Politics

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The Spinoff Members

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The soon-to-be deputy PM has already had a crucial win behind the scenes.

David Seymour’s subtle power play

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Could the current coalition's first term also be its last? Here's what history tells us about this rare phenomenon.

A complete history of New Zealand’s one-term governments

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The reasons people commit crime are often the same, whether they're rich or poor.

Golriz, I think I get it — I shoplifted too

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With the local body elections in October, a long-awaited upgrade of Courtenay Place, and big changes for water, housing, and the economy, it's set to be another dramatic year for the capital city.

Bucket fountains of news: The big issues for Wellington in 2025

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With select committees increasingly swamped with submissions, it's clear this once niche act has gone mainstream. But does it make any difference?

The submission surge: How having a say on new laws went from nerdy to normal

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A hospital in limbo, a local body election and a deputy prime minister in waiting: welcome to politics, 2025 edition.

Stayin’ alive at the Beehive in 2025: Your handy guide to the year ahead in politics

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Local elections will decide the future of Māori seats on councils, with referendums testing New Zealand's commitment to equitable representation and Te Tiriti principles.

The fate of Māori seats on councils lies with those who vote

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It's been overshadowed by another piece of Act Party legislation, but the Regulatory Standards Bill has some critics equally concerned.

What’s all the fuss about the bill to regulate regulations?

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A parent shares their experience and fears as public submissions are sought on the use of puberty blockers for gender-affirming care.

‘She knew before she could read’: The reality of raising a trans child

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With the considerable benefit of hindsight and creative licence, we present July 16, 1984, as it happened.

Live updates: 16/7/84, one of the wildest days in New Zealand politics

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What will dominate the headlines this year? Our pundits take a punt.

NZ politics in 2025: The big issues on which the year will hinge

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The Kim Dotcom challenge to John Key culminated in an extravaganza joining dots from the US, the UK and Russia – even North Korea. It got messy.

The Moment of Truth: Revisiting a wild night in NZ politics

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A special live edition of The Spinoff's politics podcast, revisiting the turbulent Lange years with special guest Kim Hill.

Gone By Lunchtime Live: A trip to 1980s New Zealand with Kim Hill

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Submissions to the Justice Committee on the controversial legislation are currently tracking at three times the previous record number.

Submissions reopened for treaty principles bill after record response and ‘technical issues’

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Forget that bullshit biscuit tin. The parliament petitions page is the real receptacle for the nation’s political identity.

Celebrating the lynchpin of our democracy, parliament’s online petitions page

Lange and Douglas

The meltdown in the relationship between the key players can be charted in an extraordinary exchange of correspondence.

‘Grossly misleading to me and to the country’: the Lange-Douglas letters, unearthed

Maori Party Leaders Portrait Session

A tribute to the co-founder of Te Pāti Māori, who has died aged 80. 

A politician for the people: Dame Tariana Turia, 1944-2025

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Coups, councils, canines and constitutional crises: our pundits roll out their most outlandish prophecies for another year. 

Ten wild political predictions for 2025

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Making a splash: Is this the most impressive select committee submission ever?

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I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here's exactly how it played out.

What it’s like to be made redundant by the Ministry of Education

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The outgoing and incoming presidents have both claimed credit for the historic deal.

Biden prepares to leave the White House. Will Gaza ceasefire seal his legacy?

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An announcement about the Friday poem

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The agreement will ease Palestinians’ suffering, but international agencies will struggle to meet the massive need for humanitarian relief.

World celebrates Gaza ceasefire deal

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Our prized tracks are frequently listed among the best in the world. They’re also, sorry to report, dusty, boring mountains with no gift shops, hobbits or TikTok.

The worst Google reviews of New Zealand’s best tramps

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I can’t help but feel that my 2025 is cursed already. Should I start over, or give up and wait for 2026?

Help Me Hera: I’ve already broken four of my five new year resolutions

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Currently, under 18s are legally allowed to buy Lotto tickets. That's about to change.

The overdue decision to increase Lotto age restrictions

In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens and luminaries making the news. Today: we asked some everyday New Zealanders who they’re voting for, and why.

Kiwis of Snapchat: The Voters Speak

In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens and luminaries making the news. Today: we asked some everyday New Zealanders who they're voting for, and why. 

The Spinoff

PoliticsSeptember 11, 2017

Kiwis of Snapchat: the voters speak

Click here for all our Kiwis of Snapchat videos

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PoliticsSeptember 11, 2017

Kiwis of Snapchat: the voters speak

Click here for all our Kiwis of Snapchat videos

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