Articles from ‘elocal magazine’ in ‘Election’

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…

The latest 1News Verian poll has National and Labour level on 28 percent, while the Greens have risen to 16 percent. The numbers could leave Opportunity holding the balance of power, but the seat projections depend on electorate results and post-election negotiations that no poll can settle Report by eLocal · New Zealand's election contest has become increasingly fragmented, with the latest 1News Verian poll showing neither major party close to…

Sir John Key has urged National supporters to give both votes to National, warning that strategic voting could cost the party experienced ministers. Winston Peters has rejected that argument, using the dispute to make a wider case for New Zealand First’s economic programme and its leverage in post-election negotiations Report by eLocal · Former Prime Minister Sir John Key and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters have opened a revealing…

As Parliament rises ahead of the general election, broadcaster Duncan Garner is asking what the coalition Government has delivered since taking office in 2023. His latest podcast raises questions about public spending, the cost of living, supermarket competition and the reforms still awaiting implementation. Report by eLocal · Three years after National entered government promising economic recovery, tighter public spending and changes to the…

In his final speech of the 54th Parliament, Winston Peters set out what he says New Zealand First achieved in government and challenged his political opponents over their records. His address also raised questions about how public spending, health decisions and national infrastructure should be judged by their effects on New Zealanders Report by eLocal · In Parliament’s adjournment debate on 23 September, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters…

Sue Grey West Coast–Tasman candidate lawyer and NZ Outdoors & Freedom party leader says her exclusion from the Taxpayers’ Union’s Greymouth election debate highlights the questions about political influence, gatekeeping and supposedly independent political organisations raised by investigative journalist Nicky Hager in his new book Dirty Work. Hager’s investigation focuses on the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union and political influence on…