Labour says its 2026 election promises are fully funded and independently reviewed. But New Zealand enters the election with weak productivity, rising debt, a falling dollar, high living costs and an economy dangerously exposed to imported energy and geopolitical shocks. Report by eLocal · Labour says its election programme is paid for. · Its fiscal plan contains about $24.5 billion of spending over five years, partly funded through almost $11…

Nearly a month after a woman and two very young children were killed at a Rotorua home, a man charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship has been released on electronically monitored bail. Police have described the deaths as homicides, but publicly available information does not show that the man has been charged with causing any of the three deaths. Report by eLocal · Three deaths inside a Rotorua home on the night of 7…

As part of Election 2026 coverage, Bob McCoskrie sits down with NZ First leader Winston Peters for an extended interview covering social conservatism, wokeness, gender ideology, conversion therapy laws, abortion, euthanasia, anti-smacking laws, prostitution, a proposed social media ban, immigration, multiculturalism, strategic voting, further COVID-19 inquiries, Labour and post-election negotiations, and the momentous 2017 decision. It’s a…

New Zealand’s political parties broadly agree the country needs substantially more electricity and that households need relief from rising power costs. The real election argument is over who should finance new generation, how much control the major electricity companies should retain, and whether household solar can finally give consumers meaningful power of their own Power has become more than another election policy. It sits underneath…

Dr Guy Hatchard examines new emergency department data showing a sharp rise in patient numbers and serious presentations across New Zealand. He argues the deterioration accelerated after 2021 and challenges claims that increased funding and staffing alone can resolve the crisis. Linking the trend to Covid vaccination and wider biotechnology, Hatchard calls for a fundamental reassessment of health policy and greater emphasis on diet, exercise…

Article Three of The COVID Files follows the documentary trail behind New Zealand’s extraordinary pandemic powers. The Epidemic Notice was renewed ten times as circumstances, scientific knowledge and available evidence changed. This investigation asks what justified each continuation, how testing and vaccination requirements were assessed, whether their consequences were adequately monitored, and when the evidence ceased to support…

With New Zealand voting under MMP on November 7, Andy Loader argues that centre-right voters should think strategically about their two votes. Challenging calls from Christopher Luxon and John Key to give both votes to National, Loader contends that voters should back National electorate candidates while giving their party vote to ACT or NZ First, arguing that securing a centre-right parliamentary majority must come before protecting individual…

What if the greatest transfer of wealth in New Zealand's history required neither invasion nor the outright sale of the country's assets? What if its citizens retained ownership on paper while gradually losing the authority to determine how their land, water, minerals, forests and infrastructure were used? Imagine, for a moment, that you were writing a political thriller. Your fictional objective is the acquisition of a prosperous island…

Discover European comfort made for real life with Josef Seibel at Halliwell Shoes. With German shoemaking heritage dating back to 1886, the collection combines quality craftsmanship, modern styling and everyday comfort. Explore versatile men’s and ladies’ styles, including extra-wide fittings and larger sizes, with features such as quality leather, removable footbeds and lightweight, flexible soles. Visit Halliwell Shoes in Pukekohe and let the…

Finding quality menswear shouldn't mean travelling into the city. At Lewis’ Mens Fashion in Pukekohe, men from across Southern Auckland can find clothing, footwear and accessories for work, weekends, special occasions and everyday life, all under one roof For men who appreciate good clothing, the difference is often in the details. · The right shirt. A well-cut jacket. Boots that are made to last. Smart casual clothing that looks good without…

Discover retirement with more time for what matters at Acacia Cove Village. For resident Jill, village life has brought new friendships, activities close at hand, freedom from home maintenance and the reassurance of a safe and secure community. With independently owned Acacia Cove able to make decisions locally, residents can spend less time worrying about everyday responsibilities and more time enjoying the people, activities and experiences…

The death of British financial whistleblower Simon Andriesz has prompted demands for an independent examination of how Britain's Financial Conduct Authority treated him during a years-long battle over alleged misconduct at his former employer. His death also comes after he helped uncover previously undisclosed business dealings involving Jeffrey Epstein and current US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, although Andriesz's family says there is…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Ukrainian membership of NATO is "not on the table" as Washington concentrates on ending the war. But the apparent closing of one potential route towards direct NATO-Russia confrontation comes as another flashpoint is emerging around Kaliningrad, where Moscow has warned that any attempt to isolate the Russian exclave could provoke an extreme military response. INR Report: Based on reporting by RT HERE, with…

Estonia is moving combat forces closer to its Russian border while acquiring long-range missile systems capable of striking targets hundreds of kilometres inside Russia. The change forms part of a new "active defence" strategy intended to confront a Russian attack immediately rather than surrender territory while waiting for NATO reinforcements INR Report: Based on reporting by the Financial Times, RT and official Estonian defence sources. ·…

One of Russia’s most prominent foreign-policy strategists says nuclear deterrence has lost credibility and must be restored by convincing European governments that Moscow is genuinely prepared to use its arsenal. His argument exposes a much larger danger: Russia and NATO increasingly appear to be relying on the same proposition, that peace depends upon convincing the other side that nuclear retaliation is credible INR Report: Based on an…

The arrest of former German intelligence chief August Hanning has opened an extraordinary investigation into how highly classified information allegedly continued flowing to one of Germany's most senior former security officials years after he left government. The case also intersects with a separate kidnapping investigation involving private intelligence operators and former Israeli security officials, although those allegations remain…

Three people are wounded in Saudi Arabia after Yemen’s Houthis launch a barrage of attacks on the Kingdom’s airports as regional tensions escalate. Saudi-backed forces claim to have retaken a strategic Red Sea port overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait, a claim disputed by a senior Houthi official. Meanwhile, Turkiye and Pakistan announce troop deployments to Saudi Arabia under their collective security pact, while South Korea threatens Ukraine…

Thousands of sexual offences involving children have been reported at or near schools in England and Wales, with police recording at least 8,500 offences against children aged 12 and under between 2021 and 2025. The figures expose not only the scale of alleged abuse, but a difficult safeguarding problem in which many identified alleged offenders are themselves children INR Report: Based on reporting by The Guardian and RT. · Police recorded an…

WikiLeaks transformed the relationship between governments, whistleblowers and the public by publishing primary-source documents on wars, surveillance, diplomacy and intelligence operations. Twenty years later, its legacy is inseparable from Julian Assange's prosecution and a question democracies have still not resolved: when classified information exposes wrongdoing, who should be punished, those who reveal it or those responsible for what it…

Discover relaxed family living at 18 Glennron Lane, Waiuku. This well-presented four-bedroom, two-bathroom brick home offers two separate living areas, a spacious master suite, open-plan kitchen and dining, and seamless flow to a sunny outdoor patio. Set on a fully fenced 683 sqm section with double internal-access garaging, it offers space, practicality and easy living close to Waiuku’s schools, shops and amenities. !Image Text · Bedrooms:…

Positioned in the heart of Waiuku, this well-presented three-bedroom home combines comfort, convenience and easy-care living. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area flows onto an expansive sun-soaked deck, ideal for entertaining or relaxing. With a family bathroom, separate toilet, dedicated laundry and double garage with extra storage, it’s a great option for first-home buyers, investors or downsizers. !Image Text · Bedrooms…

Set in a sought-after Pukekohe location within the Valley School zone, this substantial 250sqm family home offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms and two generous living areas on approximately 780sqm. Designed for easy entertaining, it features expansive decking, a swim spa and excellent indoor-outdoor flow. A home office, double garage, solar and battery system and EV charger add everyday practicality and impressive energy efficiency to this…

Set on 1.12ha (more or less) of established, park-like grounds, this beautifully maintained Franklin lifestyle property offers privacy, space and picturesque rural views. The generous 353sqm (more or less) single-level home features four bedrooms, three bathrooms and multiple living areas, ideal for family life and entertaining. With six-car garaging, substantial shedding and easy access to Pukekohe, schools and motorway connections, this…

Immaculately presented in a sought-after Pukekohe location, this low-maintenance brick home offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms and two generous living areas across 152sqm. The light-filled open-plan kitchen, dining and living space flows to a covered outdoor entertaining area, while the private master includes an ensuite. With double internal-access garaging, an easy-care section and schools, parks, shops, cafés and Pukekohe town centre within…