Posted on January 04, 2026
As we kick off 2026, I’ve been looking at how to make The Progress Report easier to use.
Over the last few years, I’ve added a huge amount of data to the site - from electorate profiles and historical polls to our caucus calculators. As the content grew, a lot of it ended up getting stuffed into an "Other" folder, which wasn't exactly user-friendly.
With the 2025 local elections behind us and the 2026 General Election on the horizon, I wanted to make sure you could find exactly what you need without digging. Today, we’re rolling out a new main menu structure designed around what you are actually looking for.
What’s Changed?
1. A Dedicated Home for Elections. We have pulled the upcoming election coverage out of the "Other" drawer. You will now find a top-level Elections tab. This is where you can find everything regarding the 2026 General Election candidates and news, as well as archives of previous votes.
2. Consolidated Calculators. I know many of you visit the site specifically to crunch the numbers. We have grouped our various tools under a new Calculators & Maps section. Instead of listing every single party’s caucus calculator in the main menu, we’ve organized them into a cleaner hub so you can get to the specific tool you need faster.
3. Better Polling Access. The Polling section has been streamlined. We’ve focused on the data that matters most right now—current trends and Preferred PM ratings—while moving older historical datasets (like the Jacinda Ardern approval ratings) into the archives so they don't clutter your daily view.
4. The Database. For those looking for deep-dive information, we have created a Database section. This is your new reference library, containing the Politician Database, Electorate Profiles, and the Ad Tracker.
I hope these changes make it easier for you to track the trends that define New Zealand politics. Have a click around and let us know what you think!