Articles from ‘elocal magazine’ in ‘Election’

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has used a wide-ranging interview with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown to argue that New Zealand has reached a critical economic crossroads, warning that the 2026 General Election could determine whether the country reverses decades of declining productivity or continues along its current path. Report by elocal · The interview forms part of Auckland Unfiltered, a series produced by The Office of the Mayor of…

Labour has sharpened its attack on the coalition Government ahead of the 2026 General Election, with leader Chris Hipkins reviving one of the most famous questions in modern political history. · Speaking at Labour's election conference, Hipkins repeatedly challenged New Zealanders to consider whether life has improved since the coalition took office three years ago, focusing on the cost of living, healthcare, household bills and economic…

A priority of the Conservative Party is for a Royal Commission of Inquiry – to examine and rectify failings which emerge within the NZ Police. A decline in confidence, trust and respect for the police across New Zealand, has been a noticeable trend over recent years. Failed performances by police include the period of escalating shop facility armed robberies and Ram Raids resulting in serious injury and on occasions death of shop workers, and…

As Chris Hipkins seeks a return to power, voters are being asked to look forward. But before New Zealand moves on, it is worth remembering what happened when Labour last held the reins. Report by eLocal · The latest RNZ/The Conversation article asks what Hipkins can learn from the downfall of former British Labour prime minister Keir Starmer. It focuses on leadership, voter fragmentation, and the pressures now facing social-democratic parties.…

The Government has announced it will make New Zealand's Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship programme permanent, while significantly expanding the role community organisations play in helping refugees settle into life in New Zealand. Report by elocal · The programme, which was first piloted in 2018 and later extended twice, currently supports around 50 refugees annually. Approved community organisations assist refugees with housing,…

Former National Party minister Andrew Bayly has confirmed he will not seek re-election at this year's general election, bringing to a close a parliamentary career that began more than a decade ago. Report by elocal · Bayly told RNZ during National's annual conference in Wellington that he had informed the party some time ago that he would not be pursuing a list position, ending speculation that he might remain in Parliament despite previously…

National Party members are gathering in Lower Hutt this weekend for the party's Annual General Meeting, with the economy expected to dominate discussions and a new election policy announcement anticipated from party leader Christopher Luxon. Report by elocal · The AGM comes at a critical time for the governing party as it seeks to build momentum heading towards the November election while managing the political and economic fallout from New…

A rare public disagreement has emerged inside the coalition government after Finance Minister Nicola Willis criticised Regional Development Minister Shane Jones over a $30,000 budget blowout on an overseas trip to Canada. By eLocal Report · The controversy centres on a March 2025 trip by Jones to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference, one of the world's largest mining events. · The trip was originally approved by…

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has called for severe consequences for public servants found to have misled ministers over Immigration New Zealand's failed biometrics technology project, saying those responsible should not only lose their jobs but face prison. The comments follow revelations from Immigration Minister Erica Stanford that officials had deliberately withheld information from ministers across both the current and previous…

The latest Post/Freshwater Strategy poll suggests New Zealand's political landscape remains finely balanced heading toward the 2026 General Election, with both major parties losing support while ACT and New Zealand First continue to strengthen their positions. Report by elocal · While Labour remains the largest single party on 35 percent, the poll indicates the current coalition government would still narrowly retain power if an election were…