Articles in ‘Election’

Christopher Luxon has called National MPs to an urgent face-to-face caucus meeting in Wellington as renewed speculation over his leadership threatens to engulf the party. The meeting comes after a difficult period for the Prime Minister, with National polling at its lowest level under Luxon and MPs reportedly discussing whether a change at the top is needed before voters go to the polls. eLocal Report: Based on reporting by RNZ political editor…

Christopher Luxon remains Prime Minister and leader of the National Party after surviving another confidence vote. But with little more than 12 weeks until the election, surviving his own caucus may prove considerably easier than convincing New Zealand voters that the Government deserves another term eLocal Report: Based on analysis by RNZ political reporter Russell Palmer. · Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has survived another challenge to…

The latest Roy Morgan poll has injected fresh uncertainty into New Zealand's election race, with The Opportunities Party (TOP) recording its strongest result yet while Labour continues to struggle under Chris Hipkins. Political commentators say the figures highlight growing voter volatility, but caution against reading too much into a single poll. Labour Slumps as TOP Surges in Latest Roy Morgan Poll · New polling sparks debate over Labour's…

Freedom (formerly the NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party) has issued a media release calling on journalists to question former Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins over what it describes as serious failures in government record-keeping during the Covid-19 vaccination rollout. The party alleges that official documents, ministerial diaries, and Cabinet papers reveal a pattern of missing records, unminuted meetings and the omission of myocarditis…

The Government's response to New Zealand's COVID-19 Inquiry has reignited debate over transparency, accountability and the scope of the country's pandemic review. In an interview with Chris Lynch Media, Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters delivered a strongly worded criticism of both the inquiry and the previous Labour Government's handling of the pandemic eLocal Report: Based on an interview by Chris Lynch Media…

The Government is refusing to release an internal immigration briefing that has become the focus of an increasingly public disagreement between coalition partners National and New Zealand First. The decision has prompted RNZ to lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman, arguing the public has a strong interest in seeing the document for themselves. Report by eLocal · Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has declined to release a briefing document…

Gisborne's rugby community celebrated the completion of the John Heikell Grandstand at Rugby Park redevelopment today, marking the return of one of East Coast Tairāwhiti's most iconic sporting venues and a significant achievement for the region. · Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson joined Gisborne locals today to celebrate the reopening of the revitalised facility. · “Since opening in 1955, Rugby Park is one of New Zealand's…

Freedom has unveiled a new technology policy that would require government agencies to consider open source software before purchasing commercial products, arguing the change could keep billions of taxpayer dollars within New Zealand. The party says the policy would strengthen digital sovereignty, support local technology businesses, reduce long-term software costs and increase transparency in government procurement while maintaining…

The resignation of former Labour minister Stuart Nash as New Zealand First's Napier candidate has prompted a rare display of cross-party unity, with women MPs from across Parliament condemning remarks made about National MP Katie Nimon's parental leave. The controversy has also resulted in a new candidate entering the Napier race ahead of the general election. Report by eLocal · Former Labour Cabinet minister Stuart Nash has been replaced as…

Senior National MPs are openly acknowledging concern over National's continued weak polling, with Chris Bishop saying it is "highly unlikely" he would retain his Hutt South electorate if the latest RNZ Reid Research poll reflected election day. Despite the slump, ministers insist the Government remains focused on improving its message ahead of the November election. Report by eLocal · National Party ministers are publicly acknowledging the…