Stories by Peter Wilson

Analysis: The latest polls show Labour's flagship policy promise hasn't worked, next week's leaders debate could be its last chance.

Analysis - The main parties launch their campaigns and Labour's attack ads draw an angry response, National's tax cuts are challenged, the policy deluge continues and is this "the most negative…

Analysis - National aims its tax package at middle New Zealand, where the most votes are. The strategy behind Chris Hipkins ruling out working with NZ First and the government cuts its spending as…

Analysis - Commentators deliver similar verdicts on the latest poll, and its grim reading for Labour. The main parties continue to crank out policies, David Seymour's joke that no one thought was…

Analysis: Labour will have to do much more than offer families a $5 saving to get back in the race while NZ First's support continues to creep up and the media starts looking at where it's coming…

Analysis - Labour's tunnel proposal for Auckland Harbour, National's policy to ban cellphones in schools and the latest poll shows New Zealand First over the 5 percent threshold.

Analysis - Another poll points to a change of government, David Seymour says he won't sit at the Cabinet table with NZ First and questions about National's huge road building plan, Peter Wilson writes…

The political implications of Kiri Allan's downfall, David Parker gives up revenue and National says Labour's tax policy includes removing GST from fruit and vegetables, and it isn't denied.

Analysis - "Soft on crime" taunts finally get a response from Labour, National's Christopher Luxon puts his foot in his mouth, and a poll shows Labour's support hasn't collapsed.

Analysis: Prime Minister Chris Hipkins rules out taxing the wealthy, polls show support for the government slumping, and the Greens set out their election manifesto.

Analysis: Health workforce data shows the extent of the problem that this government and the next are facing, National and ACT reject a report which says the country can't arrest its way out of the…

Analysis - National pushes Labour on gangs and disorder as it settles on one of its primary campaign narratives, writes Peter Wilson in a look at the Week in Politics.

Analysis - National would have had clear air for its agriculture policy if Christopher Luxon had not come down with a case of foot in mouth, writes Peter Wilson.

Analysis - For a competent minister - and he has shown himself to be that - Michael Wood has got himself into a real muddle, writes Peter Wilson.

Analysis - National pulls out of the bipartisan agreement on housing density and gets itself into a muddle over bilingual road signs, while the prescription fee saga rumbles on.

Analysis - The Reserve Bank's surprisingly benign response to the Budget robs National of a strong attack line and the NZ Steel deal is hailed as a win for the climate, but opposition parties say it…

Analysis - Budget 2023 has highlighted the stark differences between the main parties, writes Peter Wilson.

Analysis - The implications of Meka Whaitiri's defection and the big unanswered question: why? Meanwhile, National fires the opening shots in its tax attack with claims of a secret agenda.

Analysis: Australia's citizenship deal, the Green Party's Kerekere row drags on and evidence the wealthiest pay tax at a lower rate than the rest of us renews the capital gains tax debate.

Analysis - Teachers underwhelmed by the government's cut class plan, farmers give National's agriculture policy a cautious tick and National election candidate quits after a "disgusting" social media…

Analysis: Extending Covid-19 isolation period creates dissent; Chris Hipkins challenged over the state of the health system and National vows to repeal the government's revamped Three Waters.

Analysis: Jacinda Ardern's valedictory speech; four former PMs rate her performance; the rules around lobbyists are tightened and Stuart Nash decides it's time to quit politics.

Analysis - The Stuart Nash scandal has the potential to damage Labour's election chances, Marama Davidson creates controversy and Auckland's second harbour crossing to be built earlier than expected.

Analysis - The Greens lay down a challenge as the minor parties approach an election in which both National and Labour are going to need coalition partners to form a government, writes Peter Wilson.

Analysis - Stuart Nash admits he "completely stuffed up" after losing the police portfolio in a debacle which Prime Minister Chris Hipkins didn't need, writes Peter Wilson.