News Stories

This report on NZ's state of repair will 'shock' people, Chris Bishop said. Are you shocked?
Stuff | 17 Feb 2026

Te Waihanga, the NZ Infrastructure Commission, has released its final National Infrastructure Plan.

The government’s infrastructure plan points the blame at the government
The Spinoff | 17 Feb 2026

The National Infrastructure Plan, released today, sets out a vision for a more efficient, affordable future. But is infrastructure minister Chris Bishop willing to accept that he is part of …

Christchurch state of emergency: flooding closes roads, boats break moorings
The Post | 17 Feb 2026

Mayor Phil Mauger made the declaration at 12pm citing flooding, fallen trees, slips, landslides and loss of communication and power to some areas.

If Labour wants the Māori seats back, it needs to win over a new generation
The Spinoff | 17 Feb 2026

A digitally fluent, politically literate Māori generation is reshaping power in real time – and Labour must decide whether it can keep up. If you’re like me and anticipating the …

South Wairarapa mayor says 'there are big concerns' after destructive storm
RNZ | 17 Feb 2026

South Wairarapa mayor Fran Wilde said it was too soon to discuss the cost of the latest clean-up, but it wasn't too early to talk about the long-term challenges.

The sport of politics: PM and mayor spar over State of Origin funding
The Post | 17 Feb 2026

Auckland will host “Australia’s greatest sport rivalry”, but it was the contest between Christopher Luxon and Wayne Brown that was the most interesting battle at Eden Park

Support for major parties slumps in latest poll
Otago Daily Times | 16 Feb 2026

Labour leader Chris Hipkins (L) and National leader Christopher Luxon. Photo: RNZ Support for both major parties has dipped - while New Zealand First is up on double digits - …

Fact checking a National MP’s #ChristopherLuxon #leadership post
Stuff | 16 Feb 2026

It’s normal for backbench MPs to suck up to the Prime Minister and excessively toe the party line. But there’s a limit, and National’s Nancy Lu has shown where that …

Minister confirms independent review into Wellington wastewater catastrophe
Stuff | 16 Feb 2026

Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Wellington Mayor Andrew Little have agreed on an independent investigation into the failure at Moa Point sewage plant.

Hipkins: Luxon being ‘cavalier’ with NZ’s international reputation
The Post | 16 Feb 2026

Chris Hipkins says he won’t play ‘game of chicken’ with NZ’s reputation over India FTA but needs proper response from Government.

‘This is the Christopher Luxon I know’: National MP gushes over PM’s ‘no drama’ act
Stuff | 16 Feb 2026

List MP Nancy Lu has praised Christopher Luxon after he was seen holding an umbrella for a speaker at the Government’s State of Origin announcement.

Wellington Water chair's resignation 'right thing to do' - Mayor Andrew Little
RNZ | 16 Feb 2026

Nick Leggett stepped down as Wellington Water board chair on Sunday.

Iain Lees-Galloway on crashing out of parliament and his new OpportunityÂ
The Spinoff | 16 Feb 2026

He went to therapy, grieved the career he torpedoed with an inappropriate relationship, and now former Labour minister Iain Lees-Galloway is back in politics with a new party.

Opportunity Party to double candidates this election, Qiulae Wong to stand in Mt Albert
The Spinoff | 16 Feb 2026

The Opportunity Party will run candidates in about 30 electorates, but says its gunning for 5% of the party vote. The Opportunity Party will more than double the number of …

NZ under fire for move to weaken deep-sea coral protections
The Post | 16 Feb 2026

NZ moves to relax deep-sea coral rules, following breaches by a trawler owned by a donor connected to Fisheries Minister Shane Jones.

Luxon and co are fiddling with maybe saving you $4 a month while Rome, and the planet, burn
Stuff | 16 Feb 2026

It takes some chutzpah to sell a new tax to an exhausted, broke country in an election year.

State of Emergency declared for Tararua District
The Post | 15 Feb 2026

Mayor Scott Gilmore said the declaration enabled council and emergency services to act quickly and co-ordinate resources if conditions worsen.

Migrant workers must be protected: Hipkins
Otago Daily Times | 15 Feb 2026

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Photo: RNZ By Lillian Hanly of RNZ National must ensure stronger protections for migrant workers in the Free Trade Agreement with India, before it agrees to …

Minister 'worried' Wairoa could be cut off as weather continues to bite region
Stuff | 15 Feb 2026

Mark Mitchell is so concerned about Wairoa, he’s contemplating driving four hours to the town as a wild weather front continues to hit the area.

David Seymour pushes radical plan to slash ministers and merge departments
The Post | 15 Feb 2026

The ACT leader wants to call time on ministerial “portfolios” and says each department should be responsive to a single minister.