Articles from ‘elocal magazine’ in ‘Election’

Chris Hipkins says voters appreciate a politician who answers questions. But as Labour seeks another term in government, the more important question is whether those answers withstand scrutiny. From household costs and healthcare funding to political accountability and the legacy of Labour's previous administration, eLocal examines what was said, what remains unproven, and what New Zealanders should demand before casting their votes. Report by…

Winston Peters says New Zealand remains a desirable country, but is no longer as attractive as it once was. Behind that observation lies a deeper economic problem: a country that has struggled for decades to increase the value it produces for every hour worked Report by eLocal · New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has acknowledged something increasingly difficult to ignore: New Zealand is not the country of economic opportunity it once…

New Zealand's election debate is increasingly focused on how wealth should be taxed and redistributed. But behind the competing proposals lies a more fundamental question: can a country maintain its economic sovereignty if it fails to build productive businesses, retain investment and improve the purchasing power of its people? · An examination of Labour's capital gains tax, the Greens' wealth tax and Opportunity's land tax reveals different…

Labour's latest West Coast mining royalty proposal has been portrayed as outflanking New Zealand First. Yet the proposal has no published rate, no confirmed revenue forecast and no guarantee of surviving post-election negotiations under MMP. For Westport families and businesses, the real issue is not which party wins the announcement, but whether either policy can deliver lasting economic security Report by eLocal | 11 October 2026 · Westport…

Who won, who struggled, and who gave voters a reason to back them? · Duncan Garner goes LIVE from 8pm Tuesday 6 October with reaction and analysis following the TVNZ leaders’ debate between Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins. · Joining Duncan are Ani O’Brien and former Labour minister Stuart Nash to unpack the biggest clashes, strongest answers and unanswered questions. · Who made the stronger case on the economy and cost of living? Who stood…

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…

With the 2026 election approaching, five political parties have put competing agricultural, environmental and tax policies before around 350 farmers at Mystery Creek in Waikato. Behind the campaign promises lies a larger question for rural New Zealand: which policies protect productive capacity and property rights while dealing credibly with water quality, emissions and long-term economic resilience? Report by eLocal · Representatives from…

The NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party says the cancellation of a Runanga Meet the Candidates forum highlights a wider problem of political gatekeeping ahead of the 2026 General Election. The party alleges Councillor Kate Kennedy falsely blamed venue restrictions for excluding candidate Sue Grey before cancelling the event. It has lodged a formal Code of Conduct complaint and is calling for transparent, equal rules governing candidate access to…

NZ First released a campaign video setting out Winston Peters’ argument for greater political influence under MMP and ending with an explicit appeal for the party vote. Stuff’s subsequent coverage shifted much of the emphasis from that political message to questions about the woman interviewing Peters, speculation about artificial intelligence and an assertion that the video had “confused some”. The question is not whether Stuff was entitled to…

New Zealand pre-election accounts show a materially stronger near-term fiscal position than Treasury forecast at the May Budget, with smaller deficits, $15 billion less planned borrowing and a larger projected surplus in 2028/29. The improvement is welcome for taxpayers and households, but Treasury figures also show why the outlook should be read carefully: much of the fiscal gain comes from higher tax revenue associated with stronger nominal…