News Stories

Waitaki council weighs road’s fate
Otago Daily Times | 15 Feb 2026

Road closure signs in Beach Rd were damaged last week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Vandalism to road closure signs on Beach Rd is disappointing and frustrating, Waitaki District Mayor Melanie Tavendale says.

David Seymour vows smaller government and deeper reforms in State of the Nation address
Stuff | 15 Feb 2026

The ACT leader says the party will push to cap ministers, cut departments and tackle productivity slump ahead of next election.

Labour sets its price for supporting India trade deal, chides Luxon for keeping party in the dark
NZ Herald | 15 Feb 2026

Hipkins says he wants to see more detail before fully committing support.

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Willis, Luxon and the perils of trying to be too clever
NZ Herald | 15 Feb 2026

OPINION: The coalition has ended up drowning their ideas in silly debates.

Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford speaks about holding his wedding amid tragedy following Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa slips
NZ Herald | 15 Feb 2026

The MP had to abandon wedding planning to support his community amid the tragedy.

‘Peking duck in the barnacle pool’: Shane Jones orders two-year harvesting ban
The Post | 15 Feb 2026

The Fisheries Minister says organised busloads stripping Auckland’s coast won’t be tolerated, while promising beaches will stay open to families.

‘Everything else is agreed’: SailGP set to return to Auckland despite conflict of dates
Stuff | 14 Feb 2026

Sir Russell Coutts and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown eased doubts about Auckland’s hosting future.

Aerial photos show extent of Ōtorohanga flooding after ‘extreme’ weather causes havoc
Stuff | 14 Feb 2026

Mayor Rodney Dow was in a meeting when the rain started around 2pm on Friday afternoon.

Vandervis’ concerns about ‘misused’ ballots rebuffed
Otago Daily Times | 14 Feb 2026

Lee Vandervis. Photo: Gregor Richardson (file) Questions about the integrity of Dunedin’s election by one city councillor were rebuffed by the council’s chief executive.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown slams Kaipara-Rodney breakaway pitch
Stuff | 14 Feb 2026

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has fired a shot over the bow of Kaipara’s proposal to combine with north Rodney under local government restructuring plans.

Nicola Willis sets up election fight over ‘fiscal credibility’ vs Labour’s ‘fiscal indulgence’ - Fran O’Sullivan
NZ Herald | 14 Feb 2026

OPINION: Nicola Willis has set a 2028-29 surplus goal and a 40% net debt track.

Councillors raise concerns about govt’s Planning Bill
Otago Daily Times | 14 Feb 2026

Andrew Simms. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A piece of government legislation poses an existential threat to Dunedin’s George St, a city councillor has warned.

Whiley throws hat back in the ring
Otago Daily Times | 14 Feb 2026

Andrew Whiley wants to return to the Dunedin City Council. He is standing in the by-election. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY Having broken his ankle, former Dunedin city councillor Andrew Whiley had …

Teaching Council child safety failures: Education Minister Erica Stanford orders KC probe
NZ Herald | 14 Feb 2026

Erica Stanford says damning probe into troubled agency hit her 'like a tonne of bricks'.

Thomas Coughlan: Act prepares for state of the nation, but what’s the state of Act?
NZ Herald | 14 Feb 2026

OPINION: David Seymour will deliver his first major speech of the year this weekend.

Moa Point shows why critical infrastructure shouldn’t be outsourced
The Post | 14 Feb 2026

OPINION: Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter argues Wellington’s sewage collapse is the predictable result of decades‑old privatisation models.

‘Golden visa’ update announced by Immigration Minister Erica Stanford
NZ Herald | 13 Feb 2026

New settings cut the minimum investment from $15m to $5m for growth visas.

Unease over Collins' rival-free appointment to top job
Otago Daily Times | 13 Feb 2026

Judith Collins will remain an MP and continue to hold her portfolios until she moves to her new position as Law Commission president in the middle of the year. Photo: …

Inside Te Pāti Māori’s vote to expel MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris
NZ Herald | 13 Feb 2026

Concerns were raised about the "perception of a conflict of interest".

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown questions Kaipara–North Rodney unitary bid in council shakeup
NZ Herald | 13 Feb 2026

The plan would merge North Rodney’s 50,000 people with Kaipara’s 30,000.