Politics

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The Spinoff Members

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The NZ Labour leader won't be able to rely on a UK-style wave of despair to carry him to victory in 2026 – something more inspiring will be needed.

Are there lessons for Hipkins in the UK Labour landslide?

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The thing about floods is the water doesn't tend to go to the right places. 

The problem with Chris Bishop’s plan to flood the housing market

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The controversial policy has many supporters, for vastly different reasons. 

Could dropping reo Māori names from government agencies actually be giving mana to te reo Māori?

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They bear the brunt of decisions that exacerbate insecurity, from restoring no-cause evictions to failing to take climate change seriously.

Life in Aotearoa is increasingly precarious – and young people shoulder the burden

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The management consultants had helped with the caucus – could they heal the Lange-Douglas rift?

How Richard Prebble tried to save the Lange government with Human Synergistics

Joel MacManus

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Inflation has (maybe) been beaten. Time to celebrate! 

How to host the ‘inflation is over’ party of your dreams

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Last July it was determined the country’s public health service was in need of 4,800 more nurses. In June, Te Whatu Ora said hospitals were 2,000 nurses 'ahead'. Nurses and their union disagree.

‘Horrible’: Nurses describe work conditions amid staffing debate

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A view from the Philippines on heightened disputes in the South China Sea and the risk of getting caught up in a great powers battle.

The rust-bucket powder keg that could spark a China-US conflict

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Including: they’ve been eyeing up your cabbages.

If this bill passes as is, your landlord could evict you for the following reasons

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Solutions to all kinds of pressing problems could be hiding in plain sight.

The government has discovered Pharmac. What should it find next?

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A former member of the Reagan administration recalls the clash with NZ over a nuclear ship visit – and offers a fresh warning about Trump.

‘Turd in a punchbowl’: the David Lange effect in the White House

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Benefit: Would provide an essential lifeline for Picton’s economy. Cost: You might have to go to Picton one day. 

A cost-benefit analysis of buying new Interislander ferries

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Has anybody got any boats? Or, failing that, some bolts?

Gone By Lunchtime: Is New Zealand a C-list country?

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Everything keeps breaking. The plane. The ferry. The power pylon. The roads. The pipes. Why? Because maintenance has been less than ideal – classic bad landlord behaviour.

New Zealand is one big crappy flat with successive negligent landlords

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The current National-led government needs to heed the lessons of the Muldoon years, says the former PM.

Geoffrey Palmer on rapid reforms: ‘You should learn from history, not repeat it’

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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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A housing minister willing to publicly discuss house price falls is encouraging. But there's one crucial detail it all hinges on.

Bishop’s house price comments show the mood is shifting. Will we see actual change?

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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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The showdown with the finance minister was the main event of 'scrutiny week' – an in-depth prosecution of the budget, interrupted by a series of fluff questions from government MPs.

Patsy questions and patronising answers: Nicola Willis faces scrutiny week

Emergency

Nicola Willis said New Zealanders 'don't turn up at the emergency room thinking about their ethnic identity'. Research into kaumātua health suggests differently.

When a Māori person goes to hospital, they don’t leave their Māori identity at the door

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Editor Madeleine Chapman reflects on the end (for now) of the news cycle about the news.

The Weekend: Is there too much news about the news?

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'The taboo against sex work is as old as sex itself, but this show may open people's eyes to other possibilities.'

Meet the real-life Madam who inspired a new local sex work comedy

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'If it's a perfect weekend then I need to hear this whole album again from start to finish. It has to be played. He’s the greatest to ever do it.'

‘Serious ital vibes when I’m blazing’: P Digsss shares his perfect weekend playlist

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'Every time I see her, I'm like wow, I wish that I had your clothes. And sometimes I actually do take them.'

‘I’m wearing her pants right now’: Kura Turuwhenua’s TV style icon

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It’s a bumper year for local children’s novels. Ten authors tell us why they write for kids, and what their books offer grown-ups, too.

‘Children can change the world’: Aotearoa children’s writers on why they write for kids

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Drinking wasn't just a pastime, it was my profession – and it got way out of control. 

The Sunday Essay: Lush and lost on Ponsonby Road

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Vibes less like the last day of school, and more like the entire school is on fire and everyone is sitting around telling stories and toasting marshmallows in the flames. 

‘No tears till 7pm’: How Newshub said goodbye to Newshub

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The Friday Poem: ‘The knowledge in grass’ by Elizabeth Smither

All the latest news from budget day, including live news and reactions.

The budget has officially been released. 

Follow this blog for up-to-date reaction, including from the opposition and in the debating chamber. For coverage of today’s hīkoi and rallies held to coincide with budget day, scroll down.

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Up-to-date coverage, news and reactions to Budget 2024.

The Spinoff

PoliticsMay 30, 2024

Live updates: All the latest as the budget is revealed

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PoliticsMay 30, 2024

Live updates: All the latest as the budget is revealed

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