News Stories

Stuart Crosby tops Bay of Plenty Regional Council election spending
NZ Herald | 19 Feb 2026

Stuart Crosby got in, but others who spent thousands failed to win.

Minister mulls changes after deadly dog attack as SPCA calls for law reform
RNZ | 19 Feb 2026

Simon Watts is asking for urgent advice, as the SPCA calls for an overhaul of dog control laws.

Bishop backdown: Two million new homes in Auckland slashed to 1.6m after backlash
Stuff | 19 Feb 2026

Resource Management Minister Chris Bishop is set to announce a backdown on Auckland housing intensification legislation.

Tauranga City Council rules out housing at Bethlehem Parau Farms/Pōteriwhi site
NZ Herald | 19 Feb 2026

'We can do housing better elsewhere,' Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale says.

Groyne proposed for Wairoa River mouth, cost would be more than $12 million
NZ Herald | 19 Feb 2026

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little says a groyne is needed to avoid flooding and is a 'no brainer'.

One MP, One Pint: Shanan Halbert on MAFS and the ‘massive job’ ahead to win 2026
The Spinoff | 19 Feb 2026

The Labour MP’s dream pub quiz pick? ‘Nicola Willis – a little bit mean girl, every quiz team needs one.’

Pride Month schedule offers diverse mix
Otago Daily Times | 19 Feb 2026

Elliot Weir and Meihana Pōtiki-Grayling enjoy a moment in the sun during last year’s Dunedin Pride opening picnic. File photo: Linda Robertson Dunedin will sparkle this March with a Pride …

‘Learned a lesson’: Chris Bishop cuts Auckland housing target by 400,000 homes
The Press | 19 Feb 2026

The RMA Reform Minister has been facing heat from Aucklanders and their MPs over perceptions the supercity will be overrun with two million homes. He’s cutting the minimum housing capacity …

National struggles for traction as NZ First gains ground
The Post | 19 Feb 2026

Labour and Chris Hipkins maintain their advantage, National stalls, and NZ First continues to rise in the latest The Post/Freshwater Strategy poll.

Chris Bishop to pull back on controversial intensification legislation
The Post | 19 Feb 2026

The RMA Reform Minister has been facing heat from Aucklanders and their MPs over perceptions the supercity will be overrun with 2 million new homes.

‘Productivity’ loss a concern as Halswell increasingly surrounded by road works
The Press | 19 Feb 2026

“We’re talking every road in and out of Halswell,” councillor Andrei Moore says, as one affected business owner says customers have already bid her farewell for two months.

Councillor under investigation over gallery incident wants apology from mayor
Stuff | 19 Feb 2026

Steve Gibson says initial report into his conduct “lacked natural justice”

The car isn’t out of the ditch — and voters know it
The Post | 19 Feb 2026

ANALYSIS: The cost-of-living crunch is back, wrong direction is up and the underlying trajectory points to a structurally weaker National Party struggling to boost its vote.

Last call for the little-known law stopping clubs selling booze
Stuff | 19 Feb 2026

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is cutting red tape and says it will soon be easier for clubs to host events and sell alcohol to guests.

Chris Hipkins accuses Winston Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament
NZ Herald | 18 Feb 2026

Gerry Brownlee ruled the NZ First leader's personalised question was unacceptable.

Govt scraps plans for referendum on four-year term
Otago Daily Times | 18 Feb 2026

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. Photo: RNZ The government has scrapped plans for a referendum on a four-year Parliamentary term.

Chris Bishop’s ‘behind the bike sheds’ law change to force departments to maintain infrastructure better
NZ Herald | 18 Feb 2026

The 'boring' change aims to get govt departments to spend more on infrastructure.

Hastings councillor Steve Gibson removed from risk committee by mayor
NZ Herald | 18 Feb 2026

Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum says she didn't have time to ring Steve Gibson and tell him.

Wayne Brown says $9 Auckland Harbour Bridge toll unacceptable to Aucklanders
NZ Herald | 18 Feb 2026

The mayor wants big calls on tolls made with Auckland, not in Wellington.

Chris Bishop opens door to cancelling or delaying Wellington tunnels
The Post | 18 Feb 2026

Transport Minister Chris Bishop says he agrees with a major report that congestion charging on existing routes be prioritised before funding is committed.