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Hipkins says he'll wait until end of May to make promises
Criticism came in thick and fast after his State of the Nation speech with Nicola Willis describing it as "a lot of words that amount to nothing". Audio
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Minister calls Police Association 'out of touch' over rough sleepers
8:36 am todayThe association says move-on powers will be a drain on time, and homeless people say they'll still have nowhere to go. Audio
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Advocacy group calls for law repeal, independent pay equity unit
43 minutes agoTen female former MPs have released a report after receiving 1390 submissions and holding three months of hearings on the government's pay equity changes last…
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Hipkins speech like 'lump of jelly' filled with sentiment, says Willis
23 Feb 2026If Labour does not come up with policy, "the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are ready to go", says National's deputy leader.
Politics headlines with summaries.
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Emergency specialist calls for law changes around dog control
7:37 am todayThe government says it's open to intervening but councils can be tougher and enforce the powers they already have first. Audio
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Pay equity changes 'significant abuse of power', former MPs say
5:00 am todayBut the workplace relations minister is backing the new system, saying it's made the law simpler and more robust.
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Unions accuse Peters of being 'wilfully misleading' over employment bill
6:32 am todayBoth the PSA and Workers First want the New Zealand First leader investigated for breaching the cabinet manual.
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$58m in redundancy payouts a 'disgraceful waste of money', union says
23 Feb 2026The bill for payouts to non-clinical staff will "costs on our health system for years to come", the PSA says.
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Hipkins vows to put 'affordability' at the heart of election year decisions
23 Feb 2026The party is not promising many bells and whistles ahead of the address.
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Critics urge minister to slow down on law to claw back welfare
23 Feb 2026The coalition, with Labour's support, is moving to quickly pass amendment legislation to align the law with long-standing policy.
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'No doubt' new move-on orders for homeless will drain police resources
23 Feb 2026Requiring police officers to shift rough sleepers from one place to another could see other crime work delayed or dropped, the Police Association says. Audio
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What Trump’s America wants from NZ’s mines
23 Feb 2026Mining leaders have met in Washington to showcase what their nations could contribute as the US looks to counter China's dominance.
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New 'bullying', 'draconian' homeless laws questioned
23 Feb 2026The government says the orders are part of reclaiming town centres, and a retailers' group doubts they will work. Audio
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'Calling for change for almost a year'; Hopes government will act after dog killing
23 Feb 2026The issue of roaming dogs - with a number of attacks on young kids - "just keeps on getting worse", an Auckland Council manager says. Audio
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Dog attacks: 'Backyard breeding' a major concern - vet
23 Feb 2026The frequency of the dog attacks right now is "distressing", says the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
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Government to spend $198m to keep control of Genesis Energy
23 Feb 2026It posted a strong lift in half year profit and announced a capital raise, as the government confirmed a $200m investment to maintain its stake.
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Immigration amping up in election year
22 Feb 2026Immigration is a wedge issue in many countries and political parties opposing it have been boosted. How are the media handling this - and the prospect of more to come?
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Georgie Dansey subbed on in Parliament's last quarter
23 Feb 2026With barely seven months left in this Parliament Labour has a new MP - Georgie Dansey - who has given her first, introductory speech.
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Government announces homeless move-on orders - for all town centres
Police can move on rough sleepers or people displaying disorderly behaviour as young as 14-years-old.
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Uncertainty likely to remain with US tariff ruling - trade minister
21 Feb 2026The US Supreme Court ruled the sweeping tariffs Donald Trump imposed on nearly every country, including New Zealand, were illegal.
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National to campaign on review of 'controversial' Hauraki Gulf fishing rules
21 Feb 2026Legislation last year established 12 high protection areas - but allowed commercial operators exclusive access to two of them.
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'Unhinged madness': Peters fires back at unions over employment bill
21 Feb 2026The PSA said the NZ First leader was wrong to blame unions for being too slow to convince New Zealand First to block the bill.
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'Sort it out': Minister's frustration with flooded cycleway
20 Feb 2026Commuting cyclists are choosing to avoid the tunnel and go through a pedestrian tunnel on bikes.
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Visitor levy funds to be used in restoration of Tongariro National Park
20 Feb 2026The money, spent over five years, will go towards weed control, pest management, and biodiversity monitoring.
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Govt defends homeless move-on orders, opposition slams them for being 'cruel'
22 Feb 2026The government has confirmed it will give police powers to issue move-on notices. But opposition parties have slammed the proposal, describing it as "cruel" and "despicable."
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'Jurassic thinking': Bill to make English an official language introduced
The bill is being fiercely defended by Winston Peters. Audio
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'It's a no-brainer': Bishop reacts to unease over housing intensification plans
20 Feb 2026The Housing Minister is frustrated by the resistance to a massive boost in the number of houses in Auckland. Audio
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MSD claw backs will 'financially cripple' state abuse survivors, advocate says
20 Feb 2026The coalition, with Labour's support, is changing the law so the Ministry of Social Development can legally claw back payments once someone has been backpaid for an ACC claim.
Parliament Links
NZ Parliament audio live streamTop News stories
- Calls on Wellington Electricity for compensation after days with no power
- Labour's Chris Hipkins to wait until after Budget 2026 to make commitments
- 'Imaginary income' lands family $4000 Working for Families bill
- 'We still have nowhere else to go': Rough sleepers question police's new move on powers
- Is it ever a good idea to stay together for the kids?
