News Stories

Former mayor offers quirky advice for water complaints
The Press | 13 Feb 2026

Just ask people how much contamination they’re comfortable with, suggests Tim Cadogan. “And generally people will agree that zero’s the number that they want.”

Wellington regional chair and Marlborough mayor demand Cook Strait rescue tug
The Post | 13 Feb 2026

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said comments from Daran Ponter and Nadine Taylor were “long on rhetoric and short on engagement with the facts”.

Andrew Whiley joins race for vacant Dunedin council seat
Otago Daily Times | 13 Feb 2026

Andrew Whiley. Photo: Supplied Former Dunedin councillor Andrew Whiley has joined the city council by-election race.

Finance minister lays on the praise in Invercargill
The Press | 13 Feb 2026

Nicola Willis was on a charm offensive during an election year speech to Southland’s political and business leaders, praising farmers, scientists, businesses, pristine waters and more.

Karen Chhour breaks silence, promises end to siloed agencies after Malachi Subecz death
NZ Herald | 13 Feb 2026

Karen Chhour is creating an inter-agency hub for sharing concerns about at-risk kids.

Top-level meeting on Chathams’ future as chastened CEO Paul Eagle quits
Newsroom | 13 Feb 2026

Left to argue it out, minister Shane Jones says a letter from the mayor amounted to hate mail; mayor Greg Horler claims he’s been disrespected by the minister The post …

‘Nakedly political’: No rivals considered for Judith Collins’ new job
Newsroom | 13 Feb 2026

The Government appointed ex National Party leader Judith Collins to lead the Law Commission without following good practice processes for such roles The post ‘Nakedly political’: No rivals considered for …

Nang sanctions are tough for a reason – Health Minister Simeon Brown
NZ Herald | 13 Feb 2026

Simeon Brown is examining how effective the Government's toughened sanctions have been.

Physical work set to start on Lakeview Te Taumata project
Otago Daily Times | 13 Feb 2026

Turning the first sod at the Lakeview site yesterday are (from left) Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Mike Theelen, CMP Construction contracts manager Dom Fleischl, Mayor John Glover and …

Show we can trust the fast track
Otago Daily Times | 13 Feb 2026

The Santana Bendigo site. PHOTOS: ODT FILES Sir Ian Taylor drops Prime Minister Christopher Luxon a line about the fast-track process.

Time to throw caution to the wind and capture lightning
Otago Daily Times | 13 Feb 2026

The Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong. PHOTO: SUPPLIED MEMORANDUM

Luxon has done a poor job of selling $1b LNG terminal and India trade deal – Matthew Hooton
NZ Herald | 13 Feb 2026

OPINION: If he truly believes it's the answer, he could have handled the politics better.

Māori seats referendum a Treaty Principles-sized headache for Luxon
Newsroom | 13 Feb 2026

Comment: Having caved on the Treaty Principles Bill, the PM is staring down the barrel of a campaign dogged by questions about the Māori seats The post Māori seats referendum …

Little pushes ministers for sweeping review of Moa Point meltdown
The Post | 13 Feb 2026

The Post has obtained Andrew Little’s wishlist for the terms of reference into the Moa Point catastrophe.

More flop than pop: City MP concedes his first manu fell flat but says Tama Potaka ‘wouldn’t be much better’
Waikato Times | 13 Feb 2026

The Hamilton East MP admits his technique needs work but says he’d do a better manu than his mate Tama Potaka. But will Potaka rise to the challenge?

'It can go wrong, it does go wrong': Cadogan offers water regulation advice
Otago Daily Times | 12 Feb 2026

Former Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan is now the Taumata Arowai local government engagement specialist. Photo: Julie Asher A former mayor-turned water specialist has offered some humorous advice on dealing …

Winston Peters didn’t get advice on Reserve Bank Governor letter before complaining she didn’t get advice before signing
NZ Herald | 12 Feb 2026

Peters told the Herald he didn’t need advice “because I know what the situation is”.

Judge Ema Aitken must have known who she was yelling at, NZ First MP Casey Costello says
RNZ | 12 Feb 2026

Judge Ema Aitken is accused of disrupting an event, yelling at Winston Peters and calling him a liar.

Watch: Barbara Edmonds says NZ can do better
The Post | 12 Feb 2026

Labour’s finance spokeswoman tells the New Zealand Economics Forum that investment is not irresponsible and the Government can’t just blame Labour for the economy shrinking.