Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

The NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party is calling on Parliament to reject the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill, warning it reduces safeguards that protect New Zealand’s environment, our GE-free reputation and status, and the wider community. The Party argues that the Bill prioritises “efficiency” over outcome, exposing the environment to risks from unforeseen and uncertain consequences. It increases risks to the community by…

A new episode of the Duncan Garner Podcast has reignited debate over parliamentary spending, with broadcaster Duncan Garner and Taxpayers' Union spokeswoman Ella Dixon questioning whether politicians are showing the same financial restraint being demanded of ordinary New Zealanders. By eLocal Report · The discussion centred on recently released parliamentary expense figures which show Parliament spent more than $200 million during 2025, before…

eLocal Report · A recent episode of the Notes From The Executive podcast brought together four experienced voices from economics, business and social science to examine a question increasingly being asked across New Zealand: · Is New Zealand going broke? · The discussion featured economic commentator Bernard Hickey, economist Shamubeel Eaqub, a demographer and social scientist focused on migration and population trends, and a business…

New maps released by conservation lobby group Forest & Bird have intensified debate over the Government's proposed Conservation Amendment Bill, with critics warning that significant areas of New Zealand's public conservation estate could become easier to sell, exchange or open to expanded economic activity. By eLocal Report · The legislation, which passed its first reading in Parliament last month, is being promoted by the Government as a…

The Beehive could be vacated for up to 18 months in the coming years as Parliament considers a major refurbishment programme for one of New Zealand's most recognisable government buildings. Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee says the building's ageing infrastructure means significant work can no longer be delayed indefinitely. · Completed in 1981, the Beehive houses government ministers, ministerial staff, Cabinet facilities, and the…

A 23-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a man in central Auckland on Tuesday evening. Report by elocal · Police were called to Wellesley Street East at approximately 6.45pm after reports of a fight involving several people believed to be known to one another. · Emergency services located a critically injured man at the scene. Despite efforts to save him, he died shortly after being transported…

Something is deeply wrong with a system where a company director can face prosecution, fines, disqualification, and even imprisonment for misleading shareholders, investors, regulators, or the public, yet politicians can make promises they know cannot be delivered, make statements they know are false, withhold critical information from voters, and suffer little more than a bad headline (if they are lucky). Enough is enough. · This week I came…

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…

A Kaikohe man has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences against a child. Report by elocal · Mitchell Nield was convicted by a jury in April on one charge of indecent assault, one representative charge of unlawful sexual connection and two additional charges of unlawful sexual connection following a lengthy court process that spanned more than two years. · The sentencing adds to a…

Report by elocal · Jury Hears Secret Recordings Recovered By Police · The trial surrounding the death of 70-year-old Chinese national Shulai Wang took a dramatic turn this week as jurors heard recordings allegedly captured inside the Gulf Harbour property where Wang spent her final days. · The recordings, recovered from a laptop seized by police, were played in the High Court at Auckland as prosecutors continued presenting their case against…