Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has launched an extraordinary public criticism of officials within Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), following the collapse of a technology project that consumed more than $31 million and delivered no operational outcome. Report by elocal · The comments follow the release of an independent review into Immigration New Zealand's Biometric Capability Upgrade…

For now, fuel is still moving around the country and there are no immediate signs of supply shortages. However, there are a few unusual vessel movements and some interesting international developments worth keeping an eye on. As always, the shipping picture tells part of the story — and the conversations amongst our Marsden Point Radio subscribers often help fill in the gaps. · Marsden Point Looking Ahead · The next scheduled arrivals into…

A Whangārei court file that should have been closed nearly two decades ago has finally reached its conclusion after the woman at the centre of the case returned to New Zealand and was arrested at the border. Amanda McJarrow, also known as Paris Leigh Knight, has been sentenced to eight months' home detention after fleeing New Zealand for almost 20 years following a conviction connected to a pseudoephedrine-based methamphetamine operation. · A…

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…

Experienced law enforcement leader, former Member of Parliament and respected policy commentator brings decades of public service experience to strengthen the Conservative Party’s policy direction. Press Release · The Conservative Party has today announced the appointment of Ross Meurant as its Senior Policy Advisor, bringing extensive experience in law enforcement, Parliament, governance, security, and public policy to the party’s leadership…

With just five months until the 2026 General Election, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters used a public meeting in Cambridge to deliver a wide-ranging speech focused on cost-of-living pressures, immigration, free trade, national identity, media accountability and what he described as the need to "keep hope alive" for New Zealand's future. By elocal · Introduced by Associate Health Minister Casey Costello, Peters spoke for more than an hour…

!Trump Says Hormuz To Reopen Friday After Signing Of "Great Peace Deal" With Iran · Strait of Hormuz maritime traffic and energy flows are expected to resume following the proposed agreement. · By Tyler Durden Monday, Jun 15, 2026 - 10:48 AM · Summary · Trump Says Hormuz Chokepoint Reopens Friday Pakistan PM Confirms Peace Deal, with a signing event in Switzerland next Friday Trump Confirms US-Iran Peace Deal "Now Complete" and says "Let…

New Zealand's economic recovery may have been handed a lifeline as hopes of a peace deal in the Middle East send oil prices lower and global markets higher, according to Kiwibank's latest economic outlook. The bank's economists say recent developments have dramatically improved market sentiment after months of uncertainty surrounding the conflict between the United States and Iran. · Brent crude oil has fallen below US$90 a barrel for the first…

New Zealand's female prison population is projected to grow significantly faster than the overall prison population over the next decade, according to new Ministry of Justice forecasts released on Friday. The projections indicate the number of women in prison could rise by 63 percent by 2036, compared with a 35 percent increase across the total prison population. · Officials say recent law changes targeting theft offences are expected to have a…

National's Finance Minister Nicola Willis has launched a direct challenge to Labour, claiming the opposition party has accumulated an $18.2 billion gap between its spending commitments and identified revenue sources. At a Sunday press conference in Wellington, Willis released a document she says compiles Labour's publicly announced spending commitments and compares them against the party's proposed revenue measures, most notably its capital…