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'Emergency package' could help low income families
Economist Susan St John says New Zealand is already in a "crisis" and low income families are likely most affected Audio
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Fears NZ's tobacco black market will get as bad as Australia's
16 Mar 2026Customs has warned tobacco smuggling is becoming more organised, large-scale and sophisticated. Audio
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Chris Hipkins' ex-wife makes series of unsubstantiated claims about him
16 Mar 2026The Labour leader rejects the allegations and is seeking legal advice.
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Luxon moves on from matai title 'miscommunication'
16 Mar 2026The prime minister is putting the question of whether or not he asked for a matai title behind him.
Politics headlines with summaries.
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Inflation tipped to hit 3.7% if war continues
16 Mar 2026Petrol has surged past $3 and costs could start rising soon, but the finance minister is ruling out cutting the fuel excise tax and talking down the risk.
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Average 91 petrol price surges past $3 as Willis slams EV subsidies
16 Mar 2026Petrol stations across the country are seeing more drivers filling up, while the Finance Minister defends dropping what she says were "subsidies to millionaires in Remuera". Audio
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Winston Peters slams departing Fonterra boss
The NZ First leader has called the dairy giant a "sell-out globalist company".
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Protesters gather as challenge to government's climate change plan reaches court
16 Mar 2026Climate advocates argue the government broke the law when it dismantled dozens of climate policies, before consulting the public.
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Just 21 of tens of thousands of benefit sanctions have been non-financial
16 Mar 2026The penalties were introduced in the government's traffic light scheme last year, but have only been used a few times.
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Samoa confirms Luxon did not request matai title
16 Mar 2026In a statement Samoa's government said the title bestowal for visiting leaders is a traditional courtesy to be extended by the government.
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Oil, transnational crime, and visas on PM's Pacific agenda
16 Mar 2026Luxon says the trip is "very much" a case of listening to two new Pacific leaders, rather than NZ coming in hot with something to say.
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Law change could let IRD change its interest rates more quickly
When there is downward pressure on rates, and Inland Revenue is slow to move, taxpayers are exposed for longer to higher charges.
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Troubles continue at youth justice facility as deadline for improvement looms
14 Mar 2026In 2023, investigators gave Oranga Tamariki three years to turn things around at its biggest secure home for teenagers, Korowai Manaaki in south Auckland.
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PM's office denies reports that Luxon requested Samoan matai title
15 Mar 2026Christopher Luxon is due to fly to Apia tonight for a three-day Pacific mission, which will also see him visit Tonga.
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Peeni Henare asks MPs to rebuild trust in Parliament
15 Mar 2026Peeni Henare left Parliament this week with a final address full of stories and humour.
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Benefit rules confuse: Employed partner given job search obligations
14 Mar 2026There are limits on how much a household can earn and still remain eligible for benefits. When someone is on JobSeeker, household income over $160 a week before tax affects eligibility.
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Greyhound Racing NZ calls for clarity ahead of ban
14 Mar 2026A legislation shutting down the sport by August passed its first reading late last year.
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'Perfect storm': Ferry breakdowns disrupt travel and freight
14 Mar 2026The Interislander's Kaiārahi has been out of service since Tuesday night because of a technical fault, and Bluebridge's Connemara ferry was also cancelled on Thursday and Friday.
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Health Minister to meet with blood cancer specialists
13 Mar 2026Doctors, nurses and clinician researchers wrote an open letter to the prime minister about the unneccessary loss of Kiwi lives to treatable cancers. Audio
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'Not convinced': ACT objects to greyhound racing ban
13 Mar 2026The party says it is "not convinced" the threshold had been met for banning a legal industry.
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Minister dismisses official warnings about 'move on orders'
13 Mar 2026Paul Goldsmith has batted away advice from government agencies strongly urging against the move and pointing to a lack of evidence.
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Fishing for votes in an election year
13 Mar 2026Politicians from across the divide are keen to ensure this election issue will not be the one that got away. Audio
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Health NZ knew IT job cuts would risk patient care
13 Mar 2026Documents reveal what the agency was told before it started making changes.
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Indian Consulate backed visas for performers who overstayed
12 Mar 2026A letter obtained by RNZ shows the Indian Consulate supported visa applications for a "cultural delegation" that attended a Holi event in Auckland.
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Buyers eye electric vehicles as fuel prices soar
13 Mar 2026Car dealers say it's the final push for some people to buy electric vehicles. Audio
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'I panicked': Paul Eagle apologises as 'excessive' spending exposed
12 Mar 2026The former Chatham council CEO edited quotes and contracts in a $250,000 project to upgrade his own accommodation, in what an inquiry says was "exceptionally poor judgement".
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Greens concerned about loss of environmental perspective in new mega-ministry
13 Mar 2026The government is establishing a Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport to handle its reform across housing, transport, urban development, and the environment.
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Should Marsden Point have been saved? Debate carries on
12 Mar 2026Nicola Willis says recommissioning the refinery is not an option now, while Shane Jones and David Seymour trade barbs. Audio
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