The Bulletin

ACC’s back-to-basics plan to pull itself back from a $23b hole

ACC’s back-to-basics plan to pull itself back from a $23b hole

ACC says a new turnaround plan will restore its finances without making it harder for people to get cover. But many claimants say they've already been unfairly cut off.

By Catherine McGregor | 23rd January, 2026

Contributing writer

The prime minister is hoping November 7 will be his lucky number. (Photos: Getty Images)

Will November 7 be the government’s lucky number?

The late election date gives the coalition extra time for the economy to turn – and for the opposition to hammer home its message that NZ needs a change.

By Catherine McGregor | 22nd January, 2026

Contributing writer

Photo: Getty Images

Upper North Island braces for a second round of flooding

Drenched Northland may again get the worst of it, but Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty are being warned to prepare as well.

By Catherine McGregor | 21st January, 2026

Contributing writer

Around 1,000 Greenlanders protested Donald Trump’s takeover threat on March 15, 2025. (Photo: Ahmet Gurhan Kartal /Anadolu via Getty Images)

How Trump dragged New Zealand into his new world order

Could the Greenland crisis force the government to speak up against US aggression?

By Catherine McGregor | 20th January, 2026

Contributing writer

Christopher Luxon delivers a speech at National’s annual conference at the Michael Fowler Centre on June 25, 2023. (Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Can Luxon turn a fragile recovery into an election win?

Today's state of the nation address will see the PM defending his record – and trying to convince voters that his economic promises are finally becoming a reality.

By Catherine McGregor | 19th January, 2026

Contributing writer

The topics that will define politics in 2026

The topics that will define politics in 2026

Big elections here and in the US, a sputtering economic recovery, and more issues that will have us all talking in '26.

By Catherine McGregor | 12th January, 2026

Contributing writer

See ya round, 2025

The Bulletin’s 2025 year in review

A look back at the 10 most-read Bulletins of the year.

By Catherine McGregor | 19th December, 2025

Contributing writer

While the poll is good news for Labour, it also shows Luxon narrowing the gap with Chris Hipkins on preferred prime minister. (Image: Hagen Hopkins/Getty/The Spinoff)

A late poll lift for Labour as parliament calls time for the year

With National now eight points behind Labour, this wasn't the send-off to 2025 the government was hoping for.

By Catherine McGregor | 18th December, 2025

Contributing writer

Finance minister Nicola Willis at the Hyefu lockup presentation at the Treasury, Wellington, December 16, 2025. (Photo: Mark Mitchell /New Zealand Herald via Getty Images)

Hyefu lays out a path to surplus – if nothing goes wrong

The half-year fiscal update offers the prospect of a fragile recovery – just as higher interest rates threaten to complicate the government's election year story.

By Catherine McGregor | 17th December, 2025

Contributing writer

Mourners gather to lay flowers at Bondi Beach. (Photo: Izhar Khan/Getty Images)

Bondi attack reignites gun debate in Australia and security fears at home

The shooting has renewed scrutiny of firearms laws, intelligence failures and how both Australia and NZ protect their crowded public spaces.

By Catherine McGregor | 16th December, 2025

Contributing writer

Arrivals queue to go through border checks at Newark Airport, New York. (Photo: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Would you hand over five years of social media posts to visit the US?

The Trump administration plans to make NZ visitors submit sweeping personal data, including social media, family details and even DNA.

By Catherine McGregor | 15th December, 2025

Contributing writer

The greater Wellington region has a population of 545,000, represented by eight mayors and nine councils. (Image: GWRC)

Could Wellington finally be ready to merge?

Wellington's mayors have agreed to explore amalgamation – a decade after the last attempt collapsed.

By Catherine McGregor | 12th December, 2025

Contributing writer

The Taxpayer’s Union has launched a campaign against Nicola Willis’s management of the economy, arguing she has let borrowing balloon and failed to rein in spending. (Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty/The Spinoff)

Is Nicola Willis losing the right?

A war of words between the finance minister and Ruth Richardson has forced open long-simmering tensions over the government's economic direction.

By Catherine McGregor | 11th December, 2025

Contributing writer

Once a visionary piece of legislation, the RMA had grown bloated through successive amendments and wildly inconsistent local interpretation. (Image: Tina Tiller/The Spinoff)

RMA era ends as government launches ‘once-in-a-generation’ planning overhaul

The Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill promise simpler rules, faster consents and a sharper focus on property rights.

By Catherine McGregor | 10th December, 2025

Contributing writer

For National, a narrative that the economy is finally healing is a big political win

Right bloc buoyed as economy shows signs of life

An improving economic outlook could give National fresh momentum – but it may be too little, too late.

By Catherine McGregor | 9th December, 2025

Contributing writer

For many New Zealanders, the summer break extends far beyond the days they’re officially on leave, argues a business commentator. (Image: Getty / The Spinoff)

Is the long summer break hurting our economy?

A 'circle back in February' mentality may be contributing to New Zealand's stubbornly low productivity.

By Catherine McGregor | 8th December, 2025

Contributing writer