

When pushed, climate minister says ‘we’re staying in Paris’
Newsroom | 22 Jan 2026

On the day the election date is announced, the National Party says it’s committed to climate action, with caveats The post When pushed, climate minister says ‘we’re staying in Paris’ …

PM gives himself the maximum runway to show the country it’s back on track
The Post | 22 Jan 2026

ANALYSIS: November 7 is about the latest day Christopher Luxon could have gone without risking a Christmas without a Government, while also dodging a minefield of tricky dates towards the …

Maybe Luxon can just say the dog ate our economy?
Stuff | 22 Jan 2026

In this economy of quietly returning things to the shelves, going late to the polls is the Prime Minister’s only hope.

Taranaki Regional Council election expenses revealed
The Post | 22 Jan 2026

Unsuccessful candidate Brendan Attrill topped the list for expenses during October’s Taranaki Regional Council local body election campaign.

Who is Labour’s (soon to be) new list MP Georgie Dansey?
Stuff | 22 Jan 2026

Labour’s Adrian Rurawhe has quit and will leave after Waitangi Day. It means Hamilton-based Georgie Dansey will become a new MP. So who is she?

Dear Chris Bishop, this is not the kind of future we should fast-track
Stuff | 22 Jan 2026

We may not always agree on methods, but I am confident we share the same underlying objective: making decisions today that genuinely serve New Zealand’s long-term interests.

Hipkins takes aim at govt's performance
Otago Daily Times | 21 Jan 2026

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Photo: RNZ By Lillian Hanly of RNZ Labour leader Chris Hipkins has come out swinging at the government in his first speech of election year, saying …

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz urges residents to prepare as red and orange heavy rain warnings hit
NZ Herald | 21 Jan 2026

Gisborne's north now has a red heavy rain warning, with 250-350mm forecast.

Greg O'Connor rules out exit from politics, eyes Speaker’s seat
The Post | 21 Jan 2026

It follows his loss of the new Wellington North seat to fellow Labour MP Ayesha Verrall in a boundary shakeup.

‘Logical time’: PM promises a government by Christmas
The Post | 21 Jan 2026

Christopher Luxon announced a November 7 election date from the National Party caucus retreat in Christchurch. It means advance voting opens October 26 and the House will rise on September …

PM Christopher Luxon announces election date - November 7
The Post | 21 Jan 2026

The date was fully in Luxon’s control, with no requirement that he run the decision past his Cabinet or his caucus.

Hipkins launches election year attack, calls exodus an ‘absolute indictment’ on Luxon
Stuff | 21 Jan 2026

On Wednesday, both major political parties will hold their first caucus meetings of the year.

Job creation is the Government’s job, says Chris Hipkins
Waikato Times | 21 Jan 2026

Chris Hipkins used his first major speech of 2026 to promote Labour’s proposed future fund and criticise the Government for ignoring job creation amid rising unemployment.

Labour targets jobs and investment as Hipkins opens election year
The Post | 21 Jan 2026

Chris Hipkins used his first major speech of 2026 to promote Labour’s proposed future fund and criticise the Government for ignoring job creation amid rising unemployment.

Why David Seymour’s summer break included a meeting with Argentina’s President and his gold-plated chainsaw
NZ Herald | 21 Jan 2026

The Act leader was met with heavy scepticism when he turned up at the President's gates.

Christopher Luxon throwing Chris Bishop under the bus on housing, says Chris Hipkins
RNZ | 21 Jan 2026

The Labour leader has accused the prime minister of starting this election year by "panicking".

Former Speaker, Labour’s Adrian Rurawhe first MP to confirm retirement ahead of election
NZ Herald | 21 Jan 2026

The 64-year-old former Speaker will step down on Waitangi Day.